Testimonials
12/18/09
The following in an excerpt from an article by Massad Ayoob, that was originally printed in the March/April 2009 issue of Backwoods Home Magazine (www.backwoodshome.com)
One downside of the SKS is found in the area of safety. The firing pin tapers somewhat in its channel, and when the gun gets dirty or old lubricant “coagulates,” it can get stuck in the forward position. This can result in “slamfires” in which the rifle goes off when the bolt is dropped on the first live cartridge loaded in, and it can also cause the gun to “go full automatic.” Sergei Simonov saw that coming, and he originally equipped the gun with a firing pin return spring to keep that from happening. This is one reason that Soviet military production SKSs from 1945 through 1950 are particularly prized by gun enthusiasts. This feature was left out as a production economy in later ComBloc iterations of the SKS.
If you own one of the latter—and you probably do, since they are by far the most common —you would serve yourself well to get a replacement parts kit from Murray’s Guns at murraysguns.com.
6/2/09
Ben, Parts arrived today. Thanks for the prompt attention to my order. You can thank Mythbusters for this one. I have been an SGN subscriber for at least 10 years, so I have seen your add many times, but it took Kari, Grant and Tory to get me off my butt to order!
G.G.
Hesperus, CO
6/17/09
I have owned nine SKS carbines to date; a Murray’s spring-loaded firing pin is a no-brainer for these rifles. It costs very little, does nothing to detract from the performance or value of the rifle (as you can keep the original parts it replaces), increases reliability and durability, and provides an extra measure of safety that just might prevent a truly unfortunate occurrence. I recommend one of your firing pins to every SKS owner I know.
C.B.
Washington State
7/6/09
Just recieved your firing pin today,already installed on my Yugo and I love it.Seen you on that tv show Mithbusters talking about you SKS firing pins so I had to order one. Great product and thanks!
Zach
10/11/09
Hello, Just wanted to let you know that I received my SKS bolt back and made it to the range today. The rifle performed flawlessly with the new firing pin and spring system you installed. Thanks for the very prompt service. I will spread the word.
Phil S.
Tucson, AZ
11/25/09
Sir: I’ve tried your SS Yugo gas valve for about a year now. It works flawlessly. No more gas leaks. The rifle functions in semi-auto, no more single shot. Thanks for a great product.
Rudy
4/16/09
Hey, I recieved the valve awhile back, but i finally got a chance to try it out. Before I had the valve my SKS was stovepiping every other round, was unusable in semi-auto, now with your valve and a new gas piston I put 300 rounds through it without a single misfire, misfeed, or failure to eject! Thanks for a great product!
J.N.
Anchorage, AK
4/14/09
Thanks. I have a short story about this…I was trying out a new Zytel mag in my SKS, that has only had maybe 50 rounds shot in it; I noticed that the primer on the milsurp round I hand-cycled through the rifle had a very small dimple in it….scared the hell out of me! If it’d been a commercial round, I have little doubt it would have fired and made a nice hole in my office floor…
So I did a search for SKS firing pin, found you, and the rest, as they say, is history….
THANKS FOR HAVING A SAFE ALTERNATIVE!
Ben Fox
4/2/09
Ben, just wanted to let you know that your pin is awesome! No more slam fire issues or worries. Great fast service,clear and to the point instructions, and the extra spring is a very nice touch. I will recommend you to anyone I run across with an SKS.
Thanks very much.
P.S. Looking forward to your appearance on Mythbusters!
Chris R.
3/30/09
Ben,
First of all I want to thank you for the service you performed and the springs. Took the Russian SKS to the range Sunday 29 March 2009 and it performed without a single flaw. I even did a rapid fire without a single hitch. All the primers looked normal and not one popped. I will certainly put out the word on your firing pins and bolt face machining. I’m certain my SKS will perform in any contest that may arise in the future. NOTE: I would put out on your add on the main page w/o a foot note that the bolts MUST be honed and beveled with this installation. Great work and research in the problem that existed with the SKS.
Your a dying breed in the art of gunsmith machining and a good and honest man to boot. God bless you and yours.
Craig A
2/5/09
Thanks Ben!,
I just installed the pin and it fits great, was easy on my 1954 Russki, used a blank plastic bench block i customized for support, a couple of good whacks with a hammer and pin punch and it came out easy.
First rate product!, cant wait to try it out soon.
Glenn F
California.
1/29/09
Hi, Ben I just wanted to drop you a line on how the firing pin kit did after installation. My SKS does not slam fire at all anymore and shoots surplus, wolf and American (Remington UMC) ammo now without any problems.
Thank you for a great American made solution to my favorite formerly defective commie firearm.
John V