Posted: 12/11/2007 9:10:08 PM EDT
| I have no clue how to do this. I searched it up and watched a How To video but I don't have the tools. Does a gunsmith perform this service? How much do they charge for this? Anyone on Long Island you can recommend? Preferably in Suffolk County. Thanks guys. |
First you'll need go and no-go gages in both calibers. The field gage isn't really needed for your case. The bolt should close on the go in both cases (SKS should close with the pressure exerted by 2 fingers) the mosin should have the bolt cam over without too much resistance. If either closes on the no-go DO NOT TRY TO FIRE THE GUN until it can be headspaced by a gunsmith. I have not heard of headspacing problems with either guns as a rule. 
|
|
To do it yourself, order at least a "no-go" gauge for each from Brownells. Since these are retired battle rifles I would not expect any issues with a short chamber (GO gauge). On the M44 remove the firing pin by unscrewing the striker/pin/spring from the rear, set the gauge in the bolt and see if it'll close on a clean chamber: if so, the clearance is excessive. On the SKS remove the top cover & spring, set the gauge in the bolt and gently insert it into a clean chamber: again if it closes on a no-go gauge then you've got excessive or at its limits headspacing. Using the WECCOG method and the above advise, place a piece of masking tape over the top of a cartridge and gently insert it into the chamber: If it closes easily on the cartridge, then chances are it's excessive. Becasuse this works for me doesn't make it safe for you, so you're on your own if something goes wrong. FWIW: In all the surplus rifles that have gone thru my hands (and there's been a lot) I have never found one that had serious issues... YMMV. 
|
|
Sometimes you want to field strip the bolt so the extractor doesn't latch onto the gauge. Gauges are pretty sensitive tools- a ding or a dent can throw them off and make them unusable. Edit: I read your post again. Too far, probably. |