SKS Bolts and Headspace

[Fox]

I was told that someone before me messed with the bolt on my SKS, now the bolt hold open will not work.

I was told I could find a replacement bolt but then I question headspace. How often with a bolt swap cause headspace problems? I have another SKS to do a bolt swap and test but ideally a bolt replacement would be the way to go, although they seem like hens teeth now.

 

[Buck1950]

I searched on SKSboards .com and found this, post 45 fwd -> http s://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=48053.45

 

[Buck1950]

Fox, what did they do that messed up the LSHO ? The HO is just a bit that's spring-loaded to pop up and catch the bolt when the follower goes up there. Maybe the magazine has been altered ? If you check on that SKS... site there may be more info.

 

[SigWig]

I'm pretty sure leverarms has bolts in stock but their website is not working for me at the moment.

Check that the spring and stopper are in place and pushing up on the bolt after the last round. I've seen it rusted stuck before

 

[Potashminer]

Is often more than headspace involved when swapping out a bolt - is also what is the bolt bearing on at it's rear - a current project - Husqvarna M98 commercial action - so action was likely made by FN for Husqvarna, originally - a random sporterized bolt - was touching on only one lug when I started. Is now set-up with a 7x57 barrel and both lugs now bearing when I check. Likely would chamber and fire for a while as it was - I imagine sooner or later that one bearing lug (instead of two) would shear off or get pounded into it's seat - that would be increasing headspace as it did that - until the other lug was also bearing sufficiently. I do not think they are made to swap out willy nilly without some check. Most bolts - for the same brand rifle, I think - will "work", or can be made to "work", if swapped, though. Not each the exact same as the other, though. I believe that is why Britain and Canada military armourers were so fussy about putting number on bolt handle for the action that bolt was fitted to - USA armourers did not do so - I have no clue how they knew which bolt went with which action, or if they cared about it. I do not know what the SKS was designed for.

 

[Fox]

Fox, what did they do that messed up the LSHO ? The HO is just a bit that's spring-loaded to pop up and catch the bolt when the follower goes up there. Maybe the magazine has been altered ? If you check on that SKS... site there may be more info.

This had a HiCal kit put on it, the bolt was machined away at the bottom to slide over the magazine rather than adjust the mag a bit, so the bolt slides up and pushes the hold open down.

Unsure who was the bubba but the bolt works, just does not hold open.

 

[Fox]

Is often more than headspace involved when swapping out a bolt - is also what is the bolt bearing on at it's rear - a current project - Husqvarna M98 commercial action - so action was likely made by FN for Husqvarna, originally - a random sporterized bolt - was touching on only one lug when I started. Is now set-up with a 7x57 barrel and both lugs now bearing when I check. Likely would chamber and fire for a while as it was - I imagine sooner or later that one bearing lug (instead of two) would shear off or get pounded into it's seat - that would be increasing headspace as it did that - until the other lug was also bearing sufficiently. I do not think they are made to swap out willy nilly without some check. Most bolts - for the same brand rifle, I think - will "work", or can be made to "work", if swapped, though. Not each the exact same as the other, though. I believe that is why Britain and Canada military armourers were so fussy about putting number on bolt handle for the action that bolt was fitted to - USA armourers did not do so - I have no clue how they knew which bolt went with which action, or if they cared about it. I do not know what the SKS was designed for.

The SKS is a tilting bolt design, no lugs like a bolt action rifle.

I actually asked the gunsmith, he said that there is almost never a headspace issue with these rifles, they are almost all swappable, I guess I should have waited to hear from him before posting.

The bolt has to be machined on the sides for the hi cal kit though, so any bolt I put in would have to be fit.

 

[Curtton]

OP: the bolt mod is a common mod , not just for hical but also for duckbill mags so it should NOT have any affect on the BHO.

the conversion to fit a hical kit is quite extensive. see vid. your rifle has the same mod?

 

[Fox]

OP: the bolt mod is a common mod , not just for hical but also for duckbill mags so it should NOT have any affect on the BHO.

the conversion to fit a hical kit is quite extensive. see vid. your rifle has the same mod?

Except that the bottom face of the bolt was filed on an angle for some stupid reason, which essentially defeats the bolt hold open.

I want the bolt hold open to work, that is why I need to find another bolt and why I had concerns about the headspace.

 

[Curtton]

Except that the bottom face of the bolt was filed on an angle for some stupid reason, which essentially defeats the bolt hold open.

I want the bolt hold open to work, that is why I need to find another bolt and why I had concerns about the headspace.

i that case. leverarms has them for $35.

 

[45ACPKING]

sounds like someone was getting 4 rounds instead of 5 in the magazine so shaved the bottom of the bolt instead of adjusting the rivet location on the magazine.
This is also a common issue with the "D" rifles but the solution is to repin the magazine although there are youtube videos that suggest shaving the bottom of the bolt. I could see that messing with the function of the bolt stop

 

[Grizzly Adams]

OP: the bolt mod is a common mod , not just for hical but also for duckbill mags so it should NOT have any affect on the BHO.

the conversion to fit a hical kit is quite extensive. see vid. your rifle has the same mod?

What kind of machinist measurement is " a little bit " ?

 

[Fox]

sounds like someone was getting 4 rounds instead of 5 in the magazine so shaved the bottom of the bolt instead of adjusting the rivet location on the magazine.
This is also a common issue with the "D" rifles but the solution is to repin the magazine although there are youtube videos that suggest shaving the bottom of the bolt. I could see that messing with the function of the bolt stop

Nope, Hi-Cal adapter for AR mags.

 

[Fox]

i that case. leverarms has them for $35.

That is for the bolt carrier but they have bolts for $55, thanks.

I am hitting up a gun show in a couple weeks, if I cannot find one there I will be grabbing one from this place, just trying to avoid the dreaded Canadian shipping, which is insane even for small parts.