Pitted hole on SKS gas tube?

[Boris Badinov]

A tiny hole that far back from the piston head shouldnt affect function. Unless perhaps the hole is a symptom of obstructive corrosion internally.

Keep in mind that there are already tiny exhaust holes machined into the piston tube (also aft of the piston head) .

If the piston passes the thumb-suction gravity test it should be good to go.

 

[Rick911]

This is a non issue.

 

[Ben_in_Canada]

I worked at the gun counter of an unnamed big box store, handled tens if not hundreds (LOL felt like hundreds, if not thousands) of SKS's and that hole as others have said is common and won't cause any issues.

 

[Gnome75]

I notice that the OP's gas tube is force matched (so not original to the rifle.) Is yours also force matched?

Mine is force matched but doesn't have the hole.

I don't know if its forced. It has an electro pencil number that matches. I personally see little extra value in matching guns

 

[Boris Badinov]

I notice that the OP's gas tube is force matched (so not original to the rifle.) Is yours also force matched?

Mine is force matched but doesn't have the hole.

What about the op gas tube indicates a force match? EP serials are standard on all of the soviet sks. Even heavy refurbs.

 

[bandaricjj]

This SKS has no date mark, only a star on left side, so it's 1956?

 

[Boris Badinov]

This SKS has no date mark, only a star on left side, so it's 1956?

Is there a cyrillic letter after the receiver serial number?

 

[Boris Badinov]

д - 1956
и - 1957
к - 1958

If it's just a star and no cyrillic letter after the receiver serial, it's most likely a very late 1955.

https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=764.0

https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=1079.0

 

[bandaricjj]

д - 1956
и - 1957
к - 1958

If it's just a star and no cyrillic letter after the receiver serial, it's either a very late 1955 or a transitional 1956.

https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=764.0

https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=1079.0

Yes, there is, it's 1957 then, thanks for the info!

 

[Suther]

I don't know if its forced. It has an electro pencil number that matches. I personally see little extra value in matching guns

What about the op gas tube indicates a force match? EP serials are standard on all of the soviet sks. Even heavy refurbs.

I was under the impression that an electro penciled serial number on the gas tube indicates the gas tube is not original to the rifle? Someone please correct me if that's wrong.

I was thinking maybe that hole is a byproduct of removing material from that area to make it fit the rifle when it was refurbished?

 

[TheGoodLife]

I had one like that, it shot fine, it was just smoked more.

 

[Horilka]

If one knows the true propose of the two drilled holes in the tube he won't be bothered by another extra hole at the base. So, question to those who think they know how SKS functions. What is the purpose of those two holes?

 

[scianna54]

"There are holes behind the piston head, not to vent gas, but to prevent air pressure from building which could restrict piston travel. " From another forum

 

[Horilka]

"There are holes behind the piston head, not to vent gas, but to prevent air pressure from building which could restrict piston travel. " From another forum

Exactly. Piston head won't travel past those holes, so they are not venting excessive gases, but rather allow the air to leave confined space. Consequently, no matter how many holes you drill past the point where piston head stops - it won't affect the cycling.
Technically speaking gases also make their way past piston head, because pressure is high - bleeding is present, but holes are there to deal with confined air and not to deal with excessive gases like many mistakenly believe.
Funny fact, but 1954 manual calls this "holes to allow gases to escape", however in 1984 manual it was corrected to "..to allow the air and portion of gases to escape when piston head is moving back".

 

[SdF250]

Delete

 

[Buck1950]

Were Posts 33 & 34 un-clear ?? They have the answer - Nothing to do with 'water' !!
J-F-C man ! Aside from 6 months old thread.

 

[SdF250]

....

 

[Murray 3-D]

Exactly. Piston head won't travel past those holes, so they are not venting excessive gases, but rather allow the air to leave confined space. Consequently, no matter how many holes you drill past the point where piston head stops - it won't affect the cycling.
Technically speaking gases also make their way past piston head, because pressure is high - bleeding is present, but holes are there to deal with confined air and not to deal with excessive gases like many mistakenly believe.
Funny fact, but 1954 manual calls this "holes to allow gases to escape", however in 1984 manual it was corrected to "..to allow the air and portion of gases to escape when piston head is moving back".

Huh... just when i thought i knew the SKS lol. Presumed they were a pressure relief for when the piston made its full stroke.