The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

This is my first post here and I just picked up an M59/66A1. The rifle seems very clean finish is 90% or better. All numbers match with a serial number prefix of "E". From what I've come across that would put the date of manufacture at a 1968. The bore is nice and shiny and the rifling looks good. I've done a basic field strip on it so far and it has some cosmo in it but not nearly as much as some I have seen. Unless the gas system is gummed up a lot more than the receiver and trigger group, it should clean up pretty quickly with a little degreaser. Can't wait to see how it shoots.

Nice looking piece

I would recommend pulling the bolt apart and clean the firing pin channel also, a stuck pin due to dried grease is not fun. Also, use little to no lube/oil in the firing pin, it will attract dirt/soot etc, and possibly lead to a stuck firing pin. Keeping the pin/firing pin channel clean just helps prevent a possible slam fire.

Oh yea

Greasemonkey wrote:Oh yea

Thank you and thanks for the heads up on the firing pin. I was going to clean the firing pin bolt when I get around to ripping the rifle completely down. I've heard about the possible slam fire issue. I've also heard people say to stay away from the aftermarket firing pin spring kits as well. What's your opinion on modifying and adding a spring to the firing pin mechanism? I'd like to keep it stock original and not mess with it. I figure since the design has been around for so long and it has an exemplary reputation of proven reliability, why fix something that ain't broke.

Looks great . You will love the sks. Very good shooters and lots of fun

Putting the Murray's spring kit in is not looked down upon here, as it solves a safety issue. I have never put one in any SKS I've owned, but others here have, it's good insurance. I reload with #34 CCI primers, which are hardened for floating firing pins commonly encountered in military weapons.

WELCOME

Nice SKS , I like the wood

The Murrays firing pin is good, but one popped primer and chances are the spring on the pin is toast. Alot of heat and pressure from the popped primer going through the channel will usually distort it. The very early Russian SKS's used a spring loaded pin, then they went away from it, possibly for that reason. I used one with no issues in one of my rifles, but have since went back to the original firing pin, and have had no issues. Just keep keep the channel and pin clean and that reduces the chances of a slam fire. If you pop a primer, just stop firing and inspect the pin and channel for debris, also check it for straightness, a popped primer can bend a firing pin and cause it to hang up in the bolt.

sweet stock have fun and welcome

entropy wrote:Putting the Murray's spring kit in is not looked down upon here, as it solves a safety issue. I have never put one in any SKS I've owned, but others here have, it's good insurance. I reload with #34 CCI primers, which are hardened for floating firing pins commonly encountered in military weapons.

Good point about the hard primers. Thanks for the tip.

Greasemonkey wrote:The Murrays firing pin is good, but one popped primer and chances are the spring on the pin is toast. Alot of heat and pressure from the popped primer going through the channel will usually distort it. The very early Russian SKS's used a spring loaded pin, then they went away from it, possibly for that reason. I used one with no issues in one of my rifles, but have since went back to the original firing pin, and have had no issues. Just keep keep the channel and pin clean and that reduces the chances of a slam fire. If you pop a primer, just stop firing and inspect the pin and channel for debris, also check it for straightness, a popped primer can bend a firing pin and cause it to hang up in the bolt.

Thanks for the info. I’m pretty much leaning toward leaving it as is. It’s just a matter of keeping the damn thing clean. Since I’m pretty fanatical about cleaning and maintenance of all my firearms I don’t see this as much of an issue.

Nice rifle, nice wood grain. The Yugoslavian 59/66A1 was my first centerfire rifle. I love it. Nice machining, cool oddities like night sights, grenade launcher, blade bayonet, gas shutoff, ladder sight. Mine was bought a few years ago in unissued condition, and I still have yet to get all the cosmo out of the wood. I did get a Kavarri trigger job, and a stainless gas valve as a little insurance. Gas system was greasy but no corrosion. heavier than all my other SKSs, but still my favorite.

Very nice, congrats!