So I recieved my unissued SKS from moving target today. THANKS! by the way it is excellent. And then I compared it to a refurb that I bought a few months ago. I have only fired this refurb once and there appears to be little overall wear although it is definitely a refurb. On comparison the major difference is that the safety lever snaps into position between safe and fire on the unissued one, whereas on my refurb is just slides into place with some resistance but no snap. I have by the way de-cosmoed the whole refurb so I doubt that is the issue although I will check again. So, is this normal? Could it be just one of those things that was inconsistently produced? Or should I look at it more carefully to see if there is a problem?
SKS Safety Lever Question
- Thread starter canadiangunuser
- Start date
Thanks, good to know. So can someone point me in the right direction to find out about when this was changed? I'm not sure if it's on the board somewhere or whether or not I should look elsewhere. The rear housing on the refurb has been replaced so I don't know the production year, but my interest has now been piqued. What should I look for in the trigger mech to confirm this? and ensure that it's not just broken?
Why should it be broken? Does it flip or does it not? If it doesn't then it's broken.
The only people that know for sure when it was changed are the designers of the gun but they may be unavailable at the moment...
However, there are people here and on other boards that have handled tens or hundreds of as-issued SKSs and they can tell from their own observation what model year started the spring loaded safety lever.
For the sake of the example, a 1950 does not snap whereas a 54 snaps, so somewhere in between.
Hope this helps.
My Yugo's snaps .... If it <is> an early Russian without the snapping feature, I'd love to see pics of the trigger mechanism's innards .... I have sort of a visual, mechanical mind so I'd just love to see what the difference is.
We are talking russkies here, not yugos...
And for the record, all clones are made to late russian prints, so they snap.
You are lucky as I just did a trigger job on my oldie, so I can take a few pics for you.
The snapping trigger mechanism is an evolution of the earlier unsnapping, so it is identical but with a few safety additions.
Here's a schematic of the mechanism:
New to the late trigger group are the safety spring and the rebound disconnector.
I think, and please gurus correct me if I'm wrong, that the new safety features were introduced with the free floating firing pin.
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Great, thanks. After comparing the mechanism with the help of those photos and the instructions I found here- goldenloki.com/gunsmith/sks/trig1.htm -
it appears that I do not have a safety spring. I am not really concerened about this BUT- now that kivaari has been suggested, has anyone dealt with him? Would anyone recommend one of his trigger jobs? The reviews seem to say that it is worth the cost of improvement so I am interested. Thanks.
it appears that I do not have a safety spring. I am not really concerened about this BUT- now that kivaari has been suggested, has anyone dealt with him? Would anyone recommend one of his trigger jobs? The reviews seem to say that it is worth the cost of improvement so I am interested. Thanks.
i had this discussion with annie before but i will repeat it again.
before members rush to send their russian SKS TG to the US . read the legalese cos there is currently a trade import ban on the russian and norinco SKS to the US so therefore the related parts also (ban since 1994).
IIRC, shipping of trigger and hammer (either one or both) are considered as "significant parts" which requires a import permit from the US before you can ship a russian or chinese SKS trigger group.
be careful, not worth the headache .
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Consider the legal implications (as per curtton's message) before rushing into troubles.
Beside, what do you try to achive? Do you think that would turn your SKS into a sub MOA target gun? If this is your goal, forget it. That guy is advertising to make some $$$.
The trigger group is of a very sound design, and it is well built; the sear/hammer have a neutral engagement and are safe the way they are. If you really want to tweak it, go to crappy tire and buy 600/800/1000 grit emery paper, get a piece of glass to use as a flat base and polish the surfaces, but that's all you should do.
Don't mess around with it or you may be sorry later.
I did mine and made it smoother but I am an Engineer, have access to proper machines and devices and over 20 years experience working with metal. Even though I wouldn't do other people's trigger groups because of the liability implied.
Well that was my point, I am not an engineer and I do not have access to expensive machinery. What I was asking is if anyone- i.e. a gunsmith- was already doing this and had some experience. Considering the number of SKS that have shown up in Canada I don't think it's a ridiculous question. Obviously I don't expect an SKS refurb to shoot sub MOA, but it's still nice to have a decent trigger with some care taken to sort out any defects or tolerances.
- Location
- In the Badlands of Alberta
Ahhhh..............curtton,You might want to check with Tom first,before you make such sweeping generalisations. He can repair/tune up triggers from Canada with out any problems. I just talked to him.
ask tom? so is he an expert in cross border trade and gun laws ? and im not saying he hasnt done some for canadians.
i asked members to read the legalese before taking any advise and decide for themselves.
i have no idea what you mean by "sweeping generalisations" , i gave two points , 1. trade ban on russian and norinco SKS and 2. import permit needed to send hammer and trigger to the US .
did you read the legalese on importing?
- Location
- In the Badlands of Alberta
I'd say the Man that has to deal with the US Government to keep his business open,would know what he can and can not do legally.
Yes,you made sweeping generalisations. The main point that you over looked is the fact that no merchandise is being sold. He does not deal in MDSE or Guns to Canada. It is only being repaired,then returned to the owner. Just like all the other things that are sent south daily for repairs. If he was selling you a replacement trigger group then it would be different.
