AK barrel pin problem

[Major Pal]

I've finally started my Ak build, I have a NDS-3 with a romi kit from Copes. The book I have says to use a punch to drive the barrel pin out from left to right. Well me and two of my buddies have been hitting that thing for like two hours and it hasnt moved at all. Does anybody know some trick or have any suggestions? Thanks..

[wilit]

A lot of pins simply won't budge even with a BFH. You need to use a press.

[JHC]

Driving it left or right matters less than driving it out opposite of the way it was put in, some are different, you can usually tell which side it was driven in on a romy by looking for marks on the pin. Using just a punch and hammer usually causes the pin to mushroom and get stuck worse.

Here's how I do it, this is an M70 but this still works on romys.
1. oil well a day or two ahead
2. use homemade tool consisting of old screwdriver shank fit into a socket
3. clamp trunion, and tool in vice and tighten down alot
4. give vice a good whack with ball peen hammer, the pin will pop loose.
5. finish driving out with punch and hammer

TOOL:


Method:

[thedrickel]

Yep I use the "ram in a vise" method with a sledgehammer and it hasn't failed to budge a barrel pin yet. F's up the bearings and paint on your vise tho, I wouldn't do it in a nice US made vice. Made in China only!

[grammaton76]

Another approach is to just resign yourself to spending $3 (I think) for a replacement barrel pin from DPH Arms (or was it dsa?). Drill out the existing pin, after which it comes out very easily, and then you'll insert the new one (seems slightly undersized) with comparatively little force.

[Lateralus]

Dont try using a punch, i have the bent/broken punches to prove it


Soak it in Kroil for a week. Itll come out in a few blows.

[Lateralus]

Driving it left or right matters less than driving it out opposite of the way it was put in, some are different, you can usually tell which side it was driven in on a romy by looking for marks on the pin. Using just a punch and hammer usually causes the pin to mushroom and get stuck worse.

Here's how I do it, this is an M70 but this still works on romys.
1. oil well a day or two ahead
2. use homemade tool consisting of old screwdriver shank fit into a socket
3. clamp trunion, and tool in vice and tighten down alot
4. give vice a good whack with ball peen hammer, the pin will pop loose.
5. finish driving out with punch and hammer

TOOL:


Method:

I actually tried that.

Broke the vise.

No joke.

[thedrickel]

I actually tried that.

Broke the vise.

No joke.

Hehehehe - MADE IN CHINA! I just broke another vise today actually, piece of @#$%@$# $H1T. What I do is just cut off a short piece (half inch) of a fat punch and use that as the ram to get it started. And in my experience it doesn't matter which way you drive it out, the barrel pins aren't tapered. Kroil works well, but sometimes a guy brings over his kit and I just don't have time to let it marinate in kroil.

[jjperl]

the best way is to just invest in a press. It makes everything soooo much easier. Plus they are only like $175-$200 shipped.

[jumbopanda]

I would never even attempt to build an AK without a press, it's just a waste of time and effort.

[M. Sage]

Dont try using a punch, i have the bent/broken punches to prove it


Soak it in Kroil for a week. Itll come out in a few blows.

+1. I soaked my Romy kit's pin in Kroil for 24 hours on each side, and it came out with a few light taps.

"Light" might be relative.. I was using a 2.5lb hammer.

Also, I drove mine out from the right side.

[savageevo]

I say, invest in a press. trust us when you finish your first ak, you will want to build another. check harbor frieght everyweek. they always have those presses on sale for 180. good luck.

[Sal]

i just did a build tonight, ended up having to go the screw route because that pin wouldnt come out, i ended up shattering a cut down punch i put so much force on the press...that pin just wouldnt budge.

[Lateralus]

i just did a build tonight, ended up having to go the screw route because that pin wouldnt come out, i ended up shattering a cut down punch i put so much force on the press...that pin just wouldnt budge.

no no no my friend. Wait the week for kroil to take effect. A weeks wait for a rivet build is better than ruining a perfectly good AK with screws

[Sal]

i have done rivet builds too, i wouldnt have done screw unless i really thought that that pin wasnt gonna come out.