Sks bolt hold open won't catch

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Dc Buchan

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I recently bought my first sks and I cleaned all the remaining cosmoline out before shooting it the first time. I have made no modifications and the rifle has all matching numbers.

Everything worked perfect the first time out. On the second time out the bolt hold open wouldn't catch following the last fired round. When I pull the bolt back it catches normally and the follower appears to easily push the bolt catch all the way up.

What am I missing?

Any help would be great.

Thanks in advance.
 
Dc Buchan said:
I recently bought my first sks and I cleaned all the remaining cosmoline out before shooting it the first time. I have made no modifications and the rifle has all matching numbers.

Everything worked perfect the first time out. On the second time out the bolt hold open wouldn't catch following the last fired round. When I pull the bolt back it catches normally and the follower appears to easily push the bolt catch all the way up.

What am I missing?

Any help would be great.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

By any chance did you purchase an SKS-D with a removable magazine?

Cheers,
Bryan
 
This happened to my brother's SKS. Make sure you clean and lubricate the Bolt Stop. It is the rectangular piece that slides up to hold the bolt back. It is spring loaded. It should move up and down quite easily.

Kevin
 
Two suggestions:

1) Possible undergassing issue causing the bolt not to cycle back all the way but enough to eject rounds. When you pull the bolt back manually it pulls the bolt all the way back allowing the bolt stop to catch. Possible solution would be to clean the gas port, gas tube, scrub the gas piston, scrub the piston return spring, return piston and channel. Those areas should also be dry from lube when firing.

2) Try cleaning the bolt stop mechanism, I have seen it many times where it is gummed up a little bit. Might be something in there slowing it down just enough that it doesn't catch properly under fire, but will work when manually operated.
 
Thanks everyone. I figured it out. The bolt hold open is worn out. I was out shooting yesterday and when I was cleaning the gun afterward I noticed that the bolt hold open was ramped severely. I guess way back when it was refurbished they didn't replace it.

Does anyone know a good place to order parts from?
 
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