How to Disassemble an SKS Rifle

The SKS rifle is a semiautomatic carbine produced by the Soviet Union and its allies. The rifle is chambered for the 7.62x39mm round, and surplus models can be readily purchased. Since the rifles are all military surplus, you may want to disassemble your SKS for cleaning, to change the stock, or to replace nonworking parts in the action. It is not difficult to disassemble an SKS rifle, and it can be done without specialized tools.

Things You'll Need

  • SKS rifle
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unload your SKS and engage the rifle's safety. Never disassemble an SKS without first making sure the rifle is safe to work with.

    • 2

      Eject the SKS accessory kit from the butt of the rifle. Press in on the cover of the accessory kit in the butt plate, and pull the kit out of the rifle's stock.

    • 3

      Remove the SKS receiver cover. Rotate the pin at the back of the receiver, then pull outward on the pin. When the pin is pulled out far enough, the receiver cover can be removed.

    • 4

      Pull out the rifle's action. Remove the main recoil spring, then pull the bolt backwards toward the butt of the rifle and upward. The action will come out in two separate pieces.

    • 5

      Rotate the lock on the gas cylinder upward to remove the piston and gas cylinder tube. Lift the gas cylinder tube and slide the piston out. The piston will come out of the gas tube at the muzzle end of the SKS.

    • 6

      Remove the entire trigger assembly. Push on the button behind the trigger guard. If you find this difficult to do by hand, use a screwdriver. With the button fully depressed, pull the trigger and trigger guard out of the stock to complete disassembly.