SKS Cleaning Kit Use

[Bubbazinetti]

Of the 5 AKM and Type 56 rifles and Sporters that I have observed none had BSW(British Standard Whitworth) threads.Even the closest one,the 3/16-24,is too large and coarse.My Maadi RML and Type 56 rifle original issue cleaning rods are threaded 8-32.My Sporter rod is M4-.7 threads.The rod tips do not interchange.

[Justin Hell]

Is this the Whitworth stuff we're talking about: https://www.amazon.com/Whitworth-British-Standard-BERGEN-AT045/dp/B01MQ2M3C9

It's not a ton of money.

I'm thinking that an adapter could be made for the purists among us.

I don't use the SKS kits as I have LOTS of other options available, but a Whitworth/SAE/Metric/Whatever to whichever thread adapter might be a hobby project.

I do recall it being a British standard, primarily used for camera tripods and some older stage lighting clamps, from what I have read.  It's a heckuva lot of ching for me to throw at, considering how many times I haven't used either my metric set, or my dad's SAE set. I forgot I borrowed that actually.

[newchi]

The only 2 British threads i remember (being born there) are British Standard Pipe Thread. Back when you would cut steel pipe and thread the ends and join them.
And possibly more relevant to this, there is such a thing as British gun cleaning kit thread.  Thats NOT what it is called but my nice Shotgun kit wont work with anything in north america.

I think, if you live near a decent sporting goods store a Parker Hale adaptor might be something to try.
https://www.amazon.com/Dewey-Rods-Small-Parker-Adapter/dp/B01CW3HE7E

And on this page theres something called a military thread adaptor that ive never heard of.
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Shot-Thread-Standard-Military-Adaptor/dp/B008P8F4ZA/ref=pd_sbs_200_4/141-0652703-9826923?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008P8F4ZA&pd_rd_r=d5e12f9d-c941-4a79-82ac-479cd09eb420&pd_rd_w=VCpc3&pd_rd_wg=mQ1vo&pf_rd_p=d28ef93e-22cf-4527-b60a-90c984b5663d&pf_rd_r=NSDHRJS94N4KQGTVZE7G&psc=1&refRID=NSDHRJS94N4KQGTVZE7G

[carls sks]

i'm just so darn lazy  , i ordered a bore snake to clean. i even had to look up size needed (.30 cal for others), got to get out more. 

[Bubbazinetti]

You know that the BSW and BSF thread standards were replaced by the UNC standard since the 1950s? The differences in thread pitch is identical with very few exceptions.The main difference is the "V" angle of the Whitworth is 55 degrees and the "V" angle of the UNC threads is 60 degrees. For most practical purposes a UNC 8-32 bolt will screw into a BSW 8-32 female thread and vice versa.You can run a UNC thread die over to make life easier if need be and you'll hardly see any material be taken off if any from my experience.No need for an adapter that I can see.

[newchi]

I dont remember why they dont fit , just they are different some how.
I wish there was a thread app where you took a photo and it told you what it was

[Bubbazinetti]

Sometimes the pitches are different but for the most part a BSW 5/32-32 (.156" major diameter) is only a few thousands difference from a UNC 8-32(.164" major).This size is also very close to a metric M4-.7(.157" major diameter) but the pitch is .004" different so they won't interchange.Looks to me that there is two standard rods.You'll have one or the other.Only measuring the dia. and pitch will reveal what you have.

[Shoot The Refurbs]

Sometimes the pitches are different but for the most part a BSW 5/32-32 (.156" major diameter) is only a few thousands difference from a UNC 8-32(.164" major).This size is also very close to a metric M4-.7(.157" major diameter) but the pitch is .004" different so they won't interchange.Looks to me that there is two standard rods.You'll have one or the other.Only measuring the dia. and pitch will reveal what you have.

I had no clue there were any differences between them much less the exact differences drawn out to the .000
but I am just stunned you happened to know this and have the exact specifications onhand. extremely impressive sir.

[Larry D.]

Sometimes the pitches are different but for the most part a BSW 5/32-32 (.156" major diameter) is only a few thousands difference from a UNC 8-32(.164" major).This size is also very close to a metric M4-.7(.157" major diameter) but the pitch is .004" different so they won't interchange.Looks to me that there is two standard rods.You'll have one or the other.Only measuring the dia. and pitch will reveal what you have.

Sounds like you've been around a shop or two.

[Bubbazinetti]

Was a fabricator for aerospace industry and mechanic for a long time.There's a hell of a lot that I don't know still.Always fun to learn.

[Shoot The Refurbs]

Was a fabricator for aerospace industry and mechanic for a long time.There's a hell of a lot that I don't know still.Always fun to learn.

A skillet! I should have known, some of the handiest people I've ever met.

[echo83]

So the replacement rod came in yesterday. My heart sank, because the box it shipped in was the exact same size as the box the AK rod came in...

Then I noticed an inch of cleaning rod jutting out through the side of the box!

The rod is in great (unissued?) shape, the length matches the one my rifle came with 64 years ago...perfectly blued and with a healthy coating of cosmoline. Best of all, the threads all fit perfectly with my AK cleaning kit. Success! And big tip of the hat to Sarco for replacing the rod free of charge!

I also noticed that the threads matched the mashed up and flattened threads on my original rod.

Conclusion: SKS cleaning rod threads are compatible with AK cleaning kit parts.

I feel like I'm pushing my luck, but does anyone know where I can track down an empty SKS cleaning kit egg to house all the cleaning kit parts?

[Bubbazinetti]

J&G has them for short money right now.
https://www.jgsales.com/military-surplus-sks-and-ak-cleaning-kit-for-buttstock,-used.-p-70045.html

[Shoot The Refurbs]

thanks for the link bubba, just snagged 10, I'm always short on those and the rifles I do buy often don't have them. while there I noticed they had a few russian refurb sks's in stock.... They want about a grand each though.
https://www.jgsales.com/russian-sks-semi-auto-rifle,-7.62x39,-black,-russian-arsenal-rebuild-with-laminated-stock,-c-r,-vg,-used.-p-105063.html

***EDIT***
Just noticed they have chinese too.... for just over 600$ each...
https://www.jgsales.com/norinco-sks-semi-auto-rifle,-7.62x39,-factory-26-manufacture,-blued,-spike-bayonet,-vg+,-used-p-105051.html

[carls sks]

J&G has them for short money right now.
https://www.jgsales.com/military-surplus-sks-and-ak-cleaning-kit-for-buttstock,-used.-p-70045.html

very tempting ($12 shipping for 10), thanks.

[Bubbazinetti]

Yeah,that last Jianshe with all matching and the beautiful Russian refurb are in really nice shape.Much better than many of the tired gunsmith specials on the market.A better value I think as compared to the gunjoker insanity going on right now.I hope you can snag one.

[Shoot The Refurbs]

J&G has them for short money right now.
https://www.jgsales.com/military-surplus-sks-and-ak-cleaning-kit-for-buttstock,-used.-p-70045.html

very tempting ($12 shipping for 10), thanks.

Had to, was only 10$ shipping to Texas, weird.

Yeah,that last Jianshe with all matching and the beautiful Russian refurb are in really nice shape.Much better than many of the tired gunsmith specials on the market.A better value I think as compared to the gunjoker insanity going on right now.I hope you can snag one.

Oh no definitely not I. I still don't see a grand being value on a normal russian refurb, and absolutely not over 600 for a chinese.
Deals still can be had even on Gunjoker. Sometimes you have to be really fast though, I just picked up something neat that I'll post pics of when I get, but when I slammed the BIN I was the only person to have viewed it. Possibly due to a spelling error, (no more hints though, Y'all just have to wait and see  )

I'm more than willing to pay price for a gun, but man, a grand for a nothing special bbq refurb? That's just panic pricing on J&G's part, but I guess they can only sell me the cleaning kits so cheap if they gouge one or 2 people on an SKS. 

[Larry D.]

J&G is an interesting place.
It's easy to miss their driveway. They sit back a ways kinda behind a post office, a feed store, and some other business.
But once to find it, there's some deals to be had on occasion.
The hired help has changed a lot over the years. They're not as helpful, or friendly, as they used to be.
I usually make a run up there once a year or so. Prescott (pronounced PRESS-kit by us desert dwellers) is a nice town. It's famous in these parts for Whiskey Row. Google that term.
For us old guys, do y'all remember the movie Billy Jack? That famous scene about "I'm gonna take this right foot, and I'm gonna whop you on that side of your face..." was filmed at the courthouse in downtown Prescott. For the younger folks:
Anyway, back to J&G. Once you get in there, you're a little surprised at how small the public area/showroom is compared to the size of the building. They have a pretty good sized warehouse area, and they keep a LOT of stuff back there.
You just never know what's gonna pop up.
True story: Me and my buddy Frank took a vacation day at work and made the trip up there to get out of the heat, visit J&G, and have lunch. Frank wanted a shotgun they had on sale, but I had no plans to buy anything at all. While Frank was doing paperwork, I was leaning on a counter. This old fella comes out of the back and asks me if I need any help.  said no thanks. It was slow, so we started chatting. While yakking, I noticed a nifty little 2 tone pistol that looked like a PPK.
That's how I bought my first PA-63.
Frank comes back and I tell him I'm getting ready to do my paperwork.
About this time, a dude comes out of the back with a laundry cart about half full of used pistols that have just cleared and are ready for sale.
Me, Frank, and another customer sorta amble over to that counter. The 3 of us and 3 employees start the process of handing each pistol to each other in a circle.
One of the guns that came out was a Smith & Wesson Model 52. Never saw one before. Never seen one since. Very interesting gun. Anyway, I wound up with that PA-63, a stainless Ruger MKII, and a Smith Model 10. Frank took 3 guns home as well. That third customer took the Smith Model 52.
Another time I was fingering some AK's that had just come in. I noticed something odd about it, so I called one of the guys over to see. There was this strange extra hole in the receiver.... Maybe I shoulda kept my mouth shut and bought it, but I did the correct thing. Maybe the employee bought it, but e both knew that somebody screwed up and slipped a 3 hole receiver in that shipment.

They frequently have boxes of random milsurp accessories laying around. I scored 3ea WWII vintage German K98 ammo pouches for 3 bucks apiece one time. Random sales on all sorts of guns that aren't listed on the website.

But the strangest thing about them - they want ID on every sale. Even a non firearm sale. Some guys get offended and won't do it. Every sale gets you on their mailing list, too.