Why do I keep getting popped primers in my SKS? They are f***ing up my firing pin. I shoot surplus ammo. A couple different kinds and it keeps happening. I also bought a murray's spring firing pin and all 3 of the spare springs he sent me are nfg because of this. I went back to the original FP and happened again this past weekend. Can anybody shed some light on this dilemma?
Any info would be very much appreciated.
The popped primers are likely caused by "volcanoing" on the bolt face.
Go to Murray's web site and follow the procedure described below. It worked for me. No more popped primers. Nothing wrong with your Murray pin. (You can get replacement springs for next to nothing)
POPPED PRIMERS
Some may call it “pierced primers” but since a hole is getting blown out of the primer, and into
the firing pin hole, we call it “popped primers.” This issue seems to be quite prevalent with
SKS owners, and with AK owners to some degree, as well. While the problem occurs only
with imported “Berdan” primed ammo and not with American, or “Boxer” primed ammo, we’re
going to try and address an issue or two that might help SKS owners experience less
“popped primer” incidents, whether it’s a Russian, Chinese, Yugo or whatever.
At least 99% of the SKS bolts that have been sent in for Firing Pin Kit installation have a
raised area around the firing pin hole. 100% of them have a sharp or jagged edge to that
hole. Something of a Volcano shape seems to be created especially when it is dry fired. This
“Volcano” and sharp or jagged edge needs to be removed, in a safe and careful manner.
We start by fully disassembling the bolt assembly and with bolt gripped between padded jaws
in a vise, we carefully stone the “Volcano” down to normal bolt face level. But, No More! A
small stone, laid flat on the bolt face, can easily remove the raised area with a moderate
amount of pressure and rubbing back and forth. But don’t take too much, as excessive
headspace problems can arise if too much is removed from original bolt face. After that is
done, we use an 82 degree countersink bit, between the thumb and forefinger, and with hand
pressure only, we very slightly countersink the firing pin hole. Ten to fifteen thousandths deep
is plenty. This will create a tiny raised edge around the firing pin hole, so again, lay the stone
on bolt face and very lightly remove the ring that you created. That’s it.
Now there will not be a raised area that is the first part to contact the primer. The entire bolt
face will, as it should, contact back of cartridge and primer. And no more sharp edge to act as
a cutter and cut a hole in the primer.
This procedure is done on every bolt that is sent in to us for firing pin kit installation. So if you,
or your local ‘Smith, are not comfortable doing this, we’ll be glad to help.
http://www.murraysguns.com/poppedprimers.htm
