Making an AK as Smooth as Butter

[@s0bedrag0n]

I learned how to resurface AK hammer face 10 years ago from Jim Fuller when he owned Rifle Dynamics. If you’re Dremel dies or you don’t have one, use hand files. Knock off those edges/corners and then use fine grit sand paper. Don’t stay in one spot. You can also use a shotgun shell to slip over the hammer and spring to prevent the cobra bite. You should should also replace the Shepards hook with a pin retaining plate.

[@DragunBreath]

Didn't know that about the shotgun shell, pretty cool. You can also bend the legs around behind the hammer, crossed over each other, and a zip tie. Once installed, snip the zip, and let the legs fly.

[@Oreguns85]

​@@DragunBreathOh zip ties, I would of never figured that out. How do you install them??

[@DragunBreath]

@@Oreguns85 - just grab the spring legs with some needlenose, fold them back across the hammer face, crossing over each other to hold in place, the zip tie them. Easy peasy.

[@andygold]

I wonder if doing this on a spindle sander would be a better idea. You could use both hands to hold the hammer, and have more exacting control on pressure applied.

[@jason200912]

Hook is often easier to take in and out than the plate. My plate gets stuck and needs pliers to take back out

[@okiewind8403]

I did this with my Norinco several years ago and was told not to because they are great already but I did anyways and it was just that much smoother and recently got another Norinco and needed a refresher thank you sir.

[@chris8576a]

Yup just did this to my mak 90. Always getting caught with the first knob with the bolt going backwards.

[@kaliospits7831]

Norinco mak 90 . 3.5 lb stock trigger. I know they say more sometimes but especially after polishing..... omg so smooth.

[@mookynuke]

I build my own AKs and I had this crazy idea for a build so I mirror polished the rails before spot welding them in for a smooth glide. Will be modifying and polishing the hammer to take it over the top, thanks for video! My favorite go to is 'The One' with the polished rails/feed ramp ... Damn, can't wait for my next day off to work on hammer.

[@rachelreynolds2551]

Thank you for the video. I used a standard fine grit sanding cylinder on my Dremel then followed up with high gloss polishing #6 with a buffer head. Worked perfect on a PSA GF3-E with ALG trigger. The action was rough and would stick out of the box and with 300rds down range. I am surprised that ALG doesn't already have this smoothed out but now it is butter!

[@Oreguns85]

I don't think it's really as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be. It's more of a cosmetic issue then function. I've never heard anyone say their bolt was sticking open when they were firing it. The only time it really sticks is when you ride the bolt carrier back or forwards. People just like to tinker with their guns. I know I do lol

[@BarnDoor-won5ve]

I just put an alg akt in mine and now the bolt sticks terribly as in hangs up and needs smacked to return home, even WITH the alg recol spring. I also suspect that those pronounced humps on the hammer are pushing up on the bolt because now the charging handle also makes contact with the dust cover and is scratching the hell out of it when racking. I think I've come to the conclusion that bill's intent was to give plenty of material for an individual to remove from the hammer to ensure a proper and smooth end result with the varying models of ak's. I can say the trigger and reset are light years better than stock. I'm pretty confident that after doing this to the hammer, it's going to be fantastic👍🏻

[@Grizzlyman420]

How’s your GF3 holding up? I just got the GF5

[@joshuapiszczek1924]

This is the video I didn't know I needed! Can't wait to do this to mine. Thank you very much man!

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Your welcome, glad you liked it and could assist. :)

[@jeroendesterke9739]

Fifty million + AK users all over the world are doing a run on polishing equipment as we speak.

[@sleepy_moonchild829]

Literally a metal working infant, an ak alien. The last person I would seek guidance from.

[@GOLTURBO555]

AK trigger works on self polish... If you remove too much material, the trigger ll not reset, a face some problems with the firing pin, and maybe safety too.

[@R.Tafolla]

Be careful if you do this not to remove too much from the hammer. It won’t catch the disconnector and won’t reset.

[@okiewind8403]

That’s one way to get a full auto 😂

[@R.Tafolla]

@@okiewind8403 nah youll get a hammer follow and a dead trigger.

[@okiewind8403]

@@R.Tafolla oh ok. I assumed it just wouldn’t catch and keep firing.

[@GOLTURBO555]

@@okiewind8403 u ll not listen the reset... Dead

[@Grizzlyman420]

Anyone have experience with PSA? Any feedback would be solid! Thanks

[@claytondennis8034]

"You can't put material back on." Me: laughs in TIG

[@DragunBreath]

*reminds himself to learn how to weld*

[@johndecker9983]

Added bayonet lugs with my welder. Little filing, and I now have a heavy pointy stick. You know, just in case 😂

[@chriscox5568]

Don't use a rubber band, slide a used 12 or 20 ga. hull over the hammer to hold the springs behind the hammer to remove or install it.

[@ViperFox_]

Just got an Arsenal and installed an ALG trigger and it’s doing this and this video popped up and literally showed me how to solve the problem I was worrying about lmfao. Thanks man!!

[@jakeh6980]

Tapco triggers, ALG triggers etc, are not worth it and really unnecessary. I’ve been into AKs for about 14 years now and have a decent ak collection, and the stock triggers just have never bothered me: at least to the point where I absolutely felt I “had”to change it out unless it actually has to be replaced due to issues. I find a lot of people on the internet feel and sound like changing out their stock trigger is a “must” upgrade. Almost to the point where if they don’t change out the trigger asap, their world is going to end. On top of that, tapco and alg triggers have always tended to have bad effects on the bolt carrier. Which is why you end up having to do all this unnecessary modifying to prevent damage and unnecessary wear. Idk, I just never could see the whole obsession with changing out the stock triggers, only that people just want to shoot faster

[@SelMevias]

@@jakeh6980 ok boomer

[@JakefromStatefarm-d2i]

​@SelMevias no intellectual rebuttal? Just a half assed attempt at an insult? 😂

[@schutendohkji548]

At 16:04, suggest to use a vice. Any small one can be used, even 3"jaw hand vice than to risk hurting ur fingers. Didn't like the sparkies. Hope ur wearing a goggle. Mr. Dremel can kick back out of ur hand. For mine, I didn't remove the hammer out. Just did this in situ. I just used #400 sand paper, rolled into a short pipe, about the size of a cigarette butt, flatten it, then pushed it bk n forth to remove the acute hump. Then smoothed it w a jeweler's file. Blow out or suck out the debris w a powerful knife blade on a vacuum machine. Hope this helps the viewers here as well to whom won't like to disassemble much to get this task done. Yes, i agree w the GNerd. Don't over remove the hump/crown.

[@JoRocket77]

Good stuff, man. Thank you. I'm going to try this on my ZpapM70

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Good luck! Hope it smooths out. :)

[@j.p.4541]

My ZPAP came in and hand cycling it is rougher than my WASR 10

[@OnPoints-p3m]

I would replace that shepherd's hook that's made of wire with a good solid steel one from AK operators union

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Have to check those out.

[@unleasheth]

I just oil sanded and starting at around 200 grit and worked up to 3500 oiled and polished bolt and carrier, took a good while on the front facing of the carrier and the latch. But for trigger would highly recommend save yourself the time and work and get a 30 dollar alg trigger and a 8 dollar recoil buffer. Still...good content man, ya have to really be in a mood to fiddle with stuff to keep patience with it, I know that's how I feel

[@andygold]

Where can you get a $30 ALG trigger?

[@unleasheth]

@@andygold well, at the time they were 35ish, I got it from ar15discounts, but now they are 65 and out of stock anyhow

[@andrewoxner2941]

Kids, avoid emergency room visit by doing this in a vice.

[@M81_WOODLAND]

I cringe when people use grinding or cutting tools on material that isn't secured in a vise.

[@enigmatic51me95]

I had an AK that had a bad drawback hangup. After some time I notice my wood upper hand hold tube interior, where the bolt carrier piston shaft sides in and out of, had surface drag marks. It was the same pattern as the baffle on my Bolt Carrier Piston shaft...This baffle is on military Bolt Carrier Piston shafts and it's near the end of the shaft behind the piston head itself...Most, if not all civilian AK's do not have this baffle..." it's a star/flower shape" device mounted on the shaft behind the piston head itself...Once the piston shaft was removed and replaced with a normal one it was far better to cycle. No hang ups...The bad side is it got a lot dirty faster...I assume its purpose is to help guide the piston shaft down center hand guard as it travels front to back...But mine seems to work fine without it...Again, many of you dont have this issue...but some one does...

[@Grizzlyman420]

Any experience with PSA? Just added a GF5 next to my M70

[@enigmatic51me95]

@Grizzlyman420 AK wise no...but I do have a 9mm AK-V...Nice setup...PSA is a company that know what we like...I never had any issue with them...looking foward to there MP7 clone...as for my AK it is a USA Armory version made about 10plus years ago...

[@ExtremelyAverageMan]

Great video, thank you. The trigger on my Zpap is gritty, and it's hard to find "the wall" sometimes I'll creep to the wall of the trigger, hold, and take my shot normally. Other times, I'll creep the trigger to find no wall and the shot will go off unintentionally early. Do I just need to polish the "trigger areas" as you've pointed out around 13:12 in your video? Just want to get my trigger to the point where I can 100% anticipate each shot and get it smooth. I'm trying to avoid spending $120 an an ALG if I can just file my stock trigger a bit.

[@franks7810]

Out of the 7 AK's I own, I love my ZPAP's the most(even more than my VEPR's and Sam7!) They are so damn well built. Zastava hit another home run. I'd HIGHLY recommend getting the ALG trigger. It's a must have upgrade for any AK. Night and day difference. Don't bother tinkering with the factory trigger.

[@ExtremelyAverageMan]

@franks7810 thanks for the reply, I'll look into it!

[@MikeBobby-l7o]

@@ExtremelyAverageMan Don't know if you ever got that ALG trigger for your zastava, but you should know it can damage your bolt carrier.

[@dougshelton69]

A spent 12 gauge shell works AWSOME for anti snake bite.

[@bruceinoz8002]

See also' Bag-ties or fluffy pink pipe cleaners.

[@okiewind8403]

What am I missing? What do you mean by snake bite?

[@dougshelton69]

@@okiewind8403 when you get bit by the hammer springs snapping on your hand,you will have 2 little bloody holes that look just like snake 🐍 bites😛

[@okiewind8403]

@@dougshelton69 😂 oh ok. I’ve avoided that so far lol

[@dougshelton69]

@@okiewind8403 your Mr lucky....changed triggers alot and it still can happen...

[@Oreguns85]

Why is that Fab defense dust cover so expensive? The ones that flip up are way better and almost half the price

[@PjH-e8i]

Doesn't this "hang up" get better over time so why dremel any thing?

[@_JEBUS]

The tspco trigget on my wasr10 is smoother than the alg on my akv. Ive shot it so much that its naturally polished.

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Natural break-in is usually best unless you don't have the ammo.

[@chriscox5568]

A great thing to do when your taking the hammers spring legs and pulling them back and hooking them back behind the hammer to remove it get a 12 ga. shell hull and slide it down over the hammer and spring legs to be able to remove the hammer without having to worry about the spring legs from popping off and gauging you. That's very simple, quick and easy. Another thing, get a trigger, hammer pine retaining plate and use that instead of the shepperds hook. To remove the plate and your hammer and trigger all you do is remove your safety then rock the plate up and out. It makes removing and re-installing your fire control group extremely quick and easy !

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Will have to give a try to avoid the dread snakebite.

[@davidkay7389]

Appreciate the knowledge and technique transfer 👌

[@kaliospits7831]

What is that top railed top cover you kind of ratchet in at the end? Please ide love to get one

[@TheGeekyNerd]

FAB Defense Railed Top Cover….also made a video on it! 😁

[@kaliospits7831]

@TheGeekyNerd thank you friend. Awesome rifle btw

[@jeremiahcherry5283]

How you liking that top cover? I had a chance to buy one but saw zero vids about it online.

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Rock solid still, hope my video helped.

[@bill4894]

You’re saying lightly Polish then you high speed grind ? Sparks equal grinding.

[@JakefromStatefarm-d2i]

He clearly stated within the video to grind.

[@cherry24v]

“It’s a little bit easier if you hold it close to your chest, heh 🤓”

[@petedivine]

Thanks Man !! I have a Tapco GL2 trigger and will give this a try.

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

The BEST best of both worlds is the Galil in 5.56.

[@jakeh6980]

Nothing in 5.56 is the best of anything; especially AKs in 5.56. 5.56 AKs, ak variants etc, is just an abomination

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

@jakeh6980 well based off your stupid remark then nothing is good for anything. 5.56 is a great defense round. Light weight, high powered and comes in plenty of options.

[@LosDoyerss]

An ALG spring and trigger with a KNS piston is the way to go.

[@tedr.richardson4655]

Keep all your Mags loaded, Empty Mags are like Dead Power Tool Batteries, Useless when you need them. Semper Fidelis

[@DepakoteMeister]

Might it have been wise to have checked the surface hardness of anything modfied before and after, just to check if you've removed any surface hardening?

[@1badombre82]

You sure your not an AR guy lol? That is the cleanest gas piston I've ever seen. Thanks for the video . I did this year's ago to my m92 but I wanted to see if you did anything different.

[@clayramsey019]

My bolt carrier has a lil gap what southern the fix for that? What would cause that and is it a shooting issue waiting to happen?

[@TheGeekyNerd]

The bolt carrier naturally has a natural gap/give to it prior to engaging and is no worry.

[@danmiller2523]

Who makes the top cover with the pica tinny rail

[@j.p.4541]

Thank you for posting, I’m thinking of doing the same to my ZPAP. Can you tell me what grit you were using on your Dremel bit?

[@danareesullivan3126]

Yo I’m from Massachusetts, I really can’t be sad for dude because dude gets nice aks and I get only prebans$3000000 but I will never give mine up no matter how much it ducks

[@sanjayjha9255]

Very Nicely Done!

[@DC4EVA]

I use a file and a fine grit drum on my dremel and end with the rubber bits that jave grit in them, forget what they are called, leaves a mirror finish.

[@bonepie]

You could do this. or. Just run the thing and you'll make it smooth by just using it.

[@FRUITSAMURAIX]

Zah-stuh-vuh? It's Zuh-st-ah-v-ah!😂

[@deelee3462]

what top cover is that?

[@FUBBA]

FAB Defense Israel

[@TheGeekyNerd]

FAB Defense railed top cover. Video review on the channel about it as well. :)

[@canyou_heminow]

What kind of dust cover is that? I need a rail just like that!!

[@BackPorchMods]

Y'know I was thinking the lock up was happening in the bolt itself but it never came to me that it was the angles of the hammer I did it but with a diamond bit and hand sanding and I did some trigger lightening too but instead of grinding from the hammer I ground the hook that releases the hammer. Edit: I thank you for your project giving me inspiration for mine

[@shaunwillis6207]

Great video

[@tizben]

Why am I here, I don't have an ak 😂

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Not yet at least lol

[@mrguiltyfool]

Ak is banned in my place Canada and i still watch ak vids

[@tizben]

@@mrguiltyfool that makes me sad

[@mrguiltyfool]

@@tizben and they are planning on implementing aus style of gun ban in Canada

[@tizben]

@@mrguiltyfool oh my god 🙏

[@Tadjuel11-11]

Using a zip tie is much easier then a rubber band in the trigger spring.

[@SelMevias]

usinga 12 gauge hull is even simpler, faster and cheaper.

[@mikeeeeee555]

dude does all this work but still uses the shepherds paperclip rather than a proper retaining plate!?

[@AttemptMade]

Be careful with this sort of thing, a lot of com blok ak parts don’t use fancy steels like American ones, a lot of them are very soft steels with case hardening and if you hit the wrong spot with the dremel it could end up peening and then jamming.

[@MikeBobby-l7o]

"Fancy steel" Tell me you don't know anything about metallurgy without actually telling me you don't know anything about metallurgy... AK steel is as good or better than steel in American guns... They are on the soft side and that is a deliberate choice. This is the same balance knife makers have to make, the harder you make metal the more brittle it becomes, hard steel cracks and can shatter. Soft steel can dent but is FAR *tougher* it bends rather than breaks. AKs are deliberately made using softer steel to increase toughness.

[@emilmihaidragomir8329]

Brandon Herrera approves this!!😆😆😆 Great job!👍👍

[@whereisthebalance5732]

brandon doesnt know how to work on AKs

[@JakefromStatefarm-d2i]

​@whereisthebalance5732 do you have evidence of this? Or just throwing out random accusations?

[@DIYStangsandFreedom]

Goonsmithin'

[@StrelokTheStalker]

Man.. lol

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Kitchen counter required lol!

[@DIYStangsandFreedom]

@@TheGeekyNerd and a Dremel :) , by me using a Dremel. It automatically makes me a g00nSmith!

[@norrisdustlessblasting4507]

Definitely a Ar guy

[@aaronsandoval5392]

Thank u

[@ImpulseScooterTeam]

Real AKs are 7.62x39

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Agreed 100%

[@chrisvaughan2462]

I’ve got AK 103 (Russian made, not some zastava crap) with under barrel handguard rails on the side and bottom and that’s it. anyone can get that handguard, gun will maintain the AK looks and you’ll be able to mount the grip and a flashlight on it… why would you go extra Transformers on it?

[@orpheusepiphanes2797]

noone cares

[@TylerHaskiell-fs3mx]

Someone sounds salty they paid more for ( Russian ) probably came with canted sights and fucked up rivets 😂

[@orpheusepiphanes2797]

@@TylerHaskiell-fs3mx Noone cares about some windbags definition of "ak looks"

[@JakefromStatefarm-d2i]

Transformers? 😂 he has a simple magpul mlock rail and a railed dust cover. Stop complaining about what others do to their rifles. 😂

[@chrisvaughan2462]

@ asking a question is complaining? Rail that’s completely unnecessary and makes gun look ugly… let me guess, you’re an American right? Pathetic 🤣🤣🤣

[@tactical-bucket]

Spent 12 gauge shotgun shell works way better than a rubber band. Also, vise these trigger components up and DO NOT grind your bearing surface away from being flat to the carrier. You were coming at that hammer from all sorts of angles. Terrible work there. Keep your rotary tool completely flat to the bearing surface so you arent rounding off your edges. FFS

[@XPEHb]

Чел, просто настреляй пару тысяч пулек. И всё само собой притрется.

[@mattburns545]

*Shepherds hook

[@mikeg7ga922]

5.56 AK 😂😂😂😂what’s wrong with 762x39 AK

[@MikeBobby-l7o]

More ammo availability flatter shooter. I'll take a 5.56 AK over a AR all day.

[@TheBlackAce99]

This is nicce thank you

[@danareesullivan3126]

Milwaukee , I 👍

[@richardturk7162]

People that say Yadda yadda yadda are really annoying. please try to stop saying things like that. Too many "forum" comments and fluff that really doesn't have anything to do with making an AK smoother. Basically just get to the point of the video.

[@racecarjones4665]

why tho

[@GeorgeSkendi]

Can’t you stop talking and go right to the point

[@mrguiltyfool]

First comment again

[@TheGeekyNerd]

Off to the races I see lol

[@Hudson4426]

You laugh too much

[@TheGeekyNerd]

You need to laugh more :)

[@hindsight2022]

Bubba af

[@markmitchezee2728]

"FLITZ" Metal Polish ! --> THE BEST ! - BE PREPARED - Many of you may require the Services of a local & preferably "Peaceful" Democrat in order to confirm as to whether your polishing has indeed reached the smoothness level of a "Baby's Bottom". The skill required in determining the smoothness of small children's bottoms are something that Democrats diligently focus on & in-turn are very very good at. Hey ... just try'in to Help !

[@jayward7536]

gonna domy arsenal this week for sure

[@whiteru55ian33]

I’m going to treat my Romi SAR-1 she deserves to be spoiled a bit.