mak barrels

[.300 wby magman]

i've found a site that advertizes new mak barrels at $25. a peice. but i also found referance to a stainless barrel that federal arms makes (or made) i would like to have the stainless, especially since it looked in the picture like it had a threaded mussle.

i've been unable to find any stainless barrels for sale, and i'm still not sure if a press is "neccessary" for replacing it. if anyone has info related, please share.

thanx,
magman

[CptKelly]

Yes, you will need some method of pressing the barrel in. Some folks use a threaded rod through the barrel...

Mike

[blaster]

^how do they pull the old one out?

[pico]

I bought a stainless threaded barrel from www.buymilsurp.com in Florida earlier this year in 9x18 to convert one I had in .380. I could not get the .380 barrel removed on my own, as the pin holding it in place is either very tight or has been permanently attached somehow. Also, the barrel I purchased did not have a hole drilled. I am guessing this is a job for one more skilled than myself, and I have not had the time to take to a gunsmith. The threaded barrel did not come with a thread protector, which is a negative in my book. It was inexpensive and would look nice on a two tone makarov, which I do not own.

[Incognito2]

Makarov Barrels can be a little tricky to remove but with a little effort they can be persuaded. The Barrels are press fit into the retention band then secured in place with small pin.

First thing is to drive out the said retention pin with a small punch, depending who has had their hands on your pistol before you you may be faced with a tapered pin that may only press out from one side or the other, a sharp tap should move it easy enough.

Once the pin is removed place the frame in a rubber jaw vice or hold it firmly in your hand. Take a nylon faced hammer and strike the front of the barrel sharply driving the barrel toward the rear. Do this a couple of times as it may be nessesary to loosen the gunk that may be holding things up. With any luck the barrel will knock loose at this point and can then be easily removed and replaced.

If the barrel refuses to budge, beg, steal or borrow a small blow torch, take the pistol frame and place it in a container of ice water for about 5 mins. Once chilled place it back on the vice and use a small concentrated but HOT flame on the retention band. As the barrel has more mass, the retention band should expand faster, you could even rap a small wet rag around the barrel to keep cool. Hold the flame on there for about 10 seconds then attack the front of the barrel with the nylon hammer again. If you don't get it the first time you can repeat the process, just be mindful of how much heat gets into the barrel, try and keep it as cool as you can.

I have modded MANY Makarovs and never needed to put a barrel to a press and I would be wary doing so. Be patient and the above technique should work well.

I will do an article on accurizing the Makarov soon, they are great pistols and can be made into EXCELLENT pistols with just a few tweaks. Hope this helps.

[Mak918]

Will look forward to your article on accurizing the Mak. Thanks.