Loading SKS strippers

[Caribouriver]

I am having a devil of a time loading an SKS with 10 rd strippers. Maybe my hands are just tool weak and arthritic. But I put about 25# pounds of downward pressure with my thumb and the rounds won't budge. I just got a pack of 20 strippers and the same thing (using spent dummy rounds as the test). Do you have to meticulously scrub and lubricate the channels on the clips? Is there a "trick" to it? Thanks for your help.

[CSACANNONEER]

Some clips work better than others.

[paul0660]

Some are definitely better than others, and I have had some that need a little lube. Can't tell without seeing them.

[vega]

Some are definitely better than others, and I have had some that need a little lube. Can't tell without seeing them.

Won't that affect your primers?

[paul0660]

Won't that affect your primers?

I am talking about a light spray of wd40. So far it has not caused any misfires.

Not sure if that is an old wives tale or not. An interference fitted primer doesn't can't let much oil in anyway.

[bob7122]

i lube sometimes and have never had a problem with the primers. also your technique might need to change. some of mine work by pushing straight down, others need to push back in the direction of the clip and then down.

try pushing in different directions.

good luck.

[Vacaville]

Always found strippers to be sticky when loading my 59/66. First of all, brass cases will feed much more easily through the clip than steel. Of course, the brass cased ammo is much more expensive. I also used a light spray of WD40 and never had an issue with the primers. Helps them feed a little more smoothly, but it's still far from perfect.

[SKSer45]

Hmmm could be the classic Chinese garbage stripper clips. Known for giving fits. I usually put a little clp on the bad ones and seems to work just fine. Pm if you want some good stripper clips. I got a few that can find a new home

[Markus]

After reading the thread title I had this funny image in my head of a pile of sks strippers loaded with $1 bills...

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I am having a devil of a time loading an SKS with 10 rd strippers. Maybe my hands are just tool weak and arthritic. But I put about 25# pounds of downward pressure with my thumb and the rounds won't budge. I just got a pack of 20 strippers and the same thing (using spent dummy rounds as the test). Do you have to meticulously scrub and lubricate the channels on the clips? Is there a "trick" to it? Thanks for your help.

The type of ammo is also a factor. Brass cases definitely work better than some of the steel ones that are coated with whatever that stuff is...

...but yeah, as a general rule, those clips are "hit and miss".

[paul0660]

Just thought of one thing, sometimes it helps to push down with the thumb on the end of the cartridge, close to the clip, and lift the tip of that first cartridge while pushing. Also, out of all my clips, the ones marked "china" in script on the back are the best.

[Caribouriver]

Great. Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll try them all. FWIW, it's brass cased.

[chknlyps2]

Just thought of one thing, sometimes it helps to push down with the thumb on the end of the cartridge, close to the clip, and lift the tip of that first cartridge while pushing. Also, out of all my clips, the ones marked "china" in script on the back are the best.

I do what paul0660 does, I think it is the rim pushing against the next rim that keeps them from binding in the clip. Also one swift push always works best for me.

[Sampachi]

Never heard of that before. Maybe the strippers are out of spec just a bit?

I've heard that one thing troops used to do is to rub a candle against the contact points of the stripper in order to lubricate them. That should help if you are afraid of using oil around the primers.

[PEZHEAD265]

Try putting one side in and kinda wiggle it.It is hard to describe it but take a second and look at it and then it should just slide on.