i dont currently have an sks, but i would like to get one sometime. i have some questions.
1. what are some of the quirks, and things to look for when buying an sks?
2. what is the normal price range for sks's?
3. what is the best country that made sks's? (sorry cant think of a better way to state that question)
4. general FAQ stuff i might want to know would be nice
5. oh, and are they by any chance, tapped for a scope?
if i think of something else to ask, i will. =)
thanks-
P.
1. Quirks, none really. The SKS was meant as a weapon to be readily serviced by the ordinary foot soldier. Really pretty stable weapon and reliable. As for something to look for, be sure to check the gas tube. Some older runs have badly fouled gas tubes and they can be pretty rusty inside. GOOD gas tubes are not easily found, at least not in Wisconsin and they are rather expensive when you do find them. Aside from that, a milled receiver is a good thing to find but they aren't exactly easy to find nowadays either at least from what I've found.
2. Around $200 to $300 is good depending on condition. If you find a really good condition russian, you might have to pay more but it'll be worth it.
3. Russians are the best, then Chinese. Yugos are ok but they don't have a chromed bore so are more prone to rust in the bore but if you clean your guns regularly and don't shoot corrosive ammo, you should be ok there. Its just nice to have the chromed bore. One thing is the Yugos are the heaviest of the SKS types... built to take more abuse I was told.
4. Check the bayonets. If the gun has the spike style bayonets, its most likely post ban, if the gun has a blade style bayonet, check the serial number it may be pre-ban and may be worth the prices asked.
5. SKS types were not to my knowledge tapped for scopes. According to my research, the SKS was made to very loose tolerances and as such was not accurate enough to be considered "sniper" rifles. I had heard some accounts that SKS types were outfitted with scopes in Vietnam during the war there but that's only hearsay from my father's old army buddies. I have yet to see any substantiating evidence. You can get aftermarket scope mounts, usually attached to the rear receiver cover but there are a few things to consider there. a. the cover isn't solidly pinned/screwed etc in place and thus prone to movement. Trusting the scope to be at zero all the time isn't a good idea. Think of the scope to be more of a "right around there" type sighting system and you'll be happier with the setup. b. Get a shorter scope... the way the SKS ejects empties, they have a tendency to bang into the forward end of the scope. Its not very enjoyable to hear the clink of brass/steel on steel/aluminum as the cases strike your scope and I have seen some scopes ruined from this (personal experience there). After all that, I find it more enjoyable to shoot with iron sights on the SKS anyway since the whole point of the gun was to be able to put off a few rounds quickly into an area not more than 150 to 300 yds away. Frankly, I think a 150 yd shot is pretty long for the SKS. I personally haven't shot any SKS that groups better than 4 inches at 150 yds and only about 3 or so inches at 100 yds, or maybe that's just my bad aim... that's up for debate.
One last thing... definitely stay way from aftermarket hi-cap mags. I've purchased about a dozen of them and of them, only 3 worked in my SKS without any additional work. By additional work I mean bending the mag lips bit by bit till they fit right, or filing some metal off the lips so they fit etc. Most won't feet correctly, jamming the point of the bullet into the flat trunion of the gun. After questioning all three of the gun shops I frequent, I came to the conclusion that the aftermarket mags are all crap. Don't bother with them, just learn to use the metal clips to reload quickly.
Not a thing wrong with the Yugo SKS I bought. Mostly what's out there. I paid with tax just over $200. Cleaned up great, has phosphorous front and a rear flip up sights.
They (one of the websites I found on them) had Collecting and Shooting the SKS Carbine - Disassembly and Reassembly is one, another is A Recognition and identification guide for Yugoslav SKS Rifle, M59/66 and lastly, Yugo SKS Variations.
(all 3 of these sights I found very resourceful and helpful)
wrongly refer to the sights as tritium. I'd emailed them explaining that was wrong because tritium is actually a radioactive material and that it had/has to be enclosed in a leek proof glass vile, kind of the way the Meprolight and Trijicon night sights are. It also has the grenade launcher and sight on it.
Won't, well let me re-phrase that, may never use the grenade launcher but one never knows. I've seen the blanks for sale on the net.
Don't knock the Yugos. I'd say I'd post a pic of it but a pic doesn't prove there not good.
I know, everyone entitled to an opinion. But seriously, the Yugo SKS is a decent version.
ALL SKS carbines have milled receivers - the trigger guards on later Chinese rifles are stamped. It doesn't affect their shooting quality at all. Neither does having threaded barrel vs. pressed in. The Chinese simply made production easier and cheaper.
I like the extra weight up front on the Yugo - some folks don't.
Scope mounts are iffy - some work well, some don't. If it has set screws or the receiver is drilled&tapped for it, it'll hold okay. The quicky replacement-cover type will shoot loose over time, even if tight at first. It's the nature of the beast - the bolt carrier slams into the back of the cover.
I find the SKS shoots as well without the scope as with it.
Ditto on the detachable mags - don't bother. Get the stripper clips - easier to carry and load.
1. what are some of the quirks, and things to look for when buying an sks?
--- make sure its purdy, and has a nice barrel, and the gas tube is good.
2. what is the normal price range for sks's?
--- $200-300
3. what is the best country that made sks's? (sorry cant think of a better way to state that question)
--- russian - its got a chromed barrel (a have an aversion to chinese goods and i wanna russian to go with my 91/30)
4. general FAQ stuff i might want to know would be nice
---not so much on this yet, but dont expect to hit a fly's butt at 100 yds.
5. oh, and are they by any chance, tapped for a scope?
--- nope
ah yes, and question # 6
6. how do i tell all the different countries of manufacture apart.
__________________
i am not trying to jam a round up a fly's butt @100 yds. --- billy
Last edited by Philip; 12-28-2007 at 11:55 AM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Phillip, depending on the individual gun you get, the accuracy may surprise you. My fiberglass-stocked Chi-Com was super accurate with a modified mount and a cheap Leapers 6x32 scope on it.
4. general FAQ stuff i might want to know would be nice
---not so much on this yet, but dont expect to hit a fly's butt at 100 yds.
I shoot flies in the butt all the time with my YUGO but I don't use no crappy Russian ammo either,reloading will bring out the best in these rifles and a good drill and tap mount like a Choate and decent scope helps us older guys shoot a little better. this is just with iron sights no scope on mine yet waiting on the parts as we speak. A chrome barrel is nice but with most of the ammo on the market today being non-corrosive its not a necessity keep your rifle clean and it want matter.
Quote:
6. how do i tell all the different countries of manufacture apart.
The differences are minor. Basically, the Russian, Romanian and earlier Yugo carbines are essentially the same, as is the early "Sino-Soviet" Chinese guns made under Russian supervision.
Then, the Chinese simplified production, used more stamped parts, a lighter stock wood (more easily dinged), a pinned barrel and the infamous spike bayonet.
The later Yugo guns have the grenade launcher and it's sight mechanism, and a rubber buttpad (lengthens stock pull a bit). The Yugos have a heavier wood too - some say it's Teakwood. Makes for a considerably heavier rifle, steadier on the bench or prone but heavier to carry.
For a Russian SKS, expect to pay $400 or more, as they are the scarcest nowadays.
And definitely try the commercial ammo. My Yugo shoots a 6" group at 100 yards with Wolf Military Classic, and one inch groups at 100 yards with the Remington and Winchester! It's more expensive, so I save the 'good stuff' for important shots.
I once shut up a Range Snob who said the SKS was "inaccurate, can't hit crap!"
I proceded to hit a soda can at the 110 yard berm 8 out of 10 shots, from the shoulder. I can't pull that off too often, but I was devinely inspired that fine day!
sks quirks 
