Bought an SKS------now what? Pics

different_seasons · November 29, 2006

So I go into the gun shop to get a gift certificate and I walk out with an SKS, you know how that goes.

Wifey was semi-ok with it (all she said was "well, Merry Christmas") so I'm in the clear boys, but my problem is I've never owned one and I don't even know how to load it. Also, how difficult is disassembly? I have to clean the packing grease off it.

KidFlippy · November 29, 2006

Loading is easy. Pull the bolt back and load from the top. It's as easy as that. If you pull the bolt back and don't load it, you have to release the clip on the bottom of the gun to close it back. With it loaded, it closed and chambers a bullet at the same time.

Disassembly is easy as well. There are several websites that tell you how. I bought one from a friend of mine a few months back. It's a very fun and durable gun. Mine has the FiberForce stock on it and I love it.

If you're anything like me you're gonna have on hell of a time with it. Takes down a hog like a champ.

kssooner · November 29, 2006

You got a nice/fun/cheap gun to shoot. First spend a little more money and get a synthetic stock, I think I picked mine up for like $45 bucks or something. Get it sighted in and have fun. Oh by a clip for it also so you can have lots of fun.

stinger26 · November 29, 2006

You got a good reliable gun. Get lots of ammo because your gonna burn though it quick when you realize how fun the gun is and you can never have too much ammo. Also, I would stay away from the 30rd mags for these things. Most of them are junk. The 10rd fixed mag works perfect. I had a synthetic stock on mine when I bought it, but put the wood back on, cuz it looks a whole lot better.

Disassembly is easy, but be sure to clean all the crap outta it. Pay CLOSE attention to the bolt. Make sure that thing is absolutely clean and that the firing pin rattles around when you shake it. You don't wanna have a slam-fire.

Be safe and have fun.

different_seasons · November 30, 2006

Thanks. I disassembled and cleaned it top to bottom and still didn't get all the grease off. Someone suggested soaking it in soap and water and then going at it with a stiff brush. I'm kind of nervous about soaking a gun in water though. I have many guns but all are new American made and have never been packed in thick grease. Thoughts?

*Edit* Oh, and the Taliban has so far stayed away from my house, I guess my wife can appreciate that right?

November 30, 2006

Thanks. I disassembled and cleaned it top to bottom and still didn't get all the grease off. Someone suggested soaking it in soap and water and then going at it with a stiff brush. I'm kind of nervous about soaking a gun in water though. I have many guns but all are new American made and have never been packed in thick grease. Thoughts?

*Edit* Oh, and the Taliban has so far stayed away from my house, I guess my wife can appreciate that right?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Soak it in HOT, soapy water then rinse it in HOT water. Did I mention HOT? When it's hot, the water tends to evaporate and that helps the drying process. Then lightly oil it like you normally would any of your weapons. Oh yeah and buy some bulk 7.62 ammo through Sportsmans Guide or Cheaper Than Dirt. You'll burn throught it in a hurry. Have fun!

Wingnut · November 30, 2006

Thanks. I disassembled and cleaned it top to bottom and still didn't get all the grease off. Someone suggested soaking it in soap and water and then going at it with a stiff brush. I'm kind of nervous about soaking a gun in water though. I have many guns but all are new American made and have never been packed in thick grease. Thoughts?

*Edit* Oh, and the Taliban has so far stayed away from my house, I guess my wife can appreciate that right?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Soak it in HOT, soapy water then rinse it in HOT water. Did I mention HOT? When it's hot, the water tends to evaporate and that helps the drying process. Then lightly oil it like you normally would any of your weapons. Oh yeah and buy some bulk 7.62 ammo through Sportsmans Guide or Cheaper Than Dirt. You'll burn throught it in a hurry. Have fun!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last time I ran gun parts under hot water, I WATCHED RUST FORM ON THEM. Seriously, you could scrub it off, stick it under there to rinse, and you could watch it form in the microscopic cracks.

Drill Instructor had us wash our bolts on the washracks using hot water, and the rust was instant for the entire platoon. Yeah...He may have been a Drill Instructor, but he was about as sharp as a bowling ball. Now, the M16A2 may be a little different, but I'd think long and hard before sticking anything of that sort in hot water.

But that's my own personal experience.

Congrats on the new noisemaker (and pigsticker) man.

kssooner · November 30, 2006

What about some general purpose degreaser? I would think that would work. Im not to sure about the water idea, hot or not. Like I said just dont worry about it and get the synthetic stock and I will say again...lots of rounds, you will be out before you know it.

Clavin78 · November 30, 2006

Thats a sweet bayonet!

plainvanilla · December 1, 2006

Please don't soak that gun in water

All you need to do to cut the packing grease is some Varsol and or parts washing fluid.

Also commonly called Naptha. You can get it sometimes in a metal gallon can at a hardware store for around $5. We sell it in blulk out of a storage tank for $4.50 a gallon.

The solvent will cut the grease and not promote rust, as it will evaporate. Some naptha based solvents can be a tad oily, but easliy wipe down. Then you can wipe everything down with a good 3 in 1 oil.

clm7214 · December 1, 2006

Carb Cleaner then lightly coat with oil.

CLP and Cold water rinse are the only things Uncle Sam authorizes for cleaning an M16A2, M16A4, M4 or M4A1.

curly · December 5, 2006

Congrats! SKS's are fun to shoot and ammo is fairly inexpensive. I second the composite stock and a few 'high capacity' magazines. You have to try the A-team side firing like they always did on the show (safely of course ). Have fun!!