Gifted a damaged SKS, Safe to shoot?

L

LoyalistPT

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Hello, i was recently gifted an SKS and I noticed that it wasn't in the best condition(apparently a fish tank had leaked on to it through the floor). I gave it a decent cleaning and oiling. I found quite a bit of rust/corrosion and what i think is a crack on the lower area of the breech and i don't know if it's safe to fire. Im not very familiar with SKS's and Im hoping that someone could advise if it'd be worth bringing to a gunsmith to have it properly looked at/repaired or just a complete tear down and cleaning?
https://gyazo.com/64bc5bf6fef767fa51c15cdf99103835
https://gyazo.com/9d4b87fda119ac4626aa1b0c841732ba
https://gyazo.com/c453749cbd25c4cd6c65e88638751ec2
 
Is the bore clear?

And some rust/pitting isn't a big deal, unless enough material has been lost that it will cause issues with the bolt lock up, or if the bolt face/breech face is significantly eroded, etc. It's likely safe to fire, but there's no way we're going to be able to tell by the pictures you posted. Take the gun down and post pics of the inner bits (bolt assembly, trigger assembly, etc) and someone might have a better idea.
 
No offense to the OP, but I can't really see what you're trying to show us in the pictures.

I suggest you disassemble the gun, take new pictures, and indicate what exactly you are trying to show in each picture.
 
From the photos the crack appears to be fine as it's just off to the side of the magazine well which won't "see" much of the recoil force. The picture of the bolt carrier looks to be more muddy than rusty. As mentioned above, a full disassembly and cleaning will be in order. There are 100's of videos on YouTube and a "sticky" thread in this forum for takedown, cleaning, and reassembly if you don't already know how to do it
 
iT'S AN SKS! Tear it down, take a wire wheel to it and get rid of the rust, throw a coat of BBQ paint on it and you're good to go.
 
Suther & DiMp - the 'center' pic in the list shows the 'crack' in the Centre of the pic (Lighted section of the pic -https://gyazo.com/9d4b87fda119ac4626aa1b0c841732ba ) - it's part of the magazine itself and not likely to ever effect the operation of the rifle. And not likely to ever Fail, either.
Loyalist, if you have a borescope or know someone who does, you'll see what the real condition of the bore/chamber is. And it can look pretty sh***Y before it becomes dangerous or 'inaccurate' - for an SKS. Even a 'hint' of rifling will get the job done. 2-5 MOA is standard for many SKS-es.
 
Ya..I can see what your talking about either...maybe take it to a gunsmith to look at or maybe , watch a utube video on how to take it apart and get some more pics up..easier to see in the nude.
Cheers
B
 
May need to replace the last round hold open spring. You'll find out quickly. Does the bolt stay open on an empty mag?
 
Not sure what i am looking at in your third picture - as if that is if there is a substansial crack on the bolt, I think - I would no longer fire that thing with any ammo. OP says he was "gifted' the thing" - is about what it is worth - just "junk" - if i am seeing the picture correctly.
 
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Clean it, oil it, tie a string to the trigger, load it and throw a sand bag on top, pull the string. If it doesn't blow up, you are good to go. SKS and reliable and solid and will outlast most of us.
 
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