Will the cleaning rod fit with ground bayo lug?

[Aedrick]

Hi, all. I just bought a used Bulgarian SSR-85-C2. But it didn't have a cleaning rod, and I always liked the look of an AK with the cleaning rod under the barrel. I noticed that the bayonet lug under the front sight post has been ground off. So, I was wondering, if I bought an AK cleaning rod, will it fit in the rifle still? Or, do I need the bayonet lug to attach the cleaning rod under the barrel? Thanks!

[Jack Greenwell]

It will "fit" but the bayo lug holds the rod from slipping out. So the rod will just slip out on the ground if you bring the muzzle down.

[CarlosC]

Are you talking about the "ears"? The ears are not necessary to hold a cleaning rod. The ears are there only for the AK-47 bayonet to lock onto. There should be a recess milled into the bottom of the FSB that the cleaning rod head snaps into.

When I bought my SSR, the ears had been ground off, but it didn't affect the retention of the cleaning rod.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/CarlosC/Guns/Rifles/Bulgarian/SSR9.jpg
I have since replaced the FSB with one that has ears so I can mount a bayonet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/CarlosC/Guns/Rifles/Bulgarian/SSRrtfrontsight.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/CarlosC/Guns/Rifles/DSC00562.jpg
I also replaced the plastic with wood
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/CarlosC/Guns/Rifles/Bulgarian/DSC00898.jpg

[Aedrick]

Ah, I see! Thanks so much for all the info, guys! The 'ears' are what's been ground off, so the recess under the front sight post is still there. I'll go get a cleaning rod and try it out!