"Cugir" Rifle

alvin · 10-23-2013, 09:36 PM

Sold my home defense rifle last year. But still need one. Rifle price returned to normal recently, so got one. This is the postwar icon gun.

CAI imported. Looks being a parts gun. More than one number and more than one maker of parts, including US made parts. But it's unfired, the rod in gas tube is silver bright...Will try it over this weekend.

alanint · 10-24-2013, 05:03 AM

Did they ship this rifle with no cleaning rod? Is the muzzle threaded?

alvin · 10-24-2013, 06:38 AM

The rifle has no cleaning rod. Initially, I thought the dealer lost it. But I noticed same rifles carried by other dealers in the local area do not have cleaning rod either. So, no rod.

The muzzle has a ring installed. No threading on it. It's illegal here to install a flash hider, so they put a ring at the muzzle.

Rifle is mainly based on Romanian parts. The trigger is marked USA. The magazine is marked China.

Sergio Natali · 10-24-2013, 06:48 AM

I had one some years ago, that belonged to my "needs" to acquire more experience with that sort of firearms. :-)
Mine was brand new, and entirely made in Romania. I did not go overboard for it, in fact after about one year I sold it and never missed it ever after. Apparently among the best ones there are the ones made in the ex DDR .
For home defence I use a Glock 17, but it's just a matter of personal choices.
Anyway congratulations for your AK

alanint · 10-24-2013, 07:34 AM

Thank God! That muzzle ring instead of a flash hider makes it SO much safer!!

Didn't California just declare that AKs were not covered under the 2nd. Amendment?

Olle · 10-24-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

The trigger is marked USA.

That's probably a Tapco G2 trigger, many AKs come with these nowadays. I had a heavy and gritty trigger with lots of trigger slap in my SAR-1, but changing to a G2 cured it all.

alvin · 10-26-2013, 08:31 PM

Yes! the trigger is marked Tapco!

Fired 140 rounds from it in range. The gun performed great. No manufacturing issue. It does have two designer's issues IMO though: (1) the fixed stock is a little bit too short, making aiming uncomfortable; (2) the front laminated wood grip does not block heat well, it became very uncomfortable to hold after firing mere 60 rounds. Other than that, this gun is very good.

Maestro · 10-26-2013, 08:47 PM

Very nice Alvin

, too bad we can't have these in CA

Tony Min · 11-03-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maestro

Very nice Alvin

, too bad we can't have these in CA

Sure you can. I built this earlier this year at a build party. For the short stock I slip on a one inch extension when shooting.

alvin · 11-04-2013, 07:11 AM

Please also note the bulge on the holding wood of the barrel on Tony's rifle, this must be modified to resolve the (2) issue mentioned above.

Fired another 220 rounds in range. It worked fine.

Olle · 11-04-2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

Yes! the trigger is marked Tapco!

Fired 140 rounds from it in range. The gun performed great. No manufacturing issue. It does have two designer's issues IMO though: (1) the fixed stock is a little bit too short, making aiming uncomfortable; (2) the front laminated wood grip does not block heat well, it became very uncomfortable to hold after firing mere 60 rounds. Other than that, this gun is very good.

I put a rubber stock extension on mine, it's a quick and cheap fix that makes it much more comfortable to shoot. The forearm on mine is made from some lightweight wood that blocks the heat quite well, but the steel rivet that goes through it sure gets hot after shooting a few mags. I have been thinking about replacing it with a shorter, recessed rivet, but it's one of those rainy day projects that probably won't get done...

Tony Min · 11-04-2013, 09:07 AM

You can buy furniture pretty cheap. Mine is original Egyptian Maadi except for the requisite number of American made parts to make it legal.

marshombre · 11-07-2013, 08:08 PM

Ironwood Designs makes extended AK butt stocks and furniture for many other semi-autos.

alvin · 11-08-2013, 06:09 AM

Experienced a problem on Kalash. Here is the story.

Carried this AK to range. First shot is normal. 2nd time pushing the trigger, it fired 2 rounds out, slam fire. 3rd time pushing the trigger, it fired 4-5 rounds.... and I felt the trigger was moving,,, moving horizontally. Something was seriously wrong.

Then, I checked it -- the trigger pivot pin had dropped to the ground, and the trigger was totally out of place.

I had disassembled this rifle a few days ago. So, I must installed something wrongly when I put it back?? There was a thin stainless steel wire spring on the left side of the receiver, which I did not think its function while putting it back. It went in anyway. Probably that spring was installed wrong!

Returned to home, I disassembled it again, and inspected the function of that wire spring carefully -- it turned out that wire spring does not do anything except holding the hammer pivot pin and trigger pivot pin in place. And the worst part -- even with hammer and trigger out, I could not install this spring to perform its function properly. It must be deformed a little bit when I disassembled the gun a few days ago.

Study on internet messages showed this is a common problem on Kalash type of rifle. A design issue. There is a formal name for this wire spring, called "Shephard's Crook". It's a nightmare.

Fortunately, US gunsmith designed a pin retainer plate to replace this wire clip, which solves this issue. Ordered one. Waiting its arrival.

sheepherder · 11-08-2013, 07:56 AM

The hammer pin, trigger pin, and sear pin (which your AK should not have) all have a groove cut near the head. The 'full auto' spring fits in these three grooves. When it is assembled semi-auto, you do not have the sear pin so full-auto spring does not work. The spring you have is a band-aid to try to fix this.

I use C-clips on my pins, available at pretty much any hardware store. Pin does not walk out.

For a better fix, some owners drill for a small Cotter pin. Much safer.

alvin · 11-08-2013, 08:19 AM

I thought about C-clips... with hammer and trigger in, it might be hard to install and deinstall (especially hard to see hammer pin groove due to the wrapping hammer spring).

Waiting pin retaining plate to come. Most reviews say it's good, some reviews complaint plate fitness, too thin etc. I will know very soon

But, don't you agree this being a design fault? The "paper clip" is simple in structure, easy to make, low cost, lots of advantages, but obviously easy to install for dummy was not in the original consideration. For this tiny wire's important function, I would think the retaining plate solution is much more appropriate.

sheepherder · 11-08-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

I thought about C-clips... with hammer and trigger in, it might be hard to install and deinstall (especially hard to see hammer pin groove due to the wrapping hammer spring).

Yes, it is hard to get the hammer C-clip in. Like Luger flat mainspring.

Needs vise to hold action, small screwdrivers to push C-clip in position. I think I pushed in from magazine well.

Quote:

Waiting pin retaining plate to come. Most reviews say it's good, some reviews complaint plate fitness, too thin etc. I will know very soon

I did mine several years/decades ago. No flat plate then. if it is spring steel and notched like roller chain master link clip, it should be good. Please post pics & manufacturer/distributor when it comes.

Quote:

But, don't you agree this being a design fault?

Well, it is not Kalashnikov's design fault...He designed selective fire, not semi-auto...

Blame importer...

alvin · 11-08-2013, 04:49 PM

Visited store and inspected another Cugir WASR-10/63 rifle. A little bit surprised. Originally, I thought I deformed the Shephard's Crook when I took it out so it does not work anymore after I put it back. But inspecting another WASR indicated that was not the case -- on this WASR in store, the position of the crook is too high and it does not even touch the groove on the trigger pin, the pin does not fall out simply because attrition with the receiver !! Then, I am sure this pin will come out one day or another in range, inevitable.

So the quality of CAI assembly still has lots of room for improvement.

sheepherder · 11-08-2013, 10:30 PM

Is this the 'shepherd's crook' on the left??? I have to admit I don't know how it goes in anymore...I think it went under one pin and over the other...But I don't remember where/what anchored it...

alvin · 11-09-2013, 08:28 AM

Thanks for the pictures. It's interesting to notice different manufacturers having different versions of this pin retaining wire. On WASR-10/63, it looks different. Please note the wire does not positively lock into the trigger pin groove. It marginally touches the trigger pin!! No wonder the trigger pin could drop out during firing. I can blame Century Arms for their low quality, and work around the problem by rearrange the position of the folding a little bit, but I will go the better way -- install a pin retaining plate into this rifle.

10-23-2013, 09:36 PM	#1
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	"Cugir" Rifle Sold my home defense rifle last year. But still need one. Rifle price returned to normal recently, so got one. This is the postwar icon gun. CAI imported. Looks being a parts gun. More than one number and more than one maker of parts, including US made parts. But it's unfired, the rod in gas tube is silver bright...Will try it over this weekend. Attached Thumbnails

10-24-2013, 06:48 AM	#4
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I had one some years ago, that belonged to my "needs" to acquire more experience with that sort of firearms. :-) Mine was brand new, and entirely made in Romania. I did not go overboard for it, in fact after about one year I sold it and never missed it ever after. Apparently among the best ones there are the ones made in the ex DDR . For home defence I use a Glock 17, but it's just a matter of personal choices. Anyway congratulations for your AK __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

11-07-2013, 08:08 PM	#13
marshombre User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: W Central FL Posts: 97 Thanks: 12 Thanked 20 Times in 11 Posts	Ironwood Designs makes extended AK butt stocks and furniture for many other semi-autos. __________________ Tempus edax rerum

11-08-2013, 07:56 AM	#15
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	The hammer pin, trigger pin, and sear pin (which your AK should *not* have) all have a groove cut near the head. The 'full auto' spring fits in these three grooves. When it is assembled semi-auto, you do not have the sear pin so full-auto spring does not work. The spring you have is a band-aid to try to fix this. I use C-clips on my pins, available at pretty much any hardware store. Pin does not walk out. For a better fix, some owners drill for a small Cotter pin. Much safer. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

11-08-2013, 10:30 PM	#19
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	Is this the 'shepherd's crook' on the left??? I have to admit I don't know how it goes in anymore...I think it went under one pin and over the other...But I don't remember where/what anchored it... Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-24-2013, 05:03 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Did they ship this rifle with no cleaning rod? Is the muzzle threaded?

10-24-2013, 06:38 AM	#3
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	The rifle has no cleaning rod. Initially, I thought the dealer lost it. But I noticed same rifles carried by other dealers in the local area do not have cleaning rod either. So, no rod. The muzzle has a ring installed. No threading on it. It's illegal here to install a flash hider, so they put a ring at the muzzle. Rifle is mainly based on Romanian parts. The trigger is marked USA. The magazine is marked China.

10-24-2013, 07:34 AM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Thank God! That muzzle ring instead of a flash hider makes it SO much safer!! Didn't California just declare that AKs were not covered under the 2nd. Amendment?

10-26-2013, 08:31 PM	#7
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Yes! the trigger is marked Tapco! Fired 140 rounds from it in range. The gun performed great. No manufacturing issue. It does have two designer's issues IMO though: (1) the fixed stock is a little bit too short, making aiming uncomfortable; (2) the front laminated wood grip does not block heat well, it became very uncomfortable to hold after firing mere 60 rounds. Other than that, this gun is very good.

10-26-2013, 08:47 PM	#8
Maestro User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: "Where the streets have no names" Posts: 504 Thanks: 192 Thanked 200 Times in 136 Posts	Very nice Alvin , too bad we can't have these in CA

11-04-2013, 07:11 AM	#10
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Please also note the bulge on the holding wood of the barrel on Tony's rifle, this must be modified to resolve the (2) issue mentioned above. Fired another 220 rounds in range. It worked fine.

11-04-2013, 09:07 AM	#12
Tony Min User Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 14 Posts	You can buy furniture pretty cheap. Mine is original Egyptian Maadi except for the requisite number of American made parts to make it legal.

11-08-2013, 06:09 AM	#14
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Experienced a problem on Kalash. Here is the story. Carried this AK to range. First shot is normal. 2nd time pushing the trigger, it fired 2 rounds out, slam fire. 3rd time pushing the trigger, it fired 4-5 rounds.... and I felt the trigger was moving,,, moving horizontally. Something was seriously wrong. Then, I checked it -- the trigger pivot pin had dropped to the ground, and the trigger was totally out of place. I had disassembled this rifle a few days ago. So, I must installed something wrongly when I put it back?? There was a thin stainless steel wire spring on the left side of the receiver, which I did not think its function while putting it back. It went in anyway. Probably that spring was installed wrong! Returned to home, I disassembled it again, and inspected the function of that wire spring carefully -- it turned out that wire spring does not do anything except holding the hammer pivot pin and trigger pivot pin in place. And the worst part -- even with hammer and trigger out, I could not install this spring to perform its function properly. It must be deformed a little bit when I disassembled the gun a few days ago. Study on internet messages showed this is a common problem on Kalash type of rifle. A design issue. There is a formal name for this wire spring, called "Shephard's Crook". It's a nightmare. Fortunately, US gunsmith designed a pin retainer plate to replace this wire clip, which solves this issue. Ordered one. Waiting its arrival.

11-08-2013, 08:19 AM	#16
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	I thought about C-clips... with hammer and trigger in, it might be hard to install and deinstall (especially hard to see hammer pin groove due to the wrapping hammer spring). Waiting pin retaining plate to come. Most reviews say it's good, some reviews complaint plate fitness, too thin etc. I will know very soon But, don't you agree this being a design fault? The "paper clip" is simple in structure, easy to make, low cost, lots of advantages, but obviously easy to install for dummy was not in the original consideration. For this tiny wire's important function, I would think the retaining plate solution is much more appropriate.

11-08-2013, 04:49 PM	#18
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Visited store and inspected another Cugir WASR-10/63 rifle. A little bit surprised. Originally, I thought I deformed the Shephard's Crook when I took it out so it does not work anymore after I put it back. But inspecting another WASR indicated that was not the case -- on this WASR in store, the position of the crook is too high and it does not even touch the groove on the trigger pin, the pin does not fall out simply because attrition with the receiver !! Then, I am sure this pin will come out one day or another in range, inevitable. So the quality of CAI assembly still has lots of room for improvement.

11-09-2013, 08:28 AM	#20
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Thanks for the pictures. It's interesting to notice different manufacturers having different versions of this pin retaining wire. On WASR-10/63, it looks different. Please note the wire does not positively lock into the trigger pin groove. It marginally touches the trigger pin!! No wonder the trigger pin could drop out during firing. I can blame Century Arms for their low quality, and work around the problem by rearrange the position of the folding a little bit, but I will go the better way -- install a pin retaining plate into this rifle. Attached Thumbnails