Sks - rear sight rotated on barrel

PinkyPlinker

PinkyPlinker

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Hi all,
I just received my second SKS, the first being too nice to beat on, so I ordered a bargain bin one to mess up. Typical refurb - BBQ paint, replaced stock, trigger, bayonet, rear sight for sure maybe more. Non of that concerns me.
Here's the problem. I noticed the front sight was at the far right of its adjustment. Had a look down the barrel and it is clear that the rear sight is crooked, the mount for it is not horizontal it appears rotated on the barrel itself. I see it is pinned at the bottom and I'm tempted to get out the brass hammer and see if there is any slack there.
May not be a problem, until I shoot it accuracy is unknown. Kills the idea of peep sights as front sight is so far from centre it will make peeps a prob and also kills any optic mount using rear sight mount.
So before I go all Dino brain on it, any experience and/or advice?
Thanks!
 
I'd start by putting the bore sighter in there, and checking to see how bad things really are. Or better yet, take a few shots and see what you're dealing with before any hammers are applied.
 
PinkyPlinker said:
Hi all,
I just received my second SKS, the first being too nice to beat on, so I ordered a bargain bin one to mess up. Typical refurb - BBQ paint, replaced stock, trigger, bayonet, rear sight for sure maybe more. Non of that concerns me.
Here's the problem. I noticed the front sight was at the far right of its adjustment. Had a look down the barrel and it is clear that the rear sight is crooked, the mount for it is not horizontal it appears rotated on the barrel itself. I see it is pinned at the bottom and I'm tempted to get out the brass hammer and see if there is any slack there.
May not be a problem, until I shoot it accuracy is unknown. Kills the idea of peep sights as front sight is so far from centre it will make peeps a prob and also kills any optic mount using rear sight mount.
So before I go all Dino brain on it, any experience and/or advice?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Probably not a problem, i have one that the front post is pushed to the far left and it shoots fine. They were made in the millions and the tolerance weren't as precise as todays, that's why the front sight has that much adjustment, so make up for the machining tolerances.

Go, shoot and enjoy and don't worry about it unless it's way off.
 
Sage advice. I'm over the desire to pound with rock.
I don't have a bore sight but I think I can borrow one. If the weather holds I'll take it to the range next weekend and see how it shoots.
This is one of those things that can't be unseen. Every time I sight down the barrel I'm gonna see it, even if it is reasonably accurate. If it is a decent shooter it goes up on the sale block and if not then stripped for parts and torched. A miss aligned rear sight mount won't work for what I'd like to do. Best find another.
 
PinkyPlinker said:
Sage advice. I'm over the desire to pound with rock.
I don't have a bore sight but I think I can borrow one. If the weather holds I'll take it to the range next weekend and see how it shoots.
This is one of those things that can't be unseen. Every time I sight down the barrel I'm gonna see it, even if it is reasonably accurate. If it is a decent shooter it goes up on the sale block and if not then stripped for parts and torched. A miss aligned rear sight mount won't work for what I'd like to do. Best find another.
Click to expand...

Worst case scenario just buy a new rear sight, the difference will likely move your front post closer to the middle and you're only out $15 for the new rear one.
 
It is the base the leaf mounts to that is crooked on the barrel. Another leaf, or aftermarket peep will have the same problem. Ie, the top of the leaf where the notch is leans to one side. It is so noticeable that my friend who has little shooting experience spotted it immediately.
With the front moved way over to compensate it is just a terrible sight picture.
 
PinkyPlinker said:
It is the base the leaf mounts to that is crooked on the barrel. Another leaf, or aftermarket peep will have the same problem. Ie, the top of the leaf where the notch is leans to one side. It is so noticeable that my friend who has little shooting experience spotted it immediately.
With the front moved way over to compensate it is just a terrible sight picture.
Click to expand...

This is going to be a great thread! How are SKS rear sights mounted on the barrel? Dovetailed? Welded? Is the OP's mount mis-mounted?
Is the barrel screwed into the reciever too far or not far enough? I would like to see how we can get this SKS fixed up and put right.
 
Robert Nicholson said:
This is going to be a great thread! How are SKS rear sights mounted on the barrel? Dovetailed? Welded? Is the OP's mount mis-mounted?
Is the barrel screwed into the reciever too far or not far enough? I would like to see how we can get this SKS fixed up and put right.
Click to expand...

To answer some of my own questions: The sights are mounted by being slid onto the barrel as a sleeve unit and pinned. It matches up with
the reciever op rod hole so there can be no question of the barrel not being screwed in to the proper degree. So then, the problem must be
with the just the sight ladder itself being twisted, either along its own length or at the hinge. Perhaps a bit of un-twisting with non-marring visegrips will straighten it?
 
Hey! It worked. Photo by IPad not particularly clear but the angle of the rear sight is due to the base being off. Pics of that were pretty much hopeless.
 
PinkyPlinker said:
Hey! It worked. Photo by IPad not particularly clear but the angle of the rear sight is due to the base being off. Pics of that were pretty much hopeless.
Click to expand...

Yes, your picture posting works (and I am envious). I think it is the sight ladder hinge pin being just slightly bent. If the base was off, then
the operating rod would not go thru the hole in the receiver (or would bind).
 
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Which it does. You can see where the fresh scars in the paint are, that's where it contacts as is closes but there is enough slop that it closes. From the deep scar under the paint I'd say this has been this way a long time.
 
PinkyPlinker said:
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Which it does. You can see where the fresh scars in the paint are, that's where it contacts as is closes but there is enough slop that it closes. From the deep scar under the paint I'd say this has been this way a long time.
Click to expand...

That paint scar or wear is from the bolt carrier rubbing on the outside of the hole for the operating rod (normal). If the sight block was off angle
the operating rod either would not go thru that part or it would bind in the hole and stick there. More good pictures and done very fast, how do you do it?
 
I see what you're saying. Time I learned how to pull the rear leaf then, see if a pin is off or maybe more clues to where it is off. Thanks!

Edit - point iPad, when pic looks good hit it. Helps the gun is out and on a support.
 
It's probably, just the sight base/pin. If you look at the barrel, where it meets the receiver there should be two witness lines , that line up with each other...never seen one move, but you never know.
 
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And there they are. We can rule out barrel/receiver movement.
Had the bolt and trigger apart this aft to do a proper Cosmo clean out and found two other issues. The pin will stick a bit just when shaking. The black stuff they coated the bolt face with is well into the firing pin hole and I think it sticks on it. Second is rust in the trigger. Sear spring is crusty and one side of the sear and hammer faces are rusted badly, enough that some filing/stonework is needed.
 
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