I would get the gun shop to refund my money. Why take a chance!

 

Do try and get it fixed under warranty. The pin should be very tight, at this point being so loose an oversize pin is needed and a hole inspection done with headspace check.

 

Assuming the pin is the normal 7mm size., the pin channel was drilled too large. The pin., as you surmise should be a press fit., not a "tap in" fit.
Hopefully they will take care of it for you or authorize some compensation to fix the rifle with a new oversized pin installation.

 

It's an easy fix if you have the tools, but definitely try and get the company to fix it first. Headspace will need to be confirmed and then have an oversized pin installed.

 

I contacted a local gunsmith today about my barrel pin problem. He told me it was not nessacary to replace my existing pin with an oversized barrel pin. He also said the headspacing should be fine because the pin never fell all the way out. He said he would replace the pin for me if I wanted but really all I need to do is use some high heat thread locker or JB weld and apply it to the part of the pin that is sticking out and into the hole on the opposite side and just hammer the pin back in. What do you guys think?

 

You need to find a competent gunsmith that knows the AK firearm. That individual you talked to is blowing hot air and gave you bad advice.

 

Jbweld a loose barrel pin? Absolutely friggen not! Tell him to give you your money back for a dangerous product or send it to a well known person recommended here.

 

I'll say what no one else is; your gunsmith us full of shit.

The issue you're having would lead to a catastrophic failure of the rifle if that pin worked its way out far enough. This isn't a loose muzzle break we're talking a out here. We're talking about a round possibly being fired as the barrel come s loose from the receiver.

The fix is easy and the ONLY fix is to drill for a larger barrel pin. Anyone telling you otherwise doesn't know shit about an AK and should be ruled out as so.eone to ask advice from on the AK

 

Lol yeah pretty damn stupid to do it that way. Maybe bubble gum or scotch tape would work better. If I can't get the gun shop to replace the rifle then I will just get a oversized pin and some gauges. I will probobly need a press too or is it possible to do this properly with just a sledge hammer and some punches? I have been looking extensively and I can't find an ak smith in my area.

 

I wouldn't even think of a smith yet. First get warranty service. If the company won't stand by its product, that says volumes. Once you start self-helping, the warranty will probably be void.

 

unless your gun shop has a competent gunsmithing service as well as firearm sales you will most likely be dealing with the manufacturer for this problem, the gunshop should assist you in shipping the rifle back to whoever built it and receiving it when the manufacturer sends it back repaired...honestly the best scenario I see for you is you cover the shipping to the manufacturer, they cover the shipping back and the gun shop doesnt charge you a transfer fee....Good Luck!!!:thumbsup:

 

It's honestly frightening how many people think JB weld or similar stuff is okay to use in critical areas on firearms. Especially someone claiming to be a gun Smith. Check the warranty situation first.

It could be done at home with not a lot of extra tools, but if you haven't ever dealt with headspacing a firearm, it's probably not advisable. You can rig up a vise to push the barrel pin in and there are a few other options. I wouldn't use a hammer. You could end up mushrooming the pin. I would personally mic the pin/hole and move to the smallest next increment possible and get a reamer and some hardened drill rod from McMaster-Carr, so you don't have to make a big size jump.

 

Id try a new pin before removing steel / drilling and reaming
Being its built from a kit ..... that pin may have been pressed in and out several times and worn down a bit

But #1 check head space first

 

If you can't get warranty work "Mr Nobody" idea of a new pin of the same size may press in very tight.

First if you are going to be a DIY AK Gunsmith spent some money on the least expensive part there is that will return the most over & over; that is $85 on the Gunplumber's Gunsmithing Kalashnikov Rifles book and DVDs by T. Mark Graham.

 

Since it hasn't been pointed out already, you should not have messed with the rifle once you found this problem. The manufacturer should fix it, but now if they have an excuse not to. They may claim that you messed with the barrel pin which resulted in it moving. That's not what happened, but plenty of people dicker with firearms and then expect the manufacturer to clean up their mess. If they're no the type to backup their work, then all the worse.

You also really have a responsibility to send it back to the manufacturer because they need to know that they're produced a firearm which can result in severe personal injury. There's no telling how many others they've produced, so they may need to issue a recall after identifying the source of the problem.

Good luck and keep us informed.

 

Any better pics of the complete rifle?

 

It's a pretty shitty situation. The gunshop said they do not do returns and I am pretty sure the manufacture liberty arms international is out of business. The shop said they are going to try to contact the supplier and get another one.

 

I think a gunshop would only do a return on "banquet" guns like with a ducks unlimited banquet where there is a gun raffle, go to the store, I already have this gun, don't need another one they will either give you store credit for it or put it up on consignment if you are lucky...If the manufacturer is out of business then you may have to send it off to a ak smith who knows what he is doing...like you said, shitty situation all the way around...

 

Here is a picture of the same ak. Atlantic firearms used to sell them. I can't take a picture right now because I am not at home. If anybody knows a good ak smith in southern oregon let me know. Thanks guys for your help.

Shipping Rifles : AK47 Rifle Milled By Liberty Arms International Close Out

 

You'll want Matt Yeamans, AKA Turbothis.

My Guns Northwest

 

You'll want Matt Yeamans, AKA Turbothis.

My Guns Northwest

This.

 

Thanks for the info. Do you know what city they are in? I looked on the website but it did not say.

 

Not sure off hand, but if you shoot him a email or call he will get back to you.

 

Just an update. I ordered a barrel pin and some gauges and the headspaceing is fine. The barrel did not move. Liberty arms is out of business so they can't do anything for me. I am wondering if there is anyway I could trim the diameter of my new barrel down a bit with a dremil or something? Is the surface layer all that is hardened or is the whole pin harden when heat treated? If so I would not want to grind of the hardened surface. The pin is just a little to fat to go in.

 

Drive the thing down to Matt and just be done with it.