How common are slamfires on an SKS?

PoFF said:
I did experience many slamfires with my Norinco SKS, while using soft-primed commercial ammunition (namely Federal). Stopped using that brand and never had a problem since, showing that it was ammunition-related rather than rifle-related.
Click to expand...

A spring on the firing pin would likely have helped a lot... brownells has one for $40 (heh which is 40% of the cost of the gun lol).
 
Things that people do wrong with SKSs "this is not the guns problem"

1- storing it with the hammer released

2- not taking apart the bolt and cleaning the cosmo off the FP

3- Putting a round in the chamber and closing the bolt on it

4- reloading with soft primers

5- letting there FP rust
 
Never had any issues with my SKS and have never seen anyone else that was not due to lack of maintenance
take out assembly shake you feel the pin rattle slam it in and keep firing .
A regular cleaning regiment is important for most firearms this type is no different other than you can drop it in the mud and muck give it a shake and it will still go boom

Cheers and safe sporting
 
PoFF said:
I did experience many slamfires with my Norinco SKS, while using soft-primed commercial ammunition (namely Federal). Stopped using that brand and never had a problem since, showing that it was ammunition-related rather than rifle-related.
Click to expand...

Similar to this - Norinco, Federal ammo, no slamfires, but certainly had double shots. Never more than 2 rounds went off together, so it was never full auto.
 
dmv said:
Similar to this - Norinco, Federal ammo, no slamfires, but certainly had double shots. Never more than 2 rounds went off together, so it was never full auto.
Click to expand...

I think that's what a slam fire is...
Also full auto is whenever 1 trigger pull results in more then 1 round being fired.
 
Thought I would mention that before I even bought my Chinese SKS I watched several YouTube videos and all stated to make sure the firing pin is free floating before you shoot it. Pick up the bolt and shake it back and forth. If you hear it moving end to end you're good to go. I did and have put several thousand rounds through mine with not one issue. The guy in the video just didnt do his homework and assumed. clean clean clean. Awesome firearm btw
 
I had it happen after buying and brand new SKS. Never cleaning it. Put 2 cases through it (not sure if corrosive or not). One time, it was strapped to side of my skidoo in a creek for 1/2 hour, -20. Still never cleaned it.

Got bored of it and let is sit for a year. Next time I tried it, it dumped the mag when I released the bolt.

I blamed the gun:)
 
DVX said:
I've been trying to convince a buddy of mine to get one, but he's dead set against it because of "slamfire issues". I honestly never heard the term before then (I'm new to the SKS, and only put about a hundred rounds through mine), and never had the issue. He said he knows of a lot of people who have them at least once when they go to the range. I don't know if he's full of crap, or if I'm just lucky. Anyone else experience them and are they that common?
Click to expand...

I think the SKS 'slamfire issue' is very similar to the 'skidding issue' with Japanese/Korean cars that I have also heard about: Apparently, you should never ever buy a Japanese or Korean car model to drive in Canada because they aren't safe in wintertime. We know this because a lot of people who have driven them on icy roads while equipped with bald summer tires have experienced uncontrollable skids ... :runaway:
 
screwtape said:
I think the SKS 'slamfire issue' is very similar to the 'skidding issue' with Japanese/Korean cars that I have also heard about: Apparently, you should never ever buy a Japanese or Korean car model to drive in Canada because they aren't safe in wintertime. We know this because a lot of people who have driven them on icy roads while equipped with bald summer tires have experienced uncontrollable skids ... :runaway:
Click to expand...

...while turning with the e-brake engaged :cool: slayer408 made a good point: shake and if it rattles freely, it won't slamfire.. Otherwise, pull out the retaining pin, take out the firing pin, give both the pin and the channel a SOLID cleaning, wait for them to dry, reassemble and it should start rattling. Those spring-loaded pins have too many reports of unreliability and are a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. If you don't clean your gun, your spring loaded pin will also gunk up and slamfire eventually.
 
Dsiwy said:
Things that people do wrong with SKSs "this is not the guns problem"

1- storing it with the hammer released

2- not taking apart the bolt and cleaning the cosmo off the FP

3- Putting a round in the chamber and closing the bolt on it

4- reloading with soft primers

5- letting there FP rust
Click to expand...

I should leave the hammer cocked? I always drop the hammer on anything before i put it in the safe out of force of habit
 
Somewhat related.....

I have an SKS (1950) that has the springloaded firing pin. While it may be a way to help prevent slamfire, the other feature of this bolt I do not like is the extractor is held in by spring tension only, no pin to keep it in place. I'd like to get rid of this bolt as I've had the entire bolt carrier assembly sieze open due to the extractor dislodging if things get a little gritty in there. My brother gave me his 1954 SKS that has the free floating firing pin and his extractor is pinned in place, can I use his bolt in my SKS? I'm asumming yes but would rather know for sure.

I want to use mine sometimes and not his as I have my SKS in an ATI stock. Far more comfortable to shoot.
 
Thenooblord said:
I should leave the hammer cocked? I always drop the hammer on anything before i put it in the safe out of force of habit
Click to expand...

Its a very bad habit

It holds the FP against the FP hole which can help it rust in place, also it slams the FP into the FP hole which can peen it in place too. Relieving the hammer spring is complete BS and having it cocked does not wear out the springs.
 
A slam fire can happen on most types of firearms under the right (or wrong) conditions. The only time I have ever had a slam fire was on a Hakim. I loaded a single round into the chambre and when the bolt slammed forward, off it went. The thing is, you shouldn't do that on a Hakim. My fault. not the gun.
 
points said:
A slam fire can happen on most types of firearms under the right (or wrong) conditions. The only time I have ever had a slam fire was on a Hakim. I loaded a single round into the chambre and when the bolt slammed forward, off it went. The thing is, you shouldn't do that on a Hakim. My fault. not the gun.
Click to expand...

I think that goes for MOST guns, I've seen it happen on both M14 and AR pattern rifles
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom