Romanian military AK Bolt carrier

[Bunker Buster]

Just got the AK bolt carrier in. I read on on the AK carrier thread that I have to replace the AK piston with the Galil. I have a Galil 223 SAR My question is:


1. How do I remove the piston from the carrier? I don't see any retaining pin?
2. If I have to unscrew it can I use vise grip to hold the piston?

I'm excited to install this. Just need help

 

[DrGolani]

The view of the pin may be obscured by paint, bluing, whatever.
I used a vise to hold the piston that I was removing. Don't use a vice on the one going into your rifle.

 

[Bunker Buster]

I saw somewhat like a pin but its pretty smooth. If the bolt is on its upright position the pin (about an inch and a half from the start of the bolt carrier neck) looks to be inserted sideways but I don't the see the other end.

Does the retaining pin go all the way to the other side?

BTW tnx for the reply

 

[Jagdraben]

The retaining pin does go all the way through to the other side.

 

[cuate]

As I recall, in removing the AK piston from the bolt carrier, I had to drill out the pin. Reassembling with Galil piston, I had to come up with a replacement.
At timed I have used a portion of a drill bit, the solid end for a needed pin.

 

[Bunker Buster]

That seems to be the solution to just drill it out.Its really smooth.If not for you guys giving me the tips I would think its just a screw-on piston. Anyway, thanks a lot guys for chiming in!

 

[DrGolani]

Now that I think of it, yeah, I drilled it out. The Galil pin I pushed out with a drift, then re-used it in the new carrier.

 

[6500rpm]

It's screwed and pinned 1/4" or so from the end of the carrier. sand the paint off in that area and see if you can find the pin location (it's pretty much peened in place so it blends with the carrier. Sometimes you can find it by hitting it with cold blue as the pin and carrier take the color different, mostly I support the back of the carrier and whack the piston a few times and the outline of the pin shows itself. I like to start drilling both ends of the pin with a countersink and can usually drive the pin out-if not, drill.

 

[Bunker Buster]

This is the actual pics of my bolt carrier. The only thing that I can see that looks like a pin is the one with the green arrow. Its more than 1/4" distance from piston

 

[31dirty]

Hit the range today, put about 300 rounds down my Golani. Snapped this pic for ya when I broke her down to clean her up.



This is my Romy bolt carrier with my original gas piston attached to it, roll pin is circled.

When i changed out carriers, it was difficult to spot where it had been pinned...get it under something bright and look hard, it will probably oval in shape. Drill out one side and punch it out. I didnt even have to drill a new hole in the threads of my gas piston to fit, and was able to re-use the roll pin in my Golani carrier, though I did have to take a dremel to it to keep it from hanging up towards the rear of the receiver when cycling.

Good luck.

 

[Bunker Buster]

Very helpful Thanks!