SKS problem - HELP !!!

SteelCityCoach

SteelCityCoach

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Stoney Creek, Ontario
OK,

So I recently purchased a Russian sks from a board dealer. I put on a tapco stock but then had to take it to a smith to have the scope mounted.

When I picked it up he commented that the mags that came with it (the black metal ones included in the upgrade package NOT the original one that came on the gun), when in the gun, were preventing the bolt from closing to allow the gun to fire. He also said that I would not have this problem if I used the original mag the gun came with.

So I go home.....finally get the original mag in....and still have the same problem!!

I haven't even fired the dang thing yet.

With the bolt open I can see the piece that is keeping the bolt open....sorry I have no clue what the name of it is exactly.

If I release the mag then I can pull back on the charging handle and the bolt releases closing the breach as would normally happen but as soon as I click the mag back up into the gun.....the bolt stays open again and I cannot charge it.

Has anyone else run into this situation before? If so what was your solution?

If there is anyone in the Hamilton/Burlington area or anyone that is a memeber of Silverdale and has the time to show me in person that would be great, if not then your input is welcomed here.

Thanks very much for taking the time,


Coach
 
I sent you pm...

SteelCityCoach said:
OK,

So I recently purchased a Russian sks from a board dealer. I put on a tapco stock but then had to take it to a smith to have the scope mounted.

When I picked it up he commented that the mags that came with it (the black metal ones included in the upgrade package NOT the original one that came on the gun), when in the gun, were preventing the bolt from closing to allow the gun to fire. He also said that I would not have this problem if I used the original mag the gun came with.

So I go home.....finally get the original mag in....and still have the same problem!!

I haven't even fired the dang thing yet.

With the bolt open I can see the piece that is keeping the bolt open....sorry I have no clue what the name of it is exactly.

If I release the mag then I can pull back on the charging handle and the bolt releases closing the breach as would normally happen but as soon as I click the mag back up into the gun.....the bolt stays open again and I cannot charge it.

Has anyone else run into this situation before? If so what was your solution?

If there is anyone in the Hamilton/Burlington area or anyone that is a memeber of Silverdale and has the time to show me in person that would be great, if not then your input is welcomed here.

Thanks very much for taking the time,


Coach
Click to expand...

No cause for alarm, mine stay open also and you have to release the mag to close the bolt..
 
????

Ephem,

Thanks for replying. To answer your question.....yes?

Sorry but I'm a noob.

Maybe I didnt explain that clearly enough....

The only way I can close the bolt to get the gun ready to fire (assuming it was loaded) WITH the original mag locked into place is to push/press down on the piece in question that releases the bolt to move forward and close the breech.

Coach







Ephemerality said:
I'm assuming you're pushing down on the follower when trying to close the bolt, as if you had loaded the mag.
Forgive me if this was implied.
Click to expand...
 
This seems too simple to be it, but would that just be the mag follower? Have you tried pulling the bolt back a bit and pushing the follower down?

A gunsmith should know that, but also the original mag should work correctly, so I don't really know what to think.
 
Hey Sard,

Someone asked a similar question above that I replied to....being a noob i'm not too sure if it is the follower I am pushing down on to release the open bolt allowing it to come forward.....but if i reach into the open breech i can see the piece that is holding the bolt open...and i can push down on it to allow the bolt to travel forward closing the breech.

Thanks for looking,

Coach


Sardaukar said:
This seems too simple to be it, but would that just be the mag follower? Have you tried pulling the bolt back a bit and pushing the follower down?

A gunsmith should know that, but also the original mag should work correctly, so I don't really know what to think.
Click to expand...
 
The "follower" is the platform in the magazine that the bullets sit ontop of.

It sounds like your sks is functioning normally. The design of the gun was such that when the bolt is cocked back, it locks in an open position if there are no more rounds left in the magazine. The idea being that when the last shot is fired, the bolt stays back and you load it via stripper clip in form the top of the rifle. Once the bullets have been loaded down into the magazine the follower presses down the bolt release, and then you pull the bold handle back to disengage the bolt release and it should chamber the round.

To close the bolt without actually loading the weapon you will need to pull the bolt back (with or without the magazine inserted into the rifle), and reach into to weapon and press down the bolt release with your finger, just be sure you've got a good grip on the bolt handle or it will snap closed on your fingers ;)

good luck
 
Good, you have a perfectly healthy and normal SKS!

As mhowarth mentionned, you will find this feature very useful when you load it with stripper clips.
 
as described by mhowarth, its a good feature on a combat rifle to have, it helps in reloading the mag by using charging clip, its very quick. its better than sticking your finger in to load one round at a time.

but im very surprise you gunsmith didnt know that .
 
SteelCityCoach said:
Hey Sard,

Someone asked a similar question above that I replied to....being a noob i'm not too sure if it is the follower I am pushing down on to release the open bolt allowing it to come forward.....but if i reach into the open breech i can see the piece that is holding the bolt open...and i can push down on it to allow the bolt to travel forward closing the breech.

Thanks for looking,

Coach
Click to expand...

I live in Hamilton, and I know what you are referring to. Mine did the exact same thing when new. It has nothing to do with the magazine. Simply CLEAN and lubricate that metal sliding tab. It is supposed to drop down when you push back on the bolt. Every SKS I own, and I own a few, get a complete bath in Kerosene and I use a toothbrush to get at the hard to reach areas inside the receiver. After the Kerosene bath, every piece gets a good wiping and lubrication with Rem oil. For the bolt, I also pour copious quantities of boiling hot water on it to ensure all the crud in those nooks and crannies is washed out. All my SKS's operate flawlessly.
 
mhowarth said:
The "follower" is the platform in the magazine that the bullets sit ontop of.

It sounds like your sks is functioning normally. The design of the gun was such that when the bolt is cocked back, it locks in an open position if there are no more rounds left in the magazine. The idea being that when the last shot is fired, the bolt stays back and you load it via stripper clip in form the top of the rifle. Once the bullets have been loaded down into the magazine the follower presses down the bolt release, and then you pull the bold handle back to disengage the bolt release and it should chamber the round.

To close the bolt without actually loading the weapon you will need to pull the bolt back (with or without the magazine inserted into the rifle), and reach into to weapon and press down the bolt release with your finger, just be sure you've got a good grip on the bolt handle or it will snap closed on your fingers ;)

good luck
Click to expand...

Yea, what he said........................................:agree:




Hey,who is the big guy? Oh him, that's uncle Bob................:ar15:
 
Thank you

Hey Fellas,

Ok so from the responses it sounds like it is operating the way it should be....now just have to find some time to head to the range.

Thanks to all very much for taking the time to reply with some detail....this is just another example of how me, as someone new to the hobby, has used this board as a tool/means to educate.

Have a great day gentlemen!

Coach
 
The Kurgan said:
I live in Hamilton, and I know what you are referring to. Mine did the exact same thing when new. It has nothing to do with the magazine. Simply CLEAN and lubricate that metal sliding tab. It is supposed to drop down when you push back on the bolt. Every SKS I own, and I own a few, get a complete bath in Kerosene and I use a toothbrush to get at the hard to reach areas inside the receiver. After the Kerosene bath, every piece gets a good wiping and lubrication with Rem oil. For the bolt, I also pour copious quantities of boiling hot water on it to ensure all the crud in those nooks and crannies is washed out. All my SKS's operate flawlessly.
Click to expand...

Hey Kurgan......wanna give mine a bath then?

LOL
 
There is a way to file down the bottom grooves on the bolt so it does not catch onto the mag, I have looked into it in the past and it seems to work for others, I would research it and take it to a gunsmith to do it. thats what i will be doing too i think
 
Anyone interested in TAPCO'ing the F out of there SkS should do this mod.
[youtube]xaEovP7u36A[/youtube]

Here is how it's done;
[youtube]NtgXg91dgUs[/youtube]
[youtube]Vu82cvcGUIo[/youtube]
 
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