[Ratters]

First word that came to mind "yikes"

Second thought was let someone look at it that has experience with AK platforms, version 3 gearboxes and hopefully someone who knows that ak's have long and short nozzles.

I would think a full tear down and rebuild is needed. E&L stock aegs typically leak air like a sieve. SHS makes airseal nozzles in both long and short. Gen.1 E&L "Meister Arms" and other off brand varients typically use the long type nozzle with the short type cylinder head.

Stock "land arms" pistons, heads, o'rings should all be swapped out with ball bearing head and spring guide. I'd also replace the bucking with prommy purple or Maple leaf type.

In some circumstances the hop unit itself can be misaligned but not common. This may cause the nozzle to drag in the hop unit once it's all assembled. This will become evident over time by polishing and in extreme cases, distortion of the hop unit itself.

I would try as many different mags as you can, good ones such as G&P, VFC or MAG brand all tend to be consistently reliable. E&L mags can be finicky and LCT mags can be brittle and break at the front lip if you're not careful. Generally LCT magazines don't fit E&L without radical modifications.

Chrono it if you can and record the numbers. Pop can test it on the bottom with 6-12 cans and see how many punch through and how many don't (wear eye protection)