Oiling the gas piston and tube?

Dale · 08-19-2002, 01:58 PM

Although I have never put a light coating of oil on the gas piston and inside the tube of my SKS, thinking it would increase fouling, I was wondering what other thoughts on it are?

Yes? No?

PAPA G · 08-19-2002, 04:20 PM

i say don't besides fouling faster, the oil will effectivly seal the piston to the cylinder wall, there by increasing gas pressure, and the amount of force against the piston.

alan c. · 08-19-2002, 08:21 PM

Clean your weapon after every use and the oil won't be a problem. Less friction and less wear. I use Break Free lubricant on mine.

ltcboy · 08-19-2002, 09:49 PM

Dale-

Just like the M1 Garand, do not oil the gas piston. I believe that they are suppose to be dry as a bone.

alan c. · 08-19-2002, 09:55 PM

I don't agree but to each his own. Dale take their advice.

Calvin · 08-20-2002, 07:33 AM

According to the manuals I have read, the gas piston is supposed to be dry. Just wipe off the carbon after each session is all that's needed.

Dale · 08-20-2002, 09:30 AM

Thanks all.

My personal option is not to oil.

One thing I noticed after firing the gun this weekend was the unusually great amount of fouling even after a minimal number of firings.

I contribute it to the El Cheapo ammo I was firing. Plus I had a good handful of unknowns (shiny copper casings) that I 'unloaded' after I sighted the scope in.

I can only imagine the amount of fouling that might have been if I had oil the piston and rod.

Perhaps one day when I go back to the range I might take the SKS and fire X number of rounds through it with a dry system and then the same amount with an oiled system and see the difference.

Once again guys...thanks.

NRAJOE · 08-20-2002, 09:31 AM

alan c. , gunsmith extraordinaire!:target: :nod:

Calvin · 08-20-2002, 10:53 AM

The old Chinese ammo used to REALLY foul up the gas tube/piston!! Used to shoot cases of that steel-core stuff on the weekends. If only I could do it over again (sigh).........

:nod:

Big Dog · 08-20-2002, 11:56 AM

When I got my first SKS (a Norinco) I used to grease the gas piston. It never had a problem, but was very messy to clean. Still, it kept it lubed better than oil, as the oil would blow out the vents quickly. Then I read about keeping it dry. My Yugo has always been kept dry in the gas tube/piston, and cleanup is much easier - not nearly as much gunk. I get a little carbon buildup on the front of the piston, but a swipe with fine steel wool takes it right off.

alan c. · 08-20-2002, 05:59 PM

NRA. Whatever--I use a light lubricant on piston to reduce wear on the gas tube wall. I have never had a problem with it. NRA actually I do work on my own firearms and it's probabably better than most gunsmiths. I know run your vehicle without oil and see how long it lasts. You AR guys--oil or no oil on rings?

alan c. · 08-20-2002, 06:01 PM

Batman??? You are my hero.

alan c. · 08-20-2002, 06:02 PM

Gotham city--no dude wrong state.

alan c. · 08-20-2002, 06:03 PM

Never mind--No chit man.

NRAJOE · 08-20-2002, 06:03 PM

Don't be so chitty alan!

alan c. · 08-20-2002, 06:06 PM

Chitty chitty bang bang!!!

Gyrene · 08-23-2002, 12:27 AM

alan c. - The general rule for me has been: do not oil the gas piston (Garand, FN-49, FN-FAL, M14/M1A, SKS, or AK). Now the mouse gun is different, the rings get oil.

I have seen flames shooting out of the holes on an AK, one day at the range, and told the guy he was not doing himself any favors, and could have problems because the gas piston was designed to run dry. He said his gunsmith told him the same thing, because it could increase the pressure enough to blow the gas system apart.

On the AR-15 the rings are further from the hottest gasses, and besides they are in the bolt behind the bullet. It never made sense to me to put the super hot gasses back there anyhow (DON'T BLAME ME FOR THAT!)

I like the gas system on the FN-49, (almost the same as the FN-FAL; both designed by Saive at FN), and it definitely goes the route, DRY.

Big Dog · 08-23-2002, 06:19 AM

The AR18 and Bushpup solve the problem very neatly. As for the SKS, the "Dry Look" is in. Lots easier to keep clean.

alan c. · 08-23-2002, 07:59 AM

Thanks Gyrene--I guess it's not to late to teach an old dog a new trick. Dry it is.

Rave · 08-23-2002, 10:49 PM

Book says no lubrication at all,piston chromed,replacement american piston stainless steel,too bad tube not protected,but oh well,that's why we clean and the fit is pretty sloppy anyway.:nod: :nod:

08-19-2002, 01:58 PM	#1
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	Oiling the gas piston and tube? Although I have never put a light coating of oil on the gas piston and inside the tube of my SKS, thinking it would increase fouling, I was wondering what other thoughts on it are? Yes? No? __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

08-19-2002, 08:21 PM	#3
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	Clean your weapon after every use and the oil won't be a problem. Less friction and less wear. I use Break Free lubricant on mine. __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-19-2002, 09:49 PM	#4
ltcboy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chicagoland area Posts: 496	Dale- Just like the M1 Garand, do not oil the gas piston. I believe that they are suppose to be dry as a bone. __________________ Up Bin Laden's ***!

08-19-2002, 09:55 PM	#5
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	I don't agree but to each his own. Dale take their advice. __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-20-2002, 07:33 AM	#6
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,000	According to the manuals I have read, the gas piston is supposed to be dry. Just wipe off the carbon after each session is all that's needed. __________________ If you don't like cops, call your local crackhead for help next time!

08-19-2002, 04:20 PM	#2
PAPA G Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 12	i say don't besides fouling faster, the oil will effectivly seal the piston to the cylinder wall, there by increasing gas pressure, and the amount of force against the piston.

08-20-2002, 09:30 AM	#7
Dale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Too Dang Hot, Arizona Posts: 4,284	Thanks all. My personal option is not to oil. One thing I noticed after firing the gun this weekend was the unusually great amount of fouling even after a minimal number of firings. I contribute it to the El Cheapo ammo I was firing. Plus I had a good handful of unknowns (shiny copper casings) that I 'unloaded' after I sighted the scope in. I can only imagine the amount of fouling that might have been if I had oil the piston and rod. Perhaps one day when I go back to the range I might take the SKS and fire X number of rounds through it with a dry system and then the same amount with an oiled system and see the difference. Once again guys...thanks. __________________ "It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me

08-20-2002, 09:31 AM	#8
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,067 Images: 3	alan c. , gunsmith extraordinaire!:target: :nod: __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

08-20-2002, 10:53 AM	#9
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,000	The old Chinese ammo used to REALLY foul up the gas tube/piston!! Used to shoot cases of that steel-core stuff on the weekends. If only I could do it over again (sigh)......... :nod: __________________ If you don't like cops, call your local crackhead for help next time!

08-20-2002, 11:56 AM	#10
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,228	When I got my first SKS (a Norinco) I used to grease the gas piston. It never had a problem, but was very messy to clean. Still, it kept it lubed better than oil, as the oil would blow out the vents quickly. Then I read about keeping it dry. My Yugo has always been kept dry in the gas tube/piston, and cleanup is much easier - not nearly as much gunk. I get a little carbon buildup on the front of the piston, but a swipe with fine steel wool takes it right off. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

08-20-2002, 05:59 PM	#11
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	NRA. Whatever--I use a light lubricant on piston to reduce wear on the gas tube wall. I have never had a problem with it. NRA actually I do work on my own firearms and it's probabably better than most gunsmiths. I know run your vehicle without oil and see how long it lasts. You AR guys--oil or no oil on rings? __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-20-2002, 06:01 PM	#12
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	Batman??? You are my hero. __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-20-2002, 06:02 PM	#13
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	Gotham city--no dude wrong state. __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-20-2002, 06:03 PM	#14
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	Never mind--No chit man. __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-20-2002, 06:03 PM	#15
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,067 Images: 3	Don't be so chitty alan! __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

08-20-2002, 06:06 PM	#16
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	Chitty chitty bang bang!!! __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-23-2002, 12:27 AM	#17
Gyrene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 886	alan c. - The general rule for me has been: do not oil the gas piston (Garand, FN-49, FN-FAL, M14/M1A, SKS, or AK). Now the mouse gun is different, the rings get oil. I have seen flames shooting out of the holes on an AK, one day at the range, and told the guy he was not doing himself any favors, and could have problems because the gas piston was designed to run dry. He said his gunsmith told him the same thing, because it could increase the pressure enough to blow the gas system apart. On the AR-15 the rings are further from the hottest gasses, and besides they are in the bolt behind the bullet. It never made sense to me to put the super hot gasses back there anyhow (DON'T BLAME ME FOR THAT!) I like the gas system on the FN-49, (almost the same as the FN-FAL; both designed by Saive at FN), and it definitely goes the route, DRY. Last edited by Gyrene; 08-23-2002 at 12:33 AM.

08-23-2002, 06:19 AM	#18
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,228	The AR18 and Bushpup solve the problem very neatly. As for the SKS, the "Dry Look" is in. Lots easier to keep clean. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

08-23-2002, 07:59 AM	#19
alan c. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pasadena,Tejas - also known as Texas Posts: 3,767 Images: 15	Thanks Gyrene--I guess it's not to late to teach an old dog a new trick. Dry it is. __________________ God Bless. From Tejas -- formerly known as Texas.

08-23-2002, 10:49 PM	#20
Rave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 6,905	Book says no lubrication at all,piston chromed,replacement american piston stainless steel,too bad tube not protected,but oh well,that's why we clean and the fit is pretty sloppy anyway.:nod: :nod: __________________ USAF '62-'66 .