Kodiak WK-180 - Magazine Insert - Bolt Does not Release

thegazelle

thegazelle

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Hi there,

I don't know whether this is a matter of me just being dumb and don't know all the mechanics of how to use this rifle. I haven't shot it yet - got it about a month ago. Without a magazine in the gun, I can dry fire it.

When an empty magazine is inserted when the bolt is closed, when I retract the bolt rearward, it locks into place. There is no way that I can see to release that bolt, so that if there was a round in the magazine, it would chamber it. Instead it gets stuck in that reward locked position. Trigger is locked too. Safety is on ready/fire.

The only way the bolt can move back forward is if I eject the magazine. Then when I pull on the bolt, it will disengage the catch/lock and move back into a closed position.

If there is no magazine in the gun, I can retract the bolt all the way back, but it doesn't lock into place/catch.

So in a nutshell, the bolt can only lock/catch if there is a magazine is inserted. But then the bolt stays locked and won't retract until the magazine is removed.

This rifle did not come with any instructions. And I am new to this rifle.

What am I missing here?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.
 
The manufacturer never published a printed instruction manual for that rifle, it has always been an online download.

https://kodiakdefence.com/site/assets/files/1081/wk180c_manual.pdf

I've never owned or shot one, but nothing you describe sounds like a malfunction to me.
 
Yeah, I bought it brand new a month ago. I doubt there is a malfunction and I suspect I am missing something simple.

I will check the online manual....thanks for the link.
 
That is how the WK180 was designed, as was the original AR180B. Bolt hold open on last shot/empty mag. I believe that there are aftermarket Bolt releases, but I do not really see the need...
 
Oh....So does that mean then that the reason why it is doing that is because I am inserting an empty magazine? So if there was a round in the magazine, some mechanical part would sense it and then allow the bolt to retract forward therefore chambering a round?

Appreciate your response and thanks for your feedback.
 
Yes if you have a round in the mag when you pull the charging handle back the bolt catch drops down and allows the bolt to come forward to chamber the round
That’s how it works as it doesn’t have a way to release the bolt catch from outside the rifle like an AR15 does
 
Ah, I see....thanks for the information. I honestly had no idea...some of my other guns have a specific bolt release button or latch on the outside...but I don't recall them having the last round bolt latch feature...

I had (incorrectly) assumed since it was based on AR platform, that there was some sort of external bolt release (which of course is a bad assumption since the charging handle is at the top back I think, not on the side...). Anyways, this helps...thanks!
 
thegazelle said:
Ah, I see....thanks for the information. I honestly had no idea...some of my other guns have a specific bolt release button or latch on the outside...but I don't recall them having the last round bolt latch feature...

I had (incorrectly) assumed since it was based on AR platform, that there was some sort of external bolt release (which of course is a bad assumption since the charging handle is at the top back I think, not on the side...). Anyways, this helps...thanks!
Click to expand...

Yo can add a bolt release from Kodiak for about $50. It's worth it, imo, less for chambering a round (pulling the bolt handle back works fine) but more for locking the bolt back with no mag in place (before inserting a mag) or for clearing malfunctions.
 
Thanks Dave. I will check that out. As long as the skill level to install it is suited to the motor skills of a kindergarten student, I should be able to install it....hee hee...
 
If you don’t have dummy rounds / snap caps they are good to have for this very reason. Learning new guns etc. So you can Actully load / cycle dummy rounds.
 
I bought one in the fall from SFRC in a smoking good sale. I've had it out three times and it's worked flawlessly with the only issue being that the charging handle works loose (I just keep forgetting to put some locktite on it). I've also used the mag it came with, 30 rnd AR mags, LAR mags, and the mag that came with my Colt rifle. No issues feeding or anything.

Very accurate rifle and I use the optic I had on my AR. It took me three shots to zero it at 100 yds.
 
That is a great point and I actually just ordered some now for that gun as well as for the others I have. I had some dummy shells for my 870 that I used to use before I started shooting it just to get used to the operation of the firearm. I am new to AR-style of rifles, so I appreciate everyone's help with these rather elementary questions...thank you.
 
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