Relatively new shooter with question on SKS component interchangability

[LABlitzwing]

Hello all,

First post.

I currently own two SKS rifles, one is a 1954 Russian model, the other is a 1960 Norinco model. The Chinese model works perfectly every time with no issues. I took the Russian one out after I got it and when I went to test fire it just clicked and nothing. Later I check the rifle using a blank (bullet and powder removed) and it seems the bolt is not fully pushing the round in. there is about a 1/4 inch gap compared to when I load a round in my Chinese model.

I decided to try a switch. I removed the bolt and carrier from my chinese SKS and installed it on the Russian one. After I did that he bolt closed perfectly with a round in place. And my chinese SKS seems to close properly with the Russian bolt and carrier installed in it. I have not yet test fired either rifle in this configuration but I am wondering if it would even be safe to do so? Any thoughts?

I wouldn't intend to keep them like this, I'd just like to shoot the Russian one before adding it to my display collection.

thanks!

 

[fiddler]

Sounds like it needs a good cleaning. There is not much that goes wrong with these rifles with their original parts. After market junk causes problems forever.


If you are a new shooter with an SKS, you have to let that bolt SLAM forward. If you're playing pussy with it, it will not load. The bolt carrier has to slam all the way from the back, don't ride it with your hand

 

[walleyed99]

Almost sounds like something is binding on the Russian, is your retainer pin on the bolt catching when it slides not allowing it to make contact with the primer?? Just a guess??

 

[LABlitzwing]

Sounds like it needs a good cleaning. There is not much that goes wrong with these rifles with their original parts. After market junk causes problems forever.


If you are a new shooter with an SKS, you have to let that bolt SLAM forward. If you're playing pussy with it, it will not load. The bolt carrier has to slam all the way from the back, don't ride it with your hand

But I'm still confused as to why the round will go in perfectly with the Chinese SKS bolt in the Russian Rifle but not the original bolt? And yeah, I let the bolt slam forward hard, still won't go in fully.

 

[scan]

But I'm still confused as to why the round will go in perfectly with the Chinese SKS bolt in the Russian Rifle but not the original bolt? And yeah, I let the bolt slam forward hard, still won't go in fully.

After you let go bolt carrier - did you try to push it all the way in by the hand? When you assembled it did you put the spring correctly (curved end in the bolt carrier, straight end out) ? Another thing to try is to compare russian and chinesse bolt and bolt carrier and look for difference, maybe you could spot something there.
Theoretically when bolt carrier in not the all way in you shouldn't be able to pull the trigger and hear click.

 

[fiddler]

But I'm still confused as to why the round will go in perfectly with the Chinese SKS bolt in the Russian Rifle but not the original bolt? And yeah, I let the bolt slam forward hard, still won't go in fully.

Forget about the Chinese rifle. It works fine and all you are doing is introducing new variables and making things more complicated than they need to be. So don't talk about the chinese sks anymore.


The Russian SKS, I'm curious, does it have matching numbers on the bolt to the rifle? What is the condition of the rifle and where did it come from? As also said above, If the bolt closes with no bullet or case in the chamber, Can you still click the trigger? This tells us if the bolt is properly closing in place. If all is well, insert your empty case or whatever you were using and see if the bolt closes? if so, can you click the trigger now?

There are only so many things that can stop the bolt from fully closing, and without seeing it we are just making educated guesses. You want to make sure the chamber is clean without any build up. You can use a .410 brush on the end of a cordless drill fort this. Make sure the extractor on the bolt face is free to move with the push of your finger or thumb, and make sure there are no restrictions in the barrel.

You may also want to try some other ammunition. 7.62x39 (M43) can have lots of varnish on the shells, depending on its make and origin, which can make them stick in your chamber.