[Empyrean]

I purchased an unissued SKS from a gun show last year. I have yet to shoot it. I cleaned it all up and it looks fantastic. Do I need to get the headspace checked? Is there anything I should check myself?

Thanks,
AJ

[JesseL]

It's never a bad idea to check the headspace on a rifle, but for an SKS in good condition I wouldn't bother unless I had some reason to suspect it may have a problem (heavy wear, mismatched bolt, case separations, etc).

[Empyrean]

Thanks!

[JesseL]

You metioned that you thoroughly cleaned the rifle, but for anyone who doesn't know - You should make sure the rifle is completely cleaned of cosmoline, especially the firing pin channel (slamfires are bad). Other than that, have fun!

[mrmeval]

http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/index.asp

[Matt Dillon]

Let me reiterate that, from someone who has seen a slam fire - if your firing pin doesn't rattle freely in the firing pin channel, take it apart and figure out why not before you shoot it. It must be able to freely move back and forth.

[1911Tuner]

While the typical examples of the SKS carbines tended to have fairly generous headspace dimensions, none were so loose that they caused a problem...when they were new. Now that they've been in the loop for a while and any that you encounter have very likely seem quite a bit of use, verifying safe headspace is recommended...and that goes for any surplus military rifle. If you've never seen a high-pressure bottlenecked rifle cartridge blow a case head...trust me...it's somethin' that has to be seen to be believed. It's pretty hairy in a bolt-rifle. A self-shucker has the potential to be catastrophic.

As for slam-fires...I was on hand for it in a Garand once. It destroyed the receiver...the stock...and the op-rod. The shooter's right hand suffered minor damage, and his eyes were spared because of his high-quality shooting glasses..but an expensive rifle was trashed. As Matt cautioned...Make SURE that the firing pin moves freely...and make it a point to check whenever the rifle is cleaned and serviced.

[Empyrean]

It was unissued so it sounds like headspace should not be an issue. I will check the firing pin to ensure it moves freely. I imagine it will since I cleand and lubed everything but I will make sure since I can't be certain. Thanks for the advice!

[Firehand]

Free-floating firing pins like this are one place I like to use Eezox for lube on it and in the channel. It leaves a dry film of lube that doesn't gather dust or fouling as bad as some other stuff.