I just came over here from the Mosin Nagant side of the house. My wife surprised me a Yugo SKS. I had mentioned that I really needed to get one before some politician outlawed them, so she ordered one from Classic Arms (along with an OUTSTANDING M44 with laminated stock).
Anyway, what I was wondering was just what king of finish is on the wood of the Yugo SKS? The gun is drenched in cosmo, and I can't tell if it has a laquer or oil finish.
Also, do any batches of Russian SKS rifles ever show up in quantity, or are the stocks of the Russian ones depleted? How about the Chi Com ones? Somebody told me that the importation of Norinco rifles was banned due to the company breaking US laws, but I don't know for sure.
I've been reading through the SKS threads to get info and they have been very helpful. The more I read about the SKS, the more I like it. Thanks.
Some Yugo's like my brothers have no finish on them whatsoever. His was never covered in cosmo and the wood is dry. The original finish put on YUGO's at the factory is boiled linseed oil.
You have to remove the cosmo first from the wood depending on the year it was made an how long its been stored like it is will determine how much has soaked into the wood. Some people use dishwashers and chemicals to clean the wood but personally I didn't use anything that would affect the grain of the wood or cause it to swell.
I wrapped mine in paper towels placed it in a large black trash bag and let it bake out in the hot car for a couple days,changing the towels out every few hours,you can also bake it out in the oven at the lowest setting or use heat lamps and wiping it off till it quits seeping out of the wood. Its a little slower but its worth the wait. As far as the Russian and Chinese rifles goes whats in the states is pretty much all there is to be had unless the import doors open up again Who knows whats still in some bunker over there. And what about the E. German SKS rifles where are they.
Thanks for the info. If it is original, I may just go the linseed route. I like the thought of keeping my milsurps the way that they were made, and a simple linseed finish sounds easy to maintain.
That's a sharp-looking gun. Your gun's "furniture" looks to be in nicer general shape than mine, even though it was sold as "excellent to non-issued". Did you have to lightly sand or steel wool the wood on that gun?
Here's a picture of my gun. Sorry about the bad resolution. I only have my camera phone right now.
Last edited by lowercase; 04-01-2008 at 12:04 AM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Hey everyone, I just had a question about an SKS that I found at a pawn shop recently, the deal seemed too good to be true so I'm waiting before i decide to buy it or not. This SKS was Chinese built and in excellent, really excellent, condition. This SKS came with a scope that I'm not sure exactly what it was, looked exactly like a PU scope for a mosin. Now this Chinese SKS, with a scope, in great condition, only costed $230. Is this deal too good to be true? I thought Chinese SKS were expensive, and one that is in near perfect condition with a scope? If someone could fill me in that would be awesome thanks,
Currently, only the Yugo SKS are being imported. The Russians petered out long ago, followed by the Romanians, then the Albanians. They just weren't very numerous.
Comrade Clinton banned the Chinese guns and ammo, due to the idiot who shot up the Whitehouse with one.
The "broken laws" thing is a red herring - the Chinese are importing everything else here! Just take a stroll thru Wally World and Harbor Freight.
My war-relic Yugo SKS has an oil finish, and had no cosmo on it.
Whatever finish was on my Yugo 59/66A2, oil I think, from Classic Arms came off with the cosmoline when I cleaned it with mineral spirits. I sanded it first with 320 grit by hand, then with 400 grit wet-or-dry, then polished the wood with tung oil varnish. Came out beautifully, especially the forearm, which glows gold in the sunlight. It's been suggested I lucked out and got one of the ones stocked in teak intended for use in Africa.
I found a chinese SKS in extremely good condition with a nice scope for $229 at a pawn shop. Scope looked just like a PU for the Mosin Nagant, but i have no idea what it really was. Is this a good price or is it too good to be true?
I found a chinese SKS in extremely good condition with a nice scope for $229 at a pawn shop. Scope looked just like a PU for the Mosin Nagant, but i have no idea what it really was. Is this a good price or is it too good to be true?
Price is about right. That is if the bore is very good or better. Chinese SKS run around 200 give or take a little.
__________________
Dedicated to SwedeSteve, Arkansashunter and Ezearln. Rest in peace my friends.
