AKM Rate Reducer – How does it work?
DESCRIPTION: Below you see the way the rate reducer (RR) actually is intended to work. img402.imageshack.us Bolt consisting of bolt carrier [1] with cam [2] and bolt head [3] trigger [A] with front hook [a] disconnector [B] and disconnector spring [C] RR consisting of angle lever [D] with pawl [E] spring [F] auto-sear [G] hammer [H] safety lever [K] In the following pictures you see a look from the right side at the trigger group and the bolt. There are shown different phases of the firing mechanism with the pictured parts in their respective positions. For all pictures: Trigger is pulled and disconnector (mostly concealed) in the downward position as it happens with the safety lever in the full auto position. The right ear of the hammer is making contact to the RR. Bolt carrier, hammer and RR are pressed in the forward (right) direction by their respective springs. Auto-sear is pressed rearwards (left) by its spring. Safety lever and springs are not pictured for better clearness. The delay function of the RR acts between the two positions – hammer kept by the auto-sear and hammer kept by/passed the front hook of the trigger. After the hammer is released by/passed the front hook the hammer must not be delayed anymore cause this would reduce the force hitting the firing pin. A side effect of the delayed hammer move is possibly less stress to the front hook cause the hammer will bounce against it at a slightly lower speed (cold comfort for having just one front hook). Phase …
Great video!!! Could you post a video showing the disassembly and re-assembly of the entire full auto fire control group with rate reducer? Thank you, Mike
how would you install the rate reducer spring?
make a video showing how to put in the auto sear the idk how to get the spring in the hole in the auto sear
Thank you for your explanation. Now i can understand that delay is supposed to be caused by the friction.
One question：if without the RR,might you figure out anything bad (for example vibration you already said )?
by the way,i’m very interested in Volkssturmgewehr 1-5. i believe you can let us know not a little information of it,someday,thank you.
thanks a lot
Thank you @shaneblowback !
The RR spring primarily acts as return-spring. Brings the angle lever and the pawl back in starting position.
Delay is caused by the friction between the right hammer ear and the both surfaces of the RR – pawl and front arm of the angle lever (marked red) – I’ve added a picture at the end of the DESCRIPTION.
Mr.troubleshooterBerlin-Berliner; How beautiful your explanation is!
Yes,i believe you mean that the RR is another disconnector mechanism and the RR spring causes delay of the hammer turn against a hammer spring,right?
very very good and informing video with great explanation and camera work. 5 stars.
Thanks!
A former east german armorer told me it was introduced to better harmonize the vibrations in the gun due to the sheet metal receiver of the AKM. The earlier introduced milled AK’s don’t have it.
I used the term rate reducer because that’s what people will usually search for on the internet and “harmonizer” sounds way to…
Interesting design, my romanian akm has the original reducer which is identical to the one in the video, but it does nothing to my knowledge. I read on wiki and world guns that it isnt a true “rate reducer” but rather it aids in premature release of the hammer during cyclic fire, however i know there are plenty of full auto akms without it that function without any difference. It puzzles me as to why it is considered a necessity. Nice video though very clear and displays functions well.
Thanks
I was disappointed by the rather complex original design. These were 2 new, never issued east german AKM receivers (often considered the best ones of the former com-bloc). And in both the RR didn’t work properly.
I wanted to simplify the design. Easier/cheaper to manufacture and can’t malfunction like the original.
The german wikipedia claims a delay of 0.002s – but haven’t seen any confirmation.
What is the point of your part? Are you trying to slow the rate further? I believe an AKM without the reducer cycles some 200 rpm faster.
Great video. I really enjoyed it.
“All the P6 (P225) withdrawn from police service are going to the U.S.”
Yes they are. They sell for about $300-350 USD according to an online American gunstore called jgsales.
Thanks – but if I see the growing number of recalls with german engineering products I’m not so sure anymore. Right now there are massive delays at the S-Bahn traffic (public transport) here in Berlin ’cause they have to exchange all the wheels of the newest generation trains. The same stuff that didn’t work at their showcase project ICE. The gurantee expired of course in the meantime.
BTW – I’m not an engineer – just a guy who is doing what he has to do
Germans are #1 engineers in the world
The guns from the WW2 era were sold by East G. to the West for hard currency in the late 80ies.
After the reunion they gave away a lot of the east g. guns to Turkey and elsewhere. Turkey had to pay the shipping costs only.
And even nowadays we don’t get our guns. All the P6 (P225) withdrawn from police service are going to the U.S.
Our politicians rather would destroy them but need the money otherwise. And suddenly they are able to ignore their moral scruples – as long as is not Germany!
So is East German military equipment easy to find in Germany? I would suppose Firearms from the Former East German military would be rather common in gun shops.
The AK47 (milled receiver) doesn’t have it.
Was introduced at the stamped sheet metal receiver AKM. I was told by a former east german armorer that it was meant to syncronize the vibrations of the gun better due to the more flexing receiver.
At the german wikipedia AK47 page they give a delay rate of 0.002s what means 588 rds/min. vs. 600 at the AK47. But they both are rated at 600 everywhere.
Would work without RR as well. Requires a spacer sleeve to fill the gap where the RR was before.
is the rate reducer really needed and if u do have a rate reducer how many rouds will it pump out a minute
Yes it’s in the video – mine
Know what you mean – I have just the both receivers in the video.
Bought some additional AK internal parts in the meantime. There is another RR that might work properly. Didn’t try it so far.
Check for example AR15DOTcom – the AK47 rubric, there is a build it yourself section a.s.o. – think you will need this info there.
Or ak-47DOTnet …
Do you have a receiver with a properly functioning RR?
ive been lookin for a reputable place to get a parts kit. where is a good place to get one?
I’ve uploaded them again. Thanks for the advice and your interest!
Didn’t visit my imageshack account for a while. There are a few images not visible anymore – file name and link still there but nothing else
Guess the page demanded a bit attention…
images 8 and 9 in description dont work !!! (broken link, error 404)