UPDATE: SKS wont cycle rounds

[0321jarhead]

Without me taking a closer look, there can be several factors. Have you completely disassembled the rifle and I mean completely? Are you sure that you reassembled it correctly? By what means did you learn how to disassemble and reassemble the SKS? What do the empty shell casings look like and what brand of ammo are you using? The ammo that the previous owner used may have had a laquer coating on those rounds. When the rifle get hot from firing the laquer tends to melt a little and get sticky. Of course as it cools it can then really stick. That is also from not being properly cleaned in the chamber. Also you may have a "slightly" bent follower lever. If that is the case, replace that part. There are a lot of good trouble shooting ideas here and it does not hurt to try. I wish I could be there to help you.

[yellowsled]

Here's another one. Less expensive.

CNC Warrior Yugo SKS Gas Valve

+1

They solved my problem 2 times...

[Capybara]

Yeesh, I have a Yugo SKS on order, glad I stumbled upon this. I am going to have to read up on the SKS boards about this be because I don't want a rifle that won't properly cycle.

[NOTABIKER]

my yugo SKS has never skipped a beat, wish i could say the same for my Mauser.

[hifiguns]

As stated above, check that the valve is in the correct position.

Be sure that the recoil spring in installed correctly with the pigtail end inserted into the rear of the bolt carrier.

Check that the port isn't obstructed. Use the port cleaning tool in the kit or a drill bit to clean it out. The SKS has a large gas port, which adds to its reliability.

With the gas cylinder removed, check that the piston is in good shape, makes a reasonable seal with the gas cylinder and moves freely along its full travel in the gas cylinder.

Remove the piston extension and spring ( by turning the handguard catch ) and remove any cosmoline. Replace it and press on it to be sure it moves freely in the channel and will protrude out of the back of the channel.

[JLMXD]

Without me taking a closer look, there can be several factors. Have you completely disassembled the rifle and I mean completely? Are you sure that you reassembled it correctly? By what means did you learn how to disassemble and reassemble the SKS? What do the empty shell casings look like and what brand of ammo are you using? The ammo that the previous owner used may have had a laquer coating on those rounds. When the rifle get hot from firing the laquer tends to melt a little and get sticky. Of course as it cools it can then really stick. That is also from not being properly cleaned in the chamber. Also you may have a "slightly" bent follower lever. If that is the case, replace that part. There are a lot of good trouble shooting ideas here and it does not hurt to try. I wish I could be there to help you.

I have taken the gun apart many times. I used a few you tube videos to learn how to disassemble. My other yugo is fine and dissembled the same way. I also took it to a gunsmith to have it looked over and cleaned. I use tula steel case ammo, 122 grain. the casings look normal no dents when i manually extract them. The bolt does move back just not enough to pull out the round. I dont know what this follower is. Ill have to look into that. I just bought a new gas valve and spring from cnc warrior.
thanks for your reply.

+1

They solved my problem 2 times...

just bought that and didnt fix the issue.

Do you guys think a gas tube and piston should be tried??

thanks for all your advice and replies so far, its much appreciated.

[Capybara]

I always feel bad for Calgunners who end up having to reverse engineer their semi-autos piece by piece to get them to work correctly. It sounds as if you have done a lot of work already and the fact that your SKS is still not cycling must be driving you crazy. Let us know how it turns out, I am interested in case I have to go down the same path.

[JLMXD]

I always feel bad for Calgunners who end up having to reverse engineer their semi-autos piece by piece to get them to work correctly. It sounds as if you have done a lot of work already and the fact that your SKS is still not cycling must be driving you crazy. Let us know how it turns out, I am interested in case I have to go down the same path.

Well i bought it for way under what the going price was so I guess I got what I paid for. But yes very frustrating. Many times going to the range thinking that this is the time it will work later to be denied yet again.
Hope your yugo treats you better.

[hifiguns]

In your original post, you say that "every few rounds it wouldn't cycle the round and the bolt would lock up." Are you able to easily eject the round by hand or do you need to force back the carrier to eject the round?

[hifiguns]

After doing a web search, an intermittent sticky bolt could be caused by a loose firing pin retainer. It rotates and a corner of the retainer sticks out.

Intermittent sticky bolt

[JLMXD]

In your original post, you say that "every few rounds it wouldn't cycle the round and the bolt would lock up." Are you able to easily eject the round by hand or do you need to force back the carrier to eject the round?

its no longer doing that at all. At first the bolt would lock up. now its easier to manually eject.

After doing a web search, an intermittent sticky bolt could be caused by a loose firing pin retainer. It rotates and a corner of the retainer sticks out.

Intermittent sticky bolt

I will look into this

thanks

[todd2968]

I assume you have removed the gas tube and checked out the piston?
I found one once that had seized up due to carbon.
The piston should not be oiled it should be dry through out.
Guessing you might have to replace the gas tube.

[bob7122]

1st, do you have a gas piston?

2nd, do you have the small spring loaded piston that goes after the gas piston?

3rd, is the valve on single shot?

if you answered 1 and 2 yes then i don't know...

3rd might mean that you need to either replace or adjust the valve. it might be missing the spring or the hole where the gas flows through is blocked.

[JLMXD]

I assume you have removed the gas tube and checked out the piston?
I found one once that had seized up due to carbon.
The piston should not be oiled it should be dry through out.
Guessing you might have to replace the gas tube.

Piston is clean

1st, do you have a gas piston?

2nd, do you have the small spring loaded piston that goes after the gas piston?

3rd, is the valve on single shot?

if you answered 1 and 2 yes then i don't know...

3rd might mean that you need to either replace or adjust the valve. it might be missing the spring or the hole where the gas flows through is blocked.

1. yes
2. if your referring to the one in the bolt yes
3. Its in the correct position and I replace the valve with a larger cnc warrior one

[Vladimir]

Unless it was the valve, now we know its not, the only other thing Ive heard of causing this problem is perhaps a lot of gunk/grease they pack on these things for storage, but you said it was cleaned...hmm.

My next guess would be try replacing gas tube, the piston return spring, and the piston extension. Perhaps try an overhaul of the current gas parts? I cant think of much else.