Yugo SKS won't cycle

[ShootingFool]

I recently purchased a surplus Yugo SKS, and just took it to the range for the first time this morning. It seems to be shooting straight enough,but the it will not cycle the rounds automatically. I have checked that the gas tube valve is down and to the right, and I have even flipped it back and forth a few times, but it still won't cycle.
Is my gas tube defective? Does it need a rebuild or replacement?

Also, the action will cycle smooth enough with no issues if its empty. But if I am trying to manually cycle it after firing a shot, then it is very difficult to break the bolt back. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Apple a Day]

Silly question but did you take off the gas tube, clean n' clear it, make sure the pushrod is free to move? If it's still gooped with cosmoline it make keep the rifle from cycling properly. I'd take it down again, reclean it, reassemble, and make sure that she's all aligned with the takedown latch in the right place.
Good luck with it! Hope she's back up and running soon

 

[greenlion]

Apple a day beat me to my best guess. Surplusrifle.com has detailed instructions for disassembly. If you have not taken the entire thing apart, including the bolt, and de-gunked, that is where I would start. I've seen the gas tubes packed solid with cosmo.

 

[Ditchtiger]

Is a like new gun or well used?
The gas tube tend to leak on guns that had corosive ammo run though them

 

[Victor1Echo]

Many Yugo's have gernade launchers. There is a gas valve that you turn off to launch gernades. If it was turned off (moved) the rifle will not cycle. If you turn it on the rifle should cycle fine.

 

[ShootingFool]

Its pretty well used, not like new. But I'm going to open it up again today and see what I can see. If its a leaky gas tube, would this be evident when firing?

 

[railroader]

Usually the problem if the rifle is clean and it doesn't cycle right it's a bad gas valve. If you have a leaky gas valve you can get new ones here. http://www.cncwarrior.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1 Mark

 

[rust collector]

Yes, it is normal that they lock up tight after firing, and it takes a substantial shove to unlock. I know this because once I reassembled my Norinco SKS without the tappet that resides in the sight block. Worked fine once it and the spring were put back in.

If you have the gas port cleanout tool or a bit of wire, confirm that the port is open. There should be some way to test the gas valve. Although I have no experience with them, I have read that failure is not terribly uncommon. Then check piston, tappet, spring and bolt carrier.

It's a pretty simple system, so I know you will isolate the problem quickly. It is frustrating all the same. I understand that virtually all GI ammo was corrosive, so good cleaning was and is important. Good luck.

 

[ShootingFool]

Okay, well, it doesn't look like its blocked at all. The gas valve is pretty black and corroded though. I ran a bit of wire through the port and didn't feel any restrictions or plugging at all.
I will try a new gas valve I reckon. Thanks for all the responses.

 

[Aunt Bee]

Also -check the head of the gas piston for corrosion around the top edge- I have one of my SKS's not cycling because of this! Al, Annapo0lis, Maryland ( 30 in snow)

 

[Mooseman]

before you buy a new gas valve at least try the paper clip trick. Take the gas tube off and look at the gas block. There's a groove in the part that sits in the tube. Take a piece of regular size paper clip and cut it into a ring that will fit that groove. Reassemble and try it out. Make sure the button is turned to the right.

 

[[Pb]]

Gas valve corrosion is common in SKS's that saw service in ComBloc countries- no chrome lining and corrosive primers.

 

[juk]

I went to the hardware store and bought some thing stainless steel wire and made a ring like Mooseman was describing. I tried everything short of a new gas block and that ring did the trick. It has been through several thousand rounds without a hitch.