AK barrel pin installation, save your back!

[bigbob76]

When I'm pressing an AK barrel into a built receiver I used to kneel down to see when it was lining up right. Aside from being awkward in a crowded space I realized it's just not necessary. I keep a 17/64 drill bit with my barrel press tools. When it's obvious I'm getting close I just stick the shank of the drill bit in there. After doing it a few times it's easy to feel how much further the barrel has to go in. Also, in the past I have gotten frustrated about the rear sight base not having a matching gap on both sides between the ears on the trunion. I finally realized that you don't have a choice. When you press the barrel pin in the barrel it's going to be the same way it was when it left the factory! That is, unless you force the pin in when it's not all lined up. In that case you would shave metal off of the barrel. Gee what a surprise, they didn't make these in a close tolerance environment.

[69Mach1]

Great tip master AK builder. Thanks.

[stevie]

Thanks great info. If the barrel pin hole is not in alignment, do you remove and start again?

[bigbob76]

Thanks great info. If the barrel pin hole is not in alignment, do you remove and start again?

I start the barrel into the receiver with a big dead blow mallet. It's obvious whether or not it's lined up correctly. If it's too far off the rear sight base won't go between the ears of the trunion. Then it's time to back it out and start over again. If it's slightly twisted out of alignment I remove the rifle from the press and put it on a flat surface. A sharp blow with a small hammer on the flat surface of the rear sight base will turn it into alignment. If you hold it up to a light and the hole is perfectly smooth but the gap is not the same on both sides between the rear sight base and trunion ears that's the way it was when it left the factory.

[stevie]

Thanks for the info

[JamesY]

If it's not aligned, you can also stick the rear sight base in a vise and use a big wrench on the receiver to twist it where it needs to go. Fortunately, I've only had to do this once (on my very first build).

[JamesY]

BTW, if you choose my method, stick the wrench on the front trunnion. Otherwise, the receiver will twist.