sks - sticking piston

[mullet maniac]

hi there.

took my sks apart and cleaned 'er all up.

when putting it back together i noticed that when i put the piston back into the gas cylinder and tilt the whole thing, the piston actually sticks when the head strikes the retaining rim inside.

as in, when i tilt it the other way, the piston stays stuck, and won't separate unless i give it a good smack.

is that normal? should the piston travel freely in both directions?

i did clean the bejeezus out of the gas tube, so not sure how the piston head is actually able to find something to stick to.

 

[jt_trouble]

takes large bore brush and give the tube a good cleaning. there could be a build up of rust further down the tube.

Although, my "new" one will stick as well, but not to the point where I have to smack the piston to get it out, just a tap.

 

[PerversPépère]

There's an abutment shoulder down the tube; this to avoid bad things if the shooter forgets to put his secondary actuator and spring in its recess back inside the rear sight base after cleaning and greasing said part.
If the piston head sticks a little bit when it gets there, that's not a problem.
Maybe clean just a little more but don't overdo it.
IF your piston rod was slightly bent, then you should replace it; otherwise, it's OK.
PP.

 

[svt1940]

hi there.

took my sks apart and cleaned 'er all up.

when putting it back together i noticed that when i put the piston back into the gas cylinder and tilt the whole thing, the piston actually sticks when the head strikes the retaining rim inside.

as in, when i tilt it the other way, the piston stays stuck, and won't separate unless i give it a good smack.

is that normal? should the piston travel freely in both directions?

i did clean the bejeezus out of the gas tube, so not sure how the piston head is actually able to find something to stick to.

Perfectly normal

 

[mullet maniac]

right on, thanks guys