Un-issued SKS Question

[ATBackPackin]

Hello

I just bought an un-issued Yugo SKS. I also bought a manual that actually has really clear instructions on disassembly and reassembly. Obviously it is covered in cosmoline and I am taking it apart to clean everything. My problem is that there are a few pins that the manual clearly point out to remove and they will not come out. The one pin in particular is the firing pin retainer pin that I need to remove to get the firing pin out along with the ejector and ejector spring. I want to get these completely clean because I have heard this is the number one reason for slam fires on these rifles. I am using a punch and mallet and cannot get these pins to budge. Does the cosmoline sometimes "lock" these pins up over time? Should I boil it together and then try? Should I use some lubricating spray?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Shawn

According to the manual you hit the pin from the left picture side and pull out the horseshoe shape piece from the right picture side.

 

[Murphy4570]

Your using a big enough hammer, right? Whack the hell out of it.

I'd use a brass punch too, so you don't mar anything.

 

[kis2]

"Should I use some lubricating spray?"

^^^Couldn't hurt anything to do this right?! Lube it up, maybe let it sit for a little bit to let that stuff soak in a bit.

But I do remember need to take a pretty good amount of hammer to mine.

 

[jawn]

If you shake the firing pin retainer, and you can hear the firing pin rattle back and forth, you should be fine, but yes, you need to whack it pretty hard.

 

[Dean1818]

Get the cosmoline out and boil it....... you will be good to go

Get the Murray's firing pin (35 bucks) well worth it


Also get the narrow front post also helps on sighting

Good luck...... a very fun gun to shoot

Expect 2-4 inch MOA (Dont believe the 1 inch MOA SKS folks....)

 

[wrench]

Bigger hammer, solid surface to whack on. Be brave.

 

[CLP]

So, the general consensus is to whack it hard...get to it.

 

[MrFox]

I used CLP on mine when I took it apart. Bigger hammer and a punch. I think you could find some more info on take down at a website dedicated to the surplus rifle (Hint: google surplus rifle). You'll know when it needs cleaned and why you need the Murray's firing pin when it does the slam dance.

Mine slammed during the slow fire portion of a CMP match. Good times.

 

[Screwball]

I sent mine to Murray. He will modify the bolt in addition to installing the pin.

 

[bigedp51]

Put a piece of 2x4 on the floor (concrete basement or garage floor) and rest the bolt on the 2x4, use a steel punch with a big heavy hammer and hit the punch.

A BIG hammer has mass and weight and when you hit the pin you will have mass in motion and the pin will move.

The fact of the matter is a hydraulic arbor press would push the pin out in seconds. If you think that the bolt pin is bad just try taking the trigger apart.

Newton's 3rd Law

"Every action has an equal and opposite reaction"

This ain't rocket science and if all else fails get a rocket propelled hammer.

 

[mdThanatos]

If you are whacking it with the opposite side flat on a solid surface it may be getting blocked. When I did it with mine I used a wood table top with the opposite side past the edge to make sure it could be moved. I'd spray some lubricant on the side you will be hitting and let it sit for a little while to see if it will soak in at all. Mine was covered in cosmoline but not that hard to remove.

 

[ATBackPackin]

Thanks for all of the replies. It sounds like the general consensus is to whack the hell out of it.

I just ordered a set of brass punches and they should be here in a few days. In the meantime I have it soaking in some oil. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again.
Shawn

 

[okiewita40]

When I first got my sks the firing pin was frozen forawrd. I took a hammer and a punch. Found a nice wide relief cut in the concrete on the front porch. Gave it a couple of good whacks and it pushed the pin right out. Just make sure you are driving it left to right to get it out.

 

[ATBackPackin]

Be sure to pay attention how the pin fits back in. It has to be turned just right or it will not go back in. The right side has the head on it and it has to be almost exact to go back in correctly.

The manual I got also pointed this out. So I took a picture of it to make sure there was no mistake when it came time for reassembly.

Thanks for the tip though.
Shawn

 

[ATBackPackin]

OK, here it is in November and I still can't get this firing pin retainer pin out.

Here is what I have done to try to remedy the situation:
1) I boiled it
2) Lubricated the hell out of it
3) Soaked for a couple of days in CLP
4) I cut a hole in a piece of wood so I could whack the hell out of it with a void underneath for the pin to fall
5) Used brass punch to prevent marring
6) Bent all my brass punches
7) Used steel punch and whacked the hell out of it
8) Used steel punch and whacked the hell out of it
9) Used steel punch and whacked the hell out of it

The result is I have ruined an expensive brass punch set and that thing hasn't budged!!!!!!!!!!!!

What else can I do without buying a new bolt???

I truly am at my wits end.

Please help. Pretty please!

Shawn

 

[Sky]

OK... first..... the slam fire reports are few and far between...Yes they can happen but during cleaning (as recommended already) if you shake the the bolt and the pin moves freely you are good to go. Lube as usual good to go. There are SKSs that have been shot for years and years with many 1000s of rounds that have never even replaced the ejector. They are well built and over designed for their intended function IMO.

 

[Jeff H]

I don't really have any advice other than to use a bigger hammer or maybe a press of some sort, but I have to ask why you are so concerned about taking it apart. Boiling it in water got rid of the cosmo and if you soaked it in CLP, you should be good to go.

Shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[JRadice45]

I used a 16 oz claw hammer and a steel punch that was slightly smaller in diameter compared to the pin, a few good whacks on a nylon bench block did the trick.

 

[esque]

The pin dia. is about .160", use a good quality 1/8"
pin punch (cut the shank length to 5/8") to prevent
bending. Use a hard wood such as oak with a 1/2"
hole, i used a socket. Place on a hard surface(concrete)
and with a couple whacks it will come out.

 

[gavelwacker]

Jeff H,
If you want, send the Da**ed thing to me and I'll get the sucker apart!
Signed: "A Redneck with a Plan"
David.

 

[nathan]

Get a candle and light up. Then let the flame melt the inside cosmos ! WIpe the soot from time to time. Thats the easiest. And dont whack the pin it will only damage it. Again, use a candle and flame to melt off the cosmos inside the firing pin channel. good luck.

Or better get it inside your outdoor gas grill and wrap in foil. Crank up the heat to 350 degrees and let it stay for a good 20 mins. That should do it. No whacking job needed. The cosmos will melt like butter and ooze out of the pin channel. Good luck.

 

[Murphy4570]

I have a cutting torch, a 20 ton shop press, and a Snap-On air hammer. I can take anything apart, come hell or high water.

Feel free to take a trip into South Jersey if you want to see how I'd get it out.

What size hammer are you using? Is it deadblow? Do you have a mini-Sledge?

 

[nathan]

THe only time i got mine out was with an Albanian SKS . It was soaked in nasty type of cosmos like dirt mud. I remember doing it to my Yugo but it was so hard to badge. I left it alone and did the outdoor grill method. NO problem after that...

 

[ATBackPackin]

I used a 16 oz claw hammer and a steel punch that was slightly smaller in diameter compared to the pin, a few good whacks on a nylon bench block did the trick.

This is exactly what I used and did last and still no luck.

 

[ATBackPackin]

I'll have to give that a try.