Ratcheting Top Cover - Problem?

[DeadEyeDonna]

What is the actual purpose of the ratcheting feature with the top cover.
The top cover on my RR SMG has stopped ratcheting....is this a real problem.

I am not trying to sound so naive or ignorant, but trying to learn and figure out what is going on.

Thanks.

 

[dubagel]

I’m guessing your Uzi is an open bolt. The purpose of the ratcheting top cover mechanism is a safety to prevent accidental firing of the weapon while cocking it or possibly dropping it. The production Uzi smg was an open bolt design. When the weapon is in the cocked position to fire, the action is open and the bolt is at the rear. If you were cocking the weapon and your hand slipped prematurely to reaching the rear of travel, the gun could accidentally slam fire. The ratcheting pawl prevents that. The closed bolt designs, which are the semiauto’s and conversions, don’t have a ratcheting pawl or spring. On a closed bolt you can use an smg top cover and just remove them. If you don’t, you wouldn’t be able to cock the weapon. You can get a replacement pawl and spring easily or a new full top cover assembly.

 

[DeadEyeDonna]

Thank you for the reply.
This top cover has a pic rail welded on it courtesy of BWE...so I do not wish to replace it...

I do have the original TC as well as a replacement one.
I guess I will have to see if I can figure how to make a swap...

 

[jimdoc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_GwOTLHCUE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1wgNWL1Iv8&t=51s

 

[dubagel]

BWE does nice work. Nice guy.

 

[BWE Firearms]

I can send you a replacement pawl and spring. That should fix the problem.

 

[DeadEyeDonna]

Hi Richard,

Private msg sent...

 

[kanewtervalve]

I modified a top cover so I can cock the weapon open, then load the mag and pull back and chamber the round, semi auto of course.

 

[David Hineline]

I modified a top cover so I can cock the weapon open, then load the mag and pull back and chamber the round, semi auto of course.

So a 3 step loading process instead of two, makes perfect sense.

 

[kanewtervalve]

To each his own. Having a weapon's chamber open is a nice safety option to have at the range.

 

[WHIZ]

I have a modded rachetting top cover for my closed bolt semi some ranges require you to show clear so I can lock the bolt back kinda cool feature when range jackbags ask "SHOW CLEAR " anyway had this feature done.

 

[rescue161]

I always tell the RSO that is is an open-bolt gun. That usually does the trick, but for those RSO's that don't get it, I just stick a spent casing sideways to hold the bolt slightly back and that makes them happy.

 

[David Hineline]

To each his own. Having a weapon's chamber open is a nice safety option to have at the range.

That is a good idea and mod, not owning semi auto guns makes me forget the silliness those owners have to put up with.

 

[DeadEyeDonna]

Apologies for my delay.
Package received.

Thank you Richard!!