Bolt Action Yugo SKS or Boat Anchor?

[hatchetbearer]

I originally posted this in the rifle forum, but it keeps getting buried

I have this yugo SKS that will not cycle fresh from the cosmoline, cleaned everything off, spotless. scrubbed chamber with a .45 brush on a power drill for several minutes, replaced everything but the trigger assembly and stock on the receiver from another working SKS but mine still refuses to cycle.

Put about 30 rounds through it hand cycling cant find anywhere on the bolt that shows where it hits on something, and is very hard to hand cycle after firing. On its own the bolt will go back about a half inch, occasionally far enough for the extractor to work, but then catch the casing between the receiver and bolt.

im at a loss, as the gun is a shooter, i managed to cut down a 8" pine tree at 25 yds, so id like to have it to shoot with and not a parts gun

 

[flynlr]

have you moved the gas valve to the down position. cleaned both the operating rod and the gas piston? on my yugo the op rod was packed full of cosmoline.

 

[jlpskydive]

Sounds like you have a bad gas valve (common probelm with the Yugos) go here for the fix and other good SKS upgrades. http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm

 

[Seafarer12]

I agree check out your gas system.

 

[andyjason]

try here also.

http://www.cncwarrior.com/comersus/store/comersus_listItems.asp?idCategory=55

 

[hatchetbearer]

everything is spotless, soaked in degreaser and scrubbed with toothbrush. I took a gas valve, piston, Op. rod and spring from a functioning SKS and still get nothing. would a new valve do the trick?

 

[Caimlas]

Again, did you make sure the gas valve is in the "open" position (ie "down")? If it is in the "closed" position it will not cycle no matter how many things you do to it.

Only after you're sure you're not the problem, then start swapping parts.

I only ask because you didn't specify whether you'd verified that wasn't the problem.

 

[hatchetbearer]

yeah the gas valve is open in semi auto mode, ive owned another one a few years ago, so im familiar with their operation, so i dont believe its an operator issue. sorry for the confusion

 

[40mmHEDP]

I have fixed two of these.

The problem I have found is between the gas tube and the gas block. If it is corroded, worn or the gas tube is just too short the weapon will not cycle. A new gas tube like the ones from tapco (make sure you get a yugo tube, they are different) will fix the problem after you fit it to your rifle.

The cheapest way to fix it is form a little metal ring from some wire to fit inside the flange on the yugo tube and put the tube back in place. The amount of slop you have will determine the gauge of the wire. If the wire is too thick you won't get the tube back on. If you wanted to get fancy you could machine a little ring out of brass or something but it's not necessary.

This thing drove me crazy for two months before I figured out the problem on the first one. It was over two years ago and still runs great with the little piece of electric fence wire still in it.

 

[40mmHEDP]

FYI..

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=171213

 

[hatchetbearer]

why the hell couldnt i find this? i searched before i asked but no luck. thanks

 

[hatchetbearer]

made a ring out of 20ga copper wire and put it on, 10 rounds in 2 seconds thanks guys