SKS Recoil Buffer causing FTE

[einheit 13]

Originally Posted by HTOWN stunna

Clean the hell out of the gas valve and piston. also check for leaks. My SKS was FTE because the pin that holds the firing pin in the bolt was not in all the way causing the bolt to cycle half way. lately ive been havin slam fires too.

Check for debris inside the firing pin hole of the bolt head too. Double check that the pin isn't in backward, and the the spring isn't in backwards either. New springs will help out too, wether needed or not.........

[SpareParts08]

Took my SKS back to the range today. It was windy as hell (Oklahoma), so the normally busy range was deserted. The rifle had worked fine once I removed the buffer, so I tried Einheit's advice cutting down the buffer. I sliced the back 1/4" off of the 1/2" buffer. The range was closing early so I hurried up and put 60 rds downrange. Worked great but the last 5 rds came with one trigger pull so the bolt's probably got some crud in it. I thought it was pretty cool but I was low on time, so- wpn on safe, clear the magazine, clear the chamber, pick up my brass and go home. The range is on base, and I live on base so it's only a 4 minute drive. Pretty awesome. In North Carolina it takes me 20 minutes from my house to the base range in Lejeune or 30 min to Flatwoods range.

[einheit 13]

Originally Posted by SpareParts08

Took my SKS back to the range today. It was windy as hell (Oklahoma), so the normally busy range was deserted. The rifle had worked fine once I removed the buffer, so I tried Einheit's advice cutting down the buffer. I sliced the back 1/4" off of the 1/2" buffer. The range was closing early so I hurried up and put 60 rds downrange. Worked great but the last 5 rds came with one trigger pull so the bolt's probably got some crud in it. I thought it was pretty cool but I was low on time, so- wpn on safe, clear the magazine, clear the chamber, pick up my brass and go home. The range is on base, and I live on base so it's only a 4 minute drive. Pretty awesome. In North Carolina it takes me 20 minutes from my house to the base range in Lejeune or 30 min to Flatwoods range.

Now buy one of those goofy "T-6" stocks from www.Tapco.com and i'll tell ya how to make fun time at the range and learn the art of "bump' firing... Oh, and if you can get the grenade launcher off and if the barrel is threaded (some are, some aren't) a FAL flash hider will fit right on....fun at night when you shut off the the gas...

[Mail Clerk]

Originally Posted by SpareParts08

Just go a Yugo 59/66 in exc condition a few weeks ago. I stripped off all the cosmoline, took it the range with some Wolf Ammo, worked great. Loved it. But then I thought, why don't I put the recoil buffer in that I keep hearing about, and while I'm at it, I'll put in the Wolff hammer spring/sear spring combo.

Next several range trips were pretty frustrating. The rifle wasn't cycling and I had to rack the bolt to eject/feed every round. This got pretty old after about about 20 rounds. I figured I had reassembled incorrectly/done something stupid/lost a gasket I didn't know existed- something along those lines. Finally, I just pulled out the damn buffer to see if that was the problem, and now the rifle is functioning flawlessly again. Crisis averted.

For those here with SKSs, have you all used a buffer in your rifle? Has anyone experienced these kind of problems with buffers? I went around different forums and couldn't find anything but positive stuff on SKS buffers.

Spare Parts 08',

If it worked great before you put the buffer in then take it out and see what happens. I never had put one in and since you're having so much trouble I won't waste my money. You might recheck the gas system for cleaniness and lube the connecting rod a little. Perhaps the gas systems plugs with fouling so give your bore a good cleaning. In other words do the whole nine tyards and start from scratch.

Mail Clerk

[Brickboy240]

My expereince with reciol buffers has shown me that NO firearm is worth a damn with these things. From SKSs to 1911s...just leave them out and shoot happy.

Besides, the SKS does not produce THAT much recoil...why a buffer? Thats like compensators on 9mms...why? NOt really necessary, if you ask me.

The sellers of these "buffers" love to sell you on ideas like "this will reduce stress on the frame" and other nonsense. Hey, has anyone shot an SKS to death? I have yet to see it and own 4 SKSs that I treat like absolute crap and they keep on ticking.

Besides, even if you DO shoot the SKS to death, by not using a buffer...they're so cheap, trash it and buy another.

I have found, over the years and ownership of 4 SKSs, that 99% of the aftermarket stuff for SKSs are crap. Some of the aftermarket stocks are nice and the sight pusher tool is a must, but most of that other garbage is totally worthless and detracts from the simplicity, reliability and durability that is what makes the lowly SKS so damned attractive in the first place.

Kind of like taking the engine out of your Mercedes and putting a Ford Focus engine in its place...why would you do that?

- Brickboy240