Yugo SKS bolt question

[Davy87]

This is my first SKS and actually first centerfire rifle. Picked it up from J&G sales. Cleaned it up. Had some issues with the casing getting stuck in the chamber. I was shooting Tula ammo. Think I got that fixed up.

My question is about the bolt. If the rifle is unloaded and I close the bolt after pushing the mag follower down, the bolt won't fully close(it's almost closed) with just recoil spring tension. I can give it a tap and it will close, or if I don't easily close it and let it slam forward it works fine. Is this normal or am I having an issue with my bolt? I can get some pictures tonight. I also noticed a little damage or more like a mark where the bolt hits the receiver when fully closed. It doesn't look like a big deal, but just not sure. Thanks for any info. And I'll get some pictures. You can kinda see the damage to receiver in the picture of the stuck casing I took.


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[Vacaville]

Sold my 59/66 a while back, but the bolt always closed completely on mine. Not normal.

Wait and maybe someone can give you some advice on how to fix it.

[kcheung2]

Sounds like you have a weak spring. First off, you shouldn't be slowly riding the bolt forward like that, let the spring slam the bolt forward. But if you did slowly let the bolt move forward, it would encounter a bit of resistance just before fully closing, and then the spring should have enough strength to push the bolt fully forward on its own. Since the bolt fully closes when allowed to slam forward, it's not critical to replace the spring but it's something you should consider.

If you're talking about that little divot at the 1 o'clock mark, I wouldn't worry about it. Combloc machining tolerances aren't the same as western tolerances.

The stuck chamber issue is likely from dried cosmoline stuck in the chamber. Get a chamber brush in there and scrub. A lot.

And the general advice for all new SKS users is to thoroughly clean the bolt, especially the firing pin channel. The firing pin should be able to move freely.

[Calico1404]

Happens to mine if I ride it home over the spring by depressing the mag spring with my thumb. I have never had an issue of out of battery when on the range though, however I am never riding the bolt home at the range.

[Davy87]

Sounds like you have a weak spring. First off, you shouldn't be slowly riding the bolt forward like that, let the spring slam the bolt forward. But if you did slowly let the bolt move forward, it would encounter a bit of resistance just before fully closing, and then the spring should have enough strength to push the bolt fully forward on its own. Since the bolt fully closes when allowed to slam forward, it's not critical to replace the spring but it's something you should consider.

If you're talking about that little divot at the 1 o'clock mark, I wouldn't worry about it. Combloc machining tolerances aren't the same as western tolerances.

The stuck chamber issue is likely from dried cosmoline stuck in the chamber. Get a chamber brush in there and scrub. A lot.

And the general advice for all new SKS users is to thoroughly clean the bolt, especially the firing pin channel. The firing pin should be able to move freely.

Thanks for the great advice. I should of took a chamber brush to it before I went shooting. I did clean up all the cosmoline but not in the chamber. I will remove my firing pin and check befor this weekend.


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[Davy87]

Well used a flex hone due to a little burr in the chamber. Cleaned it up real well and I don't have an issue with the casing becoming stuck. But now the stinking thing won't cycle. Not even once. The bolt won't go back far enough to eject the spent casing. Gas system is clean. Valve is on. Recoil spring in correctly. I checked the gas system for restriction and found none. Not sure what the deal is. My gas valve looks new. But the tube is a little loose on the valve where they mate up. Might order a new stainless gas valve. Not sure what else it could be at the moment. I inspected the op rod and it moves freely as well. Any suggestions?


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[God Bless America]

Yes you might have damaged your chamber. Sorry to bear bad news.

[Davy87]

Yes you might have damaged your chamber. Sorry to bear bad news.

How could I have damaged the chamber with a light hone? Why would that effect the gas system? I appreciate your input, just not sure why that could happen.


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[kcheung2]

Is the gas valve selector on the correct position? There's one for regular operation & one for grenade launcher operation (the gas is blocked off) & it sounds like you have it for the GL.

[Davy87]

Is the gas valve selector on the correct position? There's one for regular operation & one for grenade launcher operation (the gas is blocked off) & it sounds like you have it for the GL.

It is in the correct position. I do have the one that once had a GL. Still has the gas valve.


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[kcheung2]

I was trying to find a picture of one, here's the closest in post #9.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/sks-can-i-fix-it-for-less-than-a-new-one-or-trash-it.200688/

[God Bless America]

How could I have damaged the chamber with a light hone? Why would that effect the gas system? I appreciate your input, just not sure why that could happen.


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If the surface is not smooth it will hold on to the empty. If you honed it enough to change the taper, that can do it too. Hones are easily over-used. Learned that at an engine shop.

You might try some 0000 steel wool on a patch and a power drill to polish the chamber. No abrasives, just the steel wool and oil.

[Davy87]

If the surface is not smooth it will hold on to the empty. If you honed it enough to change the taper, that can do it too.



Hones are easily over-used. Learned that at an engine shop. You might try some 0000 steel wool on a patch and a piwer drill to polish the chamber. No abrasives, just the steel wool and oil.

Thanks for the info. I did a very light hone at a moderate rpm. But I see what your getting at. I'm going to attempt to link a video of the looseness of my gas tube on the valve and see if that's abnormal. I do see residue from gas escaping from there.


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[God Bless America]

No work is done in the gas tube. It's all done in the gas block.

[Davy87]

Here's a video link of my gas tube play. https://youtu.be/oadNtwtV8rU


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