I ended up gouging the barrel

[jbanzai 113]

I was careful, or so I thought.

 

When cutting off the GB and FSB I ended up hitting the barrel. It was just barely on the Gas block, but a little more so with the FSB. From what I had already read from others who did it too, I'm thinking it should be safe to shoot but still pretty disappointing. It runs 3/4 the length of the FSB and about as deep as the width of a penny....or 3/4 the depth of the dimples themselves.

 

I guess I learned my lesson for my next conversion. Anyone have any idea how deep a cut would need to be to compromise the integrity and safety of the barrel?

[canoecanoe 63]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. For one thing, the 223 barrel is the same diameter as a 7.62x39 barrel. So you have that thickness as a safety factor right away. Do the math. Also, think about the relief for the FSB and GB pins. That is probably deeper than what you cut. So, the bottom line is that your cuts are most likely insignificant and are nothing to worry about.

Edited September 3, 2012 by canoecanoe

[thebuns1 4,323]

yeah i wouldnt worry man. i barely knicked my barrel when i did mine cuttig a groove down the length of the GB with a dremel and a cutoff wheel. sounds as if you went a tad too deep. its no big deal man. when cutting with these things, the steel tends to blend together and is fairly easy to go too deep. what i did when i got through most of the metal, was start going in very small increments. i never went entirely through the GB or FSB. i stopped just shy of it and broke it off since the metal left was so thin. but i did still knick it.

 

seems your lik me. i got pissed when i knicked mine. but dont worry. it wont hurt shit. afterall, it is an AK. and to compromise anything, the cut would have to be pretty damn deep. much deeper than what you went. i wouldnt let it worry you too bad brother.

[jbanzai 113]

Yeah, I already feel better after having slept on it. Last night it seemed as deep as the grand canyon, but it's way shallower than the recess for the GB pin. I was pissed because I was aware this could happen if I rushed it and I did, and the bullet guide didn't go as smooth as it should either.

 

I'm already looking forward to my next conversion to put everything I've learned into action.

[thebuns1 4,323]

i look forward to seeing it finished!

[Spacehog 2,218]

Been there and done that on my .223 KPUP. Just like you, I knew it was possible and got ticked at myself for doing it anyway. Don't sweat it, it will shoot just fine, and the cut gets less noticable the longer you see it. Congrats on your conversion. Look forward to seeing it.

[devilfish13 6]

I did the same thing (and also panicked), but once I replaced it with a bulgy fsb you can't even tell. Still shoots fine, I wouldn't sweat it.

[WhiteRabbit 4]

Mine has been through a whole series of mishaps, scratches and gouges. I really had no idea what I was doing when I converted it and I haven't been too careful with it since.

 

It gets more beautiful every day.

[jbanzai 113]

I'm right there with you. It certainly didn't hurt anything.