Just a Silly Little Dumb Question

[dusty]

So, I've got this ak47 Maadi.
pre- 2000
I have not paid much attention to it since I've owned it.
I took the bolt cover off and the heal of my hand found a spring loose inside.
As in, what's this? that's not right !
Taking it out, it is about 2 inches long, about 1/2 inch in diameter, tapers on each end, and about 1/4 inch spacing on the windings.
I am at a total loss....
It fits nicely down the gas tube, I certainly do not think it goes there.
I've done as much research on the web as I can do, but nothing on any diagram shows anything like it.
I am hoping to find a proper place for it or at least a idea what it is & for.
Thanks

[Full Otto]

My best guess would be the one from the stock holding the cleaning kit in place

[Flinter]

Half of an inch in diameter...would have to either be part of the recoil spring or the stock (like the above poster said). No other springs are even close to that diameter from the fire control group.

I'm not even sure that the springs I mentioned are half of an inch.

[Full Otto]

You can call me Otto everyone else does

[Flinter]

And I would have...had I scrolled down to see who actually made the post.

[ltorlo64]

You can call me Otto everyone else does

He was just waiting to be introduced.

[Flinter]

He was just waiting to be introduced.

I remember Otto from before.

I was just thinking about the OP's question while I was typing and forgot who made the second post. I also forgot that you could scroll down to read the responses. I didn't want to page back and lose my thought. So...

[jojo]

Do you think that perhaps the rifle got laid down on some miscellaneous spring and it went into the safety slot. Doesn't sound like a part of the rifle. Does the rifle perform well.

[Full Otto]

Here's the best I could find on what my guess is

http://i55.tinypic.com/17x1zn.jpg

How it got where you found it is anybody's guess.
Is this the first you've had that cover off?

[dusty]

Well how about 1 1/2 inches then?
btw, the cleaning kit IS spring loaded.
unless two belong in there.

[Full Otto]

I'm pretty sure that's what it is you just got an extra if yours is in place.
Previous owner? factory slip? hard to say

[robert]

the way its tapered it kinda looks like a vz24 smg spring.