My norinco sks has 2 small holes at the front of the gas tube is tis normal?

Question

My norinco sks has 2 small holes at the front of the gas tube is tis normal?

Answer 1

Mine has those and it works.  I assume they are supposed to be there and probably serve some purpose.

Answer 2

Those holes vent excess gas. In fact some people who get tired of the SKS tendency to dent empty brass have modified the gas tube by adding more holes to vent more gas. By venting more gas the gas piston comes back with less power, thus the empty casing is ejected with less force. This is NOT something to play with unless you know what you are doing or you can ruin the gas tube and piston.

Also if you’re wondering what will happen if you cover those holes; it will cause more violent ejection of the spent casing. So imagine being in combat and you get an empty hot casing stuck into your face by your fellow comrade firing next to you. That’s why they put the holes there to reduce casing ejection speed.

By the way those holes also will draw water in if its raining, I have seen many SKS’s gas pistons with rust right where the holes in the gas tube line up. Another reason to keep that part of the gun lightly oiled.