SKS Cycling But Not Ejecting

Several months ago there was a post here about some Yugo 59/66 SKS's for sale at a local pawn shop and I picked one up. Pretty accurate shooter and in far better than average shape. Cleaned it up, did the cosmo dance and took 'er to the range. Well, here's the problem - when fired, the action will cycle but won't eject the spent shell. Had my brother fire it with a full mag while I watched the action. Sure 'nuff it was doing its cycling thing, but no brass went flying. I'm thinking a bad extractor, but my general knowledge of this rifle is limited, so I'm looking for suggestions on what needs to be done to remedy the problem. Thanks in advance of your help -

Could be the extractor or a bad gas valve. In addition check to make sure that the locking lever for the gas tube is down and locked. I had to bend the locking lever down on one that I had. CNC Warrior makes a great replacement valve if needed.

When you cycle it by hand does it eject a round an load another round?

Stumpbud wrote:When you cycle it by hand does it eject a round an load another round?

It'll eject a round, but not chamber another one. Thanks for the reply -

That rules out the extractor! I would look into gas system next.

Thanks - I'll do that. Gonna give it another good cleaning and then to the range. See what happens and if necessary, order some new parts. Sound like a plan?

Lubricate the action with a good moly lube oil such as Tri-Flow spray oil. Sometimes a semi-auto action will short cycle when not lubricated. The rule of thumb is, if it ain't putting spots of oil on your glasses, you ain't got enough oil on it.

Doug

Thanks Doug

PapaDawg, make sure that the lever on the gas valve is at about the 2 o'clock position. 12 o'clock is grenade launcher position.

Does it have the factory attached mag, or some aftermarket high cap on it? A SKS is supposed to run, and the only thing I have ever seen cause problems was a junk magazine. Also, what about the ejector? Is the chamber rusted? Are you using steel cased Wolf ammo? I have heard of these things causing issues, but have never witnessed it first hand.

mikey67 wrote:PapaDawg, make sure that the lever on the gas valve is at about the 2 o'clock position. 12 o'clock is grenade launcher position.

+1

Had the same problem with my SKS & this fixed the issue.

Coworker had the same problem. What he did is shoot 100 rounds, clean it, shoot 100 rounds, clean it......do that about 5 times. He went through about 500 rounds and 6-7 cleanings till it finally smoothed up for him. And yes, he knows what he is doing when it comes to firearms. His SKS was just had extremely tight tolerances. Was dang hard to eject by hand, and slam fired once through the bedroom. It was a pos till he ran it and cleaned it a bunch.

mikey67 wrote:PapaDawg, make sure that the lever on the gas valve is at about the 2 o'clock position. 12 o'clock is grenade launcher position.

The Yugo's will require this .....