The 7.62x39mm SKS Type 56 Carbine
by
Richard M. Bash

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º - MATERIAL SOURCES - º
º º
º The material for this pamphlet was derived from several documents º
º and copies from those documents. While the titles and authors of º
º those documents are unknown, their contributions are acknowledged. º
º The help of Alvin Chu is very sincerely appreciated as together we º
º unpacked the new SKS and scrubbed through the cosmoline. We then º
º disassembled, cleaned, reassembled and tested the SKS. As we did º
º each step, I sat at the computer and wrote what we did. That is º
º the basis for the sections on disassembly, reassembly and testing º
º in this pamphlet. John Schubert assisted in the documentation and º
º Rob Smith took on the first SKS for cleaning. Pat Bird assisted by º
º providing cleaning information on the weapon. º
º º
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º - LOADED WEAPON WARNING - º
º º
º Never clean, lubricate, disassemble, assemble or work on the º
º SKS Type 56 rifle while it is loaded. Keep all loaded ammunition º
º away from the cleaning area. º
º º
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The Chinese Type 56 SKS (also called the T 56) is a copy of the Soviet
SKS SL carbine and may be identified by the presence of the Type 56 symbol
located on the left side of the receiver. The Chinese Type 56 SKS functions
identically to the Soviet SKS.

- HISTORY -

The SKS was designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov after World War II.
Simonov was born in 1894 and, after leaving elementary school, worked as a
blacksmith and later still as a locksmith. In 1917, he worked with Federov
in designing the very first Avtomat (not a misspelling!) rifles. After the
1917 Revolution, Simonov studied at the Moscow Polytechnic and became
employed by the Tula Arsenal in 1924. Within two years he was in charge of
quality control and a year later became an assistant to Federov in the
design department. In the early 1930s Simonov designed the AVS-36, which
went into service in 1936. This turned out to be the very first select fire
rifle to be accepted by the fledgling Soviet Army. But, unfortunately, it
failed to stand up under service life and was only in service for about two
years.

In 1941 the Army adopted Simonov's PTRS 14.5mm antitank rifle. Few of
these ever saw the light of day because they were too complex and heavy.
The SKS was Simonov's last design and, because it was manufactured prior to
the AK-47, it is the first rifle to be chambered for the Soviet 7.62x39mm
round (designated the M43 cartridge).

Large numbers of the SKS were made but it is no longer an issue weapon
to the Soviet Army. Nonetheless, the SKS is still used for ceremonial
purposes in the USSR and has been manufactured by several Communist bloc
nations; it is still in use in several of them. The East German version is
designated the Karabiner-S. The Chinese People's Liberation Army copied the
weapon at a time when China and the USSR were on friendlier terms and
called the SKS the Type 56 SA (for semiautomatic) carbine. Later issued
versions of the Type 56 SKS have a spiked bayonet while the earlier
versions have a folding bayonet that is of the conventional shape. North
Korean forces use the same weapon but call it a Type 63 carbine and have
Type 63 stamped on the receiver. The Yugoslavian version is called the
M59/66.

- GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TYPE 56 SKS -

The SKS is an 8.51 pound (unloaded) gas operated, semiautomatic,
shoulder fired rifle with a charger loaded 10 round integral box magazine
located within the receiver. The bolt uses a tilting block method of
locking. With the bayonet folded, the overall length is just 40.20 inches
and its four groove, right hand twist barrel is 20.51 inches in length. The
muzzle velocity is approximately 2411 feet per second and the muzzle energy
is about 1575 foot-pounds. The typical maximum firing rate for accurate
shooting is one shot every 3 seconds or some 20 rounds per minute.

The maximum effective range is reported to be about 437 yards or 400
meters. The rear sight is a U shaped notch and the range is set by
depressing the slide catch and moving the rear sight along its leaf track
until the leading edge of the sight is lined up with the desired range
value (in meters; there are 3.2808 feet to a meter). Additionally there is
a battle sight setting for firing at ranges up to 300 meters. To adjust the
elevation, rotate the front sight post with the spanner found in the
cleaning kit. Rotating the front sight UP will LOWER the point of impact.

- THEORY OF OPERATION OF THE TYPE 56 SKS -

The safety lever is located along the rear of the trigger guard and is
pushed forward and up for the SAFE position. The SAFE position therefore
obstructs the trigger finger in the trigger guard as well as blocking the
hammer.

When the safety lever is in the FIRE position, pulling the trigger
will push a spring loaded sear block forward and will release the hammer.
If the bolt is fully forward and locked, the hammer will pivot and impinge
against the back side of the firing pin, driving the firing pin forward and
into the cartridge's primer. The primer ignites the powder in the cartridge
case and builds up pressure within the case, pushing the bullet into the
barrel. As the bullet passes the gas port in the forward portion of the
barrel, a portion of the gas is diverted into the front end of the gas
tube. Pressure within the gas tube is used to drive the gas piston aft
against the bolt carrier. This is a short stroke action and spring pressure
is used to return the gas piston to its forward position.

As the bolt is driven rearward approximately 8mm (0.31 inches) of free
travel, the gas pressure drops. The inertia of the rearward moving bolt now
lifts up the rear end of the bolt out of its engaged position with the
floor of the receiver. The bolt assembly then moves rearward along with the
bolt carrier as one unit. The hammer is cocked as the bolt passes rearward
over it. The bottom of the hammer forces the disconnector down and the
disconnector pushes the trigger bar down below the sear. The sear spring
will then force the sear under the hammer and over the trigger bar. This
action holds the hammer down as the bolt passes over it. When the pulled
trigger is released from its most rearward position in this cycle, pressure
from the hammer spring resets the trigger to its normal forward position.

As the bolt moves rearward, the extractor on the bolt's face pulls the
cartridge case out of the chamber. Once the cartridge case contacts the
ejector, it is ejected out the right side of the receiver through the port.

The rearward movement of the bolt carrier causes the return spring to
compress and, after the hammer is cocked, the tension in the compressed
return spring drives the bolt assembly forward. The bolt picks up the top
round in the magazine. The extractor on the bolt's face snaps onto the
cannelure of the cartridge case. Further forward movement of the bolt
assembly drives the cartridge into the chamber and the 8mm of free travel
is traversed. Until the bolt is fully forward, the safety sear lever holds
the hammer locked down. Final closure of the bolt carrier depresses the
safety sear lever and the hammer is free to rotate forward again when the
trigger is once again pulled. Final closure of the bolt carrier also again
forces the bolt down into its recess within the receiver.

- OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS -

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º - GENERAL SAFETY WARNING - º
º º
º SAFE WEAPON HANDLING REQUIRES THAT YOU, THE OPERATOR OF THE º
º WEAPON, FOLLOW SPECIFIC SAFETY PROCEDURES. THE TYPE 56 SKS IS º
º DEADLY! WHEN DISASSEMBLING THIS WEAPON, ALWAYS BE CERTAIN THAT º
º THE SKS IS EMPTY, THE SAFETY IS "ON" AND NEVER POINT THIS WEAPON º
º AT ANYTHING OR ANYONE YOU DO NOT INTEND TO KILL. º
º º
º SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU! º
º º
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º - BARREL OBSTRUCTION WARNING - º
º º
º Before loading or firing the weapon, examine the barrel to be º
º certain that it is clear and unobstructed. Firing the Type 56 º
º SKS with any obstruction in the barrel - even a heavy coating º
º of oil or even drops of water - may result in damage to the º
º weapon and injury to the user or persons nearby. A misfire or º
º unusual report on firing is always a signal to cease firing º
º immediately and examine the chamber and bore. If there is any º
º type of obstruction - even a partial obstruction - the user must º
º clear the obstruction with a cleaning rod and bore brush before º
º firing the Type 56 SKS. º
º º
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º - MUZZLE SAFETY WARNING - º
º º
º Keep the muzzle of the SKS Type 56 rifle pointed in a safe º
º direction at all times during the disassembly and assembly of º
º this weapon. º
º º
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º - WARNING - º
º º
º The SKS Type 56 rifle will fire when a live round is chambered, º
º regardless of whether or not a magazine is open in the bottom of º
º the rifle. Opening the magazine does not unload the SKS. To º
º unload the SKS, FIRST OPEN THE MAGAZINE, THEN PULL THE OPERATING º
º HANDLE FULLY TO THE REAR AND EJECT THE CARTRIDGE. DO NOT ASSUME º
º THAT THE CHAMBER IS EMPTY; ALWAYS VISUALLY INSPECT THE CHAMBER º
º EVERY TIME YOU HANDLE THE SKS. THE SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON WHEN º
º UNLOADING THE SKS TYPE 56 CARBINE. º
º º
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1. Place the safety lever to the SAFE position.

2. Point the Type 56 SKS in a safe direction and pull aft on the magazine
catch on the bottom of the weapon. This will open the bottom of the
magazine and permit any cartridges within the magazine to fall clear
of the weapon. Pull the operating handle fully to the rear and
visually inspect the chamber to verify that there is no ammunition in
the rifle.

3. If there were cartridges in the SKS, examine them to determine if they
are damaged. If the cartridges are damaged, do not use them.

4. Load the SKS by placing a stripper clip loaded with 7.62x39mm
ammunition into the charger on the upper side of the receiver at the
rear of the magazine well. Push the 10 rounds down into the magazine
well. You may also load the SKS by manually placing the cartridges
into the magazine well one at a time until the desired amount of
rounds is loaded into the magazine. The maximum capacity of the
magazine is 10 rounds. If you do not have a stripper clip, then
manually load the cartridges one at time onto the top of the magazine
follower and press each cartridge down into the magazine until it is
full.

5. Pull the operating handle slightly aft and release it. The bolt will
drive forward, stripping the top round in the magazine well off and
placing it into the chamber. The SKS is now loaded and ready to fire,
after the safety lever is placed to the FIRE position.

6. Set the rear sight for the desired range by depressing the rear sight
slide catch on each side of the rear sight and moving the sight bar
along the leaf until the front edge of the moveable sight bar is
aligned with the line below the number that corresponds to the range
in hundreds of meters. The rearmost character (3) on the sight leaf is
a battle sight setting that is used in combat for shooting at ranges
up to 300 meters.

7. To adjust for elevation, rotate the front sight post with the spanner
found in the cleaning kit. Rotating the front sight UP will LOWER the
point of impact.

8. To fire the Type 56 SKS, rotate the safety lever rearward until it is
parallel to the trigger. This is the FIRE position of the safety
lever. Point the SKS in a safe direction and gently squeeze the
trigger. The SKS will fire if there are no malfunctions.

9. When the last round has been fired, the bolt will lock open to the
rear, ready for you to reload the magazine and resume firing. Always
place the safety lever to the SAFE position prior to reloading the
Type 56 SKS.

10. The spike bayonet on the later Type 56 SKS rifles is attached to the
mount below the barrel. To extend the bayonet, pull the serrated
handle of the bayonet rearward until the detent on the bayonet handle
clears the bayonet locking block. Then rotate the bayonet forward
until the bayonet barrel loop approaches the end of the barrel.
Finally, pull forward the bayonet handle against spring tension and
swing the bayonet barrel loop over the end of the barrel, thereby
locking the bayonet in its extended position. Retract the bayonet by
reversing these steps.

- DISASSEMBLY OF THE TYPE 56 SKS -

1. Point the Type 56 SKS in a safe direction and assume the rifle is
loaded.

2. Pull aft on the magazine catch on the bottom of the weapon. This will
open the bottom of the magazine and permit any cartridges within the
magazine to fall clear of the weapon. Pull the operating handle fully
to the rear and visually inspect the chamber to verify that there is
no ammunition in the weapon.

3. Allow the operating handle to move to its most forward position.

4. Engage the safety by moving the safety lever to the forward position.

5. Locate the receiver cover pin on the right rear side of the receiver.
Hold the SKS with the muzzle pointing to the right. With the right
hand on the receiver cover pin, rotate the receiver cover pin to the
vertical position and pull it out of the receiver as far as it will
go. It will not come out of the weapon. The receiver cover will pop
slightly aft when the pin is pulled.

6. The receiver cover (also called the bolt cover) can now be pulled aft
and removed from the receiver. Set the receiver cover aside.

7. Pull the return spring assembly aft from the rear of the bolt carrier
until it clears the receiver. Set the return spring assembly aside.

8. Pull aft on the bolt carrier assembly with the operating handle until
it is at its most rearward position and lift it clear of the receiver.
Separate the bolt carrier from the bolt by sliding the bolt out either
the left or right side of the bolt carrier. Set the bolt carrier and
bolt aside.

9. Remove the gas tube and upper forearm assembly. Locate the gas tube
lever latch on the right side of the weapon in front of the rear sight
assembly. Rotate this lever upward as far as it will go. This rotates
a cam that unlocks the upper forearm assembly. Lift the upper forearm
assembly upward from the rear of the forearm until it is clear of the
weapon. The piston will fall free of the gas cylinder tube from its
front end. By continuing to rotate the gas tube lever latch upward,
the receiver piston and its associated spring. Note that the receiver
piston is under spring tension, so guard against the piston and spring
violently ejecting from the SKS.

10. The trigger group may be removed by using a punch or the point of a
bullet. Turn the weapon over so the trigger side of the SKS is facing
upwards. Just behind the trigger guard and on the bottom of the
receiver is a plunger. Press into the Type 56 SKS with a bullet or
punch against this plunger. This will release the trigger assembly.
When released, the trigger assembly may be lifted out of the stock by
the rear portion of the trigger guard and pivoted toward the muzzle
end of the SKS. Set the trigger assembly aside and do not disassemble
the trigger group.

11. Once the trigger group has been removed, the stock may be separated
from the receiver and barrel assembly. Pull on the aft end of portion
of the magazine well housed in the stock (the portion that does not
hang out of the SKS). The magazine well assembly will now separate
from the weapon. Set the magazine well assembly aside.

12. Before you attempt to separate the receiver-barrel assembly from the
stock, you must first remove the cleaning rod from beneath the barrel.
Then lift the receiver-barrel assembly out of the upper portion of the
stock. This completes the disassembly of the Type 56 SKS.

- INSPECTION AFTER DISASSEMBLY -

1. Visually inspect all parts for obvious damage. Should damage to any
part become apparent, reassemble the Type 56 SKS and take it to your
dealer for repair. Do not attempt repairs yourself. Repairs should
only be perform by a qualified armorer.

2. Inspect the external surfaces for the proper finish. The surfaces
should be blued. If needed, have the surfaces parkerized or refinished
with a satinized blue finish that is not reflective.

- CLEANING THE TYPE 56 SKS -

1. Gather together the proper sized cleaning rod with a .30 caliber brass
or bronze bristle bore brush and a slotted tip into which a cleaning
patch can be inserted. Also needed are clean cloth patches and clean
soft cloths.

2. Do not use stainless steel brushes on the Type 56 SKS. Stainless steel
brushes will remove the finish on the this weapon. A bronze or brass
"toothbrush" is especially helpful for scrubbing parts. Do not use the
bore brush for scrubbing anything except the barrel.

3. The United States military recommends that you use Break-Free
(CLP)TM. Under no circumstances should you ever use WD-40TM on any
weapon! If you need a solvent, Combat Arms recommends that you use
Shooter's ChoiceTM followed by CLP. The SKS should be cleaned at
least every 400 rounds and after each firing period. Be aware that
very often surplus 7.62x39mm ammunition is Berdan primed and slightly
corrosive. Also, PMC ammunition is reloadable and noncorrosive.

4. The end cap of the cleaning kit will mount on the muzzle and serve as
a cleaning rod guide. Mount the patch tip from the cleaning kit onto
the end of the cleaning rod. Tighten it using the socket styled
opening on the end of the cleaning kit housing. Using a cleaning rod
with a slotted tip, run a CLP wetted patch through the full length of
the barrel from the chamber end several times to remove loose
material. Then attach a bronze or brass bristle bore brush to the
cleaning rod and wet it in CLP. Run the bore brush back and forth
through the full length of the barrel at least a dozen times. Make
sure that the rod is pushed all the way through the barrel until the
entire bore brush clears the muzzle end. Do not reverse the direction
of the brush until it has completely exited from the muzzle end of the
barrel or the bore brush may bind up inside the barrel.

5. Using the toothbrush soaked in CLP, scrub the area around the chamber
until it is clean. Remove the bore brush from the cleaning rod and
attach the slotted tip again. Run several dry patches through the
barrel until they come out clean. If necessary, attach the bore brush
to the cleaning rod again and scrub the barrel with a CLP soaked bore
brush. Continue the process until the barrel is clean. Rinse the areas
you scrubbed down with Gun ScrubberTM. If an area is particularly
dirty, it is often best to direct the Gun Scrubber to it first, then
scrub the area with a toothbrush dipped in Shooter's Choice and follow
up with a the light coating of CLP.

6. Failing to do this type of cleaning consistently and properly will
cause fouling of the barrel with a natural loss of accuracy. Grease
accumulation in the chamber area can interfere with the proper feeding
of cartridges from the magazine.

7. Using a loose clean patch or soft rag soaked with CLP or Shooter's
Choice, remove all powder residue from all components of the
mechanism. If grease or dirt cannot be removed by merely wiping with
the patch, then use your brass toothbrush soaked with CLP or first
apply the Gun Scrubber to the area. After using the brass toothbrush,
wipe all of the scrubbed areas with a clean CLP wetted patch. After
cleaning the bore, run a clean dry patch through the barrel and then
follow it with a patch that has a light coat of CLP on it. This will
put a light coat of CLP on the inside of the barrel and protect it
from corrosion.

8. Wipe all surfaces with a clean cloth that has a light coat of CLP on
it. If the lower receiver and its mechanism is especially dirty, flood
it with CLP, leave it sit soaking for 2 hours and then flush it out
with more CLP. Remove the wood stock before soaking or flushing the
SKS and make certain that all foreign matter is removed after
cleaning. Lightly lubricate the lower receiver with CLP.

9. When cleaning the bolt face, breech areas, etc. with the toothbrush,
work carefully so as not to damage components.

10. Reassemble the SKS as detailed later in this manual. If the SKS is to
be stored for an extended period, the final wiping should be done with
a heavier coat of CLP.

11. Only a very small amount of CLP is needed to provide adequate
lubrication of all moving parts in the SKS and to prevent rust.
Accumulation of CLP can attract particles of dust and dirt which can
interfere with the safe and reliable function of the weapon. Do not,
therefore, apply excess CLP unless storing the SKS for an extended
period of time. If storing the weapon and using a heavy coating of
CLP, the SKS should be disassembled and re-cleaned and properly
lubricated with a light coating of CLP before firing.

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Í» º - STORAGE WARNING -
º º
º º If the SKS has been stored, before firing it again, completely
º º disassemble it as detailed elsewhere in this manual, remove all
º
º grease and lubricant, apply a light coating of CLP to all parts
º º as described in the section on cleaning and be sure to run a
º º dry patch through the barrel after cleaning with a bore brush
º º soaked in CLP. Do not keep the weapon stored in a leather
holster º º or case. Leather attracts moisture, even though the
holster or º º case may appear to be perfectly dry. Never store
the Type 56 SKS º
º rifle in such a manner as it may be dislodged. Always store the
º º SKS securely and unloaded. Run a dry patch through the barrel
º º before firing the SKS to remove any oil or foreign matter.
º º
º
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Í¼
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º - LUBRICATION WARNING - º
º º
º Firing the Type 56 SKS with oil, grease or any other material º
º even partially obstructing the barrel may result in damage to the º
º weapon and death or injury to the user and those persons nearby. º
º Never spray or apply any lubricants directly to the ammunition. º
º If the powder charge of a cartridge is affected by the lubricant, º
º it is possible that the charge will not ignite but the energy º
º from the primer in the cartridge case may be sufficient to push º
º the bullet into the barrel where it may be lodged. Firing a º
º subsequent bullet into the obstructed barrel may damage the weapon º
º and cause death or injury to the user and persons nearby. Use all º
º lubricants properly and according to the lubricant manufacturer's º
º suggestions and recommendations. º
º º
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- REASSEMBLY OF THE TYPE 56 SKS -

1. Attach the stock to the receiver-barrel assembly by inserting the nose
of the stock into the barrel attachment about half way down the
barrel. Once the nose is properly inserted, gently push the receiver-
barrel assembly into the stock.

2. Reinsert the magazine well assembly. There are two major parts to the
magazine well assembly. There is the portion that remains within the
stock and the portion that covers the bottom of the magazine well and
may be swung open by the operator to remove the cartridges within the
magazine well. The front part of the portion of the magazine well
assembly that remains within the stock has a lip that must fit into a
lip on the bottom of the barrel. This is often easier to see with the
stock removed and then mating the two parts together. Once the
magazine well's forward lip is in place, the main portion of the well
will snap into the receiver. If it is taking you any force to
accomplish this, you are doing something wrong. You either did not
marry up the lip of the magazine well to the lip beneath the barrel or
you do not have the portion of the magazine well that resides in the
stock properly aligned. Do not use force!

3. Next reinstall the trigger assembly. Be certain the safety is set to
the SAFE position before attempting the installation. This is because
the back of the safety lever has a cam that rides over the trigger
assembly release plunger and this cam must be out of the way for
installation. The only way to have the cam out of the way is to move
the safety lever to the SAFE position. At the lower forward end of the
trigger assembly is a roll pin that is placed crosswise (transverse)
to the trigger assembly. This transverse pin slips into a slot just
behind the magazine in the receiver. Before reinstalling the trigger
assembly, look inside the area that houses the trigger assembly and,
below the slot in the receiver where the transverse pin sits, you will
see an oval shaped hole in the receiver. Through this hole will go the
safety sear lever of the trigger assembly. Set the trigger assembly
into the receiver so the transverse pin slips into its slot in the
receiver and the safety sear lever will slide easily into its oval
hole. You must now latch the trigger assembly to the receiver. This
can be a bit tricky on new SKS rifles. Set the weapon on the work
surface trigger side up and press down on the trigger guard. At the
rear of the trigger guard you can see the trigger assembly release
plunger sliding to its locked position. On newer SKS rifles, it helps
to also press down on the area just to the rear of the plunger. Be
patient. Believe it or not, this does not require a great deal of
force. Close the magazine well cover on the bottom of the weapon and
secure it by pulling aft on the magazine catch, holding the magazine
well cover in place and then releasing the magazine catch.

4. Reinstall the gas tube and upper forearm assembly. Put the gas piston
back in the gas tube with the piston end towards the muzzle end of the
tube and slide the piston shaft down into the gas tube. Make sure the
shaft does not extend on the back of the gas tube. Visually check that
the gas tube release pin at the front end of the rear sight assembly
is rotated so that the flat side of the pin is forward. Slip the front
end of the gas tube over the gas port exit flange (located on the top
of the barrel about half way between the front sight assembly and the
leading edge of the stock) and lower the upper handguard down onto the
barrel. Lower the gas release lever with finger pressure to it lowest
position to secure the assembly.

5. Join the bolt carrier and bolt assembly together. The front end of the
bolt carrier has the cutout on it for inserting the stripper clips. On
the bottom of the bolt carrier, about 1«inches from the rear end of
the unit is a notched area that accepts the rear end of the bolt
itself. Set the bolt carrier aside and examine the bolt. The bolt face
is on the front end of the bolt and the top side of the bolt shows the
firing pin. At the rear of the top side of the bolt is a hook like
cutout. The hook portion fits into the notch on the rear underside of
the bolt carrier. Turn the bolt carrier over so the bottom is exposed
and set the bolt in (upside down) so the hook of the bolt marries into
the notch of the bolt carrier. Notice the front end of the bolt may
now be lifted slight and bolt remains attached to the carrier by
virtue of the hook and notch.

6. Next install the bolt carrier and bolt (now called the bolt carrier
assembly, since they are joined together) into the receiver. Set the
bolt carrier assembly into the rear portion of the receiver so that
the operating handle is on the left side of the SKS. Note that there
are slots cut into either side of the bolt carrier itself. These slots
fit over the rails of the receiver and allow the carrier to slide
forward and aft in the receiver. Push the bolt carrier assembly
forward onto the rails until further forward movement is stopped by
the magazine follower. Then depress the magazine follower slightly and
slide the bolt carrier assembly the rest of the way forward until it
is at its extreme forward position. You will hear a click as the bolt
carrier assembly locks into place.

7. Reinsert the return spring assembly (spring and guide rod) into the
back of the bolt carrier. There is no front or back end of the return
spring assembly as such, so insert either end into the back of the
bolt carrier. This will leave the rear of the return spring assembly
about even with the rear of the receiver.

8. Reinstall the receiver cover. First locate the receiver cover pin
lever on the right rear side of the receiver. Position the lever of
the receiver cover pin pointing upwards. Slide the receiver cover onto
the receiver. The inside rear of the receiver cover will press against
the rear of the return spring assembly. Push the receiver cover as far
forward as it will go against the tension of the return spring. This
is necessary to align the holes in the receiver with the hole in the
receiver cover. When these holes are aligned, push the receiver cover
pin in from the right side until the left side of the pin is flush
with the left side of the receiver cover. When it is, rotate the
receiver cover pin lever forward 90øuntil it is lock. This completes
the reassembly of the Type 56 SKS.

- TYPE 56 SKS SAFETY AND FUNCTION CHECK -

1. This procedure assumes that you have just completed the reassembly of
the SKS and that there is no ammunition in the chamber or magazine. If
there is, remove it now.

2. Place the safety lever to the FIRE position.

3. Pull the operating handle aft sharply as far as it will go. When
released, the bolt carrier should go forward slightly and stop as it
is being help open by the magazine follower (check of the last round
hold open capability).

4. Pull aft on the operating handle and hold it while depressing the
magazine follower. Ease the bolt forward over the aft end of the
follower. Remove the finger that is depressing the follower and when
clear, release the operating handle. The bolt should slam forward and
lock.

5. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Place the safety lever to the
SAFE position and pull the trigger. The safety is working properly if
the weapon will not fire. Rotate the safety lever now to the FIRE
position and, with the SKS empty and pointing in a safe direction,
pull the trigger to dry fire the weapon. The hammer should be released
and the appropriate noise of the dry firing heard.

6. This completes the safety and functioning test. If the SKS failed to
perform any of these checks, it should be disassembled and examined
carefully for broken or damaged parts. If the cause of the problem
cannot be determined, return the weapon to your dealer for analysis,

- About the Author -

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 6, 1945, Richard M. Bash (known
to his friends as Dick) graduated from Purdue University and did graduate
work at the University of Southern California. For approximately 10 years
Dick flew as a flight engineer aboard Boeing 707, Boeing 727 and Lockheed
C-130 aircraft. After having traveled to 108 different countries, Dick
settled in the San Francisco Bay area where he lives with his wife, Flora,
in Hayward, California and enjoys shooting, ham radio (KL7IHP), beekeeping
and reading. He is a Heckler & Koch factory trained armorer and a perennial
student, presently taking courses at Chabot College in Hayward. Dick wrote
this manual because so many users had questions about the proper way to
disassemble, clean and assemble the Type 56 SKS and its variations and
there was a severe lack of information available. Written suggestions for
improvement of this manual are also welcomed.

- Acknowledgment of Trademarks -

We wishes to acknowledge the trademarks of the following
products along with their respective companies.

Break-Free, CLP San-Bar Corp.

WD-40 WD-40 Company

Shooter's Choice Venco Industries Inc.

Gun Scrubber Birchwood Laboratories, Inc.