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I bought an SKS recently and on the third range trip I had a FTF that is now known to be caused by a stuck firing pin. Closer observation shows that the firing pin Retainer has some interesting deformations (post pics when I get home). I've tried using a hammer and punch and cannot remove the retainer pin.

Assuming I can't get that pin out, has anyone had any luck with dropping in a new bolt and firing pin? I know we're all about matching serial numbers and wasn't sure if I should take a few more tries with the punch and lube.

karl wrote:I bought an SKS recently and on the third range trip I had a FTF that is now known to be caused by a stuck firing pin. Closer observation shows that the firing pin Retainer has some interesting deformations (post pics when I get home). I've tried using a hammer and punch and cannot remove the retainer pin.

Assuming I can't get that pin out, has anyone had any luck with dropping in a new bolt and firing pin? I know we're all about matching serial numbers and wasn't sure if I should take a few more tries with the punch and lube.

I had to put my SKS's bolt on a concrete floor (the garage) for it to be backed with something rigid enough to drive out that pin the first time I cleaned it. And it is important to keep an SKS's firing pin clean and dry... http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AndyC wrote:http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=28151.0

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=28661.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Andy! I had it resting on a jack stand on the slab in the garage. Only soft part was the small towel to keep it protected.

Dropping in a new/different bolt would require at a minimum checking the headspace and likely reheadspacing the rifle. This would require the use of headspace gauges and if you luck out and it ends up being tight, you could take material off the locking shoulder. If it's loose, you would need another bolt or another locking shoulder(not as easy to find assortments of shoulders like for an FAL). Your best bet is to remove what you have and it may require a fair amount of force to remove it if its never been out of the bolt.

I've got a spare Chinese SKS bolt (used - stripped, but I think I could piece together all the internals from my pile of parts) if you want to go the replacement bolt route. Ditto what everyone said about headspace verification though. PM me if you want it, you can have it for the cost of my shipping, i'll never use it.