Posted by Eric on May 26, 1998 at 23:31:01:
In Reply to: how do you break down and reasemble MAK 90? posted by Sylver on May 23, 1998 at 00:52:03:
First, CLEAR THE WEAPON!!!! Remove the magazine, pull the bolt back and visually inspect the chamber to be shure it is empty. Pay attention to what and how you take down because it goes back together the same way, only reverse the process. The MAK-90 is a Kalashnikov type rifle and is well known for its simplicity. You should not have too much trouble breaking it down and putting it back together. Now, once you are shure the weapon has been cleared, push the spring guide inward (located at the back of the receiver cover) and lift the receiver cover up, pivoting from the front. Push the spring guide inward till it clears the groves in the trunnion or receiver block, and pull out. Pull the bolt carrier all the way to the rear and lift out from the carrier guides. Rotate the bolt out of the guide grooves under the bolt carrier and pull foreward (toward the piston)[pay close attention to how it fits into the carrier before you remove it. it will help when you reassemble it] Remove the gas tube by lifting on the lever located on the right side of the rifle just under the rear sight. Lift it upwards and remove. If it is stiff use the cleaning kit tube as a wrench, there should be a small cut on the side of it just for such purpouses. Thats bacically it. Pretty simple huh? The AK is a well designed rifle that allows almost anyone to service it. There are hundreds of ways to clean a weapon and everybody say's their way is the best. This is my method for my AK's that I use, some don't like it but it works for me. Take the bolt and carrier and scrub them with an old toothbrush and powder solivent. I have used carb and break cleaner in the past with supriseing results. Do the same with the receiver, bolt carrier guides and trigger but be carefull not to get any chemicals on the wood furniture. Take the cleaning rod with the wire brush from the cleaning kit and soak it in solivent, run it down and up the barrel and repeat. After doing this about ten times pull off the wire brush and change to the flat ended cylindrical thing in the kit. Put a couple of cleaning patches over the top and push it through the barrel. Change patches every time until they come out clean. This takes between 4 and 8 tries. If you dont have any patches cut an old T shirt into 1 inch squares and use them. Hold the receiver end up to a light and look down the barrel to inspect. It should be shinny and clean with no dark spots. If there are dark spots repeat the brush and whipe process again. If they are still there immediatly take it to a gunsmith before you fire it. Once you have cleaned it good take a patch and coat it with a light gun oil and run it through. Run a dry one through to wipe any excess out. Now, wipe down the receiver paying attention to the chamber area, trigger group, and carrier guides. Bacically, clean the whole thing dry. Q-tips help a lot too. Lightly apply oil to the area in front of and around the chamber, all the contact points and joints in the trigger group, and the carrier guides. Now, take the main spring, bolt and carrier and wipe them clean. I boil mine in water for about 3 minutes to get the oil, solivent and crud off. If you use this method two things to remember; It is damn hot. Use gloves and tongs to handle. Make sure all water is removed from the bolt especially in the fireing pin cavity. If you get the majority of the water out the rest should evaporate with the heat. Give a light coating of oil to all these parts within 5 minutes of drying. One thing to pay special attention to when reassembleing is the bolt. After you have cleaned and coated the gas tube in and out, put it back onto the rifle. Hold the bolt carrier with the piston faceing you and insert the bolt. Rotate the bolt CLOCKWISE until it sets into the groves in the carrier. Rotate further and it will pull up flush with the cocking handle. Hold this in place when you put this assembly back into the rifle. There are slots in the top of the receiver at the back where the carrier guides start. When you place the bolt assembly back into the receiver the bolt itself should push down on the hammer. Replace the main spring and work the action. It should open and close without any problems. If it doesn't close properly DON'T FORCE IT. Remove the spring and remove carrier to see if the bolt is aligned correctly. The bolt should be in the groves on the carrier and in the forewardmost possition not extending beyond the chargeing handle. EVERYTIME you reassemble it work the action a few times to make sure everything works smooth and properly. Do this with the receiver cover off so a visual inspection can be done. If you have any problems PLEASE contact someone!! You have a very simple and reliable rifle that will give you years of faithfull service. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions, I have owned 15 or so AK type rifles over the past 12 years. A Russian friend of mine once said of the maintenance of the Kalashnikov rifle "Any idiot can figure that rifle out, that's why all the 3rd world nations love them." Lotsa luck and good shooting.