Author Topic: SKS Questions? (Read 3778 times)

markc · « **on:** May 09, 2010, 01:45:37 PM »

I just picked this up for $125.00 from a family member. It has 2 of those strips for loading rounds. I fired this rifle years ago, but this is the first time I've seen it in years. Now to look for accessories for it. Anyone have recommendations for these as far as accessories, or must do's?

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2010, 02:19:49 PM »

First get a firing pin from Murray's Gunsmithing to prevent slam fire. Your's looks like a ChiCom type 56. These rifles don't have a firing pin retracting spring and will slam fire when the pin channel gets dirty. The Murray's kit will prevent that.

http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm

kid_couteau · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2010, 02:23:17 PM »

Appears to be a paratrooper model

Worth about 250

Ya did good
Kid

mechanic · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2010, 03:06:03 PM »

I have one identical to it, and I have not done anything but replace the firing pin. My first time shooting was a ten round burst. Other than the pin and clean up, mine shoots well.

I also replaced the receiver cover and mounted a scope...cause I'm blind....

Good little guns, fairly accurate to 100 yds. and hard to break for the most part...

Look in the stock and see if you have a cleaning kit inside. If not, there's an add on for ya, and as well, you can pick up a recoil pad that will make the stock fit a normal guy.

Ben

mrbgt · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2010, 04:20:21 AM »

thats a beaut! I would leave it alone and enjoy it !!

Rex in OTZ · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2010, 01:30:28 PM »

Clean after shooting, you just may be fireing corrosive ammo.
My neighbor bought a paratrooper model at a yard sale (was a single shot) found the gas piston was corroded and seized in the gas tube.

markc · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2010, 02:44:18 PM »

Thanks for the tips. Is the firing pin difficult to change out?
It does have a cleaning kit (sort of) in the stock, butt plate. It is covered in greese, I suppose is original, or some packing grease that was added years ago. I looked at those slip on recoil pads for these, and thought that was worth the $10.00 just to make it fit me better. I am not sure on adding sights/scope. I would like to leave it as trouble free as possible. Then again I found some pretty cool synthetic adjustable stocks, scope and light mounts etc. etc. I think I will buy a few boxes of cheap ammo and do some shooting Friday and see how she does.

Richard P · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2010, 03:40:22 PM »

The firing pin isnt difficult. I assume you know to remove the cover by operating the pin. After that they are pretty straight forward. Just pay attention to the disassembly. You'll become familiar with it during the cleaning process. A little grease on the bolt carrier is good. Do give attention to the piston and gas tube. Clean well after firing but dont oil it. Get the sight adj tool. They are available from various sources. Leave it original and enjoy shooting it. rp

cbxboy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2010, 05:32:10 AM »

Covered in Grease? Cosmoline. I recommend a thorough break down and cleaning of the OP ROD chambre and gas piston tube. I have seen many SKS that have caked in Cosmoline in the Op rod area. Not sure if it dmages it or not but any increased resistance or pressure seems like a no-no in my book.

The firing pin recommendation is a sound and reasonable recommendation. AS you recall firing it you already know you won't get a surprise 10 shot burst......however prudent is the key. I have never presonally purchased a spring loaded FP but I have disassembled every firing pin group and cleaned meticulously. Carb cleaner is a good friend in cleaning. Other options are denatured alcohol and the Purple Grease cutter from Wally world. The grease cutter is interesting as it will turn cosmoline into a sludge of crap for easy removal. BE CAREFUL with the Grease cutter though.
Once thoroughly cleaned FP channel then ONE drop of CLP or similar....ever try Amsoil MP (metal Protectant)? I have enjoyed this product as a rival to WD 40 (water displacement is key)

Clean up like crazy and enjoy, WHAT A BARGAIN! $125?? I would buy 20 if available at that price.

Other accesories? I have few, a bolt on scope mount, SLING would be a good addition they used to be $5 for the SKS......thats about it. It is a straight forward fabulous design that is virtually impossible to break. If you want to get fancy you can send out for a trigger job.....but this is a battle rifle that was intended to shoot 3-4 inch groups. If you want a sniper, you should buy a sniper rifle

Enjoy it in its intended purpose.....have you ever offroaded in a Prius?

markc · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2010, 10:32:17 AM »

Ever off roaded in a prius? LOL, no but I bet a few people driving those have lately with stuck accelerators. I will probably keep it original, except for pad to give it more length. It is going to be a carry at my property near the border gun. OOppss, can I say that being near the border here in Texas comes with the possibility of problems? Anyway, I fired it years back, and remember what a nice gun it was to shoot. I have some accurate rifles, for shooting longer distances, so it isn't needed for that. Thanks to everyone for their comments.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2010, 04:42:17 PM »

stay away from those aftermarket stocks, just keep it, shoot it, and love it as it is. Nothing wrong with replacing the firing pin but keep the old one. Keep it stock otherwise and enjoy it....<><....

markc · « **Reply #11 on:** May 14, 2010, 03:37:28 PM »

I put some rounds through it this morning. Have to admit to having a real hard time picking up that front sight. It shoots sweet though. I think it will take a few times to get used to loading the magazine. I really do like this little gun though..

MSP Ret, why do you say to stay away form the aftermarket stocks? Just preference? I do need to do something to help me pick up the front sight, or mount an aimpoint or something on it..

1911crazy · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2010, 04:20:43 PM »

I like them in the orginal wood stock. I clean every bolt by removing the firing pin and cleaning it that way so slam fires can't happen. A lot of sks owners try to soak the bolt and not remove the pin and the bolt is soaked with cosmoline and there is no way to get it all out unless you remove the firing pin from the bolt. Don't be lazy take the bolt apart and clean the firing pin bore right.

The slam fires with sks's were caused by two things, one was the dirty bolt and the other was the USA manufactured ammo because it had thinner wall primers not the thicker wall'd military or nato primers that are for floating firing pins.

Caution; When reloading for any military surplus semi auto rifle you need to use the Small Rifle "Nato" primers or the Large Rifle "Nato" primers.

If you ant a spring loaded firing pin thats up to you but i just keep the bolts clean and its been ok.

BTW; Congrats on your norinco paratrooper. These were manufactured for the north american market. I found these to be very accurate too with the right ammo. Some say the white boxed winchester ammo si as accurate as the norinco ammo was. My para will shoot 1 1/2" groups at 100yds benchrested with norinco ammo. They say the 154gr soft point russian wolf ammo is really accurate too.
Years ago they also said the russian manufactured Barnaul ammo was suppose to be the most accurate and the best quality of the imported ammo.

kynardsj · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2010, 04:37:44 PM »

I've had two of the Norinco models and put a Tapco stock on one of them and also put one of the receivers with the scope base on it. Added an in-expensive 4 power scope and had a gun that would shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards with any cheap Russian ammo. The stock was a matter of preference but I just don't do well with iron sights on a long gun anymore. The scope really helped these old eyes.

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2010, 06:59:14 PM »

More stripper clips and a carrying case to carry them in.

markc · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2010, 03:06:50 PM »

It definately needs more stripper clips if I keep it original. However, I must do somehting for optics regardless. It was a cloudy overcast day, but it wasn't dark outside, and I struggled to pick up the front sight. A sling is a need as well, but what a blast to shoot! The only ammo I found at the local store was some 123 gr FMJ stuff from Wolf I think it was. It does have china stamped in the metal and some chineese looking symbols. I really like this little rifle.

Flint · « **Reply #16 on:** May 16, 2010, 03:48:24 PM »

If you put a scope on the rifle you will probably need a replacement stock, a Monte Carlo or other that will lift your eye to the scope. If you put a straight or Monte Carlo stock on without a scope you won't be able to get your face down low enough to see the iron sights.

If you want to use the iron sights or get an aftermarket rear peep sight, you will need either the factory stock, or one with the same drop to it.

markc · « **Reply #17 on:** May 17, 2010, 10:02:07 AM »

Is it possible to keep the wood stock, but use removable larger capacity magazines? I believe I read on one site that the magazine well has to be modified, ie enlarged to allow the removable magazine to fit. IS that correct?

cbxboy · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2010, 10:21:13 AM »

A great number of years back I bought some "larger cap" mags. Removable 30 rounders I believe. None of them worked worth a dang that I recall. In recent years I have read that ONE brand seems to work out in most rifles. To be honest I have not been a fan of higher cap mags for the SKS. I figure 10 rounds is a pretty decent shot at stuff!

As far as modifying the magwell to allow a magazine, are they talking about Modifying to accept AK mags? I personally would do that to this rifle.

Over the years my thoughts have changed. My first SKS had all the gadgets I could buy. 12 years later I buy a rifle and it is kept as stock, straight original as assembled. I spend MORE money getting things back to original than I do modifying

This is YOUR rifle however so please enjoy it. My humble opinion is that if you want a 30 round bullet sprayer that an AK is a good option

They are affordable again as well.

mrbigtexan · « **Reply #19 on:** May 17, 2010, 02:29:53 PM »

you can use tapco mags in your wooden stock. they work great. stay away from the steel mags, they bend and begin to feed poorly.

markc · « **Reply #20 on:** May 17, 2010, 02:40:55 PM »

Thanks again for the replies guys. cbxboy, its not that I want a 30 round mag, I don't. I do want to be able to unload the rifle without 10 loose rounds dumping out when I flip the lever to open the stock magazine. I would be pleased as punch with a couple 10 round magazines that I could insert and remove easily. mrbigtexan, what are the Tapco mags made from? Are they a composite material? I've seen them for sale at reasonable prices, that and a scope mount for a short low power scope.

Merle · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2010, 04:18:59 PM »

There is a company called "scout scopes" that makes a scope base that replaces the rear sight. You will need to use a long eye relief scope or a red dot sight. It seems that the scope mounts that clamp onto, or replace, the cover don't hold zero too well - there is usually a fair amount of play to deal with & they aren't stable.

There is a lot of controversy about the legality of 30 round mags and / or repacement stocks WITHOUT a certain number of US made complience parts. Section 922R could get you thrown in jail, so be sure of what you are doing.

I chose to leave mine "as issued" to avoid any problems.

spikehorn · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2010, 04:40:40 PM »

I had a yugo SKS with the fold up bayonet and grenade launcher. The only add on I did was this thing you screwed on the grenade launcher with allen screws. You could take blanks and launch golf balls about 500 yards with it. That was fun!

Oldshooter · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2010, 05:33:42 PM »

Quote

You could take blanks and launch golf balls about 500 yards with it.

Wow! I might put one of those in my golf bag!

markc · « **Reply #24 on:** May 18, 2010, 05:03:12 AM »

Merle, or someone could you explain 922R, or provide a link where I can read up on what this is? Thanks for the tip..

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #25 on:** May 18, 2010, 05:24:43 AM »

Quote from: Merle on May 17, 2010, 04:18:59 PM

There is a company called "scout scopes" that makes a scope base that replaces the rear sight.

Like this one

Note the stock 10 round mag, way better than misfeeding sloppy fitting duckbill after market mags.
Ive tired them all, over $300 worth, and you can see what I went back to.

spikehorn · « **Reply #26 on:** May 18, 2010, 06:44:50 AM »

Quote from: Oldshooter on May 17, 2010, 05:33:42 PM

Quote
You could take blanks and launch golf balls about 500 yards with it.

Wow! I might put one of those in my golf bag!

Yeah it was fun, but you tend to go through alot of golf balls. Kinda funny to when you here your neighbor talking about finding golf balls out in the middle of nowhere. I thought about getting some with my mailing address printed on them, then launching out into the state land just to see if I would ever get one back.

Curtis · « **Reply #27 on:** May 18, 2010, 12:32:59 PM »

I have found this forum to be a great resource for SKS info, especially the 922R issue. http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php They have an extensive FAQ. As nonsensical as our gun laws are it is easy to step outside the law with these if you are not careful. One of the reasons I have kept mine original but not the only reason. I just think they're cool old guns as is. And besides the bayonette, they don't have the "evil" features that seem to scare the "limited of life experience".

Some other SKS resources I have run across but have no experience with so I cannot endorse personally:
http://www.omega-weapons-systems.com/SKS/
http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/carbine/index.asp
http://www.tickbitesupply.com/sks.html

Curtis

markc · « **Reply #28 on:** May 18, 2010, 01:57:53 PM »

Curtis, thank you. I might just paint the front sight bright orange or white and put a recoil pad on it to gain some arm length, but more clipper strips and a sling and just enjoy shooting this little rifle. I do love the look and feel of wood ordinarily.

Curtis · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2010, 03:49:29 PM »

Mine had a recoil pad on it when I got it. Definitely a worthwhile addition in my opinion. Even with that, mine still feels a little short on LOP but not bad really.

Curtis