My SKS wants to disassemble itself!!!

[saands]

OK ... well not totally, but it does try to begin the field stripping process after each shot!

What it is: Yugo SKS (59/66) ... essentially in NIB condition with very few rounds through it (at least on my part there are less than 50 total). Grenade launcher removed from end of barrel to comply with regulations ... no other mods.

What it does: After firing one or two rounds in semi-auto mode, the lever that is used to release the gas tube assembly moves upward toward the released position. Gravity still holds the piston/tube in place, but after 3 or 4 rounds the gas tube is totally free to be field stripped!

What I've tried so far:
I thought that maybe the detent spring that holds the lever in place wasn't applying sufficient force, so I have pre-tentioned it a bit more, but it still happens.
I have looked at the gas piston for odd looking defects and didn't notice anything terribly different about the Yugo piston. I have a Romanian as well, and now that I'm writing this I think I should compare the two ... and if they are the same size maybe even see if I can swap gas system parts.

I've never seen anything like this and would love to hear if anyone has experienced this ... otherwise the rifle shoots well.

TIA,
Saands

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

i can tell you the gas tubes are different, the yugo is flared out on the muzzle end....

i can't tell you it's wanting to come unlocked, it should be a real pain just to get it locked down, and coming apart like that is unheard of.. i'd check that lever that locks down the gas tube, sounds like it's twisted or broken...

www.tapco.com for parts...

 

[Jim K]

Or the little hole is not deep enough.

Jim

 

[saands]

Well ... nothing is bent that I can tell and the hole looks fine ... At this point, the lever is so firmly in place that I have to use a small screw driver to help field strip at home, but firing a single round still releases it and starts the process in the field.


Any other ideas?

Saands

 

[DMK]

That is strange

If it's tight enough to require a tool to unlock, I don't see how vibration would be loosening it. I've got some that are very loose from wear and they don't unlock on their own. I wonder if the gas piston is somehow catching on it and rotating it when it cycles past?

Try this:

1) Remove the bolt and carrier.

2) Unlock the gas tube and remove.

3) Pull latch all the way foreward and catch the oprod as it shoots out towards the front sight under spring pressure.

4) Leave the oprod spring out and reassemble everything except for the bolt and carrier.

5) Hold your thumb over the chamber and shoot some compressed air down the muzzle.

6) Watch to see if anything is binding up in the gas system. Watch to see if the latch moves.

7) Report back here with result.

Good luck!

 

[saands]

DMK ... Thanks for the ideas. I'm on the road right now, but when I get a chance I will do this and report back.

Thanks again,
Saands