How to Remove a Red Star Retaining Plate

Red Star is an American company that manufactures parts and accessories for firearms. The Red Star retaining plate replaces the original wire retainer on an AK-47 rifle and is made from spring steel. The retainer holds the hammer and trigger pins in place. Without a retainer, the rifle may malfunction. According to Red Star, their retaining plate makes cleaning, adjusting and installing the trigger group easier than when the original wire retainer is used. Know how to remove a Red Star retaining plate from your AK-47 for cleaning and maintenance.

Things You'll Need

  • AK-47 instruction manual (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the selector, carrier, bolt and recoil spring from your AK-47 rifle using the firearm's instruction manual as a reference.

    • 2

      Locate the retainer plate against the side of the cavity where the bolt and carrier were removed. Place your thumb against the enclosed hole at the rear of the plate. Push the plate upwards to disengage the slot at the center of the plate from the trigger pin. Ensure the plate is pushed up far enough for the slot to completely clear the pin or the plate cannot be removed.

    • 3

      Push the retainer plate towards the back of the rifle to disengage the slot in the front of the plate from the hammer pin between the receiver wall and the hammer spring. Push the coils of the hammer spring away from the retaining plate so that it will disengage from the hammer pin, if necessary. Ensure that the plate is pushed back far enough that the slot in the front of the plate completely clears the hammer pin.

    • 4

      Remove the plate from the rifle.

    • 5

      Installation of the retaining plate is accomplished in the reverse order of removal. Ensure the enclosed hole of the plate is facing the rear of the rifle or the rifle's selector cannot be installed properly.