SKS Part Failure and Spare Parts

Shoots4Fun · 10-09-2009

Has anyone seen this issue with an SKS?

Was at the range last week and after about 30 rounds (that day), the small piston just sheared right off causing the long cylinder to slide right back into the chamber. Luckily, although the shell didn't eject, it didn't jam too tight.

I was just wondering if anyone has had this happen and what kinds of parts people keep on hand in case of failures like this.

Thanks...

sporter · 10-09-2009

Not a common failure. The SKS is a tough rifle IMO.

CombatVet · 10-09-2009

Can't say I've ever heard of any rifle doing that honestly. Was some one using it inappropriately?

Shoots4Fun · 10-09-2009

There was no monkey business. It has been maintained and cleaned after every use. Probably has about 300 rounds through it or less. No signs of fatigue or any wear.

The shots were not fired quickly. Just plinking at the 100 yd. range.

CombatVet · 10-09-2009

I can't tell for sure from the picture, but it might have been a bad weld or something like that. I wouldn't doubt it especially if it was from eastern Europe.

IndyGunworks · 10-09-2009

I highly doubt that is a common failure... while it MAY have been a fluke or a bad weld, if you continue to have the same issues even after part replacement, i would suspect a gas hole that is slightly to large injecting to much force into the piston.... not saying thats what it is, but if you break one or two more that would be one of the first places i would look next.

jamisan01 · 10-17-2009

If it's a Norinco, nothing would surprise me. But I've owned several quality SKS rifles and never seen that before.

Claddagh · 10-18-2009

Never seen the like from an SKS before and I've owned about a dozen over the years. IMO, you might want to put a new spring in along with the new secondary piston. FWIW, the secondary piston springs on all of mine have been "compound", consisting of two wires twisted into one spring. The one in the photo looks to be a single wire, which might've been a factor in the rod's failure. A weak or worn spring would subject the piston to more impact at the end of its travel. The added stress could set-up a "hysteresis" fracture along a machining cut line.

Shoots4Fun · 10-18-2009

Thanks for the insight and advice, everyone. It was a Yugo, not a Norinco.

I'll definitely check the spring. It is two wires together to make the spring, but a "weak" spring could impact the force on the piston.

Thanks again for the insight and information...

Airwolf · 10-18-2009

Sarco has an SKS survival kit that should have everything you need. There is a basic and a more comprehensive kit.

10-09-2009	#1 (permalink)
Shoots4Fun I like my Glock best Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 222	SKS Part Failure and Spare Parts Has anyone seen this issue with an SKS? Was at the range last week and after about 30 rounds (that day), the small piston just sheared right off causing the long cylinder to slide right back into the chamber. Luckily, although the shell didn't eject, it didn't jam too tight. I was just wondering if anyone has had this happen and what kinds of parts people keep on hand in case of failures like this. Thanks... __________________ ‘‘Quit your frowning and grab your Browning.’’ — R Lee Ermey

10-09-2009	#3 (permalink)
CombatVet Plinker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Columbus Posts: 126	Can't say I've ever heard of any rifle doing that honestly. Was some one using it inappropriately? __________________ "We are men of Nature. We are made from the earth."

10-09-2009	#4 (permalink)
Shoots4Fun I like my Glock best Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 222	There was no monkey business. It has been maintained and cleaned after every use. Probably has about 300 rounds through it or less. No signs of fatigue or any wear. The shots were not fired quickly. Just plinking at the 100 yd. range. __________________ ‘‘Quit your frowning and grab your Browning.’’ — R Lee Ermey

10-09-2009	#5 (permalink)
CombatVet Plinker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Columbus Posts: 126	I can't tell for sure from the picture, but it might have been a bad weld or something like that. I wouldn't doubt it especially if it was from eastern Europe. __________________ "We are men of Nature. We are made from the earth."

10-09-2009	#6 (permalink)
IndyGunworks LONG RANGE Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 3,258	I highly doubt that is a common failure... while it MAY have been a fluke or a bad weld, if you continue to have the same issues even after part replacement, i would suspect a gas hole that is slightly to large injecting to much force into the piston.... not saying thats what it is, but if you break one or two more that would be one of the first places i would look next. __________________ Shoot First. NRA Life Member

10-09-2009	#2 (permalink)
sporter If Matrix were here, he'd laugh too! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southern, Indiana Posts: 637	Not a common failure. The SKS is a tough rifle IMO.

10-17-2009	#7 (permalink)
jamisan01 Plinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rochester, In Posts: 53	If it's a Norinco, nothing would surprise me. But I've owned several quality SKS rifles and never seen that before. __________________ What if the "Hokey-Pokey" really IS what it's all about ???

10-18-2009	#8 (permalink)
Claddagh Plinker Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 214	Never seen the like from an SKS before and I've owned about a dozen over the years. IMO, you might want to put a new spring in along with the new secondary piston. FWIW, the secondary piston springs on all of mine have been "compound", consisting of two wires twisted into one spring. The one in the photo looks to be a single wire, which might've been a factor in the rod's failure. A weak or worn spring would subject the piston to more impact at the end of its travel. The added stress could set-up a "hysteresis" fracture along a machining cut line.

10-18-2009	#9 (permalink)
Shoots4Fun I like my Glock best Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 222	Thanks for the insight and advice, everyone. It was a Yugo, not a Norinco. I'll definitely check the spring. It is two wires together to make the spring, but a "weak" spring could impact the force on the piston. Thanks again for the insight and information... __________________ ‘‘Quit your frowning and grab your Browning.’’ — R Lee Ermey

10-18-2009	#10 (permalink)
Airwolf Plinker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 79	Sarco has an SKS survival kit that should have everything you need. There is a basic and a more comprehensive kit.

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