SKS issues. Grrr.

[mljdeckard]

Ok, I sent the trigger group of my Yugo to Kivaari. While it was out, I dropped in a Tapco 'improved' bolt. I mostly like the ability to change mags with the bolt forward, but I also like the sprung firing pin.

So, I get it back from Kivaari, and I am having issues. I have failures to extract, and sometimes the trigger locks up, meaning when I pull, I get the same feel as if the safety is on. I had some light firing pin strikes, etc.

The first thing I need to do is put the old bolt back in and see what happens, but has anyone ever had any issues with Kivaari triggers?

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

From what I've heard, there's a general approval of the Kivari triggers. I haven't heard bad.

 

[stchman]

Ok, so your problems started when you had the rifle "improved" with aftermarket parts?

I own 3 Yugo SKS rifles and they all function very well with stock parts.

I am of the opinion that improving on a great design is difficult, and I think the Yugo SKS is a great design.

 

[jdub4]

sks

put the rifle back to its original configuration for starters. Also you have to remember 922r. Otherwise you are makin illegal alterations.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

One trick, clean out the firing pin channel.

Had a buddy that just left, brought his SKS over because it kept slamfiring.
The channel was dirty as hell, slop was everywhere. I found a bunch of powder pellets in here, must've had a case rupture in it's past.

Wish I would have taken pics, you would've seen one dirty rifle.

 

[stchman]

I had to replace the firing pin in one of my Yugo SKS rifles.

It was not very difficult. All I needed was a a set of punches. The firing pin retaining pin broke, but that is also a cheap part.


I used one of these $5 firing pins and it works great.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=SP10&name=SKS+Firing+Pins&groupid=72

I do suggest that you get a replacement firing pin retaining pin.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=SP9&name=SKS+Firing+Pin+Retainer&groupid=72

 

[Vaarok]

The safety sear that's pressed down on by the bolt when in battery is also probably not being fully engaged.

 

[mljdeckard]

Well, I switched the bolt back to the original, and it works fine. Maybe the Tapco bolt needs a little break-in, but honestly I'm getting tired of stripping the gun. I have a Tech-sight on the receiver cover, and I have to take it off every time. I want to set it up correctly, zero it, and never take it apart again.

The current problem is, I put on a Tapco extended mag release, and now the mags are a bit wobbly, and I have failures to feed on about the first four rounds. I'm not sure where I put the old one, anyone know where I can get an original one, or one close to it?

 

[briansmithwins]

Sounds like you're well on your way to improving the SKS so much that pretty soon it won't work at all.

Ain't nothin wrong with a SKS. But it ain't a AK or AR. Don't try to 'improve' it into being one.

BSW

 

[mljdeckard]

The whole idea was to experiment with it to see what works and what doesn't. So far the only things that don't are the tapco bolt and mag release.

 

[briansmithwins]

Not being able to clean a rifle without having to re-zero is a pretty big minus too, in my book.

BSW

 

[mljdeckard]

The better sight picture and radius is more than worth it. It's an SKS. Hose it out with gunscrubber once a year, and trickle some 5w-30 synthetic into it once a year.

 

[briansmithwins]

Well, since I shoot corrosive ammo and live in Oregon, your meticulous cleaning regimen would not work very well for me.

But hey, to each his own.

BSW

 

[chicharrones]

The safety sear that's pressed down on by the [Tapco] bolt when in battery is also probably not being fully engaged.

That sounds like a reasonable thing to check right there.

If I remember right, the safety sear can be pushed too far down as well as not being pushed down far enough. It kinda has to be in a "sweet spot" to work.

 

[mljdeckard]

Well, putting the old bolt back in fixed it.

 

[Sky]

There is another SKS thread where the trigger job was done after replacing the firing pin with the Murry pin and spring. If I remember he ended up going back with the original firing pin because of issues and problems. Used to have Original mags available at SKSStocks.com.

 

[vellocet]

LIsten to the OP. Leave the poor sks alone. It worked before, and if you want to screw around with a rifle buy an ak. Not an sks. What are you going to do with a yugo, make a grenade launcher into a sniper rifle?

 

[mljdeckard]

......I AM the OP. I can have a rifle to tweak and experiment with if I want to. See, I have learned that it is one thing to sit on internet boards and TALK about tweaking guns, but if you really want to learn what works and what doesn't, you need to try it yourself.

I suppose I should also add that the Kivaari trigger is fantastic now.

 

[vellocet]

Glad you're happy with it. And sorry, I meant post#3.