Test fired my SKS

SKS NOOB · 03-29-2007, 08:49 AM

Got good news and bad news. The good news is it hits what I'm aiming at and the firing pin hasn't stuck yet. The bad news is, it won't eject. I was thinking it was the gas tube because I could see the powder marks around where the gas tube connects to the gas valve, but the shell seems to get stuck in the chamber not even letting the bolt come back. The one time it did come back, it didn't go back far enough to pull the shell out and load another in. Also, even with the gas valve shut off the spent cartrage sticks in the chamber and is hard to get out. I know that the shell should expand some but I was wondering if this was normal. The shell does stay connected to the bolt. I was wondering if there might be something wrong with the ejector too.

Big Dog · 03-29-2007, 10:19 AM

A couple 'not so obvious' things to check:

Remove the short piston and spring fromt the rear sight block (careful, it's under spring pressure - cover with a rag before flipping the latch open)!
It may be gunked up in there, restricting movement.

Check the recoil spring and rod behind the bolt carrier - kinky end goes forward, into the bolt carrier! It can bind if backwards.

And of course, make sure the gas port in the barrel is reamed out to it's full size - not restricting gas pressure. Carbon crud can collect here.

Doctor Dawg sez, "Take two boxes of ammo, and call me in the morning . . .

Mooseman684 · 03-29-2007, 10:44 AM

I would also check the Chamber area, it needs to be clean and smooth, but not Mirror polished . With the Bolt out, you should be able to insert a live round fully and remove it with your fingers easily. Look for scratches on the round after you remove it indicating burrs/ rough area in chamber.
Rich

heavydrop · 03-29-2007, 11:27 AM

noob, i just went thru the same problem! my fix was a new valve and gas tube. and some real good cleaning, again and again.

SKS NOOB · 03-29-2007, 12:12 PM

I HAVE GOOD NEWS! Because of where I bought it, I can get parts for up to a year for free with free shipping. I ordered a gas valve and cylinder and firing pin. I will have to get the bolt elsewhere.

I checked the breach and it's smooth. I forgot to mention that I could pull out unspent cartrages easily. Also, I had double checked the short piston and cleaned it some more after I got home. It was moving fine. The gas tube does come off really easy. It should fit pretty snug, I think.

heavydrop · 03-29-2007, 05:10 PM

from my own experience, the tube does sound like a problem. glad you can get the parts for free though.

Rave · 03-30-2007, 05:06 PM

Being as how it's a Yugo,it probably has to do with the gas valve,other SKS's don't have the valve because they are not set up to fire granades,the valves apparently have been causeing reliability problems.

03-29-2007, 08:49 AM	#1
SKS NOOB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Minnesotah Posts: 689	Test fired my SKS Got good news and bad news. The good news is it hits what I'm aiming at and the firing pin hasn't stuck yet. The bad news is, it won't eject. I was thinking it was the gas tube because I could see the powder marks around where the gas tube connects to the gas valve, but the shell seems to get stuck in the chamber not even letting the bolt come back. The one time it did come back, it didn't go back far enough to pull the shell out and load another in. Also, even with the gas valve shut off the spent cartrage sticks in the chamber and is hard to get out. I know that the shell should expand some but I was wondering if this was normal. The shell does stay connected to the bolt. I was wondering if there might be something wrong with the ejector too.

03-29-2007, 10:19 AM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,214	A couple 'not so obvious' things to check: Remove the short piston and spring fromt the rear sight block (careful, it's under spring pressure - cover with a rag before flipping the latch open)! It may be gunked up in there, restricting movement. Check the recoil spring and rod behind the bolt carrier - kinky end goes forward, into the bolt carrier! It can bind if backwards. And of course, make sure the gas port in the barrel is reamed out to it's full size - not restricting gas pressure. Carbon crud can collect here. Doctor Dawg sez, "Take two boxes of ammo, and call me in the morning . . . __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-29-2007, 10:44 AM	#3
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,678 Images: 2	I would also check the Chamber area, it needs to be clean and smooth, but not Mirror polished . With the Bolt out, you should be able to insert a live round fully and remove it with your fingers easily. Look for scratches on the round after you remove it indicating burrs/ rough area in chamber. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-29-2007, 11:27 AM	#4
heavydrop Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the sticks. Posts: 17	noob, i just went thru the same problem! my fix was a new valve and gas tube. and some real good cleaning, again and again.

03-29-2007, 12:12 PM	#5
SKS NOOB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Minnesotah Posts: 689	I HAVE GOOD NEWS! Because of where I bought it, I can get parts for up to a year for free with free shipping. I ordered a gas valve and cylinder and firing pin. I will have to get the bolt elsewhere. I checked the breach and it's smooth. I forgot to mention that I could pull out unspent cartrages easily. Also, I had double checked the short piston and cleaned it some more after I got home. It was moving fine. The gas tube does come off really easy. It should fit pretty snug, I think.

03-29-2007, 05:10 PM	#6
heavydrop Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the sticks. Posts: 17	from my own experience, the tube does sound like a problem. glad you can get the parts for free though.

03-30-2007, 05:06 PM	#7
Rave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 6,875	Being as how it's a Yugo,it probably has to do with the gas valve,other SKS's don't have the valve because they are not set up to fire granades,the valves apparently have been causeing reliability problems.