Before Shooting

[Jeonsah]

Hoping to get a few rounds down range this weekend. Will be the first time firing this new rifle. The firing pin was seized in cosmoline. I got it freed and will recheck the bolt before heading to the range.

Is there any thing else I should do or be aware of since this thing has been stored so long?

[Greatguns]

Cosmoline is NOT your friend except for in storage, remove from all moving parts and chamber/bore. If you did not strip the bolt down to remove the cosmo then I suggest you revisit that and do so (brake cleaner works great for that). Also, as an FYI, the firing pin should rattle freely in the channel.

Of course I say all this not knowing what your experience level is concerning all things SKS so, if you already know all this just consider it confirmation.     

[running-man]

Sounds like you're on the right path. I would check headspace before you head out just to check that box.

After a thorough tear down and cleaning I always start a new carbine with a single round in the magazine, cock, load, and fire it downrange with tons of apprehension with respect to something catastrophic happening during that initial sequence (i.e. usually from the hip or in a pre aimed lead sled protecting myself, not putting my face right next to and definitely not behind the receiver to aim like normal, just looking to get the bullet down range safely).  After this I field strip, look at the chamber, receiver, bolt, carrier, etc. for anything out of sorts. I find the single round and check it for any signs of pierced primers, over pressure, or extraction issues. After this everything goes back together and next I load and fire two rounds in quick succession noting any thing out of sorts, especially indications of slam fire. After this I load the remaining 7 rounds from my stripper and proceed to actually aim properly and see how close to zero I am and how the firearm actually handles. 


Might be way more than what needs to be done, but accidental or catastrophic discharges are very scary and I'd like to minimize them as much as possible.

[Jeonsah]

I disassembled and cleaned everything with I bright it home. Firing pin appears good now that I've reassembled but since it's easy to strip and check, I figured I'd do that at least.

What does checking the headspace mean? I'm not familiar with that concept.

Better safe than sorry so even if it seems like a lot, I'd say it's not much compared to the alternative.

[echo1]

Also, when you chamber that first round, don't "nurse" the bolt, let it fly. Super bad sear will/may fire, or it may not be fully in battery. Then you pull the trigger, nada. When you go to check or clear the bolt, just touching the carrier it can go into battery, engage and fire. PAX

[Jeonsah]

Thanks for the tip.

I dropped it with a gunsmith to have it checked out just to be sure.

[Murray]

If the Bolt serial number matches the Receiver serial number, you can pretty much bet the Head Space is good. If they aren't the same, have your 'Smith check it.
And we've seen a lot of Trigger Groups assembled incorrectly of late. When you get it back make sure it is assembled like the top one in the photo. Bottom one is assembled with Rebound Disconnector below the Trigger Bar and it should be above it. Can cause bad accidents.

[Jeonsah]

It was deemed safe and in good order. Got to put 60 rounds through it. Would have done more but my check book said no 😂




Indoor range so I could only go out 25 yards but I didn't even have to adjust the sights. All in all, great range day!