SKS Safety

[neilselden]

Hi Everyone,
A couple of years ago, I became a big SKS fan. But then at the range...

I was taking the safety off, while wearing gloves. The glove's finger tip went inside the trigger guard, and BOOM! I accidentally fired a round. No harm done, the muzzle was pointed down-range, as it should be.

The experience made me rethink buying an SKS. I understand it was *MY* mistake. But I don't think I want to own a firearm where it is so easy to make that mistake.

As the story ends, a friend easily convinced me to go for an M14 instead.

Прощай скс! (translation: "Goodbye SKS!").

Cheers,
Neil

 

[Gnome75]

There is nothing wrong with the SKS safety. You are right in that it was your mistake. You can have the same dumba$$ mistake with the M14. Why are you even bothering with the safety on the range? Load it, shoot it, repeat.

The safety is there as a backup for when you are carrying it around or handing some one a loaded gun.

 

[Saleen84]

The M14 safety is also close to the trigger. You might want to reconsider if you have poor finger control.

 

[Bubba Yugga]

I always run my fingertip along the OUTSIDE of the trigger guard and release the safety with the side of my finger.
Never had a "mistake"...

 

[sigrunes]

Not saying this to be rude at all but with any firearm you have to watch what you’re doing and maintain proper control at all times. Don’t give up on the SKS , it’s a Russian/Canadian treasure !!!

 

[Victor Simon]

That just sounds like stupidity. If I remember correctly I use my thumb to disengage the safety.

 

[yomomma]

I had a bolt action rifle go off just over my head. Wasn't a SKS.

Yuou always have to be careful when putting your bugger hooks near the trigger. Especially if you have gloves on.

In my case I later found out that that individual was playing with his trigger while on the stand. As he was coming down the hill to get in the boat he took off the safety to clear the firearm...BOOM!!!!.

UPON further investigation some back yard bubba decided to work on the sear. Trigger released the sear but safety held the firing pin till it was released.

Never trust a safety. Best safety is between your ears.

Operator error...

 

[yomomma]

Another fishing expedition perhaps????

 

[Deathrawt]

I never use the safety on the sks
My trigger finger is the safety, it’s not in the trigger guard unless I’m ready to shoot

 

[Butcherbill]

OP take it for what it was, a learning experience to be more careful and aware of your trigger finger discipline when taking off the safety. Personally I use the safety on my guns but I do not rely on it, at the range I don’t use it for the most part. Load it and shoot it empty, if I have to put it down and go down range it gets cleared by me and set down action locked open.

Blaming the safety for operator error is like blaming the gun for a mass shooting, we all know how ridiculous that always sounds.

 

[neilselden]

Hi,
In all honestly, i can't really argue with the points you a ll have made here (except that no, I'm not on a fishing expedition).

I can only answer back with four comments:
1) I understand that "the safety" is one small part of overall firearms safety. Which is why the muzzle was (and always is at the range) pointed downrange.
2) The movement to disengage an M14 safety is forward. The SKS safety disengages in the same direction as the trigger is pulled.
3) Yes, it was my fault. Seeing how easy it was to make that mistake, I'll personally pass on that particular firearm.
4) I like the idea of disengaging SKS Safety with your thumb. I wish I had thought of that.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Rifle is fine Comrade.
Sounds like the SKS got rid of you.

 

[schwyl]

Wait why were you putting the safety on with a round chambered?

 

[Jmcc]

Is your SKS for sale ?

Asking for a comrade.....

 

[jmichelin84]

I have both the SKS and the M14 class rifles, I love them both, and have hunted with both, and I agree you must be careful taking the safety off the SKS with gloves.
I'm like a child, I have putter mitts on with a string attached to them thru my coat, and mechanics gloves inside them for shooting

 

[mattcwc]

Rifle is fine Comrade.
Sounds like the SKS got rid of you.

Lol.

 

[supernova]

You could just as easily mistakenly think the safety is on on your m14 and shove a gloved finger in the trigger guard and have an accidental discharge that way too. Lots of ways to almost kill somebody with negligence or carelessness. Using SKS' as lawn darts is dangerous too but if you pay attention and stand out of the way you're fine.

 

[Suther]

Rifle is fine Comrade.
Sounds like the SKS got rid of you.

I agree.

Nothing wrong with the sks. Thousands of rounds through two sks between me and a friend never had an issue with the safety.

As for accidentally firing a round... The sks has a heavy, gritty trigger with a long pull, I can't help but feel like you have to be pretty negligent to pull that by accident when releasing the safety, and I don't own any gloves that are stiff enough to do it without my finger also being on it...

 

[PinkyPlinker]

As for accidentally firing a round... The sks has a heavy, gritty trigger with a long pull, I can't help but feel like you have to be pretty negligent to pull that by accident when releasing the safety, and I don't own any gloves that are stiff enough to do it without my finger also being on it...

This right here. Unless you’ve bubba’d up your sear...

 

[yomomma]

I agree.

Nothing wrong with the sks. Thousands of rounds through two sks between me and a friend never had an issue with the safety.

As for accidentally firing a round... The sks has a heavy, gritty trigger with a long pull, I can't help but feel like you have to be pretty negligent to pull that by accident when releasing the safety, and I don't own any gloves that are stiff enough to do it without my finger also being on it...

To be fair it could have been a modded sear