56S re-barrel

[colt45]

Has anyone here re-barreled a 56S??? Tiffy???
Any hints and tips???

Considering pulling one of ours apart and changing to 6.5 Grendel

[possumtrapper]

First off you need to remove the barrel pin. This large pin has been set in place by the factory with a lot of force. Most pins have galled the barrels steel and have jammed in place or rusted from normal use. You will need to support the barrel and the front trunnion using care to prevent any miss alignment. After you have verified all is well, you will start to apply pressure to the face of the pin. All pins on the AK are driven from the right side going to the left. As you apply pressure you will hear a loud pop as the pin has started to move in its hole. Continue to drive the pin clear of the hole.

this link may help

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting200 ... /index.asp

[colt45]

Cheers possumtrapper

[tiffy]

Its been a while since I barreled a 56S, from memory we drill out the center of the cross pin, to weaken it and then punch it through. Then beast the barrel out with something heavy.

We then thread the trunion in a reasonably fine thread, can't remember what, but for example when we do Norinco bushnasties to 30 whisper or 6.5x39 we go 22x1mm or something simliar.

Threading allows you to easily take the barrel in and out while you sort out headspace, feed, forearm fit etc.

Probably need to weld up a supporting jig so the reciever will sit vertical in the mill for threading.

From there on in its just a usual rebarrel.

I can see the attraction of the Grendal, but the straight body may be an issue in the 56S magazine, might be worth trying the garden variety 6.5x39, can lend the reamer, as its perfect feed through any AK, and you can always ream the barrel to grendal at the later date if you just have to have it (may have to set the barrel back one turn or so)

Interestingly we have just punched the barrel out of a SKK for conversion to 6.5x39, it was pinned in rather than threaded as a SKS usually is (the ones I've seen anyway).


Cheers
Tiffy

[colt45]

Thanks Tiffy,
6.5 x 39 will probably be a better idea, reliability needs to be #1.
This may be a new year project.

Thanks again for your input

[NZPumpkin]

*sniff*