r/canadaguns • u/att_110 • Apr 20 '26
Fix my gun SKS detachable mags
I was able to get the ProMag Archangel magazine to fit in my SKS after trimming the edges a bit. It is still a pretty tight fit, though.
Now I am trying to figure out if there is a way to close the bolt with an empty magazine inserted. Does it remain open or am I doing something wrong. I know I have to keep the bolt open to insert the mag.
I have heard people mention some kind of workaround or “hack,” but I am not sure if that applies to inserting the magazine with the bolt closed or something else.
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u/alphawolf29 Apr 20 '26
can you push down the spring with your finger and close the bolt?
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u/att_110 Apr 20 '26
Yes, I was able to do that. Want to see if there’s a fix without having to grind the bolt stop.
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u/sounoriginal13 Apr 20 '26
Mod the mag, but the bolt wont fit into the mag with it full inserted. Without mods to the mag or bolt. Not sure why you want it to work this way but ok sure
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u/starw24-ps4 Apr 20 '26
So your options in easiest to most permanent:
- Stick your finger in to depress the follower and close the bolt without crushing your finger / use a snap cap
- Sand down the plastic follower on your mags to make them AK style with no bolt hold open
- Do the bolt mod - you shave down the sides of the bolt with an angle grinder / dremel / file. Allows you to insert and remove mags with the bolt closed, and makes disassembly easier (my recommendation, I do it to all of mine)
- Remove / grind down the sks bolt hold open. Same idea with as 3 but harder to clear your gun from now on. Don’t recommend
Good luck
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u/jwilli10 Apr 20 '26
Any guide you recommend for the bolt mod?
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u/starw24-ps4 Apr 20 '26
I used the feel free outdoors video for my first one, but anything that comes up when you google Sks bolt mod is good. Now that I’ve done it a couple times I just go off the look of it, it’s a pretty straightforward fix.
I’d recommend to go a smidge over flush to make sure you get all the edges, it’s hard to keep straight sometimes. Good luck !
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u/Jaysus1288 Apr 20 '26
WHERE DID YOU GET THE MAG? I CANT FIND ANY
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u/Extra-Driver-7412 Apr 20 '26
Interesting idea, I’ve got the D model with the AK mags and I’ve always found it more finicky than stripper clips on my regular SKS. I got to shoot an AK in Cambodia and the magazine was much easier to reload than my SKS-D.
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u/JaxIsLoud Apr 20 '26
If you just want to close the bolt with an empty mag for storage. You can pull back on the bolt with one hand then use your finger to depress the magazine guide. Then slowly slide the bolt forward until it gets past the magazine catch.
Alternately if you are going to run these magazines exclusively you can use a die grinder to grind the ribs on the bottom of the bolt carrier flush with the rest of the bolt and then you can insert a magazine with the bolt closed. Look up "SKS bolt mod" there are YouTube videos on how to do this.
Hope this helps
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u/JaxIsLoud Apr 20 '26
One step further is you can duckbill delete these. I have a YouTube video that explains how I did mine.
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u/NewWatchTime Apr 20 '26
Curious why you would want that in the first place?
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u/att_110 Apr 20 '26
Like close the bolt or use a detachable mag?
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u/NewWatchTime Apr 20 '26
Close the bolt. I have the same setup and appreciate the bolt hold. I just push the mag down if I want to close it with an empty mag in.
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u/att_110 Apr 20 '26
Ohh yeah, I don’t want to get rid of the bolt hold. Just want to be able to close it when required as having it open looks a bit weird. Also more chances of dust, debris getting in.
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u/uber_poutine Apr 20 '26
To close the bolt with the empty magazine, push the follower down while pulling back on the bolt, then bring the bolt forward. Just don't let it close on your finger.
To remove or insert a magazine with the bolt closed, you'll have to mill down parts of your bolt, otherwise you'll break your magazine trying to force it.