My problem child SKS

[g3shooter1]

The safety bent and when I bent it back it broke off! Is there anywhere that I can get just the safety?

I was firing and a cloud of smoke shot out of the rifle, barrel and all!

After this I had a buttload of FTEs

Light primer strikes on casings that were chambered, I never even pulled the trigger.

[Rampager]

Found this on GB (SKS ambidextrous safety), but it may suffice:
http://www.forthehunt.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=70877277

That or you could replace the whole trigger group (pricey):
http://www.sksman.com/part/parts2.php

Maybe someone else will chime in that knows of an original sks safety source.

[nevada]

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=491370 This might be what you want. A light indent is normal on primers on SKSs.

[g3shooter1]

Somebody has to have them, with the popularity of the SKS there must be some that are availaible.

I do not want to replace the trigger group because all parts on my sks are serial numbered (trigger group, reciever, barrel, etc), I want to keep it as original as possible.

[nalioth]

Somebody has to have them, with the popularity of the SKS there must be some that are availaible.

I do not want to replace the trigger group because all parts on my sks are serial numbered (trigger group, reciever, barrel, etc), I want to keep it as original as possible.
You can replace your SKS trigger group for shooting purposes and keep your original group for collectability.

SKS Trigger groups (http://www.centerfiresystems.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1097)

OR you could probably find just the safety lever and have Bill Springfield (http://www.militaryfirearm.com/Forum/member.php?u=447) install it for you.

[jmikey]

http://www.copesdist.com/sks.htm has safety lever.

[jfowl31]

have you cleaned the gas system real good since the "cloud of smoke" incident?

maybe it was a bad round, and whatever was in it is clogging your gas port...

worth a try if its short-stroking now. check the ejector and extractor as well...

[okie shooter]

I agree with jfowl, get out the cleaning tool and make sure the gas port isn't fowled too, most folks dont realize there is one in most cleaning kits(some think its a extra fireing pin but I dont think so), you take the gas tube off, and insert it in the gas bloc and will see it thru the barrel.

Another thing to check is the secondary piston, make sure its clean and not jamming too. You take it out with the rear site lever. Just be careful and dont launch it across the room when you try to take it out.

[SteelCore]

Check the round for a pierced primer...when that happens, the acrid primer smoke comes out by the receiver as gas vents backwards....and you don't want that.

Also, what Okie said. Make sure the whole gas system and pistons (and secondary one) are cleaned of all cosmo and gunk, and use the gas port cleaning tool. If you don;t have the gas port cleaning tool (look in the butt of the SKS for a round trap door, press in, and a cleaning kit may pop out--it usually has the tool)), a toothpick or piece of thick copper witrwe and some pipe cleaners can do the job.

Also, if you're shooting a Yugo SKS, there is a gas shutoff valve on the top of the gas block. Esure that it is pressed in and off to the side--it will turn off the gas tube if it is rotated to the top of the gas block.

SKSs are usually quiter reliable if properly and adequately cleaned...I've never had a FTE with mine, and the FTFs went away after I got all cosmo off the trigger group and hammer springs.

[texlurch]

And if it has those issues, make sure there is no cosmo on the FP. It should rattle when you shake the bolt.

[derghost]

I just got a Russian SKS and tried hand loads using Federal primers. Mistake........ I got several two fers. I switched to CCI primers and the problem disappeared. After each two fer, I checked the firing pin and it was still free floating. As an extra layer of safety, I ordered a Murray SS firing pin.