Alternative to hex nuts for AK-47 TG screws

fal mood · August 25, 2005, 10:17

Hex nuts that fit 8-32 AK triggerguard screws are just too big and require grinding edges which makes a butt ugly job. Someone has to know of some type of smaller fastener to use in replacement of them. No, not rivets, I would never use rivets on the TG either in a screw or rivet build.

JoeLad · August 25, 2005, 10:24

The ground nuts are inside the receiver, so what's to see?

There are smaller nuts out there, I recall a group buy on Gunco.net some time ago.

JoeLad

**2barearms** · August 25, 2005, 10:26

Take your triggerguard and layout the hole pattern on a piece
of 14 ga (.078) sheet metal, use the drill for a #8-32 screw and
then tap the holes. After you do that cut the part out of the larger
piece, you'll never drill and tap a tiny part like this. I cut mine a little
over size and make it fit good. Loktite the bolts and your done.

HTH

Gazz · August 26, 2005, 07:32

I have had success with just tapping the frame - the pre drilled holes are perfect for 10-32 threads. I spun down the heads of the button head screws in my lathe but this can be also easily down in your hand drill with a file. A little loctite and off you go. Some may argue that there is not enough material (thickness wise) in the receiver to make a secure attachment but with four screws doing the job, it is plenty. After all, the rivetted trigger guards do not have a backing plate do they?

derek huffman, azexarms · August 26, 2005, 09:21

I shudder to imagine how many screw(ed) AK builds that the gunshows will be flooded with in the next 10 years.

"That wobble and rattle? All AKs do that."

(no slur against you fine fellows workmanship, but rivets aren't too hard and that they way they're SUPPOSED to be assembled)

D.
AZEX

TheOtherChris · August 26, 2005, 09:42

Quote:

Originally posted by derek huffman, azexarms
I shudder to imagine how many screw(ed) AK builds that the gunshows will be flooded with in the next 10 years.

"That wobble and rattle? All AKs do that."

(no slur against you fine fellows workmanship, but rivets aren't too hard and that they way they're SUPPOSED to be assembled)

D.
AZEX

Yeah, I don't get that either; especially for something like the trigger guard.
I mean, I did mine with nothing more than two dimples in my vice, a punch and a big hammer.
Sure, those short barrel rivets require a little more skill, but when you can buy a set of 24" bolt cutters for under $10, I just think it is better to use something a little more permanent than a fastener that is designed to be removable.

Of course, I welded my first two AKs because I was too lazy to drill out the rivets.

The Armour · August 26, 2005, 11:32

Hey Fal Mood, go to your local hardware store and get 4mm BHCS that are 7mm long. The head on these are a bit smaller that the 8-32s and so are the nuts. If you can't find any in your area send me a PM with your address and I will send you some.

owlcreekok · August 26, 2005, 13:44

I guess no one around here has ever seen a loosened brad rivet, or a work hardened one with the head dropped off as if it were cut.

Assembling AK's will, of course, take a while to go through a pallet of 10K boxes of rivets.

Fabricating dust collectors doesn't. AMHIK

There is an art in the developed skill of consistently setting rivets. Just as there is in using threaded fasteners.

fal mood · August 26, 2005, 21:24

The naysayer's tounge is quickly quieted with the use of a star washer or the like.

Why has no one else thought of this.

This is not supposed to be a screw Vs. rivet thread. Sure, I could do a rivet build as easy as the next guy. One day, when i'm 70 YOA, I'm gonna sell the kits and I won't have to destroy the receiver to do it. If I find that after a gazillion rounds, my trunnion holes are rounding out, I'll rivet the son of a Bolshevik.

Gazz · August 26, 2005, 21:39

I have set more rivets (hot and cold - large and small) and drilled and tapped more holes than I care to remember. While fal mood commented, this is not supposed to be a rivet versus screw thread but, but, but, in my experience, screws are just as good as rivets AND you can tighten easily them if they get loose.
And another but, star washers are ugly! Personally, I don't think they are necessary if you use loctite (and keep an allen wrench handy in your cleaning kit). I've never had one loosen up (except the first build and there was an error in my assembly) but it has been fine since I corrected it.

August 25, 2005, 10:17	#1
fal mood Registered FALaholic #: 15116 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 33	Alternative to hex nuts for AK-47 TG screws Hex nuts that fit 8-32 AK triggerguard screws are just too big and require grinding edges which makes a butt ugly job. Someone has to know of some type of smaller fastener to use in replacement of them. No, not rivets, I would never use rivets on the TG either in a screw or rivet build.

August 26, 2005, 07:32	#4
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,934	I have had success with just tapping the frame - the pre drilled holes are perfect for 10-32 threads. I spun down the heads of the button head screws in my lathe but this can be also easily down in your hand drill with a file. A little loctite and off you go. Some may argue that there is not enough material (thickness wise) in the receiver to make a secure attachment but with four screws doing the job, it is plenty. After all, the rivetted trigger guards do not have a backing plate do they? __________________ Gazz

August 26, 2005, 21:39	#10
Gazz Registered FALaholic #: 15159 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NH Posts: 1,934	I have set more rivets (hot and cold - large and small) and drilled and tapped more holes than I care to remember. While fal mood commented, this is not supposed to be a rivet versus screw thread but, but, but, in my experience, screws are just as good as rivets AND you can tighten easily them if they get loose. And another but, star washers are ugly! Personally, I don't think they are necessary if you use loctite (and keep an allen wrench handy in your cleaning kit). I've never had one loosen up (except the first build and there was an error in my assembly) but it has been fine since I corrected it. __________________ Gazz

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August 25, 2005, 10:24	#2
JoeLad Registered FALaholic #: 3353 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: SE PA Posts: 3,241	The ground nuts are inside the receiver, so what's to see? There are smaller nuts out there, I recall a group buy on Gunco.net some time ago. JoeLad

August 25, 2005, 10:26	#3
2barearms 3 Percent Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 13866 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 8,641	Take your triggerguard and layout the hole pattern on a piece of 14 ga (.078) sheet metal, use the drill for a #8-32 screw and then tap the holes. After you do that cut the part out of the larger piece, you'll never drill and tap a tiny part like this. I cut mine a little over size and make it fit good. Loktite the bolts and your done. HTH

August 26, 2005, 09:21	#5
derek huffman, azexarms Perm Banned FALaholic #: 206 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Mesa, AZ USA Posts: 1,392	I shudder to imagine how many screw(ed) AK builds that the gunshows will be flooded with in the next 10 years. "That wobble and rattle? All AKs do that." (no slur against you fine fellows workmanship, but rivets aren't too hard and that they way they're SUPPOSED to be assembled) D. AZEX

August 26, 2005, 11:32	#7
The Armour Registered FALaholic #: 10778 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Lexington, KY. Posts: 460	Hey Fal Mood, go to your local hardware store and get 4mm BHCS that are 7mm long. The head on these are a bit smaller that the 8-32s and so are the nuts. If you can't find any in your area send me a PM with your address and I will send you some.

August 26, 2005, 13:44	#8
owlcreekok Registered FALaholic #: 15323 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tejas Posts: 9,331	I guess no one around here has ever seen a loosened brad rivet, or a work hardened one with the head dropped off as if it were cut. Assembling AK's will, of course, take a while to go through a pallet of 10K boxes of rivets. Fabricating dust collectors doesn't. AMHIK There is an art in the developed skill of consistently setting rivets. Just as there is in using threaded fasteners. __________________ "It is necessary for the welfare of the nation that men's lives be based on the principles of the Bible. No man, educated or uneducated, can afford to be ignorant of the Bible." - Theodore Roosevelt - (1858-1919) 26th President of the United States FOUNDER- Free ggiilliiee Foundation hehe

August 26, 2005, 21:24	#9
fal mood Registered FALaholic #: 15116 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 33	The naysayer's tounge is quickly quieted with the use of a star washer or the like. Why has no one else thought of this. This is not supposed to be a screw Vs. rivet thread. Sure, I could do a rivet build as easy as the next guy. One day, when i'm 70 YOA, I'm gonna sell the kits and I won't have to destroy the receiver to do it. If I find that after a gazillion rounds, my trunnion holes are rounding out, I'll rivet the son of a Bolshevik.