SKS "Sparks"

[skrid]

Hey guys someone was telling me recently that the range he goes to doesn't allow SKS to be fired in the summer because they "spark." Not sure exactly what that means. Was wondering if any of you have heard similar stories.
Thanks
T

 

[supernova]

Steel jacketed bullets come apart with a lot of force when they hit something solid and throw sparks everywhere. Its fun in low light at a gravel pit!

 

[bfiles]

Hey guys someone was telling me recently that the range he goes to doesn't allow SKS to be fired in the summer because they "spark." Not sure exactly what that means. Was wondering if any of you have heard similar stories.
Thanks
T

He must have meant the ammo being used in the sks cuz you can shoot premo ammo thru it aswell. Same thing would go for any rifle that can shoot milsurp ammo.

 

[Andurp]

Going to echo everyone else and say he likely meant steel core ammo. It can create sparks if it hits anything very solid, which in a warm, dry summer can cause things to catch on fire. Unlikely, but it can and has happened.

If I were you, I'd talk to him about clarifying his statement, and if he meant what we think, tell him to see if he could use soft-points or something. Just banning the use of the rifle because some of the ammo it uses can cause sparks is rather overreaching.

 

[Dyspnea]

Never seen sparks out of my sks's, my tt33 on the other hands, it like shooting sparklers sometimes.

 

[LordEvilPepper]

using chinese ammo I have seen sparks coming out of the barrel.... steel on steel.... 1 case and the last 5 inches of my barrel (non chrome lined russian) were smooth

 

[shredder]

Most surplus ammo for the SKS has a steel core, so if it hits a rock and the bullet jacket comes off, the steel core could cause sparks to be thrown off, which might ignite dry grasses.

 

[Magellann]

I never would have thought that, but it all makes sense.

 

[AK]

Some surplus ammo is a copper washed steel jacket. It sparks fairly well at low light from the muzzle.

 

[woobie]

Never seen sparks out of my sks's, my tt33 on the other hands, it like shooting sparklers sometimes.

Same here, haven't noticed it with the SKS but the TT-33 shots some decent sparks out of the barrel using surplus ammo.

 

[skrid]

Thanks for the clarification everyone.

 

[kennymo]

Noticed a few errant sparks from mine the last time I fired in low light. It was at the muzzle from Russian hunting ammo though. Seems like more of an ammo issue than a particular firearm problem. On another note, I'm sure the fireball from my 257 Weatherby could start a grass fire if shot in the prone position in dry weather.

 

[enefgee]

Vic Fish and Game doesn't allow surplus 762x39 to be shot during the forest fire season, I don't think JDF does either - given that both are located in logging country, with rock faces for back stops, it's not a bad idea.

 

[Captain Paul]

using chinese ammo I have seen sparks coming out of the barrel.... steel on steel.... 1 case and the last 5 inches of my barrel (non chrome lined russian) were smooth

yea happens all the time with mine! but i mostly use it as a shovel.

But from what I can understand from the OP, he is talking about steel core ammo. I heard ranges ban them before, mine does not though. There are these certain rocks at a gravel pit that make some beautiful fireworks when they get hit! so much fun!