Restoring My AK

In my younger days I had a few AKs imported with all the usual restrictions—one of which was a non-threaded muzzle to make them less “evil.” Wanting to restore some manhood to these rifles I started looking for a way to thread the muzzles myself.

Lacking the tools and experience at the time I stumbled upon DIY muzzle threading kits. These included a thread guide, die, and die handle—seemed simple enough.

Ready to Test My New DIY Kit

After ensuring my rifle was unloaded I removed the bolt and carrier, inserted the thread guide into the bore and carefully rotated the die onto the muzzle. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. I even installed a fancy new muzzle brake—my AK looked like a real beast again!

Ready to test my handiwork I headed to the range. I set up, aimed and pulled the trigger.

Then I heard an unexpected PING!

Disaster Strikes: A Flying Muzzle Brake

Something kicked up dirt on the ground in front of me. I looked downrange and sure enough my brand new muzzle brake had launched itself 50 plus yards away!

When I walked up to retrieve it the brake, it lay there in the dirt as if to say:
“What the he#@ just happened?”

I was lucky it could have been much worse. Since then I cringe every time I see DIY threading kits for sale.

Why DIY Muzzle Threading Kits Fail

Now before you say “You didn’t start the threads straight!”— I can assure you I tried. I had a fair amount of mechanical experience even back then but getting perfect alignment with these DIY kits is nearly impossible.

1. Bore Diameter Variance

Bore diameters in .22 and .30 caliber barrels can vary more than you’d expect. For a DIY threading guide to work correctly it must fit snugly inside the bore. Unfortunately that’s just a matter of luck—if the guide wobbles even slightly your threads will be off.

2. The “Jump” Problem

When the die moves from the thread guide to the muzzle there’s a jump in the cutting process—similar to when a wood screw pushes apart two pieces of wood before biting into the second. This misalignment can cause threading to go off track.

3. Barrel Outside Diameter Issues

If your barrel’s outside diameter (OD) is too large it must be reduced to match the correct thread size. If this isn’t done perfectly the bore and muzzle threads won’t align—which can cause serious safety issues.

A Word of Caution: Check Before You Fire!

If you still think you can get a DIY kit to work that’s your call—it’s a free country. But before you fire your newly threaded barrel check your work!

Take the time to:
✅ Verify that the muzzle device is aligned properly
✅ Inspect for threading errors
✅ If unsure consult a professional gunsmith

I wish I had done that before my first DIY attempt!

Professional Threading Is More Affordable Than You Think

Now you might be thinking: “Of course, barrelthreading.com is against DIY kits!”

Partially true, but not for the reasons you think. The cost of a DIY threading kit (around $30). Why not put that toward professional threading? For a little more you can have it done correctly by an expert.

In fact if you mention this blog post we’ll take $10 off your threading service—because we’d rather see your rifle done right than see another muzzle brake fly downrange.

Final Thoughts: Be Smart, Get Expert Help

Firearm modifications require precision. Before making any changes always consult a qualified gunsmith. Your safety is worth more than saving a few bucks on a DIY kit.

🚨 Disclaimer: You are responsible for seeking professional advice before modifying your firearm. This article is for informational purposes only.