SKS feeding issues

[bb16]

Hi all
Yesterday I took my new to me SKS to the range and there was a bad feeding issue.

Basically the bolt was slamming the bullet in to just below the bore. This didn't happen every time but enough to be an issue. Also seemed to happen more when there where fewer bullets left.

I had a look around but all I could see was posts relating to after market mag instillation. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to look at?

Thanks for the help

[zhyla]

Is the magazine spring too weak?

[knucklehead0202]

bad spring sounds like the culprit. replace the magazine spring and test it out.

[C&Rtrader]

Is the magazine spring too weak?

that would be my guess... or the mag follower is bent. both are easy parts to replace.
if you have a buddy with an SKS.. swap mags and see if that fixes it.

[Enfield47]

Were you shooting hollow points? I've heard some people have issues because the tips hung up on the feed ramp. If you have FMJ try that and see if you still have the problem.

[bb16]

Thanks for the help guys. I was thinking it would be the magazine spring. Does anyone have any recommendation on where to order parts?

And I was shooting FMJ but maybe ill try some different ammo next time.

[knucklehead0202]

may have to buy a complete magazine, which can be had fairly cheap. Sarco has them, everyone else seems to be out of stock, but try ebay too.

[Gavelek]

Buy another SKS then work on the one you have in your spare time, also...what ammo you're shooting

[chknlyps2]

Thanks for the help guys. I was thinking it would be the magazine spring. Does anyone have any recommendation on where to order parts?

And I was shooting FMJ but maybe ill try some different ammo next time.

www.desertfoxsales.com They also have booths at some of the gun shows I have been to.

[bb16]

Buy another SKS then work on the one you have in your spare time, also...what ammo you're shooting

Ha, bit out of my budget at this time. And it is Herters FMJ.

Also does anyone know where the (and excuse my lack of proper terminology) the lever that pushes the bullets up comes to rest when the magazine is empty? It almost seems like half the time it wants to be above the lip and half the time below the lip.

[C&Rtrader]

parts: sksman.com or buymilsurp.com

[bohoki]

is the magazine installed correctly

some people try to put the magazine back in after the trigger group is installed and they miss the front lug

or they try to put the magazine in with the bolt forward and bend the lips a bit

[Bobby Ricigliano]

That mag spring is pretty stout. Also, if it is matching then swapping out isn't an attractive option.

Have you ensured that there isn't a wad of cosmo in it? It is hard to get all the cosmo out of the mag assembly. Try soaking it in mineral spirits or super hot water...

[Vlad 11]

Also does anyone know where the (and excuse my lack of proper terminology) the lever that pushes the bullets up comes to rest when the magazine is empty? It almost seems like half the time it wants to be above the lip and half the time below the lip.

That would be the follower

The follower is designed to stop at a set location, that being the bolt stop and the side of the receiver.

You should feel good spring pressure and the follower should swing freely in the magazine. And the follower should hold up the bolt stop when the magazine is empty. There shouldn't be any above or below the stop point

[6mmintl]

Most likely a bad/bent feed lip, remove mag and look down feed lips to see if one side (top) is not parallel to other, both sides should taper (Smaller at front) to front of mag so your looking for symmetrical forms up down left right.

If not some minor bending/straightening is in order.

Go Slowly.