sks piston rod problem

[kygen]

After firing one of my rifles, I realized that the piston rod protrudes from its place about an inch or so over the opening of the barrel. But once the bolt is closed, the rod moves back into place. Has anyone ever dealt with this before? And what should I do?

[19K]

maybe you have a broken op rod spring. take it apart and check

http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/carbine/index.asp

step 21-24

[kygen]

spring looks ok. spring is about a half inch longer than the rod, so we are good on that end

[6mmintl]

Bent, corrosion?

[DirtyRussianAmmo]

Could also be your piston and gas tube. When you disassemble the gas tube, does your piston move freely inside? If not, you may have old cosmo or corrosion inside the gas tube that needs to be removed. Also, check and make sure there are no burs on the piston head or that the rod is bent. If the piston isn't moving freely in the gas tube, it could cause the piston extension rod to protrude over the chamber after firing.

Edit to add: Check to make sure your gas tube isn't dented or kinked or out of round somehow.

[kygen]

I'll take the gas tube out and give her a look. From what I recall, the piston was not moving freely. I'll update you guys with my findings

[knucklehead0202]

could have a broken/non-existent spring on the piston extension too. luckily parts are easy to get for SKS's, unless you need a stock

[kygen]

there seems to be some ring of build up where the head of the piston sits. What would I need to do to clean it out?

[model63]

I bought a J&R 1958 Type 56 over a year or so ago and shot it twice for about 8 rounds. I have the same problem I think. Coincidentally I was out with another Calgunner today (ThirtyCal) and he is more of an SKS guy and speculated a burr, non round gas tube or corrosion in the tube or even an bad piston. In short, the larger piston sticks and although the large piston can push back when the gas hits it (albeit it rough), the reverse isn't true and my next trigger squeeze is click, no bang. The firing pin isn't coming into contact with the primer and wasn't locking up well when the bolt carrier was pushing back into place. It can't overcome the stuck'ness of the larger gas piston. In some cases the little piston hangs sticks out as well visibly over the chamber.

His recommendation was to swap out a few parts starting with the rod, then tube, then spring and see if that cures my problem and then go make a purchase for a permanent replacement. I cleaned all the cosmo and thought it needed to run dry for fear or oil or something clogging it up and slowing down cycling.

Curious to see what others come up with.

[SKSDan]

My piston fits pretty tight in the tube and carbon build up has caused ftf issues for me. I usually clean the tube with a shotgun bore brush and solvent.

[stitchnicklas]

could have a non-existent spring on the piston extension too. luckily parts are easy to get for SKS's, unless you need a stock

had that issue once

[6mmintl]

Sounds like corrosion in gas tube, going to have to soak it with kroil/solvent/borecleaner, and scrape it out with long flat blade screw driver and a shotgun rod and 20 gage brush till clean and rod moves freely.

Scrub it after each use and oil it, stay ahead of the carbon/corrosion.

Anyone going to the Chabot gun club silhouette shoot this coming Sunday?

[kygen]

Would CLR or something like that help remove the rust?

[Enfield47]

Try WD40, it works well for removing rust and providing some protection too.

[kygen]

Letting the WD40 sit right now. I'll leave it for an hour or so, and check on it. Afterwards, should I rinse out the gas tube to get rid of the wd40? To make sure nothing is left over that might ignite in the gas tube once it's fired