How to de-rust...

[jamesgpobog]

Cleaning an SKS for a family member. It was shot twice (literally 2 rounds) with corrosive ammo and put away 20 years ago without cleaning.

I have it disassembled, and it came apart easier than I thought it would. The bolt is stripped, the firing pin out, the FP stop was not frozen nor the fp though they both needed a punch. The bolt carrier is dark and rough but I think will polish/clean just fine.

The bore has some raised fuzzy spots, and the gas piston/op rod is rough.

What about putting the carrier and bolt in my vibe case cleaner?

What's the best home remedy to clean this? Windex? Vinegar? I really don't have the free cash to buy some fancy cleaners....

[akuser47]

Hot water to neutralize the corrosive salts. The hotter the better reason is it will flush and evaporat fast the reason windex is always mentioned is it is water based with ammonia as main additive that helps it evaporate fast when at range with no hot water. If home hot water is cheaper. That's what I use right after shooting. Not sure on one that's been left go like that. I would still try to flush with hot water then use bore solvent and oil. Lube her back up. Inspect her to be sure she is safe. Keep us posted. And get pics if you can is she Russian,Chinese,Yugoslavian?

[jamesgpobog]

It's a ChiCom, same vintage as mine, i.e. late 80's. It's one of the good ones, screwed barrel and machined trigger group, spike bayonet. I think it will clean up pretty good, maybe a new firing pin. It needs a crossbolt too, the nut is gone.

[Maximumbob54]

Soak parts in Kroil, scrub parts, done. Next time you shoot commie ammo pour boiling hot water gas system once you pull the piston. Then oil it of course. I shot my SKS for years in this manner.

[mr surveyor]

weren't all the Chinese norinco barrels chrome lined?

[jamesgpobog]

weren't all the Chinese norinco barrels chrome lined?

I believe so...

[klr]

If you have rust on the firing pin you really need to consider a spring loaded firing pin as a safety upgrade.

A stuck firing pin could lead to a slam fires and accidental full auto.

I bought this one and it fit perfectly and works great.

http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm

[jamesgpobog]

I have one of those in another gun and I'll be getting one for this too. It has cleaned up rather well, I had another stock pin that fits nice for now. The big issue now is that it has substantial negative sear engagement...but lots of heavy creep. It will get a Kivaari trigger soon...

[singleshotcajun]

Soak parts in Kroil, scrub parts, done. Next time you shoot commie ammo pour boiling hot water gas system once you pull the piston. Then oil it of course. I shot my SKS for years in this manner.