Crusty Chinese SKS - What To Look For

[Jlr2267]

Hope an SKS expert can offer me some advice here:

Just got an SKS that's a basket case. Upon disassembly, I found the gas piston stuck in the tube...took a hammer & punch to get out. Inside the tube is pretty bad. The bolt has some surface rust, but the fp and fp channel cleaned up ok and the fp moves freely. The bore is dark, but I don't see any pitting. I see strong rifling, but the crown shows some wear.

Not knowing much at all about the SKS, I'm mostly concerned with cleaning up the gas tube so it does not stick again. Assuming I can do that, and knowing the bolt/fp seem to be ok, is there anything else I need to be wary of? Not so much concerned with anything more than the safety aspect right now.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Gas tubes rust. Seems like no matter how well you clean and oil it, the corrosive ammo takes its toll. Usually the piston cleans well up due to its material.

Scrubbing with a 9mm brush (one you will probably throw away) and WD40 usually gets it clean and smooth enough for proper operation. Turning it around and running it in and out will tell you how well it is moving. It might not be the perfect by-the-book method, but it has kept mine running well. Just look down it afterwards and look for severe pitting that would significantly thin the metal.

Once gas pressure hits the piston, it is hard to keep it from moving. These old commbloc guns are hard to stop.

If all else fails, replacement tubes are out there.

 

[Jlr2267]

Thanks. Good to know there are spare tubes available. I might just get one rather than fight this one.

 

[Surly]

Shoot it first. If it short strokes or doesn't feed subsequent rounds, get a new tube and piston. Otherwise, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Jlr2267]

Shoot it first. If it short strokes or doesn't feed subsequent rounds, get a new tube and piston. Otherwise, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Yep, that's what I'm gonna do. Just wanted to make sure I was not overlooking something critical.

 

[morcey2]

The bore on it should be chrome-lined, so the odds of it being dark or frosted are pretty slim. I don't know if that extends to the chamber but it definitely doesn't include the gas tube.

Matt

 

[Mayvik]

Get some Kroil....if you have rust it will be your best friend and doesn't dry in a sticky film.