SKS gas tube cover removal

["J" man]

Is there anyway you can remove the pin that's holding the cover on the gas tube without damaging it so you can reuse it later? Need to get the cosmoline out, and I would like to keep my Factory 26 unissued in factory condition. Thx.

 

[Sean17]

Is there anyway you can remove the pin that's holding the cover on the gas tube without damaging it so you can reuse it later? Need to get the cosmoline out, and I would like to keep my Factory 26 unissued in factory condition. Thx.

If your not going to shoot it don't bother taking the cosmoline off. Just leave it on.

 

[NorthernCX]

Look carefully, and one end of that pin will be smaller than the other. Use an appropriate punch at that end to drive the pin out, and the cover comes apart fairly easily.

Re-using it may not be possible, depending on how hard it is. To put the pieces back together, the pin has to be peened back into place either with a punch at one end, hard flat surface (anvil) on the other, or squishing the whole thing in a vise. May be easier to replace the pin (which may or may not affect the value if it's a collector's gun) than reuse the old one, which will likely look like it's been beaten on.

 

[fiddler]

Is there anyway you can remove the pin that's holding the cover on the gas tube without damaging it so you can reuse it later? Need to get the cosmoline out, and I would like to keep my Factory 26 unissued in factory condition. Thx.

Wrap it in paper towel and leave it on your dashboard in your car for a few days. The heat will help soak up all the cosmoline without taking apart the gas tube.

 

["J" man]

Thx for the replies. Where can I pick up a replacement pin for it here in Canada? And yes, I do plan to shoot the hell out of it. It just wouldn't be right not to give the old gal some time in the sun after decades of storage!