Slam-fires in SKS

Cerdan

Cerdan

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**edited thanks to tiriaq**

I read recently, in the Speer reloading manual, that some SKS rifles were particularly prone to slam-fires using anything else than military ammo due to the fact that there is no spring mechanism in the bolt allowing the firing pin to retract into the assembly.

This was obviously a way for them to plug their line of military-grade primers, but it got me wondering, as I'm considering purchasing my first MN rifle and loading the 7.62x39, if some models are more likely to have that "defect", and if there's any way to know for sure before buying.

Thanks in advance for any info.
 
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The Mosin Nagant's firing pin is cammed back when the bolt is opened, cocking the rifle. There is no way that the firing pin can protrude from the boltface unless the trigger is pulled, and the bolt is rotated to lock.
Are you thinking of the SKS?
 
hmm it could be, as I was reading up on both the 7.62x39 and the 7.62x54R... Wikipedia mentions slamfires in SKSs and not MNs, so you're probably right. Since I'm also consdering buying an SKS, the question still stands though! I'll see if I can modify my original post.
 
Cerdan said:
hmm it could be, as I was reading up on both the 7.62x39 and the 7.62x54R... Wikipedia mentions slamfires in SKSs and not MNs, so you're probably right. Since I'm also consdering buying an SKS, the question still stands though! I'll see if I can modify my original post.
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1) Clean all the cosmolene out of the bolt. The firing pin should rattle freely inside the bolt, with no grunge to hold it still.
2) You can buy an aftermarket firing pin with a spring.
3) If you reload use hard primers.
 
When I 1st got my SKS I was either getting a burst of 2 or 3 slam fires or about 10 miss fires out of 20 or so rounds. The miss fired rounds having a slightly dented primmer, and would invariably fire the 2nd time I tried them. Quite frankly I was less then impressed with the SKS; however I will admit that the occasionally full auto was fun.

Anyway I took the piece of #### home and found that the firing pin was slightly bent, causing it to be more or less jammed in the bolt. Long and short of it I straighten the pin, lapped a small burr off and not only were the slam fires were gone but MOST of the miss fires were as well.
 
woodchopper said:
yes clean it before you go shooting, lots of good peterolum based gunk in every part of those rifles.
hold the breach block and shake it the firing pin should rattle freely.
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Petroleum costs money! I suspect the Chinese use the swill from the garbage bins behind their restaurants as "cosmolene". :eek::puke:

That would be right in line with the rest of their "ethics".
 
cantom said:
Petroleum costs money! I suspect the Chinese use the swill from the garbage bins behind their restaurants as "cosmolene". :eek::puke:

That would be right in line with the rest of their "ethics".
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Aughhhhhhhhhhh! Thanks cantom, I just ate.....:puke:
 
cantom said:
Petroleum costs money! I suspect the Chinese use the swill from the garbage bins behind their restaurants as "cosmolene". :eek::puke:

That would be right in line with the rest of their "ethics".
Click to expand...


And you think Cold war Soviets had better "ethics"? :rolleyes: :D
 
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