Valmet Trigger Group Disassembly
Special thanks to B. Wood of the former Valmet Weapons Club for this information

One question that has been popping up has been how do I completely strip my Valmet rifle.  This section will detail the disassembly of a typical AK trigger group in a semi-auto Valmet rifle.  Disassembly is relatively easy, but there can be a few tricky steps the first time.  Completedisassembly is RARELY needed, as access is easy through the top of thefield stripped receiver.  I rarely take my AK rifles apart to thislevel....it simply isn't needed most of the time.

Before we start here is a diagram of how the AK trigger components fit within the receiver.  This arrangement is typically found on all AKseries.

Interior components we will work with are:

• Hammer, hammer spring, and hammer pin
• Trigger and trigger pin
• Disconnector and spring
• Safety Lever

Tools Required

• Small hemostat or needle nose pliers - this will be used to pull the retainingwire from the inside of the receiver out.  Some people use a dentalpic for this operation
• Punch - approximately the same diameter of the hammer and trigger pin.  You will see these pins on the side of the receiver of your gun.
• Small Hammer to tap the punch if needed.  If you get stuck....do NOTget a bigger hammer!  A quick question to the discussion board will save you time repairing the bigger hammer damage!

Disassembly

The first step of disassembling your rifleis to ensure it is UNLOADED.  Do Not assume your rifle is unloaded.  Verify your rifle is unloaded per the steps in the FieldStripping section.

The next step is to field strip your rifle asper the Field Stripping section. After the rifle is field stripped we are ready to begin the trigger disassembly.

On semi-auto AK series rifles you will typically see two pins going through the receiver.  The pins have a groove close to the head of the pin in which the retaining wire sits.  The retaining wire prevents the pins from sliding out of the rifle during normal operation.  More than one person has attempted to remove the pins without removingthe retaining wire.  The pins WILL NOT come out until the retaineris removed.

The hammer pin is directly above the magazine release assembly. The trigger pin is directly above the trigger.

This is how your assembled trigger group should look.  Note the Round Retainer wire above the mag well opening.  We will be removingthe wire by pulling it up and out.

Removing the Retaining Wire from the top. 

Next component to remove is the hammer. When you field strip your rifle the hammer will be in the cocked postion.  Relax the tension on the hammer by holding the hammer with your fingers,and pulling the trigger.  The spring is strong, and the hammer willgo forward quickly.  If you do not relax the tension on the hammer,damage to the hammer can occur due to it slamming forward, possibly againstthe ejector or receiver wall.  After the tension is released, removethe hammer pin.

With the hammer pin removed the next step is removing the hammer.

Removing the hammer can be a bit tricky.  Best way is twisting and lifting it upwards.

Once the hammer is removed the receiver is wide open!


After the hammer is removed the next component is removing the trigger and disconnector.

Push the trigger up and lift.  The Disconnector is held in bythe trigger pin and is under spring pressure.

Do not lose the disconnector spring!

Next step is removing the safety lever.  This is accomplished bysimply rotating the safety lever upwards and pulling out from the receiver.

Simply pull the safety lever out from the receiver



Stripped Model 62/S Valmet

Important Tips!

Assembly of the Disconnector, Spring, and Trigger is critical. The disconnector needs the spring to effectively and safely work.

Note the recess on the trigger for the disconnector spring to fit into.

This is a pic of how a correctly assembled trigger and disconnector look.  When the trigger is pulled the hammer will rotate forward. Upon recoil, the disconnector will catch the hammer and hold it until thetrigger is reset.  When the trigger is reset, the primary arm on thetrigger will then grab the hammer preventing the gun from firing again.

Rear view of correctly assembled trigger and disconnector.  Note...pin is strictly for the pic.....you cannot install the unit this way......you must gently sit the disconnector on the trigger and place it in the receiver when reassembling.  Most likely you will need to push down a bit onthe disconnector to align the hole and insert the trigger pin

Reassembly

Simply reverse the above steps!
 

• Reinstall the safety lever
• Reinstall the trigger, disconnector, and spring
• Place the hammer in the receiver with the springs over the trigger bars. Install hammer pin

Correct Hammer spring orientation with trigger
After the hammer pin is installed pull back on the hammer until the trigger catches it.

Next step is to reinstall the retaining wire.  The retaining wire typically goes "under" the trigger pin, and "Over" the hammer pin.

Note the retaining wire.  It must be against the receiver, andnot in between the coils of the hammer spring.  I use a small dental pic to pull the coils away from the receiver and install the retainer.

Correct install of retainer wire

Voilla!