lovethatvector
Active member
Why do some uzi's have ratcheting topcovers and some do not?
WTK: ratcheting topcover question
- Thread starter lovethatvector
- Start date
Full auto Uzi's fire from an open bolt. If your hand slips off the cocking knob while pulling the bolt back and the bolt slams forward, the gun will fire if a loaded magazine has been inserted. The racheting charging handle will help prevent this from happening. It is not needed on semi-auto Uzi's since they fire from a closed bolt.
MuzzleFlash
UZI Talk Life Member
Not all FA Uzis have 'em either. Many of the Lytleton (South African) part-outs come without ratcheting covers. If you shoot FA then you should have/get one for safety's sake!lovethatvector said:
Brian Ski
UZI Talk Life Member
They are also usefull if you (for heavens sakes) drop your uzi on its stock and the bolt slides back just far enough to strip a round from the mag, but not far enough to catch the sear, it will fire.
Brian Ski said:
Uhhh, NO! The ratchet mechanism must be cocked in order to work. If you drop the gun, the ratchet was never engaged. Therefore........... Ka-BOOM! You're thinking of the bolt safety. It was made to cure the problem of discharges due to dropping. Karl.
Edit to add. The grip safety also serves that function too. Karl.
:lol Sorry, just don't want anyone thinking that the ratchet topcover will prevent discharges from dropping. It's important to understand the dangers of an open bolt gun. AD's into other people is your worst nightmare. I've seen three in my life and been the victim of one. So please excuse my EXTREME outlook on safety issues. Karl.
the dakota kid
Active member
How hard is it to convert a ratcheting top cover to a non ratcheting top? NTXT
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Very easy. Just unscrew the screw that holds the cocking knob to the cocking lug and remove the ratcheting pawl. You can also take out the spring that moves the pawl back and forth but you don't have to.
Convert a ratchet top cover to a non ratchet?
Remove the ratchet tooth. Make sure you have a screwdriver that fits the screw holding the slide mechanism together. The screw is often locktited in place and needs a good bit of torque to break it loose.
Once you have it apart just take the ratchet tooth out and then reassemble. You now have a non ratchet top cover.
However it is not as safe to use on a full auto in that condition. the ratchet is there to stop miscocking type ADs and it does work.
Remove the ratchet tooth. Make sure you have a screwdriver that fits the screw holding the slide mechanism together. The screw is often locktited in place and needs a good bit of torque to break it loose.
Once you have it apart just take the ratchet tooth out and then reassemble. You now have a non ratchet top cover.
However it is not as safe to use on a full auto in that condition. the ratchet is there to stop miscocking type ADs and it does work.
Amphibian,
Correct me if I am wrong but I am thinking it is still a good idea to have a ratchet top cover on a FA closed bolt full sized Uzi.
Seems to me that when cocking the closed bolt conversion you have a time period when the bolt and striker assembly has gone past the magazine but the striker has not yet locked up on the sear.
Should you accidentally release the cocking handle you could get an AD as both the bolt and striker will move forward, pick up a round from the magazine and then fire it?
However once the striker has locked up on the sear then the bolt needs to move forward and chamber a round. The ratchet top cover releases once the striker is caught on the sear and allows this forward movement of the bolt.
Or does it not work that way?
If building a semi then of course he needs to remove the ratchet otherwise he will be unable to cock the gun.
Correct me if I am wrong but I am thinking it is still a good idea to have a ratchet top cover on a FA closed bolt full sized Uzi.
Seems to me that when cocking the closed bolt conversion you have a time period when the bolt and striker assembly has gone past the magazine but the striker has not yet locked up on the sear.
Should you accidentally release the cocking handle you could get an AD as both the bolt and striker will move forward, pick up a round from the magazine and then fire it?
However once the striker has locked up on the sear then the bolt needs to move forward and chamber a round. The ratchet top cover releases once the striker is caught on the sear and allows this forward movement of the bolt.
Or does it not work that way?
If building a semi then of course he needs to remove the ratchet otherwise he will be unable to cock the gun.
Dan0341
UZI Talk Life Member
Dave is correct. I accidentally used the ratchet top cover with my closed bolt conversion once. I pulled the charging handle to the rear and the bolt and charging handle became locked. I ended up removing the top cover, while holding the bolt, to correct my mistake. I've only done this once.
Dan
Dan
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