Questions on SKS cleaning???

A

AyeAye

New member
As reported, my first session with "My First SKS" was a really good experience.

I dissassembled and cleaned everything using instructions from will.mylanders.com website. Got the manual yesterday from SKSman.com. No Problems other than VERY dirty. From what I've read here, that's probably due to the Wolf ammunition I used??

Do I need to clean the 'Piston Extension' and 'Piston Extension return spring'? Located in assembly beneath rear sight.
Could I / should I flush this area out w/ WD40?

I did not remove the 'trigger assembly'. It appears to have a lot of 'grease' in it and I would like to remove it and soak or flush the grease out. I read here somewhere that this may contribute to the erratic trigger pull??

Would appreciate any advice of this.

Thanks again to J.Parker, Kaylee, Johan762 and sleepingdog for responding to my first post!! Appreciate it!!
 
Yes you should clean the piston's, I'm not a fan of WD40 but if you want to use it that's fine. I also would get all the packing grease off the trigger group. I use Brakefree CLP on mine. After cleaning the piston's wipe them dry, it will make it easier to clean later on. Enjoy it, they are fun to shoot.
 
How do I remove the piston extension and it's return spring. No info on this in either set of directions that I have.
 
I am not able to figure out how to successfully clean the barrel on my SKS. How are you folks cleaning the barrel? I don't mean it's too dirty. I can't seem to figure out how to use the cleaning kit to get patches through the barrel. I can't get the jag to push a patch through; it just gets stuck. :(
 
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After you've removed the piston/handguard assembly, just keep rotating that latch on the right side of the "piston extension" block.

SUPPORT THAT PISTON! Keep pressure on it with your finger as you continue to rotate that latch clockwise. If not, you'll launch the piece across the room.

Ease the piston out, spring should come out easy behind it.


For real fun, though, try taking the reciever cover off with the bolt locked back, like I did first time... :D

ahh, the memories...

-K
 
Don't use WD-40.

It is a light-bodied penetrating oil, it's not a preservative.

It will work as a cleaner, but if you leave any of it in the piston assembly, it can REALLY gum up the works as the light oil starts to decay.

I've seen WD-40 literally glue parts into place as it decays over time.
 
Thanks yet again Kaylee. I'll finish this job up tonight so that I can go shoot again tomorrow!!!

".....For real fun, though, try taking the reciever cover off with the bolt locked back, like I did first time...."

AHHH Kaylee, I did the same thing!!! Instructions said to open the action and drop the magazine to make sure unloaded and then proceeded directly to removing the cover. I didn't even think about the recoil spring being under tension. DUH on me !!!!
Damn thing jumped out and 'Bit' me on the hand. Right on that soft fleshy part between your thumb and index finger. Ouch!!! Never do that again!!!

Mike, I will not use WD40 on any of this. Thanks for that advice. I will just use a little light gun oil on the trigger assembly, recoil spring and guide, etc.

EricM, I didn't get the cleaning kit with my SKS. I just used my Kleenbore rod with a 30cal brush to scrub out the barrel and then used the same jag that I use on my 30-06 to push patches through.

What size jag and patches are you using. Are the patches maybe to big?
 
clean SKS?

clean SKS? you mean clean mud from stock? :D
I clean my SKS about once a year, hehe, and only barrel usually,
or when I really have nothing to do, then I play with SKS cleaning,
SKS is very good rifle for lazy guy,:p
 
EricM - What "caliber" Handgun cleaning kit. From what I've researched, the SKS is a 30 caliber. So you should be using a 30 cal. Jag and 30 cal. patches. Maybe try 'trimming' your patches down a lot to start with and then increase the dimension until they don't stick. Better yet get some 30 cal patches.

Where does the patch/jag 'stick' in the barrel? ie - is it hanging up near the gas port??

Hey, how about some more help out there TFLers. I'm still a newbie at this stuff myself!!!!
 
If you were shooting Russian ammo make sure to get all the flaked off laquer out of the receiver and bolt. I wouldn't remove the packing grease out of the trigger group. I did this and the trigger pull got scratchy and mushier. Wait until you're ready to do your own trigger job, which is not that hard if you have a vice and basic tools.
 
didn't your SKS come with cleaning rod? I found recently cleaning kit inside of stock hole at the bottom, look at yours, it might be hiding in there, or just buy kit, it's just 5$, it has brush and jag,
 
WATCH WHAT YOU SPRAY IN YOUR SKS!!

I've heard more stories about slam firing and unexpected FULL AUTO from SKS's because of firing pins sticking. A few stories are from TFLers in this forum. Stuff can gunk up, and WD40 isn't something I wouild use all the time. Do a search on SKS SLAM firing and you'll see what I'm talking about.
 
dang, can you share with me how to make SKS full-auto by gunked up firing pin? then I don't need my AK :D
but, SKS bolt is very easy to clean, SKS was my first rifle and I did fine,(even thou M16A2 was really first, then M60, but I didn't much care about cleaning it anyway, hey, it wasn't mine :p )
 
Well when ever people ask me that I always tell them....

Fire 2000rds threw the gun and let it sit out in the rain for week then leave it in the dampest part of your house for a month. Then take it to the range and unload a full 10rds with one pull of the trigger:p

Seriously do a search in this forum for more info. There were a few lawsuits against either Importers or Dealers of SKS's because they are prone to doing this. I don't remember the exact title of the thread. The use of WD40 gets brought up a lot around here. The Consesus is DON"T USE IT!!
 
Had another 'great/fun day' w/ "My First SKS".

100 + rds. today and still No problems. Got it dialed in at 100yds. using smooth jawed needle nose and a drift punch. 3" groups is good enough for me!!!! At least for now.

Another point. ALL of the numbers on this thing match, even the 'scribbed' ie like dremel tool numbers on the bottom of the gas tube , etc.

I've been taking it down and giving it a real good cleaning every time I shoot. Like to keep all my weapons clean and want to learn how to clean the SKS quickly. Plus its a lot of fun for me yet to tear it down, clean thoroughly, and then reassemble!!!!!

I wonder how long my 1000 yds. are going to last at this rate.

Stripper Clips make it SOOOOOOO easy to reload.

My wife and I have to shoot our Colt Trooper MKIII and Sig P239
just to let the barrel cool down.

Oh well there could be worse situations.
 
I know what you mean, SKS are soooo fun,
I blast at least 300 rds every time, hey 1000 rds wolf case only 60 bucks, so who cares?:D
 
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