SKS - Ammo or Gun - FTF etc

S

SilentSmith

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GTA, ON
Greetings,


I've put about 3000 rounds through my SKS since getting it, the gas system and barrel get cleaned after every shooting session. If I can't give it a proper clean after each use I'll spray the gas system and barrel down with REM OIL. The trigger group gets cleaned every 400 rounds then lubed with a moly based grease. I have not changed any springs or modified anything on the rifle and it had functioned flawlessly.

On my most recent range trip I has my first FTF, 2 actually. In addition to that I had 5 times where on the final round the bolt carrier did not lock open. The FTF had a fair hit on the primer, it looked slightly shallower than a fired round, I tried loading the 2 back into the rifle and 1 fired on the second try.


This gun has been dead reliable in every way, this is a different batch of ammo. I have completely stripped and cleaned every part. It there any obvious wear I should be looking for? Has anyone else experienced similar sessions and found any issue? I did notice during cleaning that the gas tube looked grey instead of the normal black but the ammo did not seem smokey when fired.


I suspect the ammo but I would rather be safe and check if this had happened to someone and it was something with the rifle. I' had been spoiled with no FTF so far.
 
Im gonna say ammo, especially since its a new batch and your rifle is so well maintained. My '93 Czech has the odd FTF that always fire the second time.
 
supernova said:
Im gonna say ammo, especially since its a new batch and your rifle is so well maintained. My '93 Czech has the odd FTF that always fire the second time.
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Thanks, it's good to know it's somewhat common.

Juster said:
I would suspect the trigger group then. Does the firing pin rattle easily when you shake the bolt?
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The firing pin was rattling when I was shaking. I actually took the firing pin out this time and polished it as well.



Thanks for the quick responses guys!
 
michaelsabre said:
Ammo. Well known problem with surplus M43, which is before 60s'
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The Czech surplus is very reliable. There's no "well known problem" with it.

He doesn't mention anything about the age of the ammo. I've only seen one (1) case of Czech M43 from the '50's and it was 1959. Every single round in that case went bang.

The vast majority is '70's production, a long way from "before 60s'".
 
This problem happens mainly in cold winter in all kinds of SKSes. The pin would hit the primer but nothing happens. Re-chamber the round it will go - almost never fail the second strike.

I put the CZ M43 in pocket in winter. That warms it up a little then the problem disappears.

Not trying to argue the quality of surplus ammo. It just happened that way.
 
michaelsabre said:
This problem happens mainly in cold winter in all kinds of SKSes. The pin would hit the primer but nothing happens. Re-chamber the round it will go - almost never fail the second strike.

I put the CZ M43 in pocket in winter. That warms it up a little then the problem disappears.

Not trying to argue the quality of surplus ammo. It just happened that way.
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Seriously? I've shot mine VZs and SKSs down to -30C. Never an FTF. Ever.

I may have had 1 or 2 dud rounds in far over 10k of Czech ammo.
 
Take the bolt apart, remove the firing pin and polish the channel and firing pin with aluminum rim polish A qtip works well. Once shiny, I just use concentrated orange cleaner on a qtip to clean after every outing. Do not lube the firing pin channel.
 
I think it more has something to due with either the sear channel or rail, the sear spring or the disconector. The reason why I say this is because he is noticing that there is a mark on the primer but the round does not go off. Meaning that the pin is stricking the primer. To know for sure remove your bolt from the rifle and shake it. Do you hear a rattle? If so and you exam the bolt & it to looks fine then there is an issue with your trigger group.
This picture is for you to referance against your bolt;
Check the face of the bolt while pushing the pin up to exam it like so.
12-05-08-bolt.jpg

Also ensure that the pin is facing the right direction. Flat side up!
7.jpg


Most of the times it is the firing pin place in corectly back into the rifle when this occurs.
Please click here for more info on how to do this:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/boltdisassemble/hs.asp
 
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