Author Topic: a few questions about an sks...  (Read 899 times)

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Offline ThudThumper

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a few questions about an sks...
« on: October 11, 2006, 04:01:00 PM »
hey guys, i've recently caught the bug and want to build another rifle.  i've been wanting a scout setup for a while, and i'm thinking about going with an sks (i know, it's not THE definition of a scout rifle, but it's an inexpensive base to build upon).  i know very little of the rifle...only that they are known to be rugged.

anyway, for those of you with experience with the sks, are any of the large variety of muzzle brakes out there functional, or are they for looks only?  do i need a recoil buffer for the rifle to last? (http://www.gunaccessories.com/ati/SKSAccessories/index.asp)  i'm looking at a fiberforce stock...are they any good?  how much should i expect to pay for a decent sks?  (i've read tons of pages, but the prices are very different depending on when they were written)

thanks
When the whole world is crashing down around me, atleast I'll have my SKS.

Offline ThudThumper

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Re: a few questions about an sks...
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2006, 04:02:44 PM »
sorry, i didn't mean to post twice.  my internet timed out... ???
When the whole world is crashing down around me, atleast I'll have my SKS.

Offline patm41

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Re: a few questions about an sks...
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2006, 02:34:53 AM »
Go and get a Tapco catalog or go to their website.. they have every thing you need to "BUBBA" up a sks.. 
Sorry but adding on all that junk on any rifle will not make it shoot any better.. you are better off
getting a good SKS and learn how to shoot it with the iron sights .. spend the money for all that
stuff you are wanting and buy ammo with it.. 

Offline LEO

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Re: a few questions about an sks...
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2006, 09:32:01 AM »
ThudThumper, the SKS is a handy, reliable and generally sufficently accurate for its intended purpose.  However when you start sticking a bunch of accessories on it you give up the handiness, and sometimes the reliablitiy and the accuracy.  I have an SKS that I shoot a fair amount and carry some as a woods roaming rifle, I put a choate stock on it because it made it fit me better and it cost me very little off a "bargin table" and removed the bayonet, to reduce the weight.  It has never had a stoppage of any kind and the accuracy is fine for what I use it for, if I miss a coyote out to 200 yards or so it is my fault.  However, if  you want a relatively inexpensive scout style rifle, I would recommend that you buy one of the Yugo 48s that are floating around and use that as the basis for your rifle, it will better fit the scout role and will not cost you any more than the SKS.  I have one of the 48s and the one I bought was like new on the inside and had minor scuffs on the outside.  Replace the stock, cut the barrel, replace the sights, and install the forward scope mount and you have a near scout for 400 dollars or less depending on how much of the work you can do yourself and what you can find used,or on sale.  8mm ammo is cheap and plentiful right now, most of it is corrosive but that is no big deal in a bolt action and commercial hunting ammo is also readily available and the performance of the 8mm fills a wider range of use than the 7.62 X 39.  Hope this helps.

Offline S.S.

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Re: a few questions about an sks...
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2006, 05:44:06 AM »
Agree with above posts except I left the bayonet on.
It makes a great Mono-Pod when you stick it in the ground!
Makes a very stable firing platform in the prone position !
Not much good for anything else though !
Vir prudens non contra ventum mingit
"A wise man does not pee against the wind".

Offline ThudThumper

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Re: a few questions about an sks...
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2006, 06:26:33 AM »
thanks guys.  i'm generally not the type of person to spend money on accessories, whether for a rifle, car, etc.  a friend owns a chinese sks, and the stock doesn't fit me very well so i figured i would replace it (especially since i prefer synthetic).  i have trouble shooting in cold weather with my glasses and contacts (my eyes tear up a lot), and i prefer a low power scope over iron sights in those conditions.  thanks for your opinions, i'll definitely keep them all in mind.  i'm going to a gun show this saturday, and i just might be the proud owner of a new sks if the price is right.

oh, and i really like the bayonet monopod idea!

btw, have any of you guys had a problem with brass cartridges sticking?  my friends sks will only shoot wolf ammo (since it has a steel case).  the brass cartridges expand and get wedged so badly that the extractor peels the rim off the cartridge, and i've had to knock out every one with a cleaning rod.  is his sks damaged, or is that to be expected?
When the whole world is crashing down around me, atleast I'll have my SKS.

Offline Tn Jim

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Re: a few questions about an sks...
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2006, 06:08:19 AM »
I've never seen ANY case stick in a SKS. Normally slings them a country mile. Sounds like your buddy may have a rough chamber. Is it a Norinco (chinese)? From what I've read the Chinese SKS has a chrome bore and chamber to eliminate that problem and the others do not. Mine are Chinese and have never had a single problem.
Not all Muslims are terrorist, but oddly enough, all terrorist are Muslims.

Offline ThudThumper

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Re: a few questions about an sks...
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2006, 07:18:56 AM »
yeah, it's a norinco.  from the look of the brass after i knock it out, the chamber seems to have some rough spots.  i've noticed that the muzzle crown isn't smooth either...it's somewhat pitted.  could the rifle have metallurgical defects, or has it been abused?
When the whole world is crashing down around me, atleast I'll have my SKS.