USM AK-74: the purpose and device of the trigger mechanism of the Kalashnikov assault rifle

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

The Kalashnikov assault rifle is very popular all over the world. Thanks to its reliability and high performance, it has become a symbol of Soviet weapons. In addition, the AK served as the basis for the creation of the Saiga carbines, which were highly appreciated by many hunters.

All the technical components of the machine are worthy of attention, but judging by the reviews, the AK-74 trigger mechanism is of greater interest. Information about the device and purpose of the USM of this shooting model is contained in the article.

Introduction

The Kalashnikov assault rifle is an individual small arms weapon that destroys enemy manpower. Also, with the help of AK, enemy fire weapons are disabled. In addition, you can eliminate the enemy hand-to-hand, using a machine gun equipped with a bayonet-knife. It is possible to install night shooting universal sights on the weapon. As ammunition, an ordinary cartridge containing a steel core is used, and options for which tracer bullets are provided. With full ammunition and without a bayonet-knife, the machine weighs notover 3.6 kg. Within one minute, up to 600 shots can be fired from the weapon.

About the main parts and mechanisms

The design of the Kalashnikov assault rifle has the following elements:

• receiver and barrel;
• sights;
• butt;
• pistol grip;
• bolt frame;
• gas piston;
• shutter and return mechanism;
• gas tube and handguard;
• handguard and magazine;
• USM.

AK-74 is also equipped with a muzzle brake-compensator and bayonet-knife. The weapon is completed with special accessories, a belt and a bag for ammunition. The rifle unit, for which a folding stock is provided, is supplied with a special case with a pocket for a clip.

About the device USM Kalashnikov assault rifle

USM AK-74 consists of the following parts:

• spring-loaded sear for single shots;
• trigger;
• spring-loaded triggers and their retarders;
• translator whose task is to change the mode of fire;
• self-timer.

The location of the USM AK-74 was the receiver. The technical assembly is fixed using three interchangeable axles.

About purpose

USM AK-74 performs the following functions:

• Removes the trigger from the self-timer or cocking.
• Holds the trigger cocked.
• Provides automatic or single fire. The trigger mechanism is also responsible for the ceasefire.
• Using the trigger in the AK-74, the striker is actuated.
• Prevents firing if the bolt is not locked.
• Sets automatic weapon safety.

About the Kalash trigger

Impact on the drummer is carried out by means of a spring-loaded trigger. It can be armed and self-timer. Equipped with rectangular ledges, shank, trunnions and holes, which are equipped with the USM AK-74 axle. The trigger is actuated by a mainspring, which is attached to the trunnions and is made in the form of a loop. The other end of the spring is connected to the rectangular lugs on the trigger.

About the trigger retarder

In order to improve the accuracy of combat during automatic firing, the trigger is slowed down by a special spring-loaded element in the USM AK-74 device, which is called the retarder. It is equipped with a front and rear lugs, a hole for the axle, a spring and a latch that is pinned to the rear lugs.

About single shooting

After the shot has been fired, the trigger is moved to the rear position and held with a sear. This element is located on the same axis as the trigger. The sear is equipped with a special cutout for the interpreter sector, a spring and an axial hole. If athe interpreter is on safety, its turns are limited due to the cutout.

How is burst firing done?

The trigger is removed from the platoon thanks to the spring-loaded self-timer. With the help of this USM element, trigger release is prevented if the barrel channel of the machine gun is not closed or the shutter is not locked. Self-timer equipped with:

• A sear that cocks the cock.
• A special lever that rotates the self-timer by a ledge in the bolt carrier when it is in the forward position.
• Spring. It is located on the same axis as the self-timer. The long end of the spring crosses the receiver and winds into an annular groove on the axles where the self-timer and trigger are located.

About translator

With the help of this element of the trigger mechanism, the machine gun is set to perform firing in single and bursts. The translator is equipped with special trunnions. Their location was special holes in the receiver. If the translator is in the lower position, the Kalashnikov assault rifle is set to fire single shots. In the middle position - automatic fire. If the translator is moved all the way up, then the AK is set to safety.

Causes of misfires

Misfires sometimes occur while using the Kalashnikov assault rifle. In this case, the ammunition is sent to the chamber, the shutter is shifted to the forward position, and after the trigger is released, the shot is not fired. There can be several reasons for misfires. Most likely thatcartridge is defective. Also, the drummer, which is wedged in the bolt, or the trigger mechanism may be faulty. According to experts, misfires occur when the mechanical assembly is dirty or the lubricant has frozen in it. In this case, the machine is recharged. If the delay is repeated again, then disassembling the USM AK-74 can correct the situation. This assembly may be broken or completely worn out.

How to remove the mechanical trigger assembly?

Judging by the reviews, some owners of carbines are interested in how to remove the trigger on the AK-74. Automatic weapons are dismantled as follows:

• First you need to disconnect the clip from the machine. To do this, hold the weapon with one hand by the forearm, grab the magazine with the other and, while pressing the locking latch, gently pull down. The locking bar is equipped with special protrusions that are pressed in with an awl or a screwdriver.
• Under the barrel of the carbine in a special hole there is a ramrod. It needs to be removed.
• Then the cover is removed from the receiver. The guide tube in the return mechanism is equipped with a small protrusion. To dismantle, you need to press on it, and lift the cover itself.
• After you can start removing the shock-return mechanism. This will be easy if his tube is moved forward until its heel goes beyond the longitudinal groove of the box. To get the handset, you need to pry on the end.
• Disconnect the bolt carrier. The weapon is pre-set for automatic firing. The dismantling of the bolt carrier consists into take it all the way, lift it up and move it back.
• To remove the shutter, you need to take it back and turn it. If the actions are performed correctly, a protrusion should appear in the groove of the bolt carrier. After that, the shutter is advanced forward and removed. With the help of a special punch, a pin is knocked out, which is necessary to hold the striker on the axis in the ejector, which is also dismantled along with the drummers.
• Before dismantling the gas pipe, the flag that closes it must be set in a vertical position. One end of the tube is connected to the branch pipe. To detach it, you need to pry it over the edge.

How to disassemble the trigger in the carbine?

After dismantling the trigger mechanism, you can begin to disassemble it. Start by separating the trigger. To remove it, you need to press the special lever in the self-timer.

With the help of any pointed object, the mainspring rises from both edges and winds up with both ends behind the protrusions of the trigger, the axis of which must be shifted to the left. It then rotates until its trunnion is turned towards the chamber. After that, the trigger and the mainspring are removed. After completing these steps, with the help of a punch, they begin to dismantle the trigger and sear. When removing the axis previously shifted to the left, the sear is held in the single firing mode. The self-timer (AC) is also dismantled with a punch, the axis of which, as in the previous case, is shifted to the left before removal. In the course of work, it is necessary to hold the AC and its spring. In the machine for clips with ammunition there is a special opening through which the self-timer is removed. You can start dismantling the translator after it is set perpendicular to the receiver. Before removal, the axis of this element is shifted to the right.