AK-47 Barrel change

[MagnumCaliber357]

Just wondering what kind of effort would be involved in changing a barrel on an AK-47. Does it have to be done by a gunsmith or can you do it at your shop at home given the right tools? If you can do it at home what kind of tools do you need? Need response from someone with experence

 

[Drue]

Almost all AKs made since the early 1960s have pressed and pinned barrels. To change one of these barrels you would need a 20T hydraulic press, a fixture that can hold the rifle for pressing, a drill press and headspace gauges. First the old barrel must be pressed out of the barrel trunnion. Then the new barrel pressed in to the point where the headspace is correct. Finally a hole has to be drilled through the hole in the trunnion, across the top of the chamber portion of the barrrel inside the trunnion and the barrel pin would then be driven in. During the pressing in of the new barrel, it has to be held in the proper position so that the front sight and gas block which are mounted on the barrel align with their counterparts on the receiver/trunnion.

The earlier, "classic" AK, the Type 3, has a threaded barrel screwed into the milled receiver and to change one of them would need a lathe and or shims to adjust the timing.

Drue

 

[MagnumCaliber357]

thanks for the info much appreciated. i was thinking about buying a hungarian clone AK and converting it into an RPK because it would be alot more cost effective then getting like a VERP and having it sent to get it converted, but now i see that converting it myself is not an option.

Magnum Caliber

 

[RooK]

Not an option? I wouldn't say that. A 20 ton hydraulic hand press from Harbor Freight will run you $200. A drill press can be had pretty cheap. Buy a jig for holding the firearm and your in business. And now that you have most the tools, you can start building AKs from parts kits.

 

[MagnumCaliber357]

$200!!

didnt realize a hydralic press was that cheap. i might go that road, but it sounds awfuly easy to screw it up and i dont have much cash to buy more parts if i ???? it up. i have plans for an RPK and also a krink as soon as the awb sunsets. and i looked more into it and saw complete barrel assemblies that already had the trunnion blocks installed at k-varcorp.com. can you use any type of receiver with these barrel assemblies?

 

[c_yeager]

Not that you arent going to get great advise here (you will) but i would suggest at least searching aroung at www.ak-47.net and the AK section of www.ar15.com a lot of guys have already gone and done what your planning and there is a HUGE wealth of information at those AK-specific sites. They are some REALLY complicated legal and technicall issues with AKs and those guys would be best to ask.

 

[MAKOwner]

I think you meant www.ak-47.net , without the dash is the link to AR15.com's AK section.... The build it yourself section at -47.net has all the info on everything to do with home gunsmithing a AK...

If you want an RPK, see if you can find a kit and do a "Screw build" (info on the ak-47.net forum, can be done without many tools if the barrel in the kit is still in the trunion), I think somebody was selling RPK kits for awhile, no idea about availability now though....

And if you don't want that hassle, I think Arsenal USA (or is it Arsenal Inc.) just came out with a RPK on a milled receiver. Under $1000 I think it was, check www.gunsnstuff.net , seems like they had it in their last catalog. {Edit, seem to only have the 5.56 model listed, they make a 7.62x39 though...}

 

[c_yeager]

Thanks MACowner, i fixed the link

 

[RooK]

Are you sure AK-47.net still has the information available to the 'public'? I guess you could ask for a repost, but they basicly took all the old post in the build forum recently and made it a closed 'contributors' only reference. They started a new build forum, but it just doesn't have near as much info.

 

[MAKOwner]

They did but I barely use the original one, and it has few new posts. The BIY II forum has all the info you could need, if you can't find something ask and someone will help ya...