Purchased a Russian SKS more than a year ago and finally got around to cleaning it yesterday. During assembly I noticed the gas piston does not travel back past the gas tube ports. From where it is installed the face of the piston goes to 1.475" and the ports are at 2.090". I have not tried to force it back. Tube appears to be undamaged and the piston is uniform in diameter. What are yours like?
SKS piston travel
- Thread starter Seafury
- Start date
Have not fired it thought I would this year. There is a pair of holes located as I described and I assume that the piston gets past them and they release additional gas not required to cycle the action beyond that point. What you said makes sense about relieving air pressure and preventing a vacuum when it returns. It seems odd that the piston gets tight in the tube when there is no internal step in the tube until 3" back. It seems clean but I doubt it was machined tapered. The way it is right now I figure it will drive the piston back and stick it where I can no longer remove the tube from the rifle. Hard to say it might wear in. The only hole in front is the muzzle.
Remove the secondary piston located under the rear sight. It will suddenly make sense.
Yes if its maximum travel is 1.25 " then the 1.4" is adequate. I'm picking up what you are putting down.
Forgive me this is my first com bloc rifle. No different than working on my first VW after years of American cars or a BMW motorcycle after Japanese bikes. We need to forget what we know.
1.237" and that does not take into consideration the spring stacking. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
