SKS cleaning?

[hansolo]

I usually clean my handguns after each session. That said, I have a question regarding the cleaning of a Chinese SKS: the fellow I bought it from was the original owner. He said he only put about 100 rounds through it. It looked like NIB and shoots great. Here's my Question: This is my first centerfire rifle and I want to treat it well....I've talked to guys who say they NEVER clean their SKS and never have a problem....this strikes me as a little hard to believe.

P.S.
I can't read Chinese, but there is a triangle on the barrel with Chinese characters inside...I was told this is a Chi-com or a Norinco. Anyone know which? Thanks!

 

[eatatjoes]

look here http://www.simonov.net/uberfaq.htm

and here http://www.surplusrifle.com/articlesNew.asp?ReviewType=SKS+Carbine&B1=Display+Category

 

[Destructo6]

I always clean my SKS, AK, whatever every time. There's just something wrong about a dirty rifle.

 

[dave3006]

Clean it every time. Putting away a dirty rifle is wrong. It is more about you and your self discipline that the condition of the rifle.

 

[Richardson]

hansolo,

If this rifle is just for grins (i.e. "a man's toy"), then you can afford to let it go uncleaned sometimes. Being an SKS it'll almost certainly go "bang" the next time you need it.

But if this rifle may be needed for serious duty, on short notice, then clean it every time you take it out. If you're going to be shooting the next day, you don't have to be so meticulous.

Richardson

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I clean the bore after shooting. What does it take, 10 seconds to pull the bolt carrier, a minute to push a couple of patches through the breech, a moment to shake the bolt to see that the firing pin is free, and half minute to put it back together.

Maybe once a year I clean it good, spray everything with brake cleaner, scrape carbon off the piston, grease the bolt carrier, oil the trigger group.

Regards.

 

[hansolo]

Thanks for info

I have been cleaning the bore with a boresnake (with MPro7)and generally wiping the chamber....didn't know about the "Firing pin shake" and I'll add it to the regular maintenance. It's been 100% reliable.

RE: "...for grins": as I've only had it for a short time, I consider myself much more adept with handguns for HD, but could see this as a fine combat weapon. Thought I was going to stick with handguns exclusively, but, as you all know better than I, long guns are BITCHEN!

 

[cool45auto]

Cleaning an SKS?!?! Blasphemy!

 

[Norton]

I just went through the first cleaning on my new Yugo SKS....let's just say that cosmoline is a great protectant but it sure is hard to make go away.

A word of caution: It appears that the break cleaner may have taken some of the blueing off of my rifle....your mileage may vary.....

 

[DMK]

Why ruin a perfectly good rifle?

Is the SKS a tough and reliable weapon that may work fine after grit and garbage build up in the action? Yes.

Is it wise to compromise a working weapon by not cleaning and maintaining it properly? IMO, no.

I have a tough old Jeep that would probably run fine if I never changed the oil. However, I'm not going to test that theory by being too darn lazy to maintain my equipment.

Also keep in mind that the Norinco SKS can no longer be imported due to embargo. Please don't wear out the ones we have in country with unnecessary abuse.

BTW: don't forget to clean out the gas cylinder once in a while. The barrel and piston are chromed. The inside of the gas tube is not. Rust will form inside the gas tube if it is not properly maintained.

 

[cwalker3]

Hansolo, the reason for the 'firing pin shake' is that if the pin gets hung up in the bolt, it could cause a slamfire or the rifle to go cyclic. It's very important, especially on a newly acquired rifle covered in cosmosline, to completely break down the bolt and clean off any gunk from the firing pin and the bolt. After reassembly, when you shake the bolt back and forth, the firing pin should move freely.

As far as cleaning after shooting, I agree with the majority here that a dirty rifle should be cleaned. But the SKS is a very reliable rifle and unless you were shooting corrosive ammo, it could probably go a few thousand rounds without cleaning and still function. Not that I would neglect mine that long, but I have to admit that I'm not as diligent about cleaning my SKS's and AK's as I am with my AR's.

 

[makarov]

I usually just run a bore snake through it with a little CLP or Hoppes on the brush part. If I shot a lot of rounds through it I will remove the bolt and hose it out with carb cleaner or brake cleaner and then shoot some CLP on it and put it back together. Clean the gas tube about once a year. I have 3 SKS's though and they really don't get that many rounds through them. As always YMMV.