Matching AK kit won't headspace!!!!

[Wyseguy]

I'm building a matching Romy G kit from a flat, and when I went to press in the barrel, it won't go in any further. It just misses alignment with the barrel and trunnion by just a hair (literally!!) I checked the headspace with Go and No-Go gauges, and the bolt will close on BOTH, no problem. I pressed the barrel so far in that the brass nut that I had on top of the barrell smashed into pieces, and I'm afraid that I will bend the barrel if I press it in any more. Should I go ahead and try? Is there something else I could do?
Thanks

[69Mach1]

I'm building a matching Romy G kit from a flat, and when I went to press in the barrel, it won't go in any further. It just misses alignment with the barrel and trunnion by just a hair (literally!!) I checked the headspace with Go and No-Go gauges, and the bolt will close on BOTH, no problem. I pressed the barrel so far in that the brass nut that I had on top of the barrell smashed into pieces, and I'm afraid that I will bend the barrel if I press it in any more. Should I go ahead and try? Is there something else I could do?
Thanks

Press the barrel out again.. Since you were able to press the barrel in that far, I doubt that the front trunnion rivets are to blame, but you never know. Good luck.

[416stroker]

You sure you dont have a rivet catching on the barrel?

[thedrickel]

This thread is totally worthless w/o pics.

[oldyeller]

One of mine stopped short when the RSB hit the fixture at the front trunion. I ended up using shim stock to get the RSB past the flange on the front trunion.

[Gowking]

Whatever you do be careful apply a lot of pressure trying to get it together or apart.

-G

[SVT-40]

Are you using a shop press to push the barrel? Sometimes the Romanian barrels are a BIT%H to move. One solution is while pressing it use a hammer to tap on the press piston as you are pressing the barrel. It will help the barrel move in smaller increments and will allow it to move easier.

Also be sure to use some type of anti seize lubricant on the barrel shank.

Penny's placed on the muzzle are a good and cheap "gasket" to keep from damaging the muzzle crown while pressing.

[sava6e]

ive always found hard to push barrels, if you stick em in the freezer for a little while, have everything ready pull it out, lube it, press it. laws of physics!those thousandths of an inch help!!!!! that is if everything is clear ie no debris, rivets or anything else stopping it, id remove it and see what is going on before applying more force. my $.02

[SVT-40]

ive always found hard to push barrels, if you stick em in the freezer for a little while, have everything ready pull it out, lube it, press it. laws of physics!those thousandths of an inch help!!!!! that is if everything is clear ie no debris, rivets or anything else stopping it, id remove it and see what is going on before applying more force. my $.02

I tried the freezer method, but I'm too impatient. I usually use some of the aerosol "dust off" spray, however instead of holding the can upright so vapors come out the nozzle. I hold it upside down so the liquid nitrogen comes out the nozzle. It only takes a few seconds to get the barrel shank below freezing and ready for pressing.

I also use a heat gun to warm up the front trunnion. Helps them mate like a lubed..... well you know

[sava6e]

I tried the freezer method, but I'm too impatient. I usually use some of the aerosol "dust off" spray, however instead of holding the can upright so vapors come out the nozzle. I hold it upside down so the liquid nitrogen comes out the nozzle. It only takes a few seconds to get the barrel shank below freezing and ready for pressing.

I also use a heat gun to warm up the front trunnion. Helps them mate like a lubed..... well you know

i never thought of that, i could see how that would work, i used to spray my brother like that years ago just for a second tho!!

[Wyseguy]

Are you using a shop press to push the barrel?
Also be sure to use some type of anti seize lubricant on the barrel shank.
Penny's placed on the muzzle are a good and cheap "gasket" to keep from damaging the muzzle crown while pressing.

I'm using a Harbor Freight shop press, and I used white lithium grease to lube the barrel.

I like the penny idea!

I will try and freeze the barrel tonight, and try it again in the morning!