manual/ straight pull bolt SKS mod?

[Texan Scott]

Working over an underloved Yugo 59/66. Checked it for function, but not for accuracy (I'll be putting it in a new stock and installing new sights before I worry about groups).

Because this one has a really nice bore, once I have it set up I may consider converting it permanently to straight pull. (It's a Yugo, so testing to see what difference it makes should be easy enough- just close the valve.)

If I decide to do that, what's the best way to go about it? Weld the gas valve closed? Remove the long piston? Both? Has anyone done this? Any experience or advice to share?

 

[Robert]

Ok, I have to ask. Other than because I can, which is a perfectly valid reason, why would you turn a working semi auto rifle into a bolt action?

 

[rule303]

It's a Yugo, why not just turn the gas valve off? Then you can go back to semi auto any time you want.

 

[Texan Scott]

why?

Other than just because I can? Lol...

The theory is that the gas piston, being a significant metal mass kicked violently backward as the bullet travels and exits the bore, affects accuracy. It's the same reason, so I'm told, that the Dragunov was designed with a much shorter piston stroke than the AK.

That's the theory anyway. As I said, it's one I can easily test (because the rifle's a Yugo) before doing anything to effect a change. Right now, it's just an idea I'm kicking around.

 

[Ar180shooter]

SKS's aren't exactly precision rifles.

7.62x39 doesn't have stellar ballistics.

IF there is any improvement in accuracy (big IF), it will be marginal at best. Remember, the SKS has a short stroke piston like the SVD, and not a long stroke piston like most AK's. You're not going to get a sub MOA shooter out of an SKS. You can't free float the SKS's barrel either (which, if you could, would make much more of a difference than converting it to bolt action).

If you want an accurate 7.62x39 bolt action, get a CZ 527.

 

[Texan Scott]

that's why.

Clearly ... but I'm one of those guys that fidget and tinker. Can't help it. I'd rather build than buy a bookcase or bass boat, not because it's cheaper (because sometimes it's also a good excuse to buy new tools, ), but because the journey is the greater part.

This is about making whatever I've picked up into the best thing I can. Tools that come perfect out of the box have no character. They take forever to grow a soul.

If I could turn a 5moa toy into a 2.5moa tool, I'd enjoy it at least as much as a 1.5moa carbine NIB. That's why.

SO... has anyone done this?

 

[animator]

If you want it to be a single-shot, just close the gas valve. This effectively turns it into a manual bolt action.


You will not see much of an improvement with it though. At least that was my experience when I tried the same thing, wondering the same thing.


Welding up a gas port just to make a straight pull is just plain a waste of time, mig wire, and co2.


Trigger job, counterbore and crown, and handloading ammo will get you far more accuracy gains than making it straight pull ever will.

 

[Ar180shooter]

If you want it to be a single-shot, just close the gas valve. This effectively turns it into a manual bolt action.


You will not see much of an improvement with it though. At least that was my experience when I tried the same thing, wondering the same thing.


Welding up a gas port just to make a straight pull is just plain a waste of time, mig wire, and co2.


Trigger job, counterbore and crown, and handloading ammo will get you far more accuracy gains than making it straight pull ever will.

^^^

This last line.

A friend of mine has a Refurbed Russian SKS with Tech Sights, and using commercial Sellier & Bellot ammunition, he gets around 2.5 MOA.

 

[Texan Scott]

Oh, absolutely. I'm waiting on tech sights now. The barrel crown will be automatic when I cut off the grenade thingy. The trigger job I'm either good enough or fool enough to do myself already. Maybe I'm looking for things to do to it.