Yugo SKS purchase. Now what?

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plevniak

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I know this should be a solid gun but what should I look for when cleaning it? Meaning, what should I do to make sure it is properly functioning? Also, what can I do to get the most out of this puppy?

I already have all the info from surplusrifle.com and I've already done full disassembly and cleaning of other surplus rifles. I'm new to the SKS though.

It's a Yugo M59/66 with the funky grenade launcher.

Thanks.
 
I've heard many people caution that the firing pin must move freely in the bolt to prevent slamfire. You might need to disassemble the bolt to clean it, or it might come clean if you just soak it in mineral spirits.

Other than that, just make sure you get all the cosmoline out, and then oil the metal like you would any gun. BTW there's a "cleaning the SKS" tutorial on surplusrifle.com, including step-by-step pictures and a video -- I assume you've seen that already. I don't think you need to know anything other than that. If you rinse any of the metal surfaces with water during cleaning, be sure to dry them off immediately and coat with oil. Oxidation can start very fast...but you probably already knew that.

After your rifle is cleaned and ready to use, you might find that you want to improve the sight picture. A lot of people recommend http://www.tech-sights.com.
 
I Love my Yugo!

definetly clean all the packing grease away from the firing pin! I popped my first pin in under 200 rds from build up.


Im understanding the chambers are not chrome lined, so just be shure to clean her after a good shooting.


Oh and the folding poly stocks dont fit the Yugo... Im still trying to find a stock that sits the Yugo......


ip9
 
Firing pin

That firing pin tip is EXACTLY the information I wanted to here. More nuggets of wisdom are welcome. :)

I'm a big fan of reconditioning the original wood stocks, so the accessory stock options aren't a big deal. Good to know though. I might go with a peep sight though. The Mojo sight on my AK works really well. I will see how I manage with the blade first. Intersting option on the tech-sight though.
 
a lot of Yugos have the flip up night sights.. mine did. front and back

I also painted the rim of the sheild around the front sight, the edge facing the shooter, with a bright orange. Big Ol orange circle, nice n fast acquisition... tip off the blade white..

Id only replace this home-custom job with something night sight....

ip9
 
Next purchase

Plevniak--Now you want to purchase a set of 7.62x39 reloading dies, some nice Win brass, CCI #39 primers (the mil-spec ones that are less prone to be slam-fired) AA 1680, the RIGHT diameter bullets (slug yr bore), and get to making some decent ammo for the thing.

Lapua also makes 7.62x39 brass, but IMHO, that would be like feeding caviar to yr Labrador retriever--Sure, he'll eat it, but will he appreciate it??

Remember, too, that Rem brass for this cartridge uses SMALL RIFLE primers, so you have to segregate that. I've also found EDP brass (whatever that is) that uses the small primers. No biggie, except that you separate that brass out, prime it separately, and develop a safe load separately for that brass.

Bore diameter varies in these guns, so you need to check yours. The nominal diameter is .311". The nominal dimensions of a 2x4 are 2"x4". Have you measured one of those lately. Using the correct bullets will make yr SKS so happy...

If you insist on shooting that milsurp ammo, you'll never have the satisfaction of knowing just how accurate yr SKS can be. Besides, ammo you construct yrself, you KNOW isn't corrosive.

Enjoy. I recently took home a 59/66 myself. Her name is Comrade Princess Anastasia. I think she can hold under 2 moa.
 
i sent my bolt to Murray's in Bowie Texas for the return spring mod. Well worth the 40 bucks and it eliminates the possibility of slamfire. Ben is a great guy. :)
 
I would also recommend the Tech Sights if you have any trouble with your iron sights. Mine were canted over pretty good and even with full adjustment, I was still shooting a couple feet to the right at 100 yards. I installed the Tech Sights and that gave me the additional rear windage adjustment I needed to line it up.

The Tech Sights require you to remove the take down pin and uses its own replacemnet pin the mount the sight. They work well and give you a Garand style sight picture. Mine is still a little awkward as the front sight is adjusted over a little and is not lined up between the ears. The Tech Sight is solid though. Oh, and I had to file a little wood out of the way, but just a little.

I was unable to disassemble the bolt on mine. I soaked the bolt in mineral spirits and that drew out the remaining cosmoline. Gun scrubber sprays didn't cut it. The pin was free floating with the mineral spirits. It is a little rougher since I have shot it some.
 
The upgrades I'd recommend for a Yugo are:

- Murray's springed firing pin

- Tech Sights rear aperture sight

- Fiber-optic front sight

Not too expensive upgrades which improve the safety and shootability of the rifle. A highly recommended upgrade (which I haven't performed yet) is:

- Kivarri trigger job
 
If you can't get the bolt apart (I haven't been able to in 3 tries), you can boil it on the stove for a few minutes. It's faster and less messy than the oven, and the water evaporates immediately when you pull the bolt out of the pot. I'd recommend buying a cheap pot at Dollar General to do this with, the wife doesn't appreciate cosmoline in her cookware. She's just too health conscious. :neener:

S/F

Farnham
 
Brake cleaner for all the disassembled parts... and I did not want to experience slam-fire, so I removed the firing pin- an easy job- you just tap out a D-shaped pin that holds it and the extractor. I think surplusrifle.com had the instructions.

Have done this to two- both Yugo 59/66's had plenty of cosmoline in the firing pin channel. Didn't realize the pin could break if this isn't done, interesting...

Cleaning the 'line out of every nook and cranny makes you appreciate the design, as you'll have plenty of time- it takes a few hours. Brake cleaner and the Gunk engine cleaner. Then Ballistol... that stuff's great.
 
Thanks

I appreciate all the advice. I plan to disasemble everything including the bolt rather than baking or boiling. I'm fond of using brake cleaner as it will held prep the metal surafaces for blueing (after I test it first). I like to know that all the parts are present and unbroken especially in the bolt. Also, it just seems a little cruel to do the cooking process. :)

The only part I can't disassemble is the gas tube and the top wood stock. I've tried punching the pin that holds it together but because it isn't really designed to be removed, it is resisting my feeble attempts with only a punch and hammer. I think I need to hand this over to a real gunsmith or someone with a press.

I heard that it should be punched in only one direction and I read another report that said it is sort of flanged on both ends for a more permanent bond and it didn't matter which direction. Anyway, I'm going to have a "professional" take a stab at it so I don't crack the wood.

I've been saving 30-06 brass for a while and still keep buying the surplus for the Garand. I doubt, I'll pick up reloading for the SKS any time soon. :) Though, I'll probably be won over for the accuracy benefits for both someday.

Thanks,
Me
 
second murray's

murray is a real stand up guy
$40 is a lot for a $170 gun, but consider this:

when a primer exploded in my gun (using wolf hp), my fp's spring and the extractor spring were both MELTED.

murray fixed it, cleaned it, and returned it FREE. after examination, he told me that he felt that the fp had not be QUITE rounded enough, and may have contributed to the pierced primer. he could have told me that it was the ammo's fault, and i never would have been able to argue much otherwise.

he even offered to pay for shipping, but i refused.
 
Don't forget the intermediate piston rod

Once you remove the gas tube and piston you continue to rotate the locking lever and a smaller spring loaded piston will pop out. I don't know how they get the cosmoline into all these areas but they do and this area will be filled solid as well. I think surpluse rifle shows this procedure. It was not something that you find easily with out seeing the takedown video.
 
Why, becuase it's there. :)

I want to remove the stock from the gas tube so I can recondition the stock.

Thanks for the additional tip on the lever.
 
Just throw the whole gas tube assembly (with the wood still on it) in the dishwasher when you clean the stock.
 
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