SKS Gas piston question

[xd45gaper]

i just purchased a Norinco SKS today, I like to have a decent knowledge of how the weapon works so i found a manual online and took it apart, while i was cleaning up the gas tube the piston came out and was coated with grade4 preservative or grease i dont know which lol, should the gas piston be cleaned of all what im assuming is grade 4 and lightly oiled or should i be greasing the heck out of this thing so it gets a good seal?

ill post pics of it later just found out it was a PLA rifle from the markings. made in 1970 i beleve (not real sure)

 

[dfariswheel]

Like most auto and semi-auto weapons that have gas pistons, the piston should be run DRY.

Any lubricant or other liquid on the piston will be instantly carbonized into a black, sticky, tar-like substance that will cause failures to operate properly.
The super-heated gas coming out of the barrel is HOT to the point of being incandescent. No lubricant can withstand those kind of temperatures.

You can lightly lube the piston and gas system for storage purposes, but before firing you should clean the lube off.

 

[Omaney]

After I shoot my SKS, I use Carb Cleaner on the gas system then put it back together. Lube=bad. If ammo is corrosive, I use Windex first on all surfaces gasses may come in contact with.

 

[xd45gaper]

ahh good to know thanks alot, im not sure if this one has ever been shot with the amount of grade 4 in the piston, there was alot!! i cleaned most of it out but there was still some in there ive already put it back toghter but ill clean the rest out before i shoot it. i never knew that about gas pistons ive only had one gun with one and that was a mini14 that i never cleaned lol
here are a couple pics of the rifle

 

[yesit'sloaded]

Sounds like it was a little bit of cosmoline. Make sure SURE that you clean the firing pin channel out before you go to the range. This does not mean shoot some stuff into the firing pin hole. I mean you need to take the bolt apart and clean the channel out good. If you don't...well just check on threads like "sks slamfire". Here is a handy guide http://surplusrifle.com/sks/boltdisassemble/hs.asp when you are done the firing pin should rattle freely in the bolt. If you can't hear it rattle, something isn't right.

 

[kingpin008]

+1. Take the bolt apart and make SURE the firing pin channel is clear. You can clean it all you want, but there's gonna be some cosmoline left in there.