[Toten Kopf]

Yes, I'm at that point and need some advice. What are the correct rivet lengths? After reading various posts, I can't tell what length is correct. The length is from the underside of the rivet head (flat), I guess you would call it the shank length. I do not need the OAL since the rivet heads can very. I need the length so I don't have to do any filling for clearance. Just insert and crush.

Oh, I'm using the new ACE bent metal which appears to be .045" thick.

So I need:

Front Trunnion Rivet Length
Front Trunnion Swell Neck Rivet Length

Also, since I'm trying to do the Round head finished look. I need the correct length for the rivets below. As stated above I want to have the proper length so that I end up with a nice round head finished rivet.

Center Support Rivet Length
Rear Trunnion Swell Neck Rivet Length (Long)

Hope you can help me with this.

 

[7.62x39]

Check out post #20 in this thread, it may help.

http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=285&page=2&pp=10

 

[Toten Kopf]

I was in on that GB, but the rivets seem a little long as they are. I was wondering if I should cut them to a certain size to ensure that they work properly.

In one post I have, Plinker said he had front trunnion rivets cut to 5/16" (.3125") and they needed a little triming) but that maybe 1/4" (.250") would work better.

The rivets from the GB (front trunnion) measure .371" (swell-neck) and .375" (non-swell neck) which are within specs. I didn't measure the long (rear trunnion swell neck) rivets but I sure they meet the drawing specs.

Do I just use them the way they are or do I need to cut them?

 

[7.62x39]

I have been using 5/32 x 5/16 mcmaster-carr rivets right out of the box for the front.
I bought a box of 5/32 x 1/4 at the same time, but found them too be a tad short.

On the rear, I've been using 1-1/2 " (IIRC) and just been trimming to fit whatever type of stock tang I was using at the time, unfortunately I never measured them, so I don't know what the finished size was.

 

[Toten Kopf]

7.62x39......... Thanks for your input, I need all the help I can get.

I crushed all front trunnion rivets, all are real nice. As you did, I used 5/16" long for the front four non-swell neck rivets. They filled up the crush area nicley. I know that the rivets we bought on the GB for the front trunnion (non-swell neck) are to long. They measure .371" - .374" in length. If I want to use them, I'll have to do some cutting.

The front trunnion (lower rear) swell neck rivet measured .371" - .374" but there was plenty of room to crush them to clear the magzine.

Now all that's left is the center support and rear trunnion rivets. I guess I'll just drill some metal stock and try crushing them and see what type heads turn out.