Yugo RPK barrels - interchangeable with other AKs?

[Chatterbox]

I'm contemplating a PSL purchase, and in the back of my mind is an idea of trying a barrel replacement - theoretically, an RPK barrel should improve accuracy. However, it looks like right now the only RPK barrels which are out there are Yugos. Can they be fitted on other AKs?

[fal_762x51]

I know a Yugo RPK barrel will fit a Romanian trunnion, but the Yugo rear sight block will not. The "ears" of the trunnion need to be filled thinner to get the rear sight block to fit. Other than that, it'll work with some fitting.

[Chatterbox]

What if I were to replace just the barrel, without the rear sight blocks?

[bigthaiboy]

The diameter of the M72 RPK barrel is .808", whereas a Romie G barrel is only .592", which means you would not be able to use a regular AK gas block, handguard retainer, or front sight base, and would need to find those RPK parts to install. Also the M72 gas tube is 7.53" and a Romie G gas tube is only 6.97".

[Chatterbox]

I'm guessing those kinds of issues would apply even if I swapped in a heavy Romanian barrel as well?

[bigthaiboy]

It might be worth checking out the profile diameter of either of these two barrels. You need a .592" diameter to use your existing AK FSB and gas block:

http://www.copesdistributing.net/product_info.php?cPath=101&products_id=1225

http://www.copesdistributing.net/product_info.php?cPath=101&products_id=1617

[Sal]

I'm contemplating a PSL purchase, and in the back of my mind is an idea of trying a barrel replacement - theoretically, an RPK barrel should improve accuracy. However, it looks like right now the only RPK barrels which are out there are Yugos. Can they be fitted on other AKs?

well for one thing you'll have a huge problem there because a PSL is 7.62x54r and a RPK is 7.62x39.

Theoretically the barrel will fit into the trunion, they use the same bulged trunion with the same barrel diameter. As stated the gas blocks and handguard retainers are different, but those are aquireable from RPK's.

Now if you wanted to convert the PSL from x54r to x39 you could, but it would be far more work than a simple rebarreling project.

[Chatterbox]

well for one thing you'll have a huge problem there because a PSL is 7.62x54r and a RPK is 7.62x39.

Theoretically the barrel will fit into the trunion, they use the same bulged trunion with the same barrel diameter. As stated the gas blocks and handguard retainers are different, but those are aquireable from RPK's.

Now if you wanted to convert the PSL from x54r to x39 you could, but it would be far more work than a simple rebarreling project.

What is the difference? The bullet is the same diameter, and the barrel doesn't care about the case length.

[Sal]

well...if you are going to shoot it single shot and don't expect it to eject i guess it wont be a problem as long as you headspace it.

beyond that? the differences:

Breach face on the bolt, 7.62x54r has a considerably larger rim size, meaning the casing wont fit properly onto the extractor, it will probably get stuck in the chamber. secondly even if it does manage to leave the chamber due to backpressure, the ejector wont hit the rim, so it wont get kicked outwards.

second, the magazine is far too long, the rounds wont index and will probably just fall out of the magazine. If they do manage to fit, the bullet guide most likely wont let it feed properly.

and probably the least of the worries, the gun is sprung for a higher grain round, and has a longer travel on its own specific bolt carrier, meaning the gun even if it was built to work on the 7.62x39 case dimensions, it might not cycle unless the gas port was opened up further.

Not saying it can't be done, just saying dont buy a PSL in order to turn it into an RPK, just buy the RPK off the bat, far easier on yourself.

[Chatterbox]

What I was thinking about was strictly replacing the PSL barrel with an RPK barrel - nothing else. Everything would stay PSL.

[motorhead]

ream to 54R?

[Chatterbox]

ream to 54R?

I know little about gunsmithing so bear with me...why would I need to ream out a barrel, when both 7.62x39 and 7.62x54 shoot 0.312 inch bullets?

[adamsreeftank]

My suggestion, buy what you want and don't modify it, or have a professional build you something special.

You seem to be missing some important concepts, like the chamber.

[Chatterbox]

My suggestion, buy what you want and don't modify it, or have a professional build you something special.

You seem to be missing some important concepts, like the chamber.

Oh, I wasn't going to do it myself, this is way over my head. But I did want to find out wether it's feasible or not.

[69Mach1]

I know little about gunsmithing so bear with me...why would I need to ream out a barrel, when both 7.62x39 and 7.62x54 shoot 0.312 inch bullets?

Not the barrel. You ream out the chamber.