my first SKS

[kevin.303]

i've decided to replace my .22 with an SKS because the rimfire can't hit a pop can at 10 feet and the SKS is cheaper then a new .22, and the ammo is almost as cheap. the local sporting goods store has 2 versions in stock. one is the most common one with the folding bayonet and non-detachable magazine these are 159.99(cdn). the other version, and the one i plan to buy has no bayonet, the barrel is a half an inch longer and has 5 round detachable clip for 199.99(cdn).i have no use for the bayonet and this version's lines look a little more cleaner and streamlined. i worked for this store for a period and had a chance to inspect both. they have never been used and are in cherry condition. they are of chinese manufacture and come with a pull through, a sling and a oil bottle. has anybody had any experiance with the type i'm looking at and do they have any funny quirks or malfunctions? from what i've read on the site this guns are reliable and good, fun shooters.

[John Traveler]

Kevin,

The Chinese SKS (Norinco Industries) are fine, sturdy guns and good shooters.  Both of the models you described are a fine choice for what you described.  The European models may have better finishes and wood, but the Chicom SKS is reliable and an excellent value.

The 10-rnd fixed magazine version is original to the Soviet/Russian SKS design.  The Soviets helped set up the Chicom arms factories in the late 1940's and '50s.  Anything else with extended mags, removeable mags, etc is an after-market adapatation or hyped up as "Chinese Paratroop rifles", but are not original to the SKS design.

The bayonet comes off easily on all models.

Please be aware that the removeable magazine version may be declared an "assault weapon" and be restricted in the future.  I would go with the standard fixed magazine version.

HTH
John

[BattleRifleG3]

Fixed mags are just plain batter, period.

So many SKSs have been "pimped" with accessories like stocks and mags that each one is almost individual.

I recommend the Yugo M59/66 as the strongest, most substantial, and very comfortable model.

A brand spanking Norinco, which is what you seem to describe, is also alright.  Being as I just noticed you're in Canada, it may be an AK mag version.  If so, the only reason to have it is to use real AK mags, which you don't have in Canada due to the 5rd limit.  The fewer the rounds, the more practical a fixed magazine is to load with strippers.  Only reason I can see for a detachable mag is if you use a full length scope with shell deflector that blocks the stripper clips from feeding.

Finding out the make and model of each would help us help you.  Good luck!

BTW, after all our crazy import regs and grandfathered pre-ban weapons, those prices are fair and common in USD here in the USA!

[NRAJOE]

I have a Yugo, big strudy gun! Was looking at a Chinese SKS yesterday...still might go get it...$225.00  :grin:

[kevin.303]

if you go to www.sirmailorder.com and type chinese sks in the search box there should be pictures. odd that the norinco SKS's are so good because just before i left we started carrying the norinco shotguns and the general view was that they where useless garbage and wouldn't be reordered.

[1911crazy]

As I think back when chinese sks's were for sale the first time they were around $1,000 and when they didn't sell the price dropped to $59 and you got 1,000rds of ammo free too.  Well they started selling!!!!!  And to this day their still selling!!! They are awesome plinkers and a step up from your favorite 22.  Out of all the sks's I still like the Chinese sks and the 59/66 yugo's feel heavier but the 59 yugo's feel the same. And don't forget the russian, albanian and romanian sks's too there all copied off the russians.  If you ever look at a yugo to buy it check the bore good since they aren't chrome lined some were pitted.  Since this is your first one I'm sure there maybe more this is one of those things you just can't have one??                                                            BigBill

There are Chinese Norinco Sporters too that use the paratrooper(short barrel) in a sporter stock.

[jgalar]

My chinese sks has wood that looks like it was made in a 7th grade shop class. It will slam fire on occasion (fire when you pull the slide back to load a round) so don't load it in the house and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Mine will also shoot 2 shot bursts on occasion.

Mine shoots the best when shooting handloads using Sierra 110 grain HP in .308. But with the price of Russian ammo it isn't worth reloading for.

I would go with the fixed magazine. It is alot cheaper to buy a bunch of stripper clips than a bunch of magazines. You can buy 5,10 and 20 round magazines to replace whatever fixed one that you get. They are easy to change out.

On some sks models you can turn them upside down, open the magazine and dump in some rounds. Than close the magazine. This way you can top off a magazine with loose rounds. Some will jam doing this.

Its a fun gun.

[1911crazy]

My chinese sks has wood that looks like it was made in a 7th grade shop class. It will slam fire on occasion (fire when you pull the slide back to load a round) so don't load it in the house and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Mine will also shoot 2 shot bursts on occasion.

Mine shoots the best when shooting handloads using Sierra 110 grain HP in .308. But with the price of Russian ammo it isn't worth reloading for.

I would go with the fixed magazine. It is alot cheaper to buy a bunch of stripper clips than a bunch of magazines. You can buy 5,10 and 20 round magazines to replace whatever fixed one that you get. They are easy to change out.

On some sks models you can turn them upside down, open the magazine and dump in some rounds. Than close the magazine. This way you can top off a magazine with loose rounds. Some will jam doing this.

Its a fun gun.

jgalar;   Take the slide apart and remove the firing pin and clean it good I'm sure you have crud inside the slide too thats why it slam and double fires.  I take the firing pin out of every sks(every surplus gun bolt & semi) I have and clean out the slide too and you want to see all the old cosmo(crud) that comes out.  Just soaking the slide with the firing pin isn't good enough to really clean it out.   I never had any slam or double fires yet.
                                                                              BigBill

[jgalar]

The bolt is clean. The pin is free floating. I believe it is setting off the primer from inertia. Some of the chinese models had the problem. What do you expect from a gun made by political slave labor. Its a minor inconvenience. The gun just fires from an open bolt like many machineguns. Some people would probably pay extra for the feature.

[jgalar]

I may just try putting some grease into it to slow down the pin's movement.

[1911crazy]

I may just try putting some grease into it to slow down the pin's movement.

What kind of ammo are you using??  I have never had a problem with any of my sks's doubling nor slam firing.  But I'm using Chinese Norinco FMJ the yellow box stuff.  If you using ammo made here it could be the soft primers?                                                 BigBill

[jgalar]

I don't think it is common but it does or can occur. My hodgdon reloading manual even warns of it. When I lived in NH about 10+ years ago someone loaded his sks in his appartment and it slammed fired and shot his neighbor. Tests were done on the rifle and it would on occasion slamfire. At least this was what the report on TV claimed.

I would not load an sks in the house and I would keep the barrel downrange when charging it.

Yours may not slam or double fire but mine and others are proof that they can.