SKS "Bolt Action" Shooting?

[Drachenblut]

Hello,

I am curious if it is safe to remove the gas piston from my SKS to turn it into a bolt action? Would I just remove the piston and leave the gas tube attached? Or remove the gas cylinder all together? Will having no piston in there not damage something when the gas comes back through the gas ports? Mine is a Russian SKS.

Thanks,
Drachenblut

 

[RobSmith]

Plenty of people do that, it shouldn't hurt the gun.

 

[jt_trouble]

Chances are it will jam. I tried firing my SKS without the rod. It fired ok. But when I tried to eject the casing, it wouldn't budge. It took some considerable force to get the bolt carriage to open up and clear the chamber.

 

[Speckfire]

For better bolt action performance, you need block the gas port. I do it on my Rasheed, with no danger at all. As far as the sks, you'll be getting gas in your face if you remove the tube, but I don't see any danger.

 

[fat tony]

You won't be getting gas in your face if you just remove the piston but take along a 2X4 to help with extraction.

 

[Craig67]

I shoot reloads with the piston removed to save my brass.

No troubles and working the action does not require a 2X4.

 

[fat tony]

i shoot reloads with the piston removed to save my brass.

No troubles and working the action does not require a 2x4.

Not everyone reloads, but thank you very much for you input

 

[tjhaile]

As previously mentioned, you might have some difficulty opening the bolt. A rifle like an SKS has no primary extraction, unlike most bolt actions where lifting the handle cams the bolt back slightly.

 

[tiriaq]

And steel cased ammunition may be harder to extract than brass cased.

 

[Clobbersauras]

Not everyone reloads, but thank you very much for you input

Cleaning your chamber may help with manual extraction. A lot of people neglect this area in their SKS.

 

[fat tony]

Yea I was thinking the same thing, the thing is as it's such a queer dog legged reach into the chamber you might have to rig up a flex shaft deal of some sort and stick a mop on the end with polishing paste, and POLISH the chamber that way. Either way I am open to new 'input'.

 

[KennyC]

No extraction issues here with the gas piston removed. On another note, even after an entire day of shooting, the reciever , bolt & bolt carrier remained SUPER clean.

 

[scianna54]

Bring a rubber hammer just in case, there is a lot of force behind those and you won't damage anything.

 

[Until the Angels Fall]

can I ask why you want to do this or is it just for something to do?

 

[Speckfire]

can I ask why you want to do this or is it just for something to do?

Main reason for me? saving the brass from wear and tear during ejection. Also not to loose them.

 

[rookie wildcat]

easier to rig up some type of catch bag. I have seen a guy at a range in NS using that. St the time I thought it looked kind or stupid. Now I see the practicality of it.

 

[thebigslide]

The yugo 59/66 has a gas shutoff for launching grenades. Users have noted improved accuracy with the gas port shut off.

 

[fat tony]

Eh, if you think the violent action of the SKS is conducive to accurate shooting, there is no reaching you. There is a modification described in the Cast boolit forums on how to tame down the violent action of the sks, involving drilling holes in the gas cylinder, however a certain mod here did not like it so you will have to look for it yourself.

 

[Speckfire]

The yugo 59/66 has a gas shutoff for launching grenades. Users have noted improved accuracy with the gas port shut off.

I don't doubt it. I'll have to try it for myself

 

[Claven2]

True enough - best way is to switch to a Yugo 59/66 and close the gas port Assuming you can find one... not many around these days