New SKS owner here. Is cosmo in the bore a concern? I'm just about to do my first tear down and cleaning of the rifle. I've read countless threads on cleaning a "new" SKS but I haven't seen any mention of getting cosmo out of the bore. Is it applied in there when they pack the rifles away?
Cosmo in bore?
- Thread starter Chugga
- Start date
trubluscrew
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Most likely. I believe they take the whole completed rifle and dunk it into a tank of cosmo.
As part of my long and drawn out initial sks cleaning (I've done it once), I took it apart and poured two kettles full of hot/boiling water down the chamber end to the muzzle; then used a mineral spirit soaked cleaning patch. Also, not having good aim, the water also got the cosmo out of the rear sight assembly.
ps, wear work gloves, the steam/hot water doesn't feel too nice on the hand.
- Location
- The Police State: Ontario
Just clean with Varsol (mineral spirits). It dissolves grease (which is what Cosmoline is) and is harmless to metal as well as low in cost. An old toothbrush for the outer parts, patches for the bore like usual.
I've done hundreds this way over the years. I would not use hot water to remove grease on a rifle, though steam cleaning a greasy engine is a good idea.
I've done hundreds this way over the years. I would not use hot water to remove grease on a rifle, though steam cleaning a greasy engine is a good idea.
found_fish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
Clean it up and show us some pics of the SKS!
Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll try a couple of patches soaked with Varsol at first followed by the regular routine. I'll try and get some pics up after I'm done. Can't wait to get this thing out and fire off a few rounds!
- Location
- Ottawa origanally Muskoka
Or misfires! My buddys did this before he realized there was cosmo in around the fireing pin and was causing it to sqqqiiiisshh..... forward instead of CLICK!
ghostntheshell
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- GTA ONTARIO
so easy to clean. So easy.
Take it apart.
Poor boiling water down the barrel. Don't need to go crazy. Just a kettle. Even a full kettle is over kill.
Next get the mineral spirits. Swab it right down the barrel as you would a patch with hoppes or whatever solvent you use.
This should get it near spotless.
Finish with another round of boiling water. This will get all the cosmo remaining - if there is even any left.
Swab an oily patch and you good to go.
For what it's worth, I soaked all the smaller parts - especially the bolt, in a tin of mineral spirits. I soaked them over night because I couldn't get the pin that holds the firing pin out of my bolt.
The firing pin should move freely!
Cheers.
Take it apart.
Poor boiling water down the barrel. Don't need to go crazy. Just a kettle. Even a full kettle is over kill.
Next get the mineral spirits. Swab it right down the barrel as you would a patch with hoppes or whatever solvent you use.
This should get it near spotless.
Finish with another round of boiling water. This will get all the cosmo remaining - if there is even any left.
Swab an oily patch and you good to go.
For what it's worth, I soaked all the smaller parts - especially the bolt, in a tin of mineral spirits. I soaked them over night because I couldn't get the pin that holds the firing pin out of my bolt.
The firing pin should move freely!
Cheers.
yupp, i never took my bolt apart, just soaked in for a few hours in varsol, the pin moves freely back and forth now, and no misfires/slamfires.
to the OP with the bore, if its already tore down compley then use the hot water trick mentioned above, if not then just clean with solvent and patches, takes like 5 min to get it good this way.
