Newbie SKS Questions

[Norton]

Started the process of stripping the cosmoline out of the new SKS last night. After going thorugh a prodigious amount of paint thinner, it looks relatively clean.

A couple of questions, as this is my first rifle much less first SKS:

1. How clean is clean? I have no visible cosmoline on the action and have wiped the whole rifle down with CLP and then in turn wiped that off. I have to go back and do the bore tonight. It seems as if the firing pin is moving freely....I can push it back and forth and it seems to move with minimal effort.


2. Stupid newbie question: I lifted the grenade site up to clean it.....how in the heck do I put it down?

 

[DMK]

1) The firing pin should rattle freely when shaping the bolt back and forth. It should require no effort. If you don't want to knock out the pin and remove the FP to clean it, then immerse it in a jar of mineral sprits and let it soak a bit. Warming it in an oven before hand will help also. Compressed air will also help to blow out any remaining cosmo.

Also don't forget to clean the inside of the gas tube and the op rod located under the rear sight.

2) Just slap it back down. They are tight, but there is no lock to release. Make sure the gas valve is in the up position, then move it back down when the grenade sight is retracted.

 

[Norton]

Ah, so it sounds like I have some work to do afterall on the firing pin....must be some of that pesky cosmo lurking in there.

I suspected as much on the sight....I just didn't want to push to hard if there was some lock that I wasn't aware of.

Thanks!

 

[No4Mk1]

I suggest stripping the bolt all the way down if you can, but if not as DMK suggested, soaking it in mineral spirits, kerosene, or some such should do the trick. I suggest getting a bucket and soaking everything small enough to fit in there for at least a day, then used compressed air to blow it out. The cans of air that you can get at office supply stores work reasonably well if you don't have access to a compressor. Finally, coat it all liberally with CLP.


www.surplusrifle.com has a fantastic video and lots of other good resources on stripping and cleaning the SKS.

 

[Norton]

No4Mk1,

I did soak all of the minor parts in a small bucket as you suggested, but I suspect that I didn't leave the bolt in long enough as I noticed some brown goo still seeping out of it.

I figured on having to clean the whole thing twice so I'll go back and give it one more going over tonight.

By coincidence, I just bought a finish nailer and compressor so all I have to do is to get the precision air nozzle for it.

I'm going to check out the video tonight!

 

[iamkris]

I used gun scrubber down the firing pin hole (LOTS) to blast all that cosmo out of there (followed up with some light oil). One thing to remember is that if you don't have a firing pin that rattles around freely, you are setting yourself up for slam fires.

Also, as clean as you might think it is, it will leak cosmo from cracks and crevices any time the gun gets warm from sun exposure or firing.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Gun Scrubber can be a little expensive. A spray can of brake cleaner from Walmart will get that bolt clean. It will remove all grease and oil, so you'll have to re-lube.

I'd also blast the trigger group with the brake cleaner, get that cleaned up.

Regards.

 

[No4Mk1]

I'll second what Sleeping Dog said about brake cleaner. You can get several cans of the generic stuff cheap at any parts house, and it works wonders. Just keep it away from plastic and finished wood as it will destroy both quickly. It is also good stuff for doing a good deep cleaning after a long range session, or if you have let a gun sit up dirty. Just be sure to lube very well after as it dries the metal completely.

By the way, it is also a great stain remover of last resort on carpets, apolstry, etc....

 

[.45&TKD]

Are " Mineral Spirits" the same as paint thinner?

 

[Norton]

Hmm....so, since the break cleaner is damaging to the wood, should I avoid using it on the barrel, etc since it's still connected tot he stock or should I just disassemble the rifle further. My little books that I have recommend against any further disassembly but I'd be will to try it.

.45&TKD...most paint thinner is mineral spirits. Some have other additives.

 

[No4Mk1]

Brake cleaner won't damage the wood, but it will strip any finish off. In fact, I sometimes use it to degrease wood that I am planning to refinish. If you are referring to the hand guard on the gas tube, I would not remove this, but clean around it. As for the rest of it, definitely remove the receiver/barrel from the stock to clean it thoroughly.

 

[Destructo6]

You should fully disassemble the rifle to clean it.

Once you get the trigger group off, the barreled action should just fall out of the stock.

 

[Norton]

I'll have to take another look at that barrel assembly tonight.

If memory serves me right, it was held on there with a band of metal....perhaps it just slides off to the front?

 

[DMK]

No, as destructo said, the trigger group hold it all together. Remove the reciever cover, bolt and carrier. Locate the latch right behind the trigger guard. Open the magazine and put it on safe (othewise it won't unlock). Use the point of a phillips screwdriver to push the latch forward. The trigger group should pop up. Tilt it forward and remove. Now remove the magazine assembly by tilting the base forward and lifting out. Remove the stock by pulling the action and stock apart at the rear.

The pictures at Surplus rifle will show you.

 

[Norton]

Sounds good all.

We just got the announcement that we are cancelling school for the next two days due to the hurricane. Means I can get some "quality time" in with the SKS, providing that the power doesn't go out.

 

[No4Mk1]

Hey, even if you do lose power you can keep working! Just don't get any open flames near that bucket of kerosene or can of brake cleaner!

 

[Ian Sean]

Norton, you definately want to get that stock off for a good cleaning. I helped out my buddy with his SKS and under the stock was packed with cosmoline!

 

[Norton]

Just got back from BassPro with a bench vise to hold things steady and went over to Wal Mart for some brake cleaner.

At least I'll have something to keep me busy for the next couple of days!

 

[iamkris]

Go here for an excellent step by step (with pictures!) directions on show to fully disassemble the SKS. Lots of other good info here too (like how to lighten the trigger pull)

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