If you want to do a rivet build you will need to press the barrel. If you do a screw build and you have a kit that has the barrel pressed into the front trunion you will not need to press the barrel...
As an example, I have really only done two AK builds (well I have only done 1 but I helped a buddy do his) so far. Both of these builds were AMD-65 kits where the barrel was still pressed into the front trunion. All I needed to do was drill and tap the rivet holes and use the proper button head screws to attach the front trunion with the barrel attached to the front of the receiver....
With a rivet build, you need to have the barrel out of the front trunion and you rivet the front trunion to the receiver. When the front trunion is attached to the receiver, you then use this type of barrel press to put the barrel into the front trunion. This type of press is critical to support the receiver and allow the barrel to be properly set into the trunion...
One of these days I will get some time to do a build and I do have all the tools, receivers, and kits waiting... Just been too darned busy to get into the shop and of course winter in an unheated shop as been a motivation killing effect as well...
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