SKS loading

[Bandit021905]

Is it possible to load an SKS without stripper clips. I have been just sliding a round into the chamber. That obviously gets boring and kind of defeats the purpose of a semi-auto.

[Flash3x]

Yeah, just push them down into the magazine.

[scoutjoe]

Does your SKS have the original 10rnd mag in it? Or has the gun been set up for a detachable magazine?

[Bandit021905]

It has the origanal 10 Round mag. I tried loading it manaully a couple times yesterday and it kept jamming up.

[nfafan]

Originally Posted by Flash3x

Yeah, just push them down into the magazine.

+1. Unless you pre-load yourself some strippers.

I'm just a plinker, so the s l o w effort of shoving one round at a time is no biggie to me, and I prefer it to strippers.

Makes the ammo last longer, or so it seems. Also - be advised that some CHICOM SKS can have the occasional 11th or 12th rd Easter Egg magazine.

[RoyJackson]

Originally Posted by Bandit021905

It has the origanal 10 Round mag. I tried loading it manaully a couple times yesterday and it kept jamming up.

You are loading through the top, with the bolt held open? Don't try loading the magazine, then locking it in place.
There is a bit of a knack to loading rounds sans stripper clips. Make sure the rounds go in straight and push until you feel or hear each one seat in the mag...same noise or feel when you'd load any detachable magazine.

REMEMBER, when you finished putting those cartridges in the magazine and let the bolt slam home, you've just loaded a round in to the chamber and the rifle is ready to fire!!!!

Also, don't ride the bolt closed...let it slam home. Riding the bolt can cause jams.

Stripper clips are cheap...go buy a couple dozen.

[larry0071]

I don't own stripper clips, I have a original 1950 Russian with the 10 round mag that un-clips and pivots forward. I unclip it and put the 10 rounds in by manually stacking them and pushing the spring lever down as I go and finish by clicking it closed. Cycle the bolt and it loads the first one and is ready to go. I have not hade a failure to feed from doing it this way. Its pretty quick and easy.

[RoyJackson]

Originally Posted by larry0071

I don't own stripper clips, I have a original 1950 Russian with the 10 round mag that un-clips and pivots forward. I unclip it and put the 10 rounds in by manually stacking them and pushing the spring lever down as I go and finish by clicking it closed. Cycle the bolt and it loads the first one and is ready to go. I have not hade a failure to feed from doing it this way. Its pretty quick and easy.

Good for you!
I've never had much luck in loading like that, although I do release the magazine for unloading. When I tried that method, the first round would not load in to the chamber properly.
I've still got one SKS (Chinese) with a fixed box mag...maybe I'll practice a bit

[OldSkaterDan]

I'm a relative nOOb to the SKS, and after a little practice I can push all 10 down from the clip pretty quickly....usually.

Sometimes they hang up, but I think it depends on what angle you hold the clip at. There's some play there.

Dan

[Emptymag]

Push them into the mag from the top, one at a time, or use stripper clips.

Stripper clips are inexpensive, and make loading a breeze.
No reason I can think of not to use them.