headspacing a ak74 question

[BanG_Bang]

when i finally get the correct headspacing for my ak74. is in mandatory to use an oversized barrel pins. ir can i just retap the trunnion and hole to clean it up and then slide the original barrel pin in? thank you. i have been debaiting this the whole weekend

[kcstott]

If you are using a barrel that already has a barrel pin groove cut in it and it is not a numbers matching kit or was not previously head spaced you need to use an over size pin.

The forces involved will cause the barrel to shift position.

If you have a virgin barrel you can headspace it, ream it and reuse the exsiting barrel pin.

[BanG_Bang]

thank you kcstott. yeah thats what i figured. i have a matching front and rear trunion. but the barrel is new. its actually a brand new bulgarian ak74 barrel that came with the kit. it has the barrel notch already there. the kit came from what a country. so it's looking like i need to buy an oversized barrel pin.

[kcstott]

It may have been head spaced at the shop. It's worth the effort to try it an see.

[BanG_Bang]

i honestly do not have a "go or no go " gauge for 5.45x39's i do have live ammo. im debating in the live ammos as my go gauge and then put 3 layers of scotch tape as my no go gauge..what do you think?

[mrlonewolf]

I do not recommend that approach at all.

Play it safe.

[Jayruta]

If you want to ship it down to me to be headspaced we could work something out. Did you need it populated too?

[kcstott]

Well lets just say that there was a very long thread and to put it mildly I don't use live rounds to headspace anything. It's just not a good practice when you are not in wartime conditions. Will it work? Probably. Is it the correct way to do it? Nope. Would a Self respecting Gunsmith allow a firearm out of his shop head spaced that way? Nope.

I'd find someone with the gages and get it done correctly. I saw your other post for the trade offer

[big ron]

just buy a no go gauge and sell it when you are done.

[BanG_Bang]

just buy a no go gauge and sell it when you are done.

im slowly starting to go that route.

[kcstott]

im slowly starting to go that route.

The hell with selling them save them and rent them out.

[BanG_Bang]

If you want to ship it down to me to be headspaced we could work something out. Did you need it populated too?

i cant help but think that avatar of yours. is that longanisa?

[ott1]

i cant help but think that avatar of yours. is that longanisa?

That's Linguisa and eggs, a hawaiian favorite.

[Jayruta]

and spam

[BanG_Bang]

and spam

lol. yeah thats hawaiin alright