SKS handguard removal

Jesse_L_B

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Hi guys I'm working on changing my regular Sks stock to a tapco stock, I watched all kinds of YouTube vids and think I have the hang of it, but I have been hammering the hell out of the rivet that holds the hand gaurd on to no avail. I was thinking about getting a 3/32 or 1/8 drill bit and drilling it out, just wanted a little input from someone who knows a little more about the Sks. Thanks Jesse
 
I am pretty sure my tula pin came out from one side only.
I had to file one end down, I think it was peened over. It was more difficult to get out than my norinco pin .
Perhaps your trying to punch it on the wrong side?
If you need to drill it out, use a drill press. Trust me, ask me how I know.
 
I hesitated on this and then pounded away on the pin with a punch for a while. Nothing.

So drill it. With a tiny bit. The pin metal is way softer than the guard so it drills out pretty easy. Then the pin will probably just fall out or need a little push.

Otherwise, apparently the hammer of Thor is necessary. Pain in the $@##$!.
 
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Thanks guys, I tried pounding again still no luck so it looks like the gas tube goes to work with me tomorrow so I can drill it out. The YouTube vids say use 1/8 punch so I think I should be safe with 1/8 drill bit. If someone knows different let me know. Thanks.
 
I hestitated on this and then pounded away on the pin with a punch for a while. Nothing.

So drill it. With a tiny bit. The pin metal is way softer than the guard so it drills out pretty easy. Then the pin will probably just fall out or need a little push.

Otherwise, apparently the hammer of Thor is necessary. Pain in the $@##$!.

second this,, it maybe tappered left to right but pounded on mine like your's. drill with a 3/32 bit. 3/32 pins are a standard auto pin.
 
The scope will not sit properly anyway
Save yourself the grief

h ttp://www.canadaammo.com/product.php?productid=163&cat=0&page=1
 
Yup, your best bet is just to drill the damned pin out.

I tried every trick I know of to get that pin to come loose, and it just wouldn't move. I finally gave up and drilled it out to install the handguard on a Tapco stock (no photos and I sold the rifle so can't take anymore, oh well :D)
 
Use a center punch to crater the small end of the pin first, make sure its in the center, then tap it free. I have changed dozens of them this way & never had one take more than a few minuites!
 
Is there a particular side of the guard that has the pin head on it? I don't want to pound on the wrong side when I remove mine.
 
Left or right.. dont matter. The important thing is to tap very lightly on either side to see which side gives more easily.
Dealers wont tell you that cause they want youre cash and cant blame,em.
If you pound on them, you may bend the pins.. the commies may have pounded on them while installing and they may already be bent.. which is why you are having trouble in the first place.

I used a one eighth drill bit very carefully drilling out one side of the metal on the guard, and the bent and twisted pins came out rather easy...( the commies bashed them in).
Then used a 1/8 th brazing rod to replace the pin with a bit of grinding to make it fit tight. Good luck..:)
 
Then used a 1/8 th brazing rod to replace the pin with a bit of grinding to make it fit tight. Good luck..:)

I've been looking for a material that would replace the old pin. Soft nail, wire, etc... Sounds like you were able to use a small piece of brazing rod like a rivet. Was it soft enough? Did you have to really pound it? Would you use this material again? Interested in your experience/advice.


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I just put a tapco on my SKS. I filed both sides of the hanguard where the bin goes thru to see which side was bigger, I think this also helps to break the edges free. Find the smaller end and then tap thru from the that side. I just made sure that it is well supported near the pin and used a brass punch. The TAPCO kit comes with two replacement pins, so you can mess on up still be ok. The pin will most likely be bent when it comes out, if you look at the pin diameters when they come out and the installation instructions from TAPCO they are made to bend and not be peened over.
 
I've been looking for a material that would replace the old pin. Soft nail, wire, etc... Sounds like you were able to use a small piece of brazing rod like a rivet. Was it soft enough? Did you have to really pound it? Would you use this material again? Interested in your experience/advice.


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The diameter of the brazing rod is larger so you have to reduce it a bit with a dremel type tool or a file... patience and trial and error till it fits snug.. no pounding required, just a snug fit, as the pin is retained when the rifle is assembled and easily slides out when disassembled. Good luck!..:)
 
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