SKS Full Disassembly & Cleanup

[@hastyone9048]

My brother was in Vietnam. He was on a patrol and found an SKS laying in a creek next to a dead VC soldier. By the looks of the decomposition of the soldier he estimated the soldier and rifle were there for about a week. He picked up the SKS, cleared the chamber, locked and loaded a round and fired it. No problem. The SKS is an amazing rifle!

[@DescendantOfEnslavedAfricans]

Solider still there till this day

[@OLEG-gt2yt]

@@DescendantOfEnslavedAfricans Maybe. I don't think that piece of shit buried him

[@alegroman4294]

I cleaned my Russian SKS-45 more than 30 years ago without the luxury of KZbin how-to video like this one. Armed with whatever little knowledge that I learned from gun magazines I proceeded slowly and cautiously taking the rifle apart down to basic components. I sprayed the trigger group and the bolt assembly in one piece without taking them apart with Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber and spraying them with Breakfree CLP afterwards. I even refinished the rifle stock and hand guard with Birchwood Casey rifle stock refinishing kit. I was surprised I was able to remove the hand guard from the gas tube, something Eric warned us not to remove. If there’s one thing I should have done and was shown here, was to remove firing pin from the bolt assembly and clean it separately. I learned this the hard way by experiencing a couple of slam fire episodes. Although I also attributed this to the thin-walled commercial primers I was using to reload my 7.62x39 ammo.

[@mykalbee]

I've literally had my sks for 20+ years and I don't think I've ever had it down that far. It appears I have some work to do. I will definitely be using this video as a reference.

[@StoicBarbarian]

Don't bother. Lol

[@huh18857]

Hey Eric and other viewers, if you open the bayonet perpendicular to the barrel, the cleaning rod will come out much easier.

[@llcoolalex25]

HM I was just going to say that. I was cringing watching him pull on it with the punch. Probably how it got bent

[@pilgrimm23]

just discovered that myself...today

[@llcoolalex25]

Troll Fink I’m sure he deals with a lot more firearms that we do and is way more knowledgeable. I’d give him some slack

[@jeffpelletier5186]

I was just heading here to mention that. Lol

[@llcoolalex25]

Troll Fink no he gave bad advice on this, I hope nobody follows it and bends their cleaning rod, that would be bad.. I’m saying you would probably screw up some obscure gun he would know how to take apart flawlessly. Give the guy a break he probably services a ton of different firearms, you pretty much called him dumb and I don’t think he deserves that.

[@ganjaman3912]

Massive respect from Canada, thank you very much for all the help and education !

[@bigchunk1]

I love my SKS. Simple, rugged and capable.

[@dewyrider1097]

The sks rifle is a really good rifle. Its so reliable

[@jeremyc3911]

Eric, I love your videos. Professionally done, and family friendly (no swearing), informative, objective and your presentation is not intimidating to newer owners of firearms. I have been watching your channel for years and quite enjoy the variety from gun reviews to gun gripes to disassembly and top 5 lists. As a recent new owner of an SKS, this video was invaluable, especially the part about the bolt and firing pin. Mine had crud caked all over it and it was slamfire waiting to happen. Thanks to your video I was able to address this as well as some other items which saves me aggravation later. You are a true ambassador and credit to the gun community. Thank you for your service as well.

[@lilmockme8821]

slam fire?

[@davebags4576]

I'm right on the middle of an SKS restoration and this video has been insanely helpful, thanks alot Eric for all the work you do👍

[@marstondavis]

Excellent video! You explained the process of disassembly in a concise manner. My advice to owners of the SKS is to take your rifle apart and reassemble it 5 times. Do it 5 times the next day and you'll never forget how it's done. Thanks Eric.

[@cubano076]

Your reloading videos from many years ago got me started in this hobby and made me a fan. I appreciate the knowledge that you guys are passing on to the community.

[@earlycuyler2295]

One of the reasons i LOVE living in AZ. Whenever i encounter cosmoline all i have to do is wrap the rifle in a towel and put it in a car for a day or so.

[@apebrain737]

🤣🤣

[@earlycuyler2295]

@Sven3xs i kinda wish theyd make an airfreshener... Smells like earwax and the sweat of desperate workers toilling.

[@fredkroldart7859]

I believe I have been watching you since around July 2018 when my wife first got diagnosed with lung cancer I watched you during her treatments never knew you were a teacher I knew you were knowledgeable as hell just did not know what teacher that’s awesome

[@GaryED44]

From a new SKS owner thank you very much for these videos. you guys are tops

[@Blobertbigly]

As someone who's aspiring to be a gunsmith, I love these videos!

[@robertthetexan8537]

You are just the best bro. An excellent teacher, communicating your thoughts extremely well going above and beyond to give some details behind the scenes and sharing your experience. So many hold onto knowledge and don't want to share it. Not you. That's the mark of a great teacher. Well done brother. Well done.

[@MiguelCastro67]

Great video Eric. Two comments. You can use the cleaning kit (if you have it) to help turn the lever to remove the gas block. The cleaning kit has a groove in it just for this purpose. AKs are the same way. Second, two say you need to give it a hard wack to get to the firing pin is an understatement. I have 3 SKSs and I've not been able to crack my Tula's bolt open. Luckily I don't need to but God help me the day I do. On my Norinco and my Yogo, I replaced with firing pin with a spring loaded one (two prevent the possibility of a slam fire) and they were much easy (still tough though). Keep up the great work.

[@TheGunCollective]

These videos are just so relaxing to watch. Thanks for making these guys.

[@BrianMcKinny]

It's gun guy Zen... :D

[@jamesfillmore5120]

Pppplĺlç00000 ovvvvvvvvvvvvv v vv c

[@Urkie1979]

When I bought mine at Crappy Tire a few years back, I expected it to have cosmoline throughout the action. Surprised to find very little but tore it down anyway. Trigger group excluded as I was still very new to guns (SKS was my first personal one). Didn't touch the rear sight until I decided to replace it with a peep sight (Magwedge Raveneye from Canada Ammo). Wish I'd had a brass punch as the sight adjuster is now marred. Have to get a replacement in the future. I made the mistake of taking the wood off the gas tube (can be done with a small drill and loads of patience) but it had a slight crack and tinkering with it just exacerbated the whole thing. Put the ATI Fiberforce on it and am pretty happy so far..cheers from Canuckistan

[@banjofett3949]

I love your channel, its nice to see you still make dissasembly/ cleaning videos like you did when you started out in your humble years. God bless:)

[@dylancapaldo6815]

First time sks owner. This video was extremely helpful

[@sorryTouYubewastaken]

@ 16:49 "it's just a safety thing" became my favorite quote of the video ;) But seriously, I really enjoyed your class! Thanks a lot!

[@davidfreise7715]

Thank you very much for this video. I just purchased a SKS. I had no idea how to clean off the cosmoline. Taking it apart seemed to overwhelm me as well. Your step my step video was exactly what i needed. I put all of the small parts in a old pan with water and boiled them. It removed every bit of cosmoline. Again i say THANK YOU.

[@Herk762]

I just got my SKS in from Classic Firearms, did you take apart your trigger group before you put it in boiling water? Just wondering because I don't have a vice and am having a very hard time disassembling it, just hoping I can put the whole group in and it will get most of the cosmoline

[@davidfreise7715]

@@Herk762 I don't have a vice either. I put the whole thing in the water and boiled the hell out of it.

[@davidfreise7715]

I removed the parts while they were still hot. The hot part made the surface water evaporate. Then I used gun oil on all the parts.

[@Herk762]

@@davidfreise7715 ok I'll do that, thanks for the help, also were you able to disassemble the bolt? I've been hammering at the retaining pin for a couple days now and it wont budge, tried putting it in boiling water and soaked it in water and simple green overnight and tried again this morning to no avail. Some people say as long as the firing pin moves freely you should be good but even my firing pin won't move.

[@davidfreise7715]

@@Herk762 I didn't take that apart neither. You are right that it needs to move. Try WD 40. If that doesn't work take it to a gun Smith. It's that important.

[@VincDuran]

Very nice. I did a similar process on my SKS a few years ago. This brings it all back. I chickened out on the trigger and sent it to Murray's to get the negative sear fixed and one of their firing pins. Thank you for all your effort on this!

[@gadgetguy3579]

Just picked up a 55' Tula SKS from my FFL yesterday. I haven't owned an SKS in over 20 years. I plan on disassembling and cleaning it this weekend so I can take it to the range. This video was an absolute necessity. Thanks for all the quality content.

[@madfunk99]

Thank you so much! Took me a few hours, since it was my first time cleaning the nasty off my JA/26\ -- The function test at the end was so appreciated - which helped my realize I didn't have my magazine seated properly. GREAT GREAT VIDEO! Thank you!!!

[@brick4321]

A heat gun or hair dryer does wonders melts the cosmoline right away

[@brick4321]

@Victor De Leon 😂😂😂😂

[@OKWqc]

Thanks !!! Helped me get more acquainted with my SKS!! I used to have a lot of difficulties putting back the bolt and the trigger assembly... so, I am gonna get a T-shirt !!

[@Tito_Tv_Pr]

I did also man that shit was tough definitely had me ready to give up but I got it done lol

[@huberhg]

Yes! reloading and gun smiting videos are great, pure knowledge and experience transfer. Thank you.

[@pilgrimm23]

Thank You Eric. Your videos beat the HECK out of the old NRA take-downs in the magazine: I recently purchased a Norinco SKS and had never disassembled it. A few quirks different then your earlier one, but you gave me the basic info I needed and, given that this one is 3rd or 4th hand, no one EVER cleaned the cosmoline from the recoil spring. Now mine is cleaned greased and re-assembled. btw: back in the day I had a choice between a East German SKS and a Rasheed. #2 was at the time far cheaper...I chose the Rasheed (Which I still have; NICE little rifle. weirdest action...ever. you should find one ). Keep up the good work.

[@ValkerieSilk]

our comment regarding the gas tube pin being fatter on one side saved my SKS project... I had inserted the Front Sight Assembly pin into that gas tube end and only after having watched your video did I realize I had the wrong pin in there. I had to take mine out to fit into a new Choate stock (they actually come with a new pin which I tossed by accident), but I only realized my mistake when you mentioned that the pin for the gas tube end was fatter on the one side. THANK YOU!

[@mean1flyer]

all though this is a two year old video, it is very well put together and very informative, i just got a Norinco SKS, i had a lot of fun taking it apart and cleaning the cosmoline, i boiled the small parts and the cosmoline came right out no problem, for the heamer, disassembly and reassembly i used a half inch pvc pipe to pry and it is super easy, my SKS is looking great, thanks for the great videos Eric

[@chirstopherdecicco5410]

Recently got my first SKS. A Yugo M59/66 that was practically dripping with cosmoline. Still had the original cleaning kit in the stock. This video really helped

[@cfahnlander]

Thank you for the video. I did the advanced smithing/armorer course with SDI. Your videos compliment their courses since you show the practicality and hands on that really should be part of the course in my opinion

[@MegaBait1616]

ERIC, YES more repairs, slicking up, stock fixing, cleaning, hacks, polishing triggers, spring changing, mag. issues and of course more reloading for milsurps. even choices of bullets. thanks.........

[@dougthebaptist]

thank you Eric for going back to this stuff.

[@MlTGLIED]

Thank you for the nice video as always! Greetings from SKS owner from Oldenburg, Germany

[@Apprentice3D]

I don't know if that was already mentioned among the comments, but to easily remove and put the cleaning rod, you have to put the bayonet into 90deg position. In closed position, the bayonet has also the function of (sort of) fixing the rod.

[@markpoffinbarger9207]

Back in the 70s all we used was gasoline scrub brush and oil drain pan! Had a lot of friends in the 90s showing up at my door after dinner wanting to know how to take SKS apart!

[@frankdomestico1167]

This was the most imformative video on SKS disassembly, cleanup and reassembly I have seen !! Thank you for going thru the whole gun !! love the video's..

[@fredthegonzalo]

I just bought a yugo sks and it’s got quite a bit of cosmoline all over and inside of it! This video was a really good help thank you

[@Xrayblazer3595]

I just got an sks and this video was very helpful. I love this channel!

[@no_step_on_snek9796]

I picked up my 2nd Sk, it was heavily battle worn. The blueing was gone entirely, caked in cosmoline, minor rust all over every metallic component. I cleaned it up, re blued it and loaded her up. She didn't miss a lick. I've now completely stripped her down, stripped the cosmo off the stock, did a full blue and an original refinish of the stock. The wood has very nice character. Its beat up, but I like it that way. Its odd to have the enemies weapon in my hands.....

[@jeremy7818]

Sweet! I go back to the reloading for M1A often and re-watch. It’s a great series!

[@garyfiedler7283]

Thank you for your help. I bought my first SKS and your video was easy to follow and very informative.

[@laikataz4658]

I was following along with Sooch00's cleaning video when I was field stripping my SKS, and he shows that you need to hit the stock on the ground to get it off. That move cause my original stock to splinter and break causing a few hundred dollars in repairs. This is far better.

[@matthewcox6888]

I just did the exact same thing…bummer

[@reggaetonjones1988]

Thanks for the tutorial. I just got done with my first SKS. It cleaned up beautifully and performs well. This video, like your Martini Henry video, was exactly what I needed.

[@NavyMilsurp75]

Great step-by-step video. Makes the whole process of cleaning super uncomplicated.

[@j.m.castillo9561]

The bayonet flying is so funny after a zip-tie is suppose to hold it in place. It's so cool that you did not edit it out of the video as it is also great learning event.

[@michaelbenson8909]

I own two SKS rifles a "Yugoslavian SKS" and a "Pre-Ban Poly Tech Atlanta Georgia Chinese SKS" and they have done outstanding in my opinion I highly recommend owning one. Thanks guys at Moss Pawn & Guns for the videos.

[@CapnMic]

outstanding instruction and good photography. I learned many things about the care/cleaning of this rifle and know now, most importantly, what not to do .... thank you and your team for bringing such quality instruction.

[@EricBradle]

Wohoo I was like 1000 but good video I was just given an sks from my uncle and no clue how to disassemble it I’m sure he would have showed me but this is way more in depth than he would have showed me

[@Tacticalcow]

This info literally saved me tones of money and time thank you so much years later the knowledge is still teaching big thank you

[@Toolness1]

Sweet SKS. These early Chinese are some of the most well made SKS rifles out there. Great machine work, smooth and reliable, good shooters. This one is VERY clean as far as cosmo goes. Looks like someone already cleaned a lot of the cosmo off. That last shipment SOG got of these were a great deal. Two out of three were "Ghost" rifles, all in great shape. Classic had a lot of really bad ones, somehow SOG got the cream of the crop. I think value will go up nicely on these, especially if we get an AWB that doesn't include C&R SKS rifles. These will become even more popular for that reason, demand could make price soar....so grab one now if you don't have one. Doubt we will see many more come in from out of country. Not many left and the anti gunners are doubling down on their irrational hissy fits.

[@russellleavitt4449]

Well I put my SKS back together today. Thanks for your video it was so helpful in my disassembly and cleaning. Getting all that smelly freaking grease off was a real chore. The real challenge was fixing the years of abuse to the stock. I am going to use the original stock with all the marks and scratches in place. The stock itself is smooth as a baby's butt now. I sanded it to the original wood. Then smoothed it put put on two coats of red mahogany stain and two coats of Tung oil. It sure looks nice now. The only thing I have changed out on it was I put on a aftermarket butt pad. It fits well and In think I will leave it on. Thanks again for your help video it sure was nice to have to help me out. I can't wait to shoot it. Just waiting for the bullets. Tap, Tap Tap, Tap goes my foot as I wait. LOL !!! I let you all know how it shoots soon.

[@cdh3088]

Just because a Norinco SKS. Didn't come with an owners manual. Your video was very helpful and reassuring. Much appreciated 👍

[@82lowe36id]

Been needing a video like this for the SKS!

[@nokiot9]

Have y’all seen that “world of guns” game on steam? It’s freakin AWESOME for disassembling and cleaning guns you aren’t exactly familiar with. You can digitally deconstruct every single piece of almost any firearm. It has X-ray mode. Slow motion action X-ray so you can see how they mechanics operate during firing. It helped me a lot when I took my sks apart the first time.

[@nokiot9]

It’s a stretch to call it a game too. You do accumulate points for doing things right but it’s more of a digital educational and engineering tool. Now before I buy a new gun I X-ray and blow it up in the program to see if there’s anything stupid in it that’ll break. Like that little pin that holds the slide onto the old colt 1909s. Somebody wanted to sell me one and I chose no because of that specific part.

[@Donutkommando]

If you open the bayonet it makes the cleaning rod easy to remove as it removes the tension used to hold it in

[@FunWithGuns]

Ahh this reminds me of my first cosmoline packed sks. Fun times. Love these guns!!

[@arcarson1253]

in light of recent developments I'd say this is a good refresher course as a lot of people view the sks as their mbr 😉

[@Tito_Tv_Pr]

Man thank you so much this video was awesome was my first time taking apart my SKS and was able to take it apart and put it back together with no issue at all definitely respect your knowledge and attention to detail thank you again

[@eribertoacedo9505]

Thank you very much for your demonstration on cleaning and disassembling and reassembling thanks again be watching you some more you’re good!

[@joefoam794]

Love this type of instructional video. Glad you are planning on more in the future. Keep 'em coming!

[@jlesko1063]

Just finished putting one back together, this video was excellent. waiting on food and stripper clips, but she's ready for the range.

[@thatguy-uw5oi]

Thanks for making videos like this it helped me take apart my SKS and clean it with ease. Much appreciated!

[@The_Temple]

Finally!!!! You made a good video on THE bubba gun of all bubba guns .... SKS ... best sporting rifle ever

[@SuperHeebeejeebee]

I just adopted one of these babies and I got to say this info is spectacular. Thanks as always for a great video!

[@joehall1114]

Great video, it helped me identify some random SKS parts I have laying around. I would highly recommend replacing the firing pin with an aftermarket spring assisted one. I had my SKS run away on me due to build up causing the firing pin stuck forward....not fun.

[@allensnook7760]

Thank goodness it only holds ten rounds,even that would be unnerving when happens unexpectedly!! Unless you converted to banana clip.get my first one this friday,feels like xmas!!!snooky pa🗯💥👍💥

[@wntu4]

I will watch any SKS video you make, most especially another trigger job.

[@paladin50554]

This arrived about two months after I needed it.

[@DeimosPC]

Happy to hear you're gonna be pushing more videos out like this. I love them, even if I don't own the firearm I just like to learn.

[@stoegerstewie8351]

How many you own now ?

[@nicktrue7915]

Excellent video. This is like watching “This Old House” but with guns. Came here because I bought a Chicom SKS with an additional 4 lbs of cosmoline. I have OCD about how I initially thoroughly clean every bit of my rifle so it will be good forever. To hand down and such. This gave me anxiety now because I don’t have another pair of hands, a Vice, a non marring pair of pliers etc.

[@donbahn1319]

Suggestion, while you have the SKS apart replace the firing pin with the aftermarket one that has a spring to push the pin back into the hole. The stock pin when dirty can stick out causing the firearm to empty the mag as soon as you chamber a round and release the bolt.

[@MrHondaguy1]

I baked my SKS trigger group in the oven at 100 degrees for about an hour to melt the cosmoline out of it. Then I let it soak in greased lightning over night, sprayed it liberally with brake cleaner and lastly, put a light coating of WD40 on it. Got it cleaned out pretty well. That part to me looked like something I didn’t need to try and disassemble.

[@gman77gas]

Great vid...Now you are getting back to how you started this channel...Berry is smiling!

[@张杰-b9f]

如此精细的保养枪支，真的是史无前例了。让它焕然一新，赋予了新的生命，真的太棒了👏，支持你！👍

[@lavida57]

This is the best helper video on the SKS I have found. Thanks

[@shaungronda2759]

You make some of the best videos. I now have a fully functional martini and reload for it now hands down the best channel ever

[@mikem3618]

Thanks for this. I just stripped and cleaned my SKS for the first time. Great video.

[@wayneescobar6661]

Just got a unused Yogo wrapped in old wax paper a severely covered in cosmoline, placed the stock in the sunshine on tinfoil & it bleed tons off it. Excellent video! Thanks.

[@GrumpyGenXGramps]

A good habit to get into, what I do, is to keep a box of small ziplock sandwich bags on your bench. Every part of a system goes into its own bag and labeled if need be. Too many times I get someone that can't remember which parts go where after disassembling a rifle and it's been several days before reassembly. Especially when it comes to small parts and springs! Sometimes roll pins can look close in size and it's easy to mix them up. It takes just I little more time but is worth it. Or you can bring it to me and pay me to have to figure out what you've done and to get it back together. Which usually costs more than if you would have brought it to me to do it in the first place.

[@caseyb1346]

Tip for the cleaning rod: Lift the bayonet so it is halfway between the deployed and closed position, and the rod will slide right out.

[@littlerayofsunshine69]

I had no problem whatsoever with the pin when I did my tapco handguard conversion. Popped right out, popped right back in. Took two minutes to switch.

[@nikeandros]

If wasn't for your video I wouldn't never figure out what to do THANKS A LOT YOU ARE MY HERO.. THAT IS WHY I FOLLOW YOU !!!

[@briarus1000]

coworker just asked about sks disassembly and cleaning. video shared!

[@hdtvcamera1]

Thank God for these videos. Nobody else is as clear.

[@timallen6035]

Or you can do like this dummy did the first time I field stripped an SKS and send the top cover into the wall. Luckily for me nothing was damaged learning that lesson. Love all your videos. Yours is one of my favorite channels.

[@ObnoxiousCone]

My dad asked me to clean his sks yesterday lol, I’m always cleaning my ak’s and other rifles, this video couldn’t be better timing! Btw I love your vids!

[@9sec2valve]

Thank you Eric for the great video. Picked up a sks that was packed full of cosmoline. Followed each step and the gun works great now. Now off to the range.

[@erichusayn]

Thanks! Just got one as my very first firearm. Thankfully its not all cosmolined up, but I still need to know how to disassemble and clean her. I found this video extremely helpful...

[@cattlecreekphotographybyto8954]

This guy knows his stuff! Thank you for your help.

[@aaaaa1957]

Thanks, I’m going to do my SKS today. I don’t have an ultrasound bath so it’s Mineral spirits and a brush. I found someone here in the comments section mentioned a hair dyer, I think I’ll try that also. Thanks again.

[@hughloraine9660]

Great video. I just finished my cleanup and could not have done it without the video. My only problem was the magazine. Obviously, my SKS was mixed and matched at some point. The magazine was not the original and I had a real job to get it out and back in. On the next cleanup, I'll need to file the parts a bit to expand for clearance.

[@cheapolegunguy3204]

Thanks, I didn't know about the Front Sight.

[@coreyg7575]

Love my sks, so easy to disassemble and operate!

[@flamzy150]

These where super popular in Australia but sadly when I was born they where banded One day I’ll get to see one overseas :)

[@Bowhunter-ky3ez]

This is a great video , I have 2 SKS that I bought back in 80’s 60 bucks each. This is the best video I have ever come across. I look forward on cleaning videos on AR & AK . One on Enfield would be great

[@jnankin]

really great to hear you guys will be doing this more often. this is why i subbed way back when years ago

[@ngamshangraihing4867]

A small pointer here... To remove the cleaning rod much easier and faster than demonstrated, all you gotta do is pull out the bayonet and leave it free without fixing it on the barrel. There, the cleaning rod is freely and easily pulled out.

[@davestelling]

I'm pleased that you've decided to do more instructionals, Eric Your SKS "Trigger Job" helped me a great deal, and I really appreciated it. Thanks. Greetings from Cusseta, Alabama...