Jump to content

Need to check headspace?


wewoapsiak

Recommended Posts

I recently got a wild hair about a few older rifles, and I picked up a Chinese SKS from a friendly local gentleman and have an O-PAP from Buds on the way. With one being "a good shooter" and one being "new" from the importer, would it be a good idea to get a go / no go set? It's my first adventure with any rifle other than an AR and a 10/22, so I'm curious what y'all think.
Link to comment
A much more frequent occurrence with SKS's is a gunked up bolt resulting in a stuck firing pin which can cause multiple round bursts.

So, a good cleaning of the bolt might be a sensible measure when acquiring a new to you SKS.

My one and only SKS had this issue and it did double tap on the first range outing.
Link to comment

A much more frequent occurrence with SKS's is a gunked up bolt resulting in a stuck firing pin which can cause multiple round bursts.

So, a good cleaning of the bolt might be a sensible measure when acquiring a new to you SKS.

My one and only SKS had this issue and it did double tap on the first range outing.

 

 

Good point.  The firing pin in the SKS should be loose.  There is no spring, so if it's stuck the rifle may slam fire. 

Link to comment

I know they sell springs for the sks bolt to keep the firing pin back to prevent slam fires. Has anyone ever tried one? Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

Is there something about the SKS that is more prone to do this? Meaning, AR and AK platform also have floating firing pin arrangement, so it's obviously not much of an issue with the millions of them out there.

 

- OS

Link to comment

What you could do is to cut a piece of masking tape the size of the head of a round of ammunition, and stick it over the primer. See if the bolt will fully close with the round chambered. If it will, add another piece of tape and try it again. It probably shouldn't close on more than about three pieces of tape applied. This isn't scientific, but will give you a general idea of headspace on your rifle.

 

I don't normally check the headspace on a rifle unless I have some reason to be suspect of it.

Edited by gregintenn
Link to comment

Is there something about the SKS that is more prone to do this? Meaning, AR and AK platform also have floating firing pin arrangement, so it's obviously not much of an issue with the millions of them out there.

- OS

That sure is a good question. Just speculating, but the AR bolt is easier to disassemble and clean so maybe that is one difference. My doubling SKS is a 1951 Russian so I have no idea when prior to my ownership it's' firing pin channel had last been cleaned. I naively ignored the bolt assembly before taking it to the range. Also, mine doubled using U.S. Commercial ammo that likely had softer primers than the Milsurp harder primers.

As I understand it, Simonov originally designed the SKS WITH a firing pin return spring, but the Russian bureaucracy decided to eliminate that spring for cost savings. : /

A lot of slam fire bad outcomes are due to an inexperienced shooter losing control of the weapon: "In 1996 at the California, Sacramento Valley Shooting Center an SKS slamfired as it was being stripper clip fed, with neither individual having a firm hold on the rifle. The gun subsequently emptied its magazine as it recoiled out of the shooter's and assistant's grasp, with the last bullet entering the face and exiting out the top of William Ferrante's head" Edited by Djay3
Link to comment

That sure is a good question. Just speculating, but the AR bolt is easier to disassemble and clean so maybe that is one difference. My doubling SKS is a 1951 Russian so I have no idea when prior to my ownership it's' firing pin channel had last been cleaned. I naively ignored the bolt assembly before taking it to the range. Also, mine doubled using U.S. Commercial ammo that likely had softer primers than the Milsurp harder primers.

As I understand it, Simonov originally designed the SKS WITH a firing pin return spring, but the Russian bureaucracy decided to eliminate that spring for cost savings. : /

A lot of slam fire bad outcomes are due to an inexperienced shooter losing control of the weapon: "In 1996 at the California, Sacramento Valley Shooting Center an SKS slamfired as it was being stripper clip fed, with neither individual having a firm hold on the rifle. The gun subsequently emptied its magazine as it recoiled out of the shooter's and assistant's grasp, with the last bullet entering the face and exiting out the top of William Ferrante's head"

 

 

Cleaned prior to your ownership... likely never.  Taking the bolt apart isn't part of the standard "field strip" so it wouldn't get done unless there was a reason, such as slam firing.  I've never taken mine apart.  I try to remember to make sure the pin moves freely before shooting it, but that's about it. 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

TRADING POST NOTICE

Before engaging in any transaction of goods or services on TGO, all parties involved must know and follow the local, state and Federal laws regarding those transactions.

TGO makes no claims, guarantees or assurances regarding any such transactions.

THE FINE PRINT

Tennessee Gun Owners (TNGunOwners.com) is the premier Community and Discussion Forum for gun owners, firearm enthusiasts, sportsmen and Second Amendment proponents in the state of Tennessee and surrounding region.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is a presentation of Enthusiast Productions. The TGO state flag logo and the TGO tri-hole "icon" logo are trademarks of Tennessee Gun Owners. The TGO logos and all content presented on this site may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission. The opinions expressed on TGO are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the site's owners or staff.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is not a lobbying organization and has no affiliation with any lobbying organizations.  Beware of scammers using the Tennessee Gun Owners name, purporting to be Pro-2A lobbying organizations!

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to the following.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Guidelines
 
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.