SKS bolt retaining pin won't budge

BeaverMeat

BeaverMeat

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As stated, the firing pin retaining pin will not budge on my Russian SKS refurb. I have tried everything within my limited capacity. I soaked it in mineral spirits to remove the cosmo at first. Nothing. Sprayed in some WD40, nothing. Soaked it in WD40, nothing. Used a heat gun, nothing. It will not budge. I have not used any penetrating oil yet, and I do not have a press.

any suggestions?
 
I had the same issue and tried the same things as you... Finally before completely giving up, I decided to try soaking the bolt long term in some diesel (A week or so) once I wiped it off and tried again it came right out.

I'm thinking this is obvious, but are you trying to tap the pin out over a piece of wood with a hole in it?
 
haretrigger said:
I'm thinking this is obvious, but are you trying to tap the pin out over a piece of wood with a hole in it?
Click to expand...

Yes, yes I am. lol.

I'm guessing that I might have to walk over to the gas station with a jar... Should be good for a laugh. Go to the pump, fill up the jar, walk in with it. Place it on the counter and pay for it.
 
If you watch the videos on Murray's Gunsmithing web site (Google is your freind) you will see the easy way to do it....not on a block of wood but a block of steel or similar. Wood is not dense enough as a backstop and you lose a great deal of the hammer energy in the wood.
If you don't have a steel block then try the top of a steel vise or a socket placed on concrete. I used a centre punch with a hammer over a steel vice with the jaws opened just enough to let the pin slide between them.
The first time i removed my SKS firing pin it was a bear because i used a wooden block, the second time much easier using the steel vice. I installed Murray's spring loaded firing pin so I'm hoping not to have to remove the pin again.
 
nitpicker said:
If you watch the videos on Murray's Gunsmithing web site (Google is your freind) you will see the easy way to do it....not on a block of wood but a block of steel or similar. Wood is not dense enough as a backstop and you lose a great deal of the hammer energy in the wood.
If you don't have a steel block then try the top of a steel vise or a socket placed on concrete. I used a centre punch with a hammer over a steel vice with the jaws opened just enough to let the pin slide between them.
The first time i removed my SKS firing pin it was a bear because i used a wooden block, the second time much easier using the steel vice. I installed Murray's spring loaded firing pin so I'm hoping not to have to remove the pin again.
Click to expand...

The second time will always be easier regardless of when you hit it out with
 
Weird, how much cosmoline/grit is in the damn thing? I've had problems getting the firing pin out after neglecting to take my bolt apart for cleaning after about ten range trips, had to whack it out with hammer and the pick from the cleaning kit and there was black, clumpy goo with the consistency of syrup in it.

However, the retaining pin has never caused me any problems on all six of my SKS rifles of Yugoslavian, Russian and Chinese manufacture. I'm pretty curious as to what the issue is. I'm going to go with what some other people have said and say that you should let it soak in a jar of your favorite fuel for a couple of days and then try again.
 
nitpicker said:
If you watch the videos on Murray's Gunsmithing web site (Google is your freind) you will see the easy way to do it....not on a block of wood but a block of steel or similar. Wood is not dense enough as a backstop and you lose a great deal of the hammer energy in the wood.
If you don't have a steel block then try the top of a steel vise or a socket placed on concrete. I used a centre punch with a hammer over a steel vice with the jaws opened just enough to let the pin slide between them.
The first time i removed my SKS firing pin it was a bear because i used a wooden block, the second time much easier using the steel vice. I installed Murray's spring loaded firing pin so I'm hoping not to have to remove the pin again.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I tried over and over again over a wood block with a hole in it and couldn't get it to budge. Bent a brass punch, then used a steel one and pounded away to no avail. Tried the large socket trick and got it out....small victory today. LOL.
 
AB.boy said:
Thanks for the tip. I tried over and over again over a wood block with a hole in it and couldn't get it to budge. Bent a brass punch, then used a steel one and pounded away to no avail. Tried the large socket trick and got it out....small victory today. LOL.
Click to expand...

Good! That's exactly what I do--no issues with 4 sks's. Some pins are definitely tighter than others! When in doubt--hit it a little harder.
 
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