tunnelrat 10 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 I started out removing the gas block to do the Dinzag Arms gas tube mod.... Then I decided to go ahead and remove the barrel while I was in the DIY mood...I had already cut it anyway, and this would allow me to utilize a lathe to thread the end instead of doing that by hand. I was going to press it at first, but just out of curiousity I clamped the barrel/receiver assembly in the vise, using brass jaw covers to keep from marring the barrel...plus you'd be surprised as to how much gripping strength the brass covers provide: Surprisingly the receiver broke loose after only a few taps, using brass square stock and a home made brass hammer: I cycled a mag by hand when I first got it, and this is what happened a few times... After removing the barrel, I can now see why this is happening: The extractor slot looks like shit. It is rough and has a sharp edge that digs into the shell upon chambering. This area will definitely be addressed with a Dremel and smoothed out and polished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
emr454 1 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 To me, this actually looks easier than trying to remove the gas block pins if you were going to replace the gas tube. I know I can get my barrel pin out, the gas block pins not so much. Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tunnelrat 10 Posted January 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 Actually you're right...I wanted to inspect my gas ports though, hence the gas block removal. I found that a solid surface to lay the weapon on was essential to the initial loosening of the pins. I used the concrete floor in my garage, and supported the gun and the gas block with brass stock: The smaller pin was the hardest. I should've used the taper punch to start with. The straight punch did break the pin loose, but the next strike bent it as shown. I then switched to the taper punch to drive it further down as far as I could go, then switched back to a second straight punch to finish knocking it out. The larger pin came out a lot easier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RED333 1,025 Posted January 16, 2012 Report Share Posted January 16, 2012 That shell hanging, cutting was on mine as well, I did the fix in the gun, file did the trick. Thanks for sharing the DIY. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted January 18, 2012 Report Share Posted January 18, 2012 Always nice to see some quality DIY WECSOG. Looks like a good time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
justchil 1 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 You just saved me tons of time and headache. I was so worried about removing the barrel so that I can have the local barrel shop chop muzzle and pin my barrel. I did this in a smaller vise with rubber jaws so it took more than a couple taps but it did come out pretty easily. I'm assuming you didn't use a press.. just curious how hard it was to get your barrel in and what method you used? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sapper1371usmc 107 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Pressing it back in should be Just as easy. Support the front trunion with some square stock inserted through the receiver and out the magazine well. Install using a press with the muzzle protected. Or you could use the all-thread rod method. Be sure to use anti seize. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigchris 31 Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 Please post pics when u put the barrel back in!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
justchil 1 Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 10-4. I don't have a press at home yet but this sounds like a good excuse to get one The barrel will have a Tromix Mini-monster "permanently" attached... would that prevent me from doing the all-thread rod method if I would go that route? I'm not familiar with it involves but I can search around. Bigchris: Anything specific you're wanting to see? I will have the barrel cut and muzzle attached late next week or early the following week. In the meantime I can pick up a press and some square stock and whatever tools I'll need.... but it's going to be probably 2 weeks maybe slightly more before it's a completed job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigchris 31 Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 (edited) i've never seem it done before, i was just wanting to see the process and whats involved to install the barrel after it has been removed. Edited March 8, 2013 by Bigchris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 I love it, but this method takes all of the fun out of it. When using a press, the sound of that surprise POP when the barrel breaks loose speaks to my soul. I know it is about to get fun when I hear that sound Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sapper1371usmc 107 Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 You should be able to use the all-thread method. Either way, your going to have to exert pressure on the muzzle. As long as you still have threads under that brake and not just a press fit, you should be good to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
justchil 1 Posted March 8, 2013 Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 Bigchris: I'm not going to chop the barrel or anything... I have a great local shop that makes barrels so they will be doing that for me. sapper: They are going to thread it just like it was... but they will also weld the brake on so I won't have access to the threads. I'm trying to keep this as legal as possible just in case. I still need to look up that method to see what exactly it is. I was just kind of hoping i could put a piece of nylon or soft metal on the end of the muzzle and tap it back into place lol. If they are willing to do it for me I'll probably just do that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pedal2alloy 206 Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 There are many examples that you will find of the all-thread barrel press. Here's one http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showpost.php?p=367428&postcount=3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
justchil 1 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 Looks like I'll be pressing it in. I won't have threads as the muzzle will be welded on Thank you though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sapper1371usmc 107 Posted March 11, 2013 Report Share Posted March 11, 2013 You can still use the all thread method. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bizarro 9 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) Would using a larger dia. allthread than the 1/4" be a better idea since we have a larger dia.barrel than the AK? Put a piece of plastic tubing over it if you can't find brass. Edited March 12, 2013 by Bizarro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sapper1371usmc 107 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Probably not necessary, but I would. It would help keep the rod centered better. definitely wrap the all-threads that goes in the barrel to keep it from scratching up the interior surface. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
justchil 1 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Well I just heard from the barrel shop. The guy is saying he can't duplicate the thread pitch that's on the barrel or doesn't think he can. I kind of have any understanding of what that means but don't understand why it would be a problem. I just assumed with the correct die it makes the correct threads? I already have the thread alignment tool so I'll just buy the threading die and do it myself. I'm just going to ask if he will cut and crown the barrel to my designed length. I found this thread: http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/75992-chop-crown-and-rethread-a-saiga-12-barrel-with-no-lathe/and it really doesn't seem that that bad. I don't have any type of saw to get a nice clean cut on the barrel or I would have just done it myself and had it done by now lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwelhse 1,285 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 I found this thread: http://forum.saiga-12.com/index.php?/topic/75992-chop-crown-and-rethread-a-saiga-12-barrel-with-no-lathe/ and it really doesn't seem that that bad. I don't have any type of saw to get a nice clean cut on the barrel or I would have just done it myself and had it done by now lol Even if you have a crap cutting method (hacksaw... steak knife?), you can file your way to victory if you leave yourself enough meat and are willing to put the work into it. This is the standard time vs. money debate that often haunts us all! In my current tool collection, if I wanted to hack a barrel down I would snag my 4.5" angle grinder w/cutoff wheel, square up my eyecometer, and be prepared to file until my square said I was golden. Maybe not the best method, but about $100 worth of tools. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camber18 3 Posted March 20, 2013 Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 I put the barrel in the freezer for 10 minutes and warm the trunnion with a heat gun... barrel slips in by hand. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ResponsiveResolve 7 Posted March 21, 2013 Report Share Posted March 21, 2013 Very interesting....can't wait to see how it progresses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
justchil 1 Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Even if you have a crap cutting method (hacksaw... steak knife?), you can file your way to victory if you leave yourself enough meat and are willing to put the work into it. This is the standard time vs. money debate that often haunts us all! In my current tool collection, if I wanted to hack a barrel down I would snag my 4.5" angle grinder w/cutoff wheel, square up my eyecometer, and be prepared to file until my square said I was golden. Maybe not the best method, but about $100 worth of tools. I love having excuses for new tools My wallet doesn't always agree though lol I put the barrel back in the receiver today and pieced together the gun. I'm going to do the barrel cut myself as soon as the threading dies are in stock at CSS. I have a miter saw and some metal cutting blades for it... I've only cut copper pipe on it but it might be the cleanest cut I can get. I have many files, dremels, grinders etc... I used to make rings out of US silver coins so I'm really handy with a file lol I put the barrel in the freezer for 10 minutes and warm the trunnion with a heat gun... barrel slips in by hand. It's funny you said that.... I have no intentions of freezing my barrel but I left it in my car overnight (well below freezing). I had already planned on heating up the receiver with some clean burning propane. With the Tromix "Mini Monster" brake being used to protect the barrel I gave it 4-5 pretty firm taps with a hardwood hammer and the barrel went right in. I was shocked to say the least. I spent more time trying to be as close to perfect in lining up the barrel pin than putting the barrel on. I pressed the pin in as close to half way as I could get then punched it the rest of the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
justchil 1 Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 (edited) Very interesting....can't wait to see how it progresses. I will have this gun completely apart at least 2 more times. I'm going to duracoat it once I have it how I want and it has a few hundred shells through it. Hopefully I can get the gf to document some of the work... Maybe it will be useful to someone else in the future. Right now I haven't really accomplished anything with the barrel other than adding a couple inches with the brake making it even longer I did change to a Houge grip (awesome), switched from a sheperds crook to a retaining plate, installed a chaos quad rail w/hk sights. I also polished the bolt, rails, etc to a mirror finish. I As soon as CSS gets the s12 threading dies in stock I will start the barrel chop project (again). PS: Sorry for the thread hijack. I will start a new thread once new work begins ====== Please excuse any spelling / grammar in theses posts... I've been up all night working on guns ====== Edited March 23, 2013 by justchil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.