Checking Headspace on Type 56

[Top Shotta HiFi]

So my new Type 56 from J&G is all cleaned up and ready to go, there is just one thing - is the headspace good? I tried Googling and can't seem to come up with how to check headspace on an SKS. Will a pair of Go/NoGo gauges do the trick? if so, how does one use them on a semi-auto rifle? Maybe I'm just a noob thinking too hard and missing the obvious. Please advise.

[v/dBrink]

You check headspace with headspace gauges. You do not check headspace with tape or beer can shims.

You would generally use a no-go and field gauge. The no gauge is used mainly when fitting barrels or chambering. If you buy only one gauge make it the field gauge. But really it's hard to explain procedure in text. I'd suggest you pay a qualified gunsmith to check it for you, show you how to do it in-person.

[Top Shotta HiFi]

I have run Go/NoGo gauges through bolt action rifles before. Whether or not the headspace is good was easy to check - try to chamber the gauge, it either closed on the gauge or didn't. I assume with semi-auto rifles it is more difficult to tell if the bolt has slammed forward and the headspace is bad vs bolt is slammed forward and headspace is good. How does one tell with semi-auto rifles?

[JAGGUY]

Take the SKS bolt apart, extractor too...Slip the gauge into the chamber and then slide the bare bolt into position. If the bolt drops into position with a field gauge chambered it failed.

Take your SKS apart and drop the bolt into position and slide in closed with your finger and you will see what I mean by "dropping" into position...

[Vladimir]

So my new Type 56 from J&G is all cleaned up and ready to go, there is just one thing - is the headspace good? I tried Googling and can't seem to come up with how to check headspace on an SKS. Will a pair of Go/NoGo gauges do the trick? if so, how does one use them on a semi-auto rifle? Maybe I'm just a noob thinking too hard and missing the obvious. Please advise.

Pick up a 7.62x39 go gauge and throw it in, see if it fits up properly.

[NOTABIKER]

even after soaking my bolt in mineral spirits then lacquer thinner the firing pin would stick in the firing position a little. i compared this to my yugo SKS firing pin and the yugo was not as bad. so i took the firing pin out of the bolt and inspected it. it was very clean but it might have been dry fired a lot. the end of the firing pin was a little scuffed up. just a little scotch bright and i put it back in . now it is just like my yugo. you do not want a possible full auto firing to take place.

[Top Shotta HiFi]

Thanks JAGUY this is exactly the intel I was looking for. I took the bolt apart and slipped it into the receiver and see what you mean 'drop' into position. Is it best to check the headspace using this technique with a 'field' gauge or 'Go/NoGo' gauges?

[JAGGUY]

IMOP...If it passes a field it's good to go.

I will say I've never seen an SKS with a head space problem and I've had some seriously btdt SKS's!