I did a "bubba" long time ago!

[rxdealer71]

Well, I did a bubba a while back when I didnt have the tools or knowhow about pressing out an AK barrel. I drilled out the rivets in a Romi-G front trunnion a few years back but left the barrel in place. When I pressed out the barrel recently I found the drill bit when into the outside of the chamber in 4 places up to 3mm in depth, each approximately 4.5mm dia. Not sure if this is a safety issue or correctable. Is the barrel a loss?

I was thinking of "plugging" the small holes with a rivet tail and sanding them smooth, but am I gonna have another "bubba" on my resume?

Geeeez, feeling like a newbie....

[Vepr62]

no

As long as you didn't drill all the way through you will be OK. There is plenty of metal left to support chamber integrity. My first ak built (screw built) I drilled/tapped a few mm short of hitting the chamber. I put about 500 rounds through that particular build and there was no indication of trouble. Then I took it appart and re-build it with rivets, 1000+ rounds down the road, and it is still running like it supposed to.

Vasiliy

[thedrickel]

Look how deep the bbl pin channel is.

[Gowking]

Yes but that is backed up by the hardened pin once it is assembled.

-G

[rxdealer71]

Thanks to all,

Yes the barrel pin is cut deep but its covered by the barrel pin when assembled, and then the inlays near the front trunnion rivets dont look like they touch the barrel when its pressed in.

Even so, I think its too much an "AK" to fail at 3mm.

[bigbob76]

I was shooting with a friend that had done the same thing but drilled all the way into the chamber. When he loaded one round and fired it at arms length we chased after the case to check it out. there was a clean hole in the case right where the hole in the chamber is. He didn't seem concerned about it but I am changing the barrel for him.