SKS trigger group sticks when pulling bolt back

[Chefordiac]

Hello. I am new to this forum but I have several Chinese SKS rifles. I have one that is extremely stiff when pulling back the bolt and it  sticks about 1/3 of hammer cock. I removed the trigger group and I noticed that the hammer strut remains 'up' when it moves rearward with the hammer. I can push it down and then it moves freely. Upon hammer release the same issue occurs.

On one of my other rifles that has a smooth action the hammer strut smoothly lowers as it goes rearward. I am wondering if there is a specific reason why the hammer strut would hang up or if this is a symptom of something else biding. As a note I did disassemble and reassemble the trigger group in question because this rifle was rusty from being neglected by the previous owner after firing corrosive ammo. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!

[Greatguns]

Hey and welcome to the files. To be blunt, it sounds like something didn't get put back together correctly. Like the dis-connector is out of position and binding the strut rod. I would pull the trigger group from another rifle and compare positioning of parts to this one. Then take apart and correct as needed. If something has gotten bent, you may need to straighten it or replace the part. Last resort, send it to Kivaari(Tom Prince) or Ben Murray to get the group worked on.

[running-man]

I would second GG's observations.  Likely something to do with the assembly/disassembly or perhaps the corrosion got to something that's now causing your issue.  Could also be something out of position, bent, reinstalled wrong, or a hinge pin is not properly engaged somewhere inside.  Comparing it with your known good TG is the way to go to start with.

If you're so inclined, you can post a few photos of it and someone with experience might be able to point it right out to you. 

Good luck & welcome to the boards! 

[Chefordiac]

Thank you guys. I will disassemble it again and inspect for bent parts or something binding via corrosion.

[Larry D.]

Possible that someone forced it together with the safety off?

[Greatguns]

Possible that someone forced it together with the safety off?

That would be an instant ouch moment, if a trigger group could feel pain that is.

[Chefordiac]

If possible that someone would be me and I am not so proud as to say that I didn't do that. Ramifications besides bent parts?

[Greatguns]

If possible that someone would be me and I am not so proud as to say that I didn't do that. Ramifications besides bent parts?

Most common would be the breaking of the safety lever or spring. If the spring broke it would depend on where the broken part went as to if it was the cause. Not much room for it to travel anywhere. Like I said previously, take your trigger group out and compare it to a known good one. It may be simple and obvious.

[running-man]

If possible that someone would be me and I am not so proud as to say that I didn't do that. Ramifications besides bent parts?

I think everyone on this board has a story where they did something they were not so proud of when it comes to an SKS.  From refinishing a Vietnam bringback, to bubba'ing a pristine as-issued '53 Izhevsk, to passing an old looking beater on the rack at the LGS without looking too closely at it only to realize later it was a North Korean Type 63 and of course it's gone when you go back to try and snag it.  We've all been there.  My particular incident was getting a large screwdriver and trying to unscrew the crossbolt on my first Romy.  Still have that gun and yes, the crossbolt still spins freely unfortunately! 

If it is indeed a broken spring jamming up the works that is a relatively easy fix.

[Larry D.]

If possible that someone would be me and I am not so proud as to say that I didn't do that. Ramifications besides bent parts?

I think everyone on this board has a story where they did something they were not so proud of when it comes to an SKS.  From refinishing a Vietnam bringback, to bubba'ing a pristine as-issued '53 Izhevsk, to passing an old looking beater on the rack at the LGS without looking too closely at it only to realize later it was a North Korean Type 63 and of course it's gone when you go back to try and snag it.  We've all been there.  My particular incident was getting a large screwdriver and trying to unscrew the crossbolt on my first Romy.  Still have that gun and yes, the crossbolt still spins freely unfortunately! 

If it is indeed a broken spring jamming up the works that is a relatively easy fix.

Truth be told, some of us (ahem...me) probably have more than 1 instance of dumbfackery that we don't often talk about......

[running-man]

I've heard through the grapevine that Justin Hell tends to randomly send various SKS springs across the gun room to embed themselves in the drywall...

[Bob_The_Student]

I've heard through the grapevine that Justin Hell tends to randomly send various SKS springs across the gun room to embed themselves in the drywall...

I thought he did that to kill the bats?!

[astronut]

I know nothing, nothing!   

[Justin Hell]

If you haven't launched an op rod you haven't owned an SKS....fortunately it didn't embed....but, I also have very little drywall anymore. I hate that stuff anyway.
Now, I have accidentally launched a receiver cover across a pawn shop...forgetting that they kept the action open (where my hand was)...and the takedown pin was quite easy to disengage considering the spring pressure, now regarding the glass case full of jewelry nearby.....

[Phosphorus32]

JH, you kill me

[Larry D.]

I've heard through the grapevine that Justin Hell tends to randomly send various SKS springs across the gun room to embed themselves in the drywall...

I thought he did that to kill the bats?!