SKS Tapco Mag Installation Help

Ebola

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Figure I would post this here as this might get passed over in the gunsmithing forum.


Has anyone had any trouble installing the Tapco mag? I for the life of me cannot get the damn thing to lock in to place. It seems to get caught on something but i dont know what. I have a tapco stock on it so i know its not catching on the sides. Im using a 1950 tula. After a hour of screwing with it me and a buddy just gave up.:confused:

On a side note the trigger group is a absolute ##### to get into place as well. So much so it takes two people a hammer and a punch to get it in place. I think the two might be related to each other. Just my conclusion.

Any help would be greatly apreciated.:runaway:
 
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If you are having a problem with the trigger group which it sounds like you are, this has to be addressed first. I have never had any concerns with Tapo products as far as fitment concerns. When you are trying to install the trigger group is the hammer back and the safety on (forward position). Also the bolt has to back before you can install a Tapco mag.
 
Take the barreled action out of the stock and see how the mag goes into that notch under the barrel. Try to assemble mag and trigger group without the stock. The top of the mag may need to be fitted so the bolt will slide back and forth. The bolt on the SKS uses the mag lips as guides, that's why bolt must be back or out to install/uninstall mag.
If the mag doesn't lock in correctly I can see where the trigger group would not go easy. Hammer must be back and safety on for trigger group install/uninstall as mentioned before.
 
If you are having a problem with the trigger group which it sounds like you are, this has to be addressed first. I have never had any concerns with Tapo products as far as fitment concerns. When you are trying to install the trigger group is the hammer back and the safety on (forward position). Also the bolt has to back before you can install a Tapco mag.

Hammer is back and safety is on. Cant even get the mag in place when there is no bolt in the sks.
 
If you needed to use a hammer and punch to click the trigger assembly into place, you may have damaged something in the process already.

Pictures would help the experts here diagnose your problem.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlhQesE3NuI

Just watch this and do it exactly how he does it, its not too hard from the looks of things.


lol after watching that im now convinced my trigger group is damaged. Which is probaly why I cannot get the mag to fit in there.There is not 1 person strong enough that has tried it to put my trigger group in by themselves. The thing that boggles my mind is the internal magazine fits fine however the Tapco mag not even close. Rifle is tip top other then needing Hercules to put in or remove trigger group. Trigger group was super tight on he original wood stock as well so i know its not the tapco stock giving me problems.

Now i'm thinking its either the trigger group that is damaged or perhaps the piece that you push to release the group.

Is there anyone selling complete trigger groups for sks's or should I start looking on the EE?
 
I too have had this problem with the 1950 Tula fitting a Tapco mag on a synthetic stock. Fortunately, I have a later model SKS, (1954?), and the Tapco mags fits in nicely. I compared both of the magwells and it seemed that the early 1950 model has a smaller entry space than the later 1954 model. I believe that if you want to use the 5/20 Tapco mags, you should try and get a "later" issue Russian SKS.
 
I too have had this problem with the 1950 Tula fitting a Tapco mag on a synthetic stock. Fortunately, I have a later model SKS, (1954?), and the Tapco mags fits in nicely. I compared both of the magwells and it seemed that the early 1950 model has a smaller entry space than the later 1954 model. I believe that if you want to use the 5/20 Tapco mags, you should try and get a "later" issue Russian SKS.




Well that is a :kickInTheNuts: if that is true. Well im not picking up another sks to use this mag on. I never read anything on the internet or the tapco website indicating that a 1950 tula cant use this magazine. Might have to sell it on the EE then. f:P:2:
 
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I also installed a Tapco stock and mag.
I too, could not get the mag to click into the receiver, even when it was not in the stock. After a little head scratching and some searching around with a flashlight to see where the mag was encountering resistance, I found the problem.
The front/top edge of the mag would not fit into the receiver cut-out (clear as mud?). I used a small file to remove a tiny amount of material from the part of the mag that was interfering. (the two front corners)
My SKS is a 1951 Tula, btw.
P1000340.jpg
 
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I also installed a Tapco stock and mag.
I too, could not get the mag to click into the receiver, even when it was not in the stock. After a little head scratching and some searching around with a flashlight to see where the mag was encountering resistance, I found the problem.
The front/top edge of the mag would not fit into the receiver cut-out (clear as mud?). I used a small file to remove a tiny amount of material from the part of the mag that was interfering. (the two front corners)
My SKS is a 1951 Tula, btw.


Thank you tapedeck 74. I checked my tapco mag and sure enough on the spot you indicated there are marks on it from my attemp to use it. Now its time for me to file my mag down. :) I assume after fileing the mag is 100% functionable?
 
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I haven't shot the gun yet, but the bolt cycles freely, locks open on empty mag, etc..
I loaded a dummy cartridge and it cycled fine.
I'm not sure if it will load from clips without further modification. It seems like it will, but I only have one dummy, and I'm not in the habit of putting live rounds into guns in my house. :)
I'll be posting a thread on my Tapco stock bedding in a few minutes, take a look.
 
The problem I hear about the "spring pin" is misfires due to light strikes on surplus ammo.
Surplus Ammo=No spring.
Commercial Ammo= Spring.

Are you seeing pin strikes on unfired/chambered rounds on commercial or surplus?
 
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