If I got a Vepr .308 and removed the front sight would a machineist or smith have to remove my barrel to cut it down about 2" and thread it for an FAL flash hider.

I wouldnt think that the barrell could be cut down and threaded without removing it from the reciever. I called a local smith here and he said he could thread mine without taking it apart.

If they could get the rifle level and secure they could but if they can get it secure in the lathe is the question I guess.

Quoted: If they could get the rifle level and secure they could but if they can get it secure in the lathe is the question I guess.

I was wondering the same thing. Me and 762 are going to have our VEPRs turned down and threaded.

It's very VERY tough to thread a barrel with a die and have the threads be properly concentric with the bore. And THAT'S important so your bullets don't hit the muzzle device. The best way is in the lathe and the only way that's happenin' is pulling the barrel. If there is a way to do it someone please show me how, I'd love to know.......seriously!!!  

Quoted: It's very VERY tough to thread a barrel with a die and have the threads be properly concentric with the bore. And THAT'S important so your bullets don't hit the muzzle device. The best way is in the lathe and the only way that's happenin' is pulling the barrel. If there is a way to do it someone please show me how, I'd love to know.......seriously!!!

Tomovich is right. You cut the barrel, it needs to be recrowned. That is lathe work. If you do not recrown your barrel, accuracy goes right out the window.  And the best way to get the barrel turned down and threaded to accept a muzzle attachment and lose no accuracy at all is on a lathe.
The barrel has to be pulled to get it on a lathe and centered up correctly to do the mentioned work.

I did all the above on a .223 AK without lathe work and my accuracy sucked. I had to have a smith take it all apart, pull the barrel, and redo it properly on a lathe and I got my accuracy back.

I am not saying someone has not figured out how to do it without pulling the barrel. Some guys are pretty ingenious. I do know it is accepted norm to have to pull barrel and do all mentioned work on a lathe. Good luck on your projects.

Quoted: Quoted: It's very VERY tough to thread a barrel with a die and have the threads be properly concentric with the bore. And THAT'S important so your bullets don't hit the muzzle device. The best way is in the lathe and the only way that's happenin' is pulling the barrel. If there is a way to do it someone please show me how, I'd love to know.......seriously!!!   Tomovich is right. You cut the barrel, it needs to be recrowned. That is lathe work. If you do not recrown your barrel, accuracy goes right out the window.  And the best way to get the barrel turned down and threaded to accept a muzzle attachment and lose no accuracy at all is on a lathe. The barrel has to be pulled to get it on a lathe and centered up correctly to do the mentioned work. I did all the above on a .223 AK without lathe work and my accuracy sucked. I had to have a smith take it all apart, pull the barrel, and redo it properly on a lathe and I got my accuracy back. I am not saying someone has not figured out how to do it without pulling the barrel. Some guys are pretty ingenious. I do know it is accepted norm to have to pull barrel and do all mentioned work on a lathe. Good luck on your projects.

Do you guys think any competent gunsmith could pull an AK barrel and replace it properly, or should this work be left to an AK specialist?

The smith I talked to about getting mine done is here in ga and supposed to be one of the best around. He said he could THREAD the barrel. I did not ask him about cutting it down, but he did explain how he could thread it without taking it out if the reciever. From what I have read in the hometown forum he is top notch.
Lynn "Doc" Holt
P.O. Box 1987
Douglasville GA
770 489-4191
Military trained Armorer.
Excellent in all aspects of Gunsmithing.
Oustanding in: 1911's and AR's.

Give him a call and find out!

ETA: if your willing to ship. CHeck the GA hometown forum theres a couple of threads there about threading and his work.

tag

I dont know if you guys saw this But I asked this question upstairs in the AK Discussions and they said that succint and threading can be done.