SKS / firing pin strikes

[nevada]

I took my 1951 SKS out today, first time I've ever shot one. Recoil is the same as my MAK90 (Elvira - all in bllack) not much different from my CETME. My right thumb bumps my nose when I fire and no my nose isn't that big. Happens on nearly all my rifles. The SKS is really accurate, used four different types of ammo without any problems: reload - IMI brass and soft point bullet, Silver Bear match, Wolf standard and Chinese steel core.

HAving heard and read about the possibility of slamfires I decided to check the primer of the second round in each string. The SKS loads easier than any other rifle I have except for the K98s, with a stripper clip. I loaded two round at first in case there was an issue, fired the first one and hand ejected the second. I then loaded full clips of each type, hand ejecting the second round.

All the unfired primers have a little dent in them, the Chinese steel core just a tad less in size than the rest.

The first pic shows the Silver Bear match, Wolf HP standard, reload, Chinese steel core.1343

The second pic shows the firing pin strike of a fired and unfired primer, except for the Chinese round. I didn't get a fire case for it. Thought I had, I was wrong. Chinese, Silver Bear, Wolf, reload.1344

There doesn't appear to be any reason to worry about slam fires with any ammo, in my SKS. There is a company that makes spring loaded firing pins for $35, but I've decided to wait on that. It was an enjoyable time shooting an accurate and good functioning piece of history.

[SteelCore]

"My right thumb bumps my nose when I fire and no my nose isn't that big. "

-->Is your thumb big?

My SKS has less reciol than my CETME, so either that is a bear of an SKS< ro you really, really have a smooth CETME. Mines just a bit less reciol than the CETME, but still noticeable.

LMK where the pin ass'y you spoke abt is...I ocul use one my Yugo SKS pierces primers on the Wolf Mil Classic, but no other Wolf or Brown bear brands.

[tump]

:icon_smile: most of my semi mil surps leave a little dimple like that. check your cetme and mak i bet they do it also. (my cetme does)

[hunter_la5]

:icon_smile: most of my semi mil surps leave a little dimple like that. check your cetme and mak i bet they do it also. (my cetme does)

mine too. so long as the strikes are light, its just fine

Ive had a few slam fires on my SKS back when I first got it, and it was due to cosmoline on the firing pin making it stick forward occasionally. just make sure it's clean, and you shouldnt have a problem

[Jagman]

As long as your firing pin 'rattles' when you shake the bolt it is loose and will be ok, most slam fires with the SKS are aused by cosmolene still on and around the firing pin that has hardened and holding the pin from free floating as it should.
Knock out the retaining pin and clean out the firing pin channel if you have not done so already.
Jagman

[Optimus Prime]

Never had my SKS do it, but my M-16 in basic did a few times... it was as clean as you can get an M-16, so I think it was just a worn sear...

[nevada]

Yeah, I have a Big thumb. I think it's the way I climb the stock to aim.

The spring loaded FP is here: http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm

Already cleaned the bolt /FP channel. There was thick oil, nothing else.

I couldn't tell that the Silver Bear match was any more accurate than my other ammo. It all shot great.

[cetme]

my lesson in all parts are needed was with an SKS. I was switching out the stock mag for a detachable Zytel one and I managed to loose the mag release spring and at the time I didn't know that that spring was also for the sear! After fooling around with it a bit (100 rnds) we found a spring in the parts bin that was close enough and fixed it.

[cbear]

A 1951 may have a factory spring loaded firing pin.

[97th Signalman]

My firing pin is free to rattle around and I clean it periodically to keep it that way. Nevertheless, I had slamfires with Federal red box ammo. US primers are much softer than East Block primers and therein lies the problem. Stick to Wolf and other East European ammo and you should not get slamfires in a properly fuctioning SKS. If you use US commercial ammo you are definitely at risk for slam fires. This is based on my personal experience.

[robocop10mm]

I took miine out and de-burred it with a file/stone and polished the sides with 600 grit. I floats better than stock and never had a slam fire. I reload for it and use primarily US primers and reloaded ammo.

[Geilt]

My Yugo SKS also dimples the primers but I've yet to have a slam fire. I currently use Wolf ammo but plan on reloading soon. I'll have to keep in mind that standard primers are softer. Perhaps moving up to a military primer on the reloaded rounds would be worth the piece of mind.

[nevada]

The standard primers don't dimple any more than the Wolf or Silver Bear. The Norinco primer is a tad harder but also dimpled, just a bit less than the others. I don't see any problem with standard rifle primers, and don't have any concenrs about my reloads for the caliber.

Cbear, mine is the later 1951 version. no FP spring.

If I had a single slam fire or any doubt I would put in a spring loaded FP. Than's why I did the test on my ammo, in the pics.