Page:AK-47 Operator's Manual.djvu/3

 AK-47: SAFETY CHAPTER

LOADING.

A. Check ammo for dents in cartridges and bad primers.

B. When inserting magazine into magazine well, be sure to insert forward lip of magazine into well first. Be sure that magazine is fully seated.

FIRING

A. Pull charging handle, shown on page 11 Figure 16, fully to the rear and release. NOTE: DO NOT RIDE CHARGING HANDLE FORWARD:

B. when on the firing line, keep your weapon up and pointed down range at all times. If you have a malfunction, raise your hand and range personnel will aid you.

CAUTION: Only blank ammunition may be fired when the blank firing device is in place. Do not use the cap or the combination tool kit as a blank firing device.

HAND GRENADE LAUNCHER: The hand grenade launcher is installed by removing the muzzle nut (fig. 53) and screwing the launcher onto the weapon (fig. 54).

TO FIRE THE GRENADE: Insert a grenade with the pin pulled into the launcher. CAUTION: A special type cartridge is used for firing the grenade. Place the butt of the weapon on the ground and fire from this position. The maximum effective range the grenade can be fired is 250 meters.

THE BAYONET: (fig. 55) is affixed by positioning its loops in front of the muzzle nut and gas cylinder body and sliding the bayonet to the rear until the bayonet catch engages the muzzle nut (fig. 56). The bayonet is removed by pulling the catch located behind the hilt, away from the handle and sliding the bayonet forward and off.

PLASTIC MAGAZINE: The Soviet AK-47 metal magazine is gradually being replaced by the plastic magazine, (fig. 57), which is lighter than the metal. The plastic magazine, because it is lightweight and waterproof, is used mainly by marines, airborne, and armor units.