Which statement correctly describes the AK-74's locking system?

Which statement correctly describes the AK-74's locking system?

• A. Rotating bolt
• B. Rotating bolt locking system
• C. Tilting bolt
• D. Firing pin block

Answer: (B)

Locking system is about how the bolt stays securely closed during firing and then releases to cycle. The AK-74 uses a rotating bolt locking system: the bolt has locking lugs that engage matching recesses in the receiver as the bolt advances into battery, so the bolt rotates into the locked position and the breech is held under pressure. When the action cycles, the bolt is rotated to unlock, allowing the spent case to be extracted and the next round to chamber. This rotation-based lockup is what keeps the action strong and reliable under high pressure. For contrast, a tilting bolt would rely on a locking piece that tilts to engage the receiver, which is a different locking geometry. A firing pin block is a separate safety feature that prevents the firing pin from moving unless the action is fully in battery, and it isn’t describing how the bolt locks.

Locking system is about how the bolt stays securely closed during firing and then releases to cycle. The AK-74 uses a rotating bolt locking system: the bolt has locking lugs that engage matching recesses in the receiver as the bolt advances into battery, so the bolt rotates into the locked position and the breech is held under pressure. When the action cycles, the bolt is rotated to unlock, allowing the spent case to be extracted and the next round to chamber. This rotation-based lockup is what keeps the action strong and reliable under high pressure.

For contrast, a tilting bolt would rely on a locking piece that tilts to engage the receiver, which is a different locking geometry. A firing pin block is a separate safety feature that prevents the firing pin from moving unless the action is fully in battery, and it isn’t describing how the bolt locks.