Surplus SKS and metallurgy

easyrider604

easyrider604

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Gentlemen, I have the itch to buy another SKS from Lever Arms, just can't resist the $350 SKS/ammo package deal that's still on. Yeah I need another rifle like a hole in the head but it is not about need, as y'all know.

So I have some questions, with a long-winded preface.

I have read somewhere that iron or steel will eventually revert back to its original form, which is iron oxide/rust. So we prevent or slow down this natural process by blueing, plating, painting or other coating process.

I also learned a long time ago, and I may remember correctly or wrongly, steel alloys whether in original or tempered state, are stonger than non-alloyed steels because of their molecular structure. Sooner or later, this molecular structure will deteriorate (I don't know the technical term) and the steel or steel alloy will return to its weak original state. Another reason I ask is that older or antique firearms should always be inspected by a qualified smith before being fired, to check for mechanical integrity; so age matters.

So my question is, is this theory correct?

And if so, how long before the steel of an SKS built in the 1950s deteriorates (if it in fact will deteriorate in the molecular level), before it gets so bad the rifle cannot be shot at all. (in approximate number of years)

Should I even be concerned about this phenomenon, if real?

Thanks
 
LOL the metal will be pass its exp. date when we are inslaved by the robots lol

People still fire old enfields and winchesters
 
I'm guessing you've never seen those youtube videos of the guys digging mg42 assembilies out of swamps and banging them against trees to clean the mud off? Nothing happened to those, i'm pretty sure a gun in grease in a warehouse for 50 years will be fine.
 
I agree that in my lifetime, the steel will not deteriorate.

I'm talking about 100 years or more down the road, will it be safe for my great-great-great-great granchildren to shoot my SKSs?
 
easyrider604 said:
I agree that in my lifetime, the steel will not deteriorate.

I'm talking about 100 years or more down the road, will it be safe for my great-great-great-great granchildren to shoot my SKSs?
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Your family likes 'em young? Yup shotgun weddings by SKS in 100 years sound practical.

Edit:
The Eiffel Tower is over 100 years old, still lookin' good.
 
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easyrider604 said:
Gentlemen, I have the itch to buy another SKS from Lever Arms, just can't resist the $350 SKS/ammo package deal that's still on. Yeah I need another rifle like a hole in the head but it is not about need, as y'all know.

So I have some questions, with a long-winded preface.

I have read somewhere that iron or steel will eventually revert back to its original form, which is iron oxide/rust. So we prevent or slow down this natural process by blueing, plating, painting or other coating process.

I also learned a long time ago, and I may remember correctly or wrongly, steel alloys whether in original or tempered state, are stonger than non-alloyed steels because of their molecular structure. Sooner or later, this molecular structure will deteriorate (I don't know the technical term) and the steel or steel alloy will return to its weak original state. Another reason I ask is that older or antique firearms should always be inspected by a qualified smith before being fired, to check for mechanical integrity; so age matters.

So my question is, is this theory correct?

And if so, how long before the steel of an SKS built in the 1950s deteriorates (if it in fact will deteriorate in the molecular level), before it gets so bad the rifle cannot be shot at all. (in approximate number of years)

Should I even be concerned about this phenomenon, if real?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Steel will oxidate, but a well preserved steel piece wil never be deteriorated just by ''aging''. A lot of parameters can deteriorate it, like temperature and oxygen, but time alone won't change a thing.

Steel, by nature, is an alloy of iron and carbon. Steel alloyed with other elements such as chrome, molybdenum, silicon etc etc... Won't necessarily be stronger than simple, carbon steel. Characteristics will be changed, but it's all a matter of comprimise.

Ex1: ''Stainless'' steel is a steel alloyed with at least 13% Chromium(if I remember correctly). It isn't ''stronger'' than carbon steel, but the advantages over it in some applications are obvious.

Ex2: Some steels are alloyed with sulfur. Sulfur is essentially a contaminant in steel, weakening it. But sometimes it reduces production cost, since a weaker steel is easier on the machinery.

Well preserved stainless steel, carbon steel, O1, A2 etc etc. will retain their molecular structure as long as they are well preserved.
 
:agree: with all theses responses.
These rifles will out live us and our children if properly taken care of. Last October I took a sibe by side shotgun to the range and blew 4 boxes of 00 buck threw it andit worked like a charm. This SxS was made in the late 1800's. Just clean properly and get ready for our next gong shoot easyrider604! Cuz spring is right around the conner.
;)
 
Do not get painted one, most of the time there is rust underneath that paint. This is how it was explaint to me by Russian specialist who worked with SKS all his life. If there any rust coming up on SKS they would paint it to preserve it. As to aging and all that. Those rifles if properly stored are as good as one which were just made. Military warehouses have bunkers which are climate controlled. Also the rifles that I imported were diged up every 2-3 years and were inspected for any damage or cracks. Then were greased and put back in the banker. Those had to be ready for war at any point and this is why those were looked after. I don't know where you heard this theory about Surplus rifles. I think you should send it to myth buster
 
westrifle_sks said:
Do not get painted one, most of the time there is rust underneath that paint. This is how it was explaint to me by Russian specialist who worked with SKS all his life. If there any rust coming up on SKS they would paint it to preserve it. As to aging and all that. Those rifles if properly stored are as good as one which were just made. Military warehouses have bunkers which are climate controlled. Also the rifles that I imported were diged up every 2-3 years and were inspected for any damage or cracks. Then were greased and put back in the banker. Those had to be ready for war at any point and this is why those were looked after. I don't know where you heard this theory about Surplus rifles. I think you should send it to myth buster
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There shouldn't be rust under the paint. There may have been some rust at some point, but during refurbishment it would have been removed. Some old pitting is evident on my painted (refurbished) SKS receiver.
 
arachn'auquébec said:
Steel will oxidate, but a well preserved steel piece wil never be deteriorated just by ''aging''. A lot of parameters can deteriorate it, like temperature and oxygen, but time alone won't change a thing.

Steel, by nature, is an alloy of iron and carbon. Steel alloyed with other elements such as chrome, molybdenum, silicon etc etc... Won't necessarily be stronger than simple, carbon steel. Characteristics will be changed, but it's all a matter of comprimise.

Ex1: ''Stainless'' steel is a steel alloyed with at least 13% Chromium(if I remember correctly). It isn't ''stronger'' than carbon steel, but the advantages over it in some applications are obvious.

Ex2: Some steels are alloyed with sulfur. Sulfur is essentially a contaminant in steel, weakening it. But sometimes it reduces production cost, since a weaker steel is easier on the machinery.

Well preserved stainless steel, carbon steel, O1, A2 etc etc. will retain their molecular structure as long as they are well preserved.
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I agree with you all,way way in the future,I think the aliens will find sks', pick em up,load em with zombie s#$t and fire away......Oh we really need spell check on here,,,no names,,,,, lol!!!!
 
diemaco said:
There shouldn't be rust under the paint. There may have been some rust at some point, but during refurbishment it would have been removed. Some old pitting is evident on my painted (refurbished) SKS receiver.
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Shouldn't you say. Why was it painted in the first case. There is a reason why it is cheaper to buy painted one. Ask yourself if it was stored properly why would it rust???
 
diemaco said:
There shouldn't be rust under the paint. There may have been some rust at some point, but during refurbishment it would have been removed. Some old pitting is evident on my painted (refurbished) SKS receiver.
Click to expand...

i bought a russian sks from someone who tried to remove all the black paint but gave up, i can see tiny rust on the surface, the rust didnt come from the moist air cos he lived in a semi desert. it was summer time.
 
Im sure some of the Japanese or Scottish swords built in the 16th century will still take off a head or two. Guns built in the 20th century are hopefully made from better steel.
 
I can see them painting over rust during the refurb "think of it" Hey Pte. Surgey paint these 5000 SKS by fri or no weekend for you. Just because it was done by the military does not mean its quality "trust me I know first hand ;) lol
 
Curtton said:
i bought a russian sks from someone who tried to remove all the black paint but gave up, i can see tiny rust on the surface, the rust didnt come from the moist air cos he lived in a semi desert. it was summer time.
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well he didnt try very hard i got it off with WD40 and 00 steel wool
 
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