SKS Actuator piston removal

oopswasthatyourdog?

oopswasthatyourdog?

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I just bought an SKS (russian 1951) and can't seem to get the actuator piston and spring out. I lift the lever to remove the handguard and gas cylinder, everything I have read or seen explaining how to remove it says to lift the lever higher while pushing the piston in a little....piston and spring should come out. I think I'm lifting the lever to it's max yet it still blocks the piston and I'm getting frustrated.......I don't want to force the lever and risk breaking it. What am I doing wrong????
 
Lift the lever half way, remove the gas cylinder, LOOK at the way the half-moon shaped end of the lever locks the "actuator" in place. Lift it just enough to unlock the actuator from it's recess, keep your finger in front of it to prevent it flying out. If it refuses to budge it could be one of 2 things 1) there's cosmo or rust in there that seized it in place, push it out from the other side using a pen or something. Or 2) the Russkies may have forgotten to put the spring in (very rare, but it does happen occasionally), push it out from the other side using a pen or something.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks Rob. I know the spring is in there as I can feel the resistance while pushing it in. It isn't jammed either. Moves freely and the rifle cycles well. I just can't seem to find the "spot" where it lets the piston pass......as for cosmo....I blasted carb cleaner through it till it ran clean and shot some oil in there also. I'll try again and let ya know......I'll look for that half-moon......
 
on mine I use the gas piston for pushing the hook tab for the trigger group and pushing the op-rod in to release it from the receiver, it seem to work well for that. if it is stuck, then a punch or non maring tool to hand push it out would be in order, watch out, it may shoot out.
 
You should be able to look at it and see where the "lip" is, for lack of a better word. Don't worry, it took me awhile too to really find the sweet spot on mine without having to look at it.
 
Here's a tip that I don't think has ever been posted before : IF you decide to ever be so brave as to take appart the recoil spring assembly (a real PITA before I figured this out)use the "actuator" as you put it (I know that part as the piston extention) to put the bloody thing back together again without messing up the spring. Take the "rod" of the assembly, drop it down the tube/"sleeve" (narrow end forward, obviously) then stick the actuator in there to push it in, the fat end is much bigger than the widest part of the sleeve so it only "fits" in one way. Drop the spring on there, rest the whole thing on the ground and gently compress the spring, the actuator will actually hold the rod up so you will be able to slip the locking clip on there easily as you have MUCH less spring pressure to worry about then if you try to compless the whole thing, grab the rod, ride it all up, then slip the clip on with your 3rd hand or something, ripping your hands to sheds in the process.
 
RobSmith said:
You should be able to look at it and see where the "lip" is, for lack of a better word. Don't worry, it took me awhile too to really find the sweet spot on mine without having to look at it.
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Wierd, there doesn't seem to be a cresent shaped lip??? The locking plate that the lever pivots is squared at the bottom. I wonder if when refurbished they changed it and f%^ked up......

RobSmith said:
Here's a tip that I don't think has ever been posted before : IF you decide to ever be so brave as to take appart the recoil spring assembly (a real PITA before I figured this out)use the "actuator" as you put it (I know that part as the piston extention) to put the bloody thing back together again without messing up the spring. Take the "rod" of the assembly, drop it down the tube/"sleeve" (narrow end forward, obviously) then stick the actuator in there to push it in, the fat end is much bigger than the widest part of the sleeve so it only "fits" in one way. Drop the spring on there, rest the whole thing on the ground and gently compress the spring, the actuator will actually hold the rod up so you will be able to slip the locking clip on there easily as you have MUCH less spring pressure to worry about then if you try to compless the whole thing, grab the rod, ride it all up, then slip the clip on with your 3rd hand or something, ripping your hands to sheds in the process.
Click to expand...

LOL I took the recoil spring appart the first night I bought it and had a real "Fun" time putting it back together :p

PerversPépère said:
Do you push the lever past the release point? normally, you should pivot the release arm outside the sight base.
PP.
Click to expand...

Yes I do......I may just take a trip to my gunsmith and see what he thinks. This shouldn't be rocket science. f:P:2:
 
You probably aren't pivoting the lever enough. Mine was pretty stiff at first.

I'm not sure which spring RobSmith is referring to having difficulty with? The one that slides in the bolt carrier? (curly-straight?)

Slip the "pick" tool in the "tube" backwards. Push down against a table or floor. Slip clip on.Easy as pie.
 
Look down at the front of the sight where the back of the gas tube comes up. You'll see the wedge piece that moves with the lever. Watch it when it moves. Once you can see the whole of the gas tube end,pull up on the gas tube. But be careful that you do not go too far and release the actuator and spring.
 
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