Need help with SKS

Dangerous T

Greetings, folks.

Thank you very much to all who gave me advice regarding FAL. Got an imbel based Century Arms rifle which is very very good. Very happy with it.

My next purchase is SKS. There are several types on the market:
1) Soviet Made
2) Yugoslavian (barrel is not chrome lined)
3) Norinco Chinese
4) Albanian
5) Romanian

Can you, folks, please, advise me as to which one of these rifles should I buy? Which ones are generall the best quality, most durable and accurate (as far as SKS can be accurate).

Also, anyone can reccomend where to buy an adapter to use 30rnd mags from AK in the SKS?

Thank you in advance. Looking forward to reading your advises. So far the experts here NEVER led me astray

D.T.

whompuss

The Russian mfg is the origional and highest quality. The Chine mfg is crappy quality. Second in quality is the Yugo mfg and can be found in much better condition. I have a 95% Yugo with all the accessories incl cleaning kit, gas port cleaner, stripper clips, leather pouch, oil can, ammo pouch. Price +/- $275.
Russian one in same quality & goodies would run +/- $400.
You can expect accuracy out to 200 yds. It wasn't designed as a long range or sniper rifle.

makindu

General rule of thumb: the Russian manufactured ones are the best, both in accuracy and fit and finish. There will always be exceptions to the rule. The Russian ones have machined parts. All the others are made from stamped parts. Stamped parts have more slop,play, or tolerance built into them IN GENERAL, so that they assemble together easier during mass production. All that being said, I personally have only owned one SKS in my lifetime. It was Russian, all serial numbers matched. It was in immaculate condition AFTER REMOVING all the cosmoline, of course. Didn't shoot worth a darn, though, accuracy-wise. Never jambed. Functioned flawlessly. Tried 3 different scopes, and mounted all the scopes using the after-market rock solid scope base assembly that completely replaced the factory rear cap end of the receiver. If I had to go out and buy another SKS today, I would still go with a Russian made one over any of the others you mentioned.

Wolf.

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I think your list of five SKSs is right in order, Russian #1, Yugo #2, etc. I have a Chinese forged, "carbine"" version w/chrome barrel, which I think is very nice. I've modified it into a ranch rifle with a 5-round fixed magazine. I also have two new 1950s Russian SKSs straight from the arsenal. Beautiful and very well-made guns.

Since you asked, I think TAPCO has what you are looking for.

However, I really see no good reason to convert the SKS to a 30-round detachable magazine. It makes more sense to me to either leave the original 10-round fixed mag or install a 5-round fixed mag and get a bunch of 10-round stripper clips. Dump the bayonet, and spend the detachable magazine conversion money on other stuff for the gun, such as a nice composite sporter stock, peep sight, etc. By the way, the 5-round magazine will probably be legal to hunt with in most states. It also makes the gun easier to shoot from a rest or any other position and really streamlines the profile of the gun, making it more attractive and camoflaging its "assault rifle" reputation.

Mk 19

I have had 2 SKS's, one was a russian and the other a Norinco Paratrooper (16in Barrel). Both of them were truly great guns and I never had a problem with eather of them. I personally prefered the norinco as it was more accurate, I actually shot it in both High Power and Speed Challange matches. I highly prefered both of my SKS's to the ruger mini-30 that I also had.

You can find a Norinco SKS-M that accepts AK mags, do not buy the conversion kits to change a SKS to a detachable mag as they are all junk. I have had good luck with the standard 10rd fixed, Chinese 20rd fixed and the USA 30rd fixed. If you practice you can load a fixed mag with stripper clips just as fast as a detachable mag.

dcs shooters

I bought the first Norinco that came in. Shot the heck out of it. No problems, accurate gun. Got a Russian when they first came in, still have it. It shoots better than the Norinco.
I agree with the others on the AK conversions, STAY AWAY, don't waste your money. Get a 30rd. replacement mag.

Henry0Reilly

I have a chinese that I've shot thousands of rounds through with no problems but I agree the Russians are prettier and probably sturdier.

No one has addressed your question about an "adapter" for using AK mags.

I do not know of any such product. SKS rifles that can utilize AK mags have been modified prior to import (or perhaps in some cases were produced that way from existing receivers).

gotstolefrom

Regarding "adapter" for AK mags in SKS...Mk 19 gets an X-Ring. I quote below:
...do not buy the conversion kits to change a SKS to a detachable mag as they are all junk.

Even the "duck-bill "sks mags that are 'hi-cap' rairly fit well.
I had a bunch of them , and different makes.
MAYBE 2 in 10 worked OK. The, if you found one that functioned, don't take it off. You can re-charge it with 10rd strippers easier than you can change it.

The fixed mags they were made for really is the way to go.
With the exception, as mentioned, of the models that were MADE for AK mags.

Do a 'smart search' on the topic and you will be convinced.


Whatever you choose, they are, economical, fun to shoot, easy to maintain.
ENJOY !

criminalpoet

I just sold my Norinco which was an absolutely good reliable riffle. You can get the duckbill 30rd mags to fit and work but the trick is to take the riffle down to the gunstore and have their gunsmith modify it to your specific riffle. However, you still cannot fill the 30rd magazine to full capacity because the load on the mag changes the angle of the bullet causing it to not feed properly. For me 23rds in the mag was the magic and maximum number for quality feeding.

All and all the SKS is a good reliable riffle, but if its high capacity that your looking for just do yourself a favor and buy an AK 47. Thats what I did and im glad! Some people will buy an SKS and push it beyond its limits by trying to make it into something that its not, and in the end what they end up with is an SKS that resembles an AK.

Dangerous T

I saw an SKS, which is "the earlier Chinese gun with the milled receiver and the screwed in barrel." Anyone knows anything about those? The price is right, the barrel is chromed and is in prestine condition. I just wonder if the fact that it is Milled Receiver and Screwed In barrel will make a difference and make it as good as average Yugo or Russian SKS. It even has a blade bayonet and not a spike bayonet.
Anyone knows anything about these SKS (Chinese, but milled and with screwed in barrel)? Please, HELP, the auction ends in less then 20 hours!!!

Thank you very much for all your wonderful advice

Dangerous T

11b6r

Have 2 of the Chinese, milled, screw-in. They shoot well, reasonably accurate, reliable as all get out. They both have original fixed mags. Have read far too many wails of grief from folks that tried to change what works. My 2 cents- leave the mag alone, use stripper clips. Beware of some of the recent Warsaw pact imports with grenade launchers if you live in a state (like CA) that restricts those. Some basic info on the SKS at surplusrifle.com