SKS Loading and Unloading (TF 15-03)

[@mnguy98]

It's also possible to send the bolt home on an empty chamber with a loaded magazine; when closing the bolt, depress the rounds slightly so the bolt doesn't pick one up. Now you have a rifle in Condition 3, and can be made ready simply by racking the charging handle to chamber a round.

[@HistoryinFirearms]

Yeah, that's also an option!

[@Squib1911]

Interesting use of just the thumb on the charging handle in order for the rest of the hand to be able to catch the ejected cartridge.

[@HistoryinFirearms]

I also thought it was interesting that all the varying ways were described in the manual.

[@squiblift2019]

I got rid of my SKS rifles last century. One of the things I liked about them was the built in stripper clip guide.

[@HistoryinFirearms]

It sounds so long ago! Regret getting rid of them?

[@squiblift2019]

@@HistoryinFirearms no. but yes. I would have given hem to my kids. I'll just keep buying more guns for my kids.

[@BlurryBlooper]

My favourite rifle

[@HistoryinFirearms]

It's a good rifle 👍

[@helterskelter156]

Hey, I’m not sure why it isn’t more commonly known, but when you finished loading the cartridges from the clip into the mag, you should be able to pull on the clip a tiny bit backwards when taking it out of the guide. This’ll be enough to get the BCG to move into position, and will save you the action of pulling the charging handle. It is quicker, although you may bend the clip if you’re rushed and are careless (although I found it to be a rather hypothetical issue, more than anything). The clips are meant to be discarded, btw. Thanks for the vids!

[@HistoryinFirearms]

I hadn't heard that, and this technique is not in the manual, but I just tried it, and sure enough, it works! Didn't play with it too much, but are you then basically pulling it out of the BC when it's forward? Are there any issues with it not going into battery? I may have to do a bulletin on this. 🤔

[@helterskelter156]

@ It is odd that so many people have not heard of it. I’ve never seen a manual on the SKS myself, but as a collector of these rifles, I’ve met many people who’ve used this technique. If you pull the clip backwards on an angle, quickly, the BCG will go into battery with no issues. I’ve done this hundreds (if not thousands) of times, and it works as if they intended for it to be used like this.

[@HistoryinFirearms]

@@helterskelter156 Good to know! I will be trying this out more.

[@JoelMilller]

I am loved

[@HistoryinFirearms]

SKS ❤️