I know that I’m just “spit ballin’” the thought here, but while trying to get information about changing out the 10-ish" barrel out of an AK-V for a 16" barrel (that is only offered on the completed AK-V rifle options) I was curious as to whether or not there might be an option for custom work on existing PSA products [in this case the AR-V] where I could send the AK-V back to PSA to have them swap barrels (and not COMPLETELY wreck the project like I would ).
I get that it may very well be not cost efficient for them to offer custom modifications like that, but I at least wanted to float the thought out there considering the unique nature of federal activities and what is becoming aware to me that swapping barrels on an AK pattern firearm is NOT like swapping barrels on an AR pattern firearm.
Sure, I might be able to find a local-ish gunsmith who could ‘handle’ the project, but I t’s a “piece of mind” thing to trust such work to the creators of the AK-V.
Unless, of course changing the barrel length is irrelevant.
By that I am bringing up the question of once a “pistol” always a “pistol”?
Would changing the barrel length make the pistol a rifle?
If not, then this would all be for nothing.
It would be cheaper and reversible if you pin and silver solder an extension to bring it to 16"
I’m hoping this gets overturned before it makes millions of felons! nothing but unconstitutional forced registration.
I had thought about that too. After measuring, the AK-V barrel is right at 9.75" & the muzzle device is 6.25" long (which you would think is right on target), however when threaded together the overall barrel length is measuring at 15.5". A half inch too short. [I know… “that’s what she said.”]
It looks like I’d still be in the market for an official, 16" [threaded] barrel.
Part of the drive is the range that I am a member of has a diversified amount of FLETC clientele, some of which are some really nice people, but I’d still rather be safe than risk an “Imperial entanglements.”
Im definitely interested in this option vs having to register it as a sbr. Looking back now I wish I would have bought the 16" version. But with the black friday deal I couldnt say no to the price.
It’s completely understandable. The ATF knew that this would be problematic and I’m starting to suspect they wanted this however far back pistol braces go back. I think that they’ve been biding their time, waiting for such widespread proliferation of braced firearms hoping to aid in developing another facet of their illegal gun registry.
Yeah, that may be rather tinfoil hat-ish, but it’s also highly plausible considering their ‘sudden" change of heart regarding braces.
Registration is absolutely NOT an option on the table. I don’t plan on kicking in doors or CQBing through the city. I have developed a love for firearms and shooting in the past few years, and I have no reservations about adding an extra 6" to the end of my AK-V. Ideally I’d love to have a threaded end on the barrel for breaks and such as opposed to a pinned and welded extension, so I am hoping that a cost effective, loyal customer friendly option could become available from PSA.
No, the threading is wrong. However, US Machine Guns does have several fake supressor models that are threaded to fit the AK-V and when pinned permanently attached bring the overall length to 16+ inches.
I don’t have an akv not sure of the thread and I never delt with Us machine , I just know it is much more cost effective than re barreling or riviting a new barreled trunion and refinishing. i’m sure there will be a supply of barrel extensions to temporarily fix this.Its is a shame we live in a clown world and jump through hoops to stay legal and the aft can just change its opinion again. It makes me sick!
Out of curiosity, what would one guess that the cost of a barrel swap-out would cost?
Would we be looking at $250, $350, $450+?
I have no idea what the cost of having a gun smith pin & weld a muzzle device onto the end of the existing barrel is. Does anyone else have some insight?
I can only account for the cost of a lengthy muzzle device, which is around $60-70 bucks.
So, if the cost of the part ($65) + a guessing value of the p&w of $150(?) = $215-ish?
Again, I have no idea what kind of work is involved w/a barrel swap on an AK patterned firearm, so my understanding is in dire need of being brought up to speed.
Called the PSA store this morning. Online customer support is a joke. Anyway, here is another option. The PSA guy who answered in their firearms dept said the 9mm 16” barrel below “should fit”. Said he would verify and get back to me. No rush since the item currently is on backorder.
How are you measuring? My AKV is 10.5” (w/ muzzel break removed). Threading is 1/2” x 28, so taking 1/2” off for threading a muzzel device, we would require a minimum 6 “ extension to be compliant with the pending rule.
Here is the ATF guidance for measuring barrel length.
I spoke to the owner at USMG about his fake suppressors. There are 4 that will work with the AKV threading and also add the minimum 6” required to make it compliant. These devices are aluminum and would be “difficult to weld to steel”, however he recommened that they be permanenly attached by blind pinning and welding over the pin head. Bonus…with this option the pin can also be drilled out, and the device removed, should this new ruling be overturned at a later date by the courts.
Thanks, good to know. I have not gotten the call-back promised. Perhaps, however, PSA will be compelled to make one available that works with the AKV. Seems simple enough since they have produced complete 16” models (currently out of stock…of course).
I have measured with a dowel down the barrel from the end of the barrel threads to a closed bolt (on the breech face).
Which is part of the reason for some of my confusion because I understood the AK-V to have a 10" barrel, but my barrel is measuring at approximately 9 13/16" without any muzzle device. I blame “2x4s”.
It measures to essentially 11" with the PSA supplied muzzle break.
The extended muzzle device that I have on hand is 6 3/16" long.
The overall length of the barrel with that 6 3/16" comes to a measurement of 15 3/8".
That’s how I came to the conclusion that it’s basically 1/2" short of 16" of a [compliant] barrel length.
With the muzzle 7 1/2" fake suppressor device offered by USMachineGun, my AK-V barrel should VERY “safe” by around 1 5/8"-ish.
I don’t think that this is much of a concern, but regarding a pin & weld, there are only threads forward of my AK-V sight post so the hole to be drilled into the barrel for the pin will be straight into the threads.
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