Want to thread my MAK barrel and have a question

[UnderwaterMike]

I have a MAK 90 whose barrel I want to thread. As is common (universal?) on Norinco AKs, the barrel has radial lathe marks all the way to the muzzle, although from the sight block to the muzzle it may actually be threads that were turned off. I'm not sure, and I doubt it makes any difference.

Measured with a digital caliper, the barrel OD ranges from .506 at the crown to .513 at the base of the sight block. I looked at some of the documentation on the CNC Warrior site, and they recommend a minimum barrel OD of .543 on an M14x1 thread. (See attached pic.) I assume this means that my barrel is too narrow to thread for a standard 14x1 LH AK brake?

Any thoughts as to what I could do? IMO, the gun's not worth paying to have the barrel cut back, crowned and threaded by a gunsmith.

Thanks for any help.

[gunderwood]

You could get a competent machine shop to do a barrel extension, or in your case an enlargement, like ADCO does for Glock barrels.

http://www.adcofirearms.com/shopservice ... cfm?code=1

[UnderwaterMike]

You could get a competent machine shop to do a barrel extension, or in your case an enlargement, like ADCO does for Glock barrels.

Thanks for the info.

Probably a dumb idea, but could I get a 1/2x28 RH thread on there? At those dimensions and with that thread, I should be able to use a standard .223 break, right?

[gunderwood]

You could get a competent machine shop to do a barrel extension, or in your case an enlargement, like ADCO does for Glock barrels.

Thanks for the info.

Probably a dumb idea, but could I get a 1/2x28 RH thread on there? At those dimensions and with that thread, I should be able to use a standard .223 break, right?

You need to make sure that enough barrel is left over to contain the pressure at the muzzle. This is one reason there aren't that many threaded 1911s and those that are don't exactly follow the standard formula; those national match barrels are a bit thin, even for a lower pressure handgun cartridge like 45acp, to be extending/cutting on. Even that link I provided noted they won't do it for certain firearms. I don't know how much barrel you can remove safely.

[Hiwaytahell]

You are not going to use a .223 brake on a 7.62 barrel are you? Just checking.

[UnderwaterMike]

You are not going to use a .223 brake on a 7.62 barrel are you? Just checking.

No, I was thinking about the die. I didn't realize that I mistyped until I read your reply. I don't think that plugging a .223 brake with one of those bullets would do much good for my gun.

I was hoping I could get something with that size threading but for a larger bullet diameter.

[UnderwaterMike]

Probably a dumb idea, but could I get a 1/2x28 RH thread on there? At those dimensions and with that thread, I should be able to use a standard .223 break, right?

Should read "standard .223 DIE."

[gunderwood]

You are not going to use a .223 brake on a 7.62 barrel are you? Just checking.

No, I was thinking about the die. I didn't realize that I mistyped until I read your reply. I don't think that plugging a .223 brake with one of those bullets would do much good for my gun.

I was hoping I could get something with that size threading but for a larger bullet diameter.

Ya, good catch. No, that size is too small for a 7.62mm sized bullet.

[UnderwaterMike]

Think I may have a solution that fits my budget. Waiting for the CNC Warrior folks to get back to me.

[UnderwaterMike]

Done with minimal effort but maximum nervousness. If anyone else is thinking of doing the same, PM me with questions.