How to Remove an SKS New Stock Hand Guard

The 7.62 mm SKS Simonov Carbine Model 1945 was the last semi-automatic rifle issued to the Soviet military before the fully automatic Kalashnikov AK47 assault rifle rose to dominance in the 1950s. Many Soviet satellite nations -- including Romania and Yugoslavia -- and China continued to manufacture the rifle until the late 1960s. Thousands of these rifles went directly from factory to storage and are sold today as unused military surplus. The SKS utilized a gas-operated tilting bolt action fed by an integral 10-round magazine. Many aftermarket upgrades for the surplus SKS are available, including lightweight synthetic stocks with matching handguards to replace the heavy wooden original equipment.

Things You'll Need

  • Metal pin punch
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Instructions

  1. Stock Removal

    • 1

      Open the bolt and visually verify that the rifle is unloaded.

    • 2

      Engage the safety located inside the trigger guard.

    • 3

      Press the spring latch catch at the back of the trigger guard inward with a pin punch to unlatch the trigger guard.

    • 4

      Pull the trigger guard assembly to the rear and then out of the receiver.

    • 5

      Pull down on the rear of the box magazine and separate it from the receiver.

    • 6

      Pull up or pry the rear of the receiver and remove the barrel assembly from the stock.

    Handguard Removal

    • 7

      Pry up the gas tube locking lever on the right side of the rear sight assembly with a pin punch. Raise the lever to the first dimple on its curved track and stop.

    • 8

      Pull the rear of the gas tube assembly up and separate it from the rifle.

    • 9

      Tip the gas tube assembly over and allow the gas piston to slide out.

    • 10

      Locate the single rivet running through the sheet metal cover cap at the end of the gas tube assembly. This rivet secures the handguard to the gas tube assembly. The rivet has a broad head and a narrow shaft.

    • 11

      Use the 1/16-inch pin punch to drive the rivet out of the cap from the shaft side of the rivet.

    • 12

      Remove the metal cover cap and slide the handguard off the gas tube assembly.