SKS not extracting

spamanon · November 29, 2008, 10:28 PM

I have an sks that I took out shooting for the first time today. The first magazine (using the 10 round internal) ran fine, but the next magazine jammed after nearly every round: stovepipes mostly. I kept clearing the trouble, then letting the bolt load a round. When there was about 3 rounds left on the second magazine, the jam occurred again. So I pulled the bolt back and the remaining 3 rounds were just jumbled inside the magazine hideously. Is this a common magazine failure? I have two 30 rounders that I was going to change the gun over to later, but I want to make sure the problem is not anywhere else. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Trapp · November 29, 2008, 10:35 PM

might be your grebade launcher gas adjustmernt lever...

spamanon · November 29, 2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

might be your grebade launcher gas adjustmernt lever...

The lever was in the 'on' position (rotated right), isn't that the correct position?

stubbicatt · November 29, 2008, 10:53 PM

Almost sounds as if the elevator spring is weakened, or the elevator is dragging on something, as the cartridges in the magazine were somehow disarranged.

The failure to eject can be due to many factors. Could be the gas valve. Could also be the piston in the gas cylinder, or even the spring loaded rod under the rear sight base. Perhaps you need to remove these and clean them well, to be sure you are freed of cosmoline.

If the chamber is polluted with cosmoline you may need to be sure to clean that well.

Even the mainspring may need to be purged of preservative.

If, after assuring that all the moving parts are free of preservative soaps, it still won't run, look for a gas leak around the valve.

HTH

spamanon · November 29, 2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Almost sounds as if the elevator spring is weakened, or the elevator is dragging on something, as the cartridges in the magazine were somehow disarranged.
The failure to eject can be due to many factors. Could be the gas valve. Could also be the piston in the gas cylinder, or even the spring loaded rod under the rear sight base. Perhaps you need to remove these and clean them well, to be sure you are freed of cosmoline.
If the chamber is polluted with cosmoline you may need to be sure to clean that well.
Even the mainspring may need to be purged of preservative.
If, after assuring that all the moving parts are free of preservative soaps, it still won't run, look for a gas leak around the valve.

Just a note: Before I even shot this gun I took it down as far as I could and completely removed all of the cosmoline I could see (nasty stuff, that) so I would be very surprised if I missed any. I would also guess the magazine spring is weak because of the way the rounds were all jumbled in there.

What is it about the gas valve that goes wrong?

ISC · November 30, 2008, 02:54 AM

this is a common problem for yugo SKSs. The gas system is corroded and the corrosion allows too much gas to blow by the piston.

The easiest way to check is to swap out the gas piston and tube from another rifle. It should function fine.

Aftermarket parts are available from tapco and other sources. to fix it the right way.

A cheaper solution is to open up the gas port to allow more gas to act on the piston.

Yugos are the only SKS with a gas valve, and it collects corrosive salts. Yugos are also the only SKS without a chrome lined bore and every round of yugo ammo I've ever seen is corrosive. All these things add up to gas system problems that, while not exactly common, are much more prevelant than in any other variety of SKS.

FrankenMauser · November 30, 2008, 03:10 AM

If it is a Yugo SKS...

You're better off shooting it in its original condition. By using the 30-round magazines, you need to be 922r compliant. (10 US-made parts.)

The original 10 round box magazine will probably give you a lifetime of reliability, without the risk of having a non-compliant weapon.

railroader · November 30, 2008, 11:58 AM

http://www.cncwarrior.com/comersus/s...rsus_index.asp If it is having problems cycling you might need a new gas valve.

screenerglenn · November 30, 2008, 12:21 PM

+1 on the grenade launcher gas button. min is just fine now. also wear some kind of pad, she kicks! glenn

November 29, 2008, 10:28 PM	#1
spamanon Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2008 Location: idaho Posts: 373	SKS not extracting I have an sks that I took out shooting for the first time today. The first magazine (using the 10 round internal) ran fine, but the next magazine jammed after nearly every round: stovepipes mostly. I kept clearing the trouble, then letting the bolt load a round. When there was about 3 rounds left on the second magazine, the jam occurred again. So I pulled the bolt back and the remaining 3 rounds were just jumbled inside the magazine hideously. Is this a common magazine failure? I have two 30 rounders that I was going to change the gun over to later, but I want to make sure the problem is not anywhere else. Any thoughts? Thanks.

November 30, 2008, 12:21 PM	#9
screenerglenn Member Join Date: August 16, 2008 Location: hollywood, florida Posts: 73	yea +1 on the grenade launcher gas button. min is just fine now. also wear some kind of pad, she kicks! glenn

November 29, 2008, 10:35 PM	#2
Trapp Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: KTN Posts: 1,221	might be your grebade launcher gas adjustmernt lever...

November 29, 2008, 10:53 PM	#4
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	Almost sounds as if the elevator spring is weakened, or the elevator is dragging on something, as the cartridges in the magazine were somehow disarranged. The failure to eject can be due to many factors. Could be the gas valve. Could also be the piston in the gas cylinder, or even the spring loaded rod under the rear sight base. Perhaps you need to remove these and clean them well, to be sure you are freed of cosmoline. If the chamber is polluted with cosmoline you may need to be sure to clean that well. Even the mainspring may need to be purged of preservative. If, after assuring that all the moving parts are free of preservative soaps, it still won't run, look for a gas leak around the valve. HTH

November 30, 2008, 02:54 AM	#6
ISC Junior member Join Date: August 5, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,982	this is a common problem for yugo SKSs. The gas system is corroded and the corrosion allows too much gas to blow by the piston. The easiest way to check is to swap out the gas piston and tube from another rifle. It should function fine. Aftermarket parts are available from tapco and other sources. to fix it the right way. A cheaper solution is to open up the gas port to allow more gas to act on the piston. Yugos are the only SKS with a gas valve, and it collects corrosive salts. Yugos are also the only SKS without a chrome lined bore and every round of yugo ammo I've ever seen is corrosive. All these things add up to gas system problems that, while not exactly common, are much more prevelant than in any other variety of SKS.

November 30, 2008, 03:10 AM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,770	If it is a Yugo SKS... You're better off shooting it in its original condition. By using the 30-round magazines, you need to be 922r compliant. (10 US-made parts.) The original 10 round box magazine will probably give you a lifetime of reliability, without the risk of having a non-compliant weapon.

November 30, 2008, 11:58 AM	#8
railroader Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2000 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 1,756	http://www.cncwarrior.com/comersus/s...rsus_index.asp If it is having problems cycling you might need a new gas valve.