Shortening barrel on SKS

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MuzzleBlast

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Dec 24, 2002
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I'm thinking of cutting the barrel on my Chinese SKS to 16". I have owned this rifle since '93, so this is probably legal, right? I'm okay putting a folding stock on it as well, correct?
Anyway, my thinking is I could cut a shallow slot in the top of the gas block to mount a piece of flat steel, and apply enough silver solder to make sure it stays put. Then take it to the range, and file the front sight down until the rounds are hitting where they should. Anyone see any flaws in this line of reasoning?
 
Will there be enough barrel beyond the gas-tap to allow enough pressure to be bled off and cycle the action? I'm sure you're already aware of this but some shooters don't know there's a hole drilled into the side of the barrel. This is commonly reffered to as the "gas-tap" or "tap".

The second the bullet passes by the tap the gasses start pushing the piston rearward to cycle the bolt. If there's not enough barrel the gasses in the bore escape as the bullet exits the crown before the piston has received enough pressure to do it's job. I suppose one could also enlarge the gas tap hole if this problem occurs.

As an example, look at the placement of the gas-block on an AR15 Disipator barrel. Although the AR doesn't use the piston system of the SKS the same principle applies. I once read that around 4" of barrel is required past the tap for reliable functioning.

Others should correct me if I'm wrong. I'd just feel bad if MuzzleBlast's SKS turned into a manual bolt-action repeater. I thought I'd post this before he took the saw to it tonight.
 
If it helps you, my 16in. carbine measures exactly 12in. from chamber end to the forward end of the gas tube. The gas port will accept a .170 drill bit with just a wee bit of clearance.
 
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