I purchased an SKS at a gun show a few months back and just got around to shooting it this weekend. I should say "trying to shoot it" because it won't chamber a round. I used UMC ammo, and it wouldn't chamber regardless of whether I was using the stripper clips or trying to manually insert a round. The action closes, but the round doesn't seat far enough in the chamber to work. It was $199 so it's not like I bought a $900 AR that didn't work but I was looking forward to doing some plinking. I also bought it because it's a Russian version, not a Chinese knockoff. Any hints on what I can do? Thanks.
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My Worthless SKS
- Thread starter MK11
- Start date
I would check to be certain that your chamber is clean and free from gunk or grease. There could be just enough build up to not allow a round to chamber. Also, I would use genuine Russian ammo, such as Wolf. You may find that alone solves your problem. I really do feel its something simple. Good Luck.
Poodleshooter
New member
Did you check the chamber for obstructions? Any visible burrs? It is 7.62x39, not any other 7.62 (sorry had to check!)? Have you tried surplus ammo, or any other ammo? It might be crappy ammo, even if it is UMC. The bolt isn't locking fully? Is the bolt properly installed/sliding freely?
The more I think about it, the more I feel it's ammo related. UMC is not known as great ammo. Its ok, but I have heard of problems. Due to softer primers, it really isnt the greatest thing to use in an SKS anyway. I really do think if you try Wolf, or other Russian Surplus ammo, the rifle will be fine.
Thanks for the responses. The chamber looks fine and it is 7.62 X 39 (grin). I have had problems with UMC in handguns before, so I'll try something else.
I do remember a recent Gun Tests article that said something about some dimensional differences between different lots of 7.62 ammo that could gum up the action, I'll have to dig that out again. The bolt seems to work fine when the rifle is empty.
I do remember a recent Gun Tests article that said something about some dimensional differences between different lots of 7.62 ammo that could gum up the action, I'll have to dig that out again. The bolt seems to work fine when the rifle is empty.
E. BeauBeaux
New member
The SKS was designed for steel cased ammo, give the Russian ammo a try. I think that will solve the problem.
When you wrote " the action closes" it does mean that it closes on EMPTY chamber, correct?
When you put a cartridge in SKS or AK's chamber, the rim portion of the cartridge do stick out in order for the extractor to grab it during the ejection process.
You told us that the cartridge refused to chamber whether you tried to do that via the magazine or by manually chambering the cartridge by hand. When you tried to chamber the cartridge via the magazine, did you " ride" the bolt or did you let the bolt run forward freely? If you "rode" your bolt, the action will not fully return to battery, i.e. the face of the extractor would sit at the base of the cartridge's rim. Since the cartridge's rim is not enclosed by the chamber, you may get the impression that the cartridge is not fully sitted / chambered.
All in all, I agree with others' suggestions: make sure your chamber is free of obstruction.
I've used all kinds of rounds from God knows what countries, and yes, I've fired thousands of UMC from three different SKS (all Chinese) and never have troubles with them. My friend, however, did have a slam fire with a UMC (soft primer). That is why you should purchase surpluse military ammos with hard primers when using your SKS.
Johannes
When you put a cartridge in SKS or AK's chamber, the rim portion of the cartridge do stick out in order for the extractor to grab it during the ejection process.
You told us that the cartridge refused to chamber whether you tried to do that via the magazine or by manually chambering the cartridge by hand. When you tried to chamber the cartridge via the magazine, did you " ride" the bolt or did you let the bolt run forward freely? If you "rode" your bolt, the action will not fully return to battery, i.e. the face of the extractor would sit at the base of the cartridge's rim. Since the cartridge's rim is not enclosed by the chamber, you may get the impression that the cartridge is not fully sitted / chambered.
All in all, I agree with others' suggestions: make sure your chamber is free of obstruction.
I've used all kinds of rounds from God knows what countries, and yes, I've fired thousands of UMC from three different SKS (all Chinese) and never have troubles with them. My friend, however, did have a slam fire with a UMC (soft primer). That is why you should purchase surpluse military ammos with hard primers when using your SKS.
Johannes
Had the same problem
Had the same problem with a Savage 110 .223. It looked brand new (but had been previously owned). Most shells wouldn't chamber fully and the ones that did fire had high pressure signs.
I used a patch with solvent to clean the bore and chamber as much as possible and soften fouling, then I put a bronze brush on a drill and ran it about 30 seconds in the chamber. Your chamber should be .443 so a 45 cal brush should work. I figure someone had used mil-surp that left fouling (ccorrosive maybe?). Anyway it worked. This was recommended by my dealer who said he's done it before.
Had the same problem with a Savage 110 .223. It looked brand new (but had been previously owned). Most shells wouldn't chamber fully and the ones that did fire had high pressure signs.
I used a patch with solvent to clean the bore and chamber as much as possible and soften fouling, then I put a bronze brush on a drill and ran it about 30 seconds in the chamber. Your chamber should be .443 so a 45 cal brush should work. I figure someone had used mil-surp that left fouling (ccorrosive maybe?). Anyway it worked. This was recommended by my dealer who said he's done it before.