SKS Rifles - What make do you reccomend?

GWN · #1 08-31-2014, 10:52 AM

Hi, my son is looking to get a SKS rifle for plinking, I have read about problems with some having slam fires but cant remember which ones.

My question is given most of the rifles on the market seem to be either Chinese or Russian made and the Russian rifles seem to come from two different factories (Tula as I recall and I dont remember the other one), which 'model' so to speak would you reccommend?

Thanks,

Gerv · #2 08-31-2014, 11:06 AM

I believe the slamfire issues are mostly due to using corrosive ammo and not cleaning properly after use. free floating firing pin becomes corroded and stuck in the forward position within the bolt. I believe you can buy a kit with a spring to ensure the firing pin returns to the back of the bolt, and many shops install them before they are sold. I had the firing pin get stuck on mine but it wasn't in the forward position. it just wouldn't fire. 100% my fault, should have been more diligent with cleaning after every use. don't have a lot of experience with the Chinese models but I believe general consensus is that the Russian models are of higher quality.

Grizzly Adams · #3 08-31-2014, 01:25 PM

Chinese are getting harder to find. I'd make the effort to find an un refurbished Russki. They are out there.

Grizz

colroggal · #4 08-31-2014, 02:46 PM

The slam fire issue is caused by light or absent return spring/retention spring on the firing pin. Aftermarket parts are available.

Colin

Pioneer2 · #5 08-31-2014, 06:13 PM

Are caused by not cleaning your gun after shooting corrosive ammo and the firing pin freezes in the bolt.And they make a kit[Murray's] for a non-existant problem with regular maintenance.Harold

GWN · #6 08-31-2014, 06:56 PM

Thanks for the responses everyone, and special thanks for the slam fire info

BANG · #7 08-31-2014, 07:12 PM

I torture tested a russian sks with well over 3000 corrosive rounds without cleaning over 2 years until i got a slam fire and no other issues up to that point.
I would not recommend being that negligent but i wanted to see what abuse one could take before a fail.
A good cleaning and it was good to go.
Slamfires are pretty much a non issue with a little regular maintainence.
I would lean towards the russian seeing as you can get one for $200.

Unregistered user · #8 09-01-2014, 01:01 AM

Buy 2 or 3 they are a great deal, I own Russian and Chinese, both shoot as well as one would expect. Don't overthink the project, just load up and have fun. The slam-fire thing, many of the milsurps especially the Chinese unissued models are packed tight with heavy grease and you have to disassemble the bolt to properly clean it or the bolt "Don't float".

1Heavyhitr · #9 09-01-2014, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWN

Hi, my son is looking to get a SKS rifle for plinking, I have read about problems with some having slam fires but cant remember which ones.

My question is given most of the rifles on the market seem to be either Chinese or Russian made and the Russian rifles seem to come from two different factories (Tula as I recall and I dont remember the other one), which 'model' so to speak would you reccommend?

Thanks,

1st off, I love SKS's. Everybody should own 1-2 (at least). next to a 22lr it's the cheapest fun you can have. I own A variety of them. As long as you keep it clean, you won't have Slam fire problems. I wouldn't recommend getting the Murray's firing pin spring kit. Based off of my personal experience, the spring becomes a fail point. I've tried the kit multiple times. Both times the spring broke, jammed the firing pin, and caused a slam fire. You must Break it down completely when you first buy it and get all of the Cosmo out, especially the bolt. Take the firing pin out and hit it with some emery cloth. The other thing I don't get, is why the different makes get bashed like they do (same design). They're all good quality. Some are just more beat up than others. IMHO, the Russian SKS'S are the nicest (Tula & Izhevsk) Izhevsk are harder to come by. Don't be afraid of getting a norinco SKS either. In fact, the Chinese SKS tend to be better shooters. Why? Because the ones being sold here are actual non-refurbished rifles. They are literally brand new. The barrels and crowns are not shot to hell or re-crowned. I'm not saying the Russians aren't shooters, but a new barrel is a new barrel. Yugo's are nice too, but a little harder to come by. After using corrosive ammo, I break the gun down and give the parts A bath with boiling water, dry them off/blast of air from a Compressor helps. Then I use G96 to clean and lube. I let the pieces sit for five or 10 minutes in a coating of G96, then wipe them completely off and reassemble. I love these war pigs.
Here's a good (take it with a grain of salt it does have some strong language/kinda funny, but good info) video on disassembly, cleaning, and assembly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reEkl05oIvA

reelhooker · #10 09-01-2014, 08:50 AM

Find a Yugo. I had one and it was great with the grenade launcher on the barel. Never knew how sought after they where until the guy offered me over 10 times what I bought it for.

Pioneer2 · #11 09-01-2014, 08:20 PM

Well made but not chrome lined barrels, so no lollygagging when it comes to cleaning after shooting corrosive ammo. Harold

Bolete · #12 09-02-2014, 10:42 PM

Up until early 1952, the Russians used a return sping for the firing pin, which would prevent slam fires. After that, they did away with it as it really wasn't needed. Disassemble our bolt periodically and clean the firing pin and hole. Also make sure you degrease it thoroughly.
Milsurp 7.62x39 ammo has a particularly hard primer cup to help prevent slam fires from occurring. If you are reloading for it, use an appropriate primer.