question about SKS, ammo and Murray firing pin kit

vermintrex

vermintrex

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Hi guys,

Just picked up a nice 1952 Tula SKS yesterday without any re-arsenal stamps, although it has a laminate stock with matching serial number, so I assume it probably was re-furbed at some point and for some reason didn't get the re-arsenal stamps.

Anyway, new to SKS's and shooting in general so forgive my noob questions. My question is: I picked up a 500 round box of MFS 7.62x39mm non-corossive. I know it's mil-spec steel case ammo, what I don't know is it hard or soft primer ammunition ? I've been reading up on slam fires, floating firing pins and the option to install the Murray firing pin/return spring kit to help prevent this, but I gather the Murray pin should only be used with soft primer commercial grade ammunition.

Can anyone educate me on this ? I did try to figure it out myself but, after googling and searching the forums here, I'm still not sure if the ammunition I've bought has hard or soft primers. It was pretty cheap and it's non-corrsive, so if it was soft primed I'd probably just go buy a whole bunch more of it and go ahead and get the Murray kit to set my mind at ease about slam fires.

Don't take me wrong, I plan to clean this thing religiously even if I only use non-corrosive. Today I'm stripping the whole thing and will be obsessively cleaning it to get rid of the cosmoline, including making sure I have a nice rattling firing pin. :)

Thanks for reading and any help is much appreciated !
 
Look for a stamp of a box with a diagonal line through it, that was the mark they used back then for factory refurbs. If your ammo was pre-1990s, its most likely corrosive. having that said, don't worry about the ammo unless you got piles of extra cash to buy the expensive new ammo that doesn't shoot one spit better than the older surplus stuff. The entire argument has been started by a bunch of lazy sissies who don't know how to clean thier rifles. It only takes an extra minute or two to clean each rifle. These rifles were designed to shoot corrosive ammunition and they were taken care of by illiterate conscripts and peasants, and we have the rifles here in front of us to prove they still work.

I use corrosive ammo in all mine with the exception of soft points at certain ranges and during hunting season. Don't waste your time with the FP modifications. If the pin in your bolt rattles freely, its good. Slamfires are quite rare and often due to poor modifications of the rifles. Some of the earlier versions have a spring which is fine too.
 
There's no refurb stamps anywhere..no ###XX serials on the stock..all numbers match including the bolt. The only part that doesn't have a serial that I can see is the gas tube. It doesn't look like it was painted, there's little to no wear around the take levers and has a polished metal bayonet. Not sure what that makes my rifle..it was sold to me as "un-issued"..but from what I read that doesn't necessarily mean anything and isn't proof that it hasn't been re-arsenaled. Be kinda cool if it was an un-used rifle,but I doubt it. I up some pictures after I've got her cleaned up.

The MFS ammo was sold to me as non-corrosive by a very reputable shop (Reliable Gun) so I'm confident it is non-corrosive. I'm just not sure if that means it has hard or soft primers.

Thanks for your help !

edit: part way through stripping it..bolt carrier gas tube (was scribed underneath the tube) , and gas piston rod also have matching serials : )
 
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If its a '52 with a laminate stock, it has been refurbed - although possibly very lightly. Laminate stocks only came originally on the very last "letter series" Tulas in '55/6. They are deep red in color like original hardwood stocks. Yours is undoubtedly brown.

As for the firing pin, I have heard as well that soft primers can cause slam fires. I would try going to the range and shooting a few rounds. See how the casings come out, if there's any evidence of puncturing or separating the primer from the case. I'm betting it WON'T be a problem. If you do have a slamfire, stop right away. At least you'd only blast off 5 rounds instead of 10.
 
I put a Murrys firing pin in mine just to be on the safe side.I dont see how it would matter what kind of primer it has.The spring just keeps the firing pin from staying in the forward position.
 
RMXC51 said:
If its a '52 with a laminate stock, it has been refurbed - although possibly very lightly. Laminate stocks only came originally on the very last "letter series" Tulas in '55/6. They are deep red in color like original hardwood stocks. Yours is undoubtedly brown.

As for the firing pin, I have heard as well that soft primers can cause slam fires. I would try going to the range and shooting a few rounds. See how the casings come out, if there's any evidence of puncturing or separating the primer from the case. I'm betting it WON'T be a problem. If you do have a slamfire, stop right away. At least you'd only blast off 5 rounds instead of 10.
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thats what I thought...but I think you're right, it must have been a very light refurb...there's just no signs of wear..no scrathes no wear on the threads of the cleaning rod..no scratches around the take down levers. Also, the stock is a pretty deep red colour..I'm gonna up pictures when she's clean for you guys to have a look. I'm pretty happy with it though, refurb or not it's in pretty good shape. There's one spot on the stock where it looks like the laquer/varnish has worn or rubbed off..not sure the best way to treat that.

THanks for the help !
 
bradofcanada said:
I put a Murrys firing pin in mine just to be on the safe side.I dont see how it would matter what kind of primer it has.The spring just keeps the firing pin from staying in the forward position.
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From what I've read the Murray pins will break after striking too many hard milspec primers. Just what I've read though.

edit: call me weird...but I'm having hella fun taking this thing apart and cleaning it on a rainy Sunday...guess the cold one isn't making it any worse ; )
 
Welcome to the SKS club!! personally I love em and one of my favorite Firearms. As others have said I put Murray's Firing Pin in mine just to be safe and just my preference but if you keep the FP clean and it rattles freely you should be good to go. I know lots of guys that have them with the original FP and none of them have had any problems with slamfires . Enjoy your new Rifle... you can't go wrong with an SKS.
 
Your MFS ammo will be non corrosive, but as long as you don't have your pin sticking, don't bother with another pin. Just make sure you clean it well and check it before you head to the range each time to make sure it's still moving.
As far as if it is a refurb, it is, the laminate stock was likely put on to replace a beat up birch one when it was refurbed, which is why it doesn't have the ######'s, the cove rmay have been swapped out at some point as well, although there are many examples where they never stamped a refurb.
 
so I've run everything through several washes of boiling water...but most of it still has a bit of an oily cosmoline film on it...can I wii all the metal bits with Hoppe's solvent to cut the last of it without harming anything ? Some of these parts start rusting instantly..especially the bolt and carrier, I don't want to keep dumping water on everything.
 
I use the hot water to clean out my Bore and Gas port. Most of the water will evaporate from the heat just make sure you wipe it down good then clean as per normal using solvent and Oil... it shouldn't rust.
 
everything went peachy....except for the damn firing pin/extractor retaining pin...I can't get the friggin thing to budge. Boiled it and used a hammer and punch...soaked in Liquid Wrench for an hour..more hammering.....will not move..was hitting it hard enough to make sparks...afraid if I hit it any harder I'm gonna break something, possibly my hand.

gah !!!

guess I'm gone have to take it to the shop and see if they can drift it for me....dammit.
 
I've read that brake Cleaner works well. I too just got an SKS and have been looking around (Vancouver) for cheap ammo.
From what I'm reading, corrosive is ok as long as you rinse it. Doesnt take much longer longer to clean (rinse) but saves a lot of money by using the stuff.
 
vermintrex said:
From what I've read the Murray pins will break after striking too many hard milspec primers. Just what I've read though.

edit: call me weird...but I'm having hella fun taking this thing apart and cleaning it on a rainy Sunday...guess the cold one isn't making it any worse ; )
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I can somewhat confirm this. My Murray pin broke in half yesterday. I am guessing the milsurp is to blame. 700 rounds and she was done.
 
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