AK barrel thickness

[JSNAPS]

So looking between my sgl and my brother's rpk build and I notice that the receiver and barrel are much thicker on his firearm. Now I love my ak and have had a little over 2k rounds through it with no jams or problems but seeing his rpk made me a little jealous. Has anyone had a problem with the barrel thickness on their ak that made them wish it had a ticker barrel? Does the barrel on a rpk (aside from length) affect accuracy? Do they last longer? How long does it stand up to a regular ak barrel life?
-Jsnaps

 

[briansmithwins]

I've owned a RPKlone that was just as accurate at any run of the mill AK.

The thick barrel is just for heat resistance for the RPK's role as a squad support weapon.

BSW

 

[Sam1911]

I've never heard of anyone shooting so many rounds through an AK (semi-auto, no less) that they wore out the barrel enough to noticeably affect the accuracy they were able to get from that platform.

If you live so long that you're able to really shoot it to death, well...hat's off to you!

Your brother's rifle is built off a kit designed as the equivalent of our squad automatic weapon. A fire support weapon, designed for long runs of sustained full-auto fire. It needs the heavy barrel for control and to help handle the heat of that exercise.

It really isn't intended as a semi-auto sporting/competition/hunting/etc. rifle.

So think of it this way, you've got yourself a sedan. He's got himself a sedan built on the frame of a 1-ton truck. Both will get you where you're going, but yours will be more efficient and pleasant to run, 'cause it isn't lugging all that unneeded excess metal around.

 

[JSNAPS]

thanks for the information