This is NOT a "do it at home" type job.
The barrels are TIGHTLY threaded on, and removal REQUIRES a special barrel vise, and a special action wrench.
Gun barrels are NOT just pieces of threaded pipe that can be screwed on or off at will.
Attempting to do it without the right tools WILL destroy the rifle.
In addition, the Mini-14 series barrels must be cut on a lathe to allow the barrel to be indexed so the gas system and front sight are aligned properly.
The gas system barrel block is torqued in place, and attempts at removal without knowing how to properly remove the staked-in bolts will strip the block holes, ruining the assembly.
Last, once the barrel is fitted in place, you have to have a set of head space gages and chambering reamers to set head space.
Bottom line, barrel work on any rifle, and especially on the Mini-14 series is a job for a trained gunsmith with a complete set of expensive tools and gages.
Wanna absolutely RUIN a good rifle? Start trying to do barrel work without the knowledge and tools.
If you want a muzzle device, buy the threading dies and bore alignment rods that are made to thread barrels without having to remove them.
These are a special threading die and an alignment rod that goes down the bore to keep the cutting die aligned and square with the bore.
Member "WJM" on the AK-47 forum rents threading kits to thread barrels.
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