SKS question.

[AlexI]

Hi all,

I'm considering buying an SKS, but have no experience with them at all. I did some pretty extensive reading on the net and was able to find pretty much all the info I wanted, except for one question.
Let's say I wanted to keep it loaded but with no round chambered. Is it possible to load the magazine (from a stripper clip or one by one), then push the top round down with your thumb and let the bolt ride forward over the top round? If it wouldn't work with full magazine, maybe with 9 rounds only?

I bet someone tried it already...

Alex.

 

[hksw]

Yes.

 

[AlexI]

Great, that was a fast reply! Would you mind elaborating a little - yes with a full magazine, or yes with 9 rounds?

Thanks.
Alex.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Or.....turn the rifle over---pop the latch on the mag-----drop em in----snap the mag shut-----easy.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I've never tried it, but I think you would be able to push 10 rds (assuming a fixed 10rd mag) down far enough to allow the bolt to close.

 

[joab]

I wanted to keep it loaded but with no round chambered. Is it possible to load the magazine (from a stripper clip or one by one), then push the top round down with your thumb and let the bolt ride forward over the top round? If it wouldn't work with full magazine, maybe with 9 rounds only?

Theres enough space left over after a full load to let the bolt slide over the last round. That's how I leave mine in the barn

 

[AlexI]

Thanks guys, this is nice to know! I'm thinking it would be best to keep it with loaded mag (maybe one or two rounds less, to save the spring), hammer down on empty chamber, safety off. Then, if I happen to need it, all I would have to do is just pull the bolt back and let go - very natural action.

Alex.

 

[No4Mk1]

As many others have said, that's how I keep mine too. I wouldn't worry, however, about going a round or two light in the mag. I doubt you could do any harm by keeping it full.

 

[MrMurphy]

Either that or just keep a stripper clip with the rifle for long term storage. The second or two to retract the bolt and slap the stripper clip in is negligible if you had time to get to a rifle in the first place.

I normally have a loaded .45 on me just about 24/7 so my rifles are unloaded... when I had an AK I had a 10shot mag full loaded all the time, and stripper clips ready to load my 30s. My Lee-Enfield uses stripper clips and they stay loaded forever so they are that way, but the rifle is empty.

 

[joab]

(maybe one or two rounds less, to save the spring),

The spring being compressed does not effect it. It's the spring compressing and uncompressing ( loading and unloading) that wears a spring out.
And even then the springs are built for combat guns you or I would probably never shoot an SKS enough to cause any significant wera of the easily and cheply replaceable spring

 

[9 m&m]

With my Russian SKS I had I could fit 11 rds in the mag. Then I could hold them down put one in the chamber and had a 12 shot SKS!! So yes there is plenty of room to put all 10 in. ( And maybe 11!)

 

[cool45auto]

That's exactly what I do with my SKS and AK but with 30 round mags.

 

[Doug S]

I have been wondering the same thing myself. I'm glad someone asked the question.

 

[cidirkona]

In my Chinese SKS, I can fit 11 and sitll close the bolt, although in my 8mm Czeck Mauser, which is a 5 round, I can't get it down anymore at ALL and 4 can only fit under the bolt.

-Colin