sks problem?

[andyn1976]

I have a sks that will not fire. Consistent light primer strikes. Gun is clean and have tried three different brands of ammo. Any ideas? Tried tula, wolf and some surplus rounds with same out come.

[Klayton]

Doesn't light primer strikes equal one of two things?

Weakened spring, or wore down firing pin?

[Grinnan Barrett]

Was it firing before and just start this? Does the bolt serial number match the gun? Have you had the head space checked on the gun? I had to adjust the bolt on a Finish model 31 a few months back when it would not punch the primers. GB

[45B]

If you know how, remove the firing pin and spring and compare them to new. If not take it to a good gunsmith and have them check it.

[andyn1976]

Apperently gun wasnt clean enought. Was told firing pin should rattle when you shake bolt. Cleaned and recleaned again. Now gun fires but wont eject spent shell. Going to reclean gas tube and try again when I get some time. Thanks for everyones input.

[rice paddy daddy]

Be careful when removing an SKS firing pin. It is possible to get it in upside down which will cause slam fires when the bolt closes.
Andy, it sounds like your SKS was poorly maintained. Clean the gas system - piston, tube, and the SKS combo tool has a device to clean the gas port in the barrel.
Also, if you have a Yugo, I believe they have a gas cutoff valve that is used when firing grenades. Check to be sure that if your rifle has one it is open.

[brokedownbiker]

Pay extra attention to removing ALL traces of cosmoline, those guns are famous for be packed with the stuff. It plugs passages in gas system, causes sticky firing pins, causes poor ejecting, everything you are facing, it sounds like.

[Lowdown3]

Cosmoline. Probably was coated in it.

[jimmertoons]

When reassembling after cleaning, make sure the bolt recoil spring is installed correctly. If it is installed backwards, the action will not operate consistantly. Quick fix, but can drive you nuts until you know about it.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

Pay extra attention to removing ALL traces of cosmoline, those guns are famous for be packed with the stuff. It plugs passages in gas system, causes sticky firing pins, causes poor ejecting, everything you are facing, it sounds like.

When I bought mine it had so much cosmoline it seemed like someone planed on storing in saltwater. Everything was coated with the stuff.

[brokedownbiker]

My first SKS took me almost a full day to clean properly, what a mess. The stock was sticky with the stuff, it took a looong time to get the stock dried out

[45B]

After you give it a total cleaning, and test fire it, please post and let us know what you found.

Cosmoline can be cleaned with a generous amount of heat and elbow grease. Make sure all parts of gas system are cleaned and ports open.

Mean Green cleaner helps a lot too.

Good luck.

[andyn1976]

Ok. Completely took down and cleaned rifle. No more cosmoline to blame. Fires fine but will not eject spent shell. Tried recoil spring in both directions just in case and the gas valve is in the proper position. What should I try next? Luckily i can test fire on my property. Bought this sks at a pawn shop cheap, guess I know why now.

[brokedownbiker]

If you have a magnifying glass handy (I need one due to old eyes) take a good look at the ejector. Is the lip or edge damaged or deformed? If you need a visual of what it is supposed to look like, check out this link.

http://www.desertfoxsales.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SKS-009

[andyn1976]

Just checked out ejector looks fine to me. Ejects fine manually. Just not automatic. Really trying to avoid gunsmith. Around here turnaround time is not up to par IMO. Plus not in my budget.