Russian .380 Makarov type barrel replacement

[Al W.]

Have any of you folks replaced a barrel on one of the Makarov type blow back pistols ? I picked up a Russian Makarov in .380 and the availability of cheap replacement parts has me contemplating a project the would require barrel replacement .
The procedure calls for a barrel fixture to remove and replace the barrel in the frame. Straight forward and cheap. You can pick up the tool for around 35 bucks.
My question has to do with the necessity of drilling a hole for the pin that fixes the new barrel to the frame.
The instructions I have seen state that you must mark the location for drilling then remove the barrel again , drill and refit.
What would you folks suggest I use to mark the location ? I would think a scratch awl would do the trick , are there other marking methods ?

 

[SC_Mike]

A few passes with a hacksaw blade may work just enough to make a line.

Not sure what you are doing but keep us posted.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I'm not sure just how much you might gain by changing the barrel. If the pistol shoots well as is, it might be best to just leave it alone.

If you are contemplating a change from .380 to 9Mak there is a relatively small difference in ballistic performance as a potential gain, but that gain will come with offsetting losses in ammo availability (ammo in general, as well as ammo types suitable for various purposes). Also, since the barrel is frame-mounted the results of the barrel swap can't be known until the job is successfully completed, and may not be satisfactory in terms of accuracy or reliable performance.

Sounds like you want to trade a relatively satisfactory known quantity for a completely unknown result.

 

[Al W.]

I'm not sure just how much you might gain by changing the barrel. If the pistol shoots well as is, it might be best to just leave it alone.

Sounds like you want to trade a relatively satisfactory known quantity for a completely unknown result.

Yes thanks , I get that .
I'm not thinking I'll have improvement . I'm just tooling on the gun. Its part of the hobby for me.
What I'm doing is collecting data about the procedure of barrel replacement.
From what I have learned so far , the procedure is to fit the new barrel and drill the set pin hole with the barrel in place in the frame. I had thought that possibly the procedure was to mark the hole location remove and then drill, but so far it seems that the sequence of events is fit the new barrel and drill with the part in place. Much easier !
Just requires a drill press which is part of my every day shop equipment .
Thanks for your concern. You are correct. I'm actually not switching from .380 to 9x18. I ruled out the Makarov round . I'm loading .380, lots of options with 380 not so many with the Makarov.
I have been buying parts .
The guns though I like .
Light enough , small enough, parts available and cheap enough to buy and tinker with .
I'm a bit of a shop rat that has a long experience with mechanics and a long list of trade skills. So I'm doing some smithing as a diversion.