Lever Arms SKS FTF

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Z71

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As mentioned in the header, my Lever Arms-purchased Norinco SKS is failing to fire!!!

This is not a cosmoline related problem, I have cleaned the firearm from a completely stripped state, including disassembly of the bolt, and the firing pin is rattling freely in it's channel...the trigger has an extremely heavy pull to it, I have to squeeze it with a lot of pressure to get the hammer to release...the ammo is Czech surplus 7.62x39 bought at the same time as the rifle...seeing as how this is a surplus firearm, Lever arms will not warranty any work on it as I bought it last summer and only now have discovered the problem...I know, time got in the way and I was distracted enough not to take it out to the range until now!

Any suggestions as to what the problem is?...the bolt functions OK, I am letting the bolt fly forward to chamber the first round, but have to hit it two or three times to get it to go off!!!

Know of any firearms dealers in or near Abbotsford that could take a look at it?

Any suggestions will be welcome.
 
it's a threaded barrell as far as I can tell, here are some pics...

does the guy at Hunter's do trigger work?..are his prices reasonable?...how much $$$ would I be looking at to get it "fixed"?

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all numbers are matching on the rifle, except the bolt assembly of course...does this mean it is a dreaded parts gun???...I am hoping to get it to be a reliably cycling plinker for the bush...

here are some more pics...

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Z71 said:
As mentioned in the header, my Lever Arms-purchased Norinco SKS is failing to fire!!!
Any suggestions as to what the problem is?...the bolt functions OK, I am letting the bolt fly forward to chamber the first round, but have to hit it two or three times to get it to go off!!!
Click to expand...

Does that mean that you are getting hammer release but a light primer strike and need 2-3 firing pin strikes to fire? Or you have to pull the trigger three times to get the hammer to fall? Just want to be clear.

Also is it every round or 1/?

Cheers
 
the hammer releases after a good squeeze on the trigger..there is a good bit of trigger creep before the hammer releases, it is not like the hammer release on my Marlin or Remingtons...I have to strike the primer two to three times to get the round to fire, this happens on every round so far (30). It goes like this: pull trigger, CLICK!, manually eject round, hunt for loose round on the dirt, replace round in magazine, release bolt carrier, pull trigger, CLICK!, repeat , BANG!

I will post a pic of the firing pin alone, once I take apart the bolt assembly again.

Is this a headspacing issue???...how can I tell if it is???...will a gunsmith be able to measure it and adjust the bolt to the proper spec and solve the problem, or is it the trigger assembly that needs adjustment???...I guess the next move is to take it in to Hunter's and see what the guy there has to say.

p.s. can everyone see the pics now, or just a red x??
 
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i had the ftf and the creep. try different ammo that solved both probs for me.
still would like to know how exactly the trigger improved by using dif ammo, if anyone could explain that.
 
Z71 said:
all numbers are matching on the rifle, except the bolt assembly of course...does this mean it is a dreaded parts gun???
Click to expand...

no , yours isnt a parts gun, one mismatch number is normal.

from your pic, your barrel is threaded.

i bot 2 sks from lever about the same time as you did and i had no problem/no FTF using the same czech ammo.

did you look at the primer after a misfire? and also when it did fire?
 
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I suspect this isn't a barrel issue, and by the sounds of it, ie...

the trigger has an extremely heavy pull to it, I have to squeeze it with a lot of pressure to get the hammer to release
Click to expand...


The triggers should be long creepers, but not heavy at all.

Put the unloaded rifle on "Safe", remove the trigger group, and have a good look at it.

Read this article:
http://www.yooperj.com/SKS-25.htm
 
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Try other ammo before you dismiss it as a parts gun! The Czech has very hard primers and sometimes fails to fire (first try anyways).

Pinned barrel the cause? - sheesh. Next thing they'll be blamed for Global Warming (oh sorry "Climate Change").
 
is the bolt/carrier fully closing? if you push forward on the handle, does it move forward?

I had a problem where my op-rod under the rear sight would stick, causing the bolt to not fully close, about a quater inch. by rapping the bolt forward with my hand and then pulling the trigger, it would fire. if not it would just click and dent the primer.

you don't want the primer to fire if the bolt is not fully closed :runaway:

by cleaning out burrs in the op-rod channel (thanks JP) it worked after that.
 
This sounds loke a headspacing issue to me. Thr taking the thing apart and just place the bolt without the carrier in the reciever. Check to see how much play you have between the bolt and the breech face. Could just be that the firing pin is not reaching the primer. From you photo the pin is protruding enough but what if the bolt simply close enough to allow the pin enough punch to set off the primer?
Where are you? I'd be happy to look at it for you!
Scott
Dycor Special Services
 
curtton said:
no , your isnt a parts gun, one mismatch number is normal.
Click to expand...

Well I have to disagree with you. My norc has matching numbers on everything.

If you try some other batches of czech ammo and you still have FTF.
I would tend to think it's either a headspace or firing pin issue.
 
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My SKS from Lever did the same thing.

The Czech ammo has hard primers. I would get good stikes but a FTF. Same ammo works like a charm in my 58.

Try some Hungarian ammo (I got mine from Reliable) or any other brand.

If that works fine it's likely your firing ping.

Pull the firing pin out and gently round the tip. Don't make it pointy, just slightly dome shaped.
 
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