After reading a lot of posts on the board here I have devised my a cleaning routine for my SKS after shooting corrosive ammo. My problem is that I'm not too proficient at it- I am finding it takes longer to clean the rifle than the time I spend shooting it! I know hot water dow the barrel and gas tube is a must, but is it also necessary to soak the pistons and trigger assemblies in hot water too? After soaking an rinsing everything I go to town on everything with my air compressor trying to blow out all the little water droplets, AND THEN I do the regular cleaning with the solvents, metal protector, and oil. I am overdoing things? Any help to get this process refined would be much appreciated. Cheers
sks cleaning help
- Thread starter next_of_kin
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Hokus Grey
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I'm looking to get an SKS for plinking, but I too am curious as to the upkeep of the rifle when shooting corrosive surplus?
I have no complaints with the rifle. They are easy to take-down and tons of fun to shoot, I just need to get a better cleaning system. I would recommend one for cheap shooting for sure. But I am looking at getting an M44 as ther is less to moving parts and components to clean
You only need to rinse the gas affected parts with hot water,soaking is not necessary.Don't do the trigger assembly. After the hot water,clean and oil as normal.The compressor is a nice aid.Always a good idea to go back a day or so after cleaning to make sure you didn't miss any spots.The cleaning process will go faster after you get used to it.
You don't have to put hot water down the rifle. I clean mine like I clean any other firearm. Hoppes no9. I strip it down, clean the bolt and bolt carrier. Swab the bore with a nice amount of it and let is soak for a few minutes. I take the gas tube apart and clean it with no.9 as well, then the piston. I just cringe at pouring hot water over a firearm or windex, Works good in a pinch I guess, but cleaning it normally will do the trick too.
Takes a long time toclean for sure, I spend an hour on it after I am done shooting....even if i only shot 60 or so rounds. I try to save my 2 crates for when the zombies come.
Takes a long time toclean for sure, I spend an hour on it after I am done shooting....even if i only shot 60 or so rounds. I try to save my 2 crates for when the zombies come.
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So the usual military story, clean, clean, clean and clean some more. So any members that actually used them in the military? I would be curious what they used to clean them and if it is really needed that frequently, especially with corrosive ammo.
Don't whine, just do it. I find it takes me 30-45 mins to clean cz858 or sks to my satisfaction. Hot water, dry, solvent, oil. All of mine look new years later. Consentrate on bore, barrel, bolt assembly and piston area. I've never spent any real time on the trigger assembly, and I've never seen any rust issues or build-up of carbon. Just wipe those components down and keep everything oiled.
I found using Hops 9 solvent and oil worked fine and eliminated having to use boiling water and Windex, due note water is what causes rust with salt... and your putting more water on it... just make sure to dry really well. Just a sufficient cleaning with Hops 9 and a bit more oil then usual eliminated any possible rust, just remember when your going to go shooting again wipe off the excess oil and oil appropriately then your good for a day of fun.
Thanks for all the great responses- and I'm sure that the Hoppes company is thankful for all the free advertisement they got here too, haha. Thankfully I've been using Hoppes No.9 or Accupro products for all my cleaning. With all the advise I got here, I'm sure that cleaning my rifle is goona go a bit quicker next time around. Thanks a lot everyone!
