SKS slam fireing question

[thegazelle]

In my case, there was no substitute for removing the FP and cleaning it and the channel. I originally did everything but take it apart - left the bolt in the hot sun, put the bolt in boiling water, put the put in brake free cleaner overnight. Nothing got rid of the gunk, because it was caked on not only on the firing pin, but also in the firing pin channel. After taking out the retaining pin, the firing pin couldn't be even removed until I took pliers and pulled it out - it was so caked in this hardened molasses consistency that I needed pliers to remove it even after the retaining pin came out. After that I boiled all the parts and then ran a q-tip through the channel. Since then it has rattled freely and I have had zero problems, through the next 4000 rounds and counting.

If one can get the gunk out without taking the FP out, great. But honestly it's not that much more work to hammer out the retaining pin (which was also seized) and remove the FP and clean it and the channel out.

That gunk also subsequently caused my trigger to not reset after the first single shot. Same issue, it turns out, but in that case the sear was completely seized in its channel. Once I took it apart and gave it a nice cleaning, it's been working smooth as butter since.

 

[enefgee]

Be aware WD40 is NOT a cleaner, it wasn't designed to clean OR lubricate and it isn't a penetrating oil. It's sole purpose is to displace water. No water? No WD40!

 

[Boris Badinov]

After market spring on firing from USA , fixed forever

Slam fires can still happen with a spring loaded firing pin.

Corrosive salts from popped primers blow back into the fp channel and wreak havoc on the channel, the spring and the pin.

 

[VICIOUS]

Me too. Murray’s pin direct 52.50.

 

[Eugene L]

Yes , good for plug wires , the orig owner wassnt mechanical or shooter , more of the musician type

 

[MiG25]

Seen slamfires, the cause was a bur on the firing pin, the fix was a quick file and some emery cloth.

 

[FLYBYU44]

When you clean it, take the bolt and shake it. The firing pin should shake back and forth very easy. If not, you should clean the channel and pin well.

 

[CaribooBC]

I have Chinese SKS that would not slam fire, but the firing pin would not “rattle” when I shook the bolt. I stripped the bolt down many times during cleaning, even put the pin and bolt in an ultrasonic parts cleaner and could not get the happy rattle. It always concerned me that it would slam fire. Put about 2K surplus rounds through it like this and not one slam fire. Finally during one cleaning I put the pin down on a perfectly flat steel plate… I then noticed the pin was slightly bent as it rolled across the plate. Replaced the whole bolt assembly with a Russian bolt from Lever and all was well, nice loose firing pin rattle an no issues. Did I need to replace the bolt assembly…. After 2K rounds, probably not, but for peace of mind…YES. I plan on finding someone who can straighten the original firing pin.

 

[FatCatsDad]

It's an undocumented feature.

 

[thegazelle]

I have Chinese SKS that would not slam fire, but the firing pin would not “rattle” when I shook the bolt. I stripped the bolt down many times during cleaning, even put the pin and bolt in an ultrasonic parts cleaner and could not get the happy rattle. It always concerned me that it would slam fire. Put about 2K surplus rounds through it like this and not one slam fire. Finally during one cleaning I put the pin down on a perfectly flat steel plate… I then noticed the pin was slightly bent as it rolled across the plate. Replaced the whole bolt assembly with a Russian bolt from Lever and all was well, nice loose firing pin rattle an no issues. Did I need to replace the bolt assembly…. After 2K rounds, probably not, but for peace of mind…YES. I plan on finding someone who can straighten the original firing pin.

I read this post with great interest. I don't have a Chinese one but if it's like the Russian one the pin is fairly thick...so the fact that it's not perfectly straight is interesting...so it probably is moving in the channel but scraping mildly on the sidewalls causing some friction but not enough to get stuck. I suppose with some build up of grime or whatever, it would be very condusive to getting stuck eventually given the right conditions/elements/debris, etc. (or maybe not and the channel width expands ever so slightly over time with the rubbing of a not so straight FP). Glad you solved it though.