Bubba Barrel Obstruction Removal

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So I have a project on the go. I've recent picked up a "deactivated" Non-Restricted semi auto. Specifically a MAS 49/56. A previous owner decided to "deactivate" the gun for some unknown reason, and did so in the following way...

1 - Removed the ejector.
2 - Filed down the firing pin.
3 - Plugged the first inch or two of the barrel with an unknown epoxy/caulk/glue/sealant material which has hardened into a rubber like plug around a brass insert that is much smaller than the interior diameter of the chamber. So the seal is between the wall of the chamber and the brass bit.

Looking for ideas on how to remove the obstruction without damaging the barrel chamber. Solvent? Would prefer not to use mechanical means for obvious reasons. I don't know the composition of the sealant.

Also not looking to debate the legalities of reversing this deactivation. Technically it isn't a deactivation, just a mucked up gun. Still Non-Restricted and purchased as such. Steps 1 and 2 are easy fixes. Step 3 is the delicate part.
 
if it was me I would chuck the barrel in the lathe, you know the chamber so use a stub drill and drill steady 1/32 smaller than the bore first then 1/32 smaller than the chamber dia and drill it short of the depth, if its rubber like its possibly urethane, some are eaten by brake fluid all you will have is the 1/64 on the walls to remove

worst case get a chamber reamer to take that out by hand
 
Well... I don't think the barrel obstruction is an issue anymore. Just disassembled the front hand guards along with the rest of the rifle.

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Barrel was cut and re-assembled using the internal plug method noted above. Gas tube was also cut.

Anyone know where I can find a MAS 49/56 barrel??? Hahaha. I knew I was taking a gamble going in. Still having fun with the project.
 
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For future reference- fitting it up to a half decent pressure washer or hydraulic pump will shift a plug like that ( if they hadn't also cut the barrel). You would need to plug the gas port and beware them leaving the gun at speed though :p
 
Interesting.
Hydrolicly perhaps oil settled out over night and a plunger made long enough to get past the gas port.
Then induce pressure, hammer or press
Something will give.
Be safe
 
Goofle for 49/56 parts. Some place with a Greek letter in the name had a pile of misc bits that seemed to be leftovers from Century's conversion line. If they sell you a barrel, rejoice because they snubbed my questions. If the US border is closed, use your French language skills and find the French equivalent of epay. I've seen MAS parts offered there in the last year.

You have a reasonable project on your hands. Those French rifles are dog-bone simple. With a little forethought you should be able to resuscitate the bad barrel. Think about using the breech end as a stub into which a good gunsmith can thread another length of barrel. The gas tube is a simple kinked piece of tubing. The rifle functions with a great big cough of propellant gases going down the tube and expanding in a chamber on the top of the breechblock carrier. It doesn't have a gas regulator because it doesn't really need one.
 
I'm working on a picking up another mas 49 Syrian parts gun. Between the two I should be able to make one solid shooter. Will update as it goes.

The small parts I need are coming out of the US. Between those parts and the second Syrian parts gun it shouldn't be an issue. Fingers crossed.
 
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