MG42 Barrel Dissassembly

[Mikesal]

What is the trick to remove the extension from the end of the barrel without destroying everything? I've experimented with an old de-milled barrel & can't get it to budge, using some heat and a big big pipe wrench. We've got some barrels I'd like to re-build as blank barrels & it would help to get the extension out of the way in order to make new barrel shafts.
thanks,
Mike Sal

[anjongni]

"Kroil" works well for me.
Submergence in this stuff for a couple days, then the freezer, then the heat gun. Once the Kroil does its work, along with the temperature extremes, the parts will be as loose as they're ever gonna get.
Good luck!....Phil

[JBaum]

clamp the barrel stub in a big vise (perhaps a pipe vise on a tripod), put a stout rod through the holes in the barrel extension and unscrew it. If necessary, you might try a thin grinder on the peened spot on the barrel stub to remove it to make it easier to get started.