Hole in the bottom side of my SKS gas tube

[erebus]

so i was cleaning my SKS and discovered this hole
in the second picture shows what i assume to be a vent hole so i'm wondering if i should be concerned by this new hole, i could get my dad to drop a bead of weld on it.

advice? suggestions? just shoot it?

 

[plinker 777]

Chinese QC I'm afraid. It's not normal. I would either return it to seller or look for a replacement. Welding is most likely not an option as the heat will distort the tube. Bummer OP.

 

[skoal]

My russian has a small one there too i think

 

[P0WERWAGON]

just leave it. there is no pressure there anyways. can't see it unless it is off.

shoot and enjoy.

 

[dinsdale]

Considering there is a thread on adding holes to improve recoil , I wouldn't sweat it. That and my '53 Tula has the same hole.

 

[erebus]

yea this is on a 52 tula
good to know. i wasn't REALLY worried, just kind of like wtf and as i said theres 2 manufactured holes on either side so....
just wanted to ask the community
thanks guys

 

[MusicianShooter]

what is all that crap writing on the bottom of your gas tube?

 

[TERMINATOR101CA]

It says : If you're reading this , my apologies, I ####ed up during refurbishing comrade. Best of luck , long live USSR.

 

[ciphery]

It says : If you're reading this , my apologies, I ####ed up during refurbishing comrade. Best of luck , long live USSR.

LMAO!!!! Good thing I'm not drinking coffee right now!

Ya weld that shut. One spot tack won't warp anything enough to damage.
Besides, ever hear of 'tack n' smack'? It means tap it with a hammer while its still hot and it won't pull.

 

[cainesy]

My brothers '53 has the same hole, it don't affect performance as its back to far to affect the gas pressure. Keep on shooting.

 

[caramel]

Minor detail as the pressure there is low, shoot it and when you clean, just make sure ,it did not increase in size, little tack wont warp nothing if you want to have it fix... JP.

 

[TERMINATOR101CA]

Minor detail as the pressure there is low, shoot it and when you clean, just make sure ,it did not increase in size, little tack wont warp nothing if you want to have it fix... JP.

There is no pressure there. Have you ever taken apart an SKS ? The holes on the sides were put there on purpose so during the operation of the gas piston , the air behind the piston ring can escape easily . If you look at the length that the piston travels during normal operation, the ring never goes past the holes , so that part of the piston is never exposed to the pressured gasses from the barrel (except minimal blow-by through the piston ring). The hole shown in the picture will not affect operation or safety, and is only a result of the refurbishing process during which old and new parts are fit together in as little time as possible .
I would put some bluing on the exposed metal and live with it, after all these guns were never meant to be masterpieces of craftsmanship, rather tools meant to take the abuse.

 

[Naughty Vicar]

I have the same hole on my Russian. Just leave it, it doesn't affect anything because it's behind the piston head anyways.

 

[erebus]

Sounds pretty standard, the amount of material there is minimal so I'm sure this affects a large number

 

[svt1940]

No problems there, somes of my Rusky have that hole, others dont.
Joce

 

[CanAm]

likely past QC due to location.

 

[Curtton]

nothing to do with QC . its quite common . seen it in russian and chinese sks .

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=775809&highlight=