[PONTIACDM]

I walked up to this older gentlemen at the Dayton gun show this week end. He was carrying a Yugo sks and I asked him how much. Long story short $150 and it was mine. I thought those days were gone forever. This isn't a pristine unissued rifle. The blueing is worn and it has a carving or two on the stock. I think that's why I like it so much. It looks like it was a part of history. My questions are as follows. It has a ( M 4 ) carved into the stock twice with a little slash like this ( ' ) in the upper left hand corner of the four. Does anyone know what this might refer to? Also when I took it apart I noticed the latch to remove the gas tube was really loose. I think it's loose enough to cause problems. Is there a way to tighten it up without replacing? It's original and would like to keep it that way. It has some kind of stamp or carving in the butt of the stock that I'm not sure what it is but may be a yugo military symbol. I know on the Norinco's most parts are stamped with the serial #. What parts are supposed to be stamped on a Yugo. I noticed some parts are etched instead of stamped. Is that Normal on a yugo? Sorry for the question but I'm excited about it. I'll post pics when I clean it up. Thanks Pontiacdm

[sawnoffshotgun]

I have no idea about that but but I caqn tell you on thing Yugo sks's are awesome and I hope you enjoy it

[MmMongol]

My Yugo had neither marking on it and it was unissued...at least it had enough cosmo to make me think it was unissued. As far as the latch, Is the hole wider than the pin? Does the gas tube have noticable play? Mine is almost difficult to move and requires the use of a tool to push it from its detent but turns relatively freely. If the tube does move with the pin in the locked position I would be concerned that the rod might bend. Unfortunately I'm not sure what options are available if the hole is widened out except maybe shimming with some tube. Perhaps there are oversized replacements available(?).

[Big Dog]

Congrats on the new Yugo!
For the gas tube latch, move it up to clear it of anything, then CAREFULLY bend it inwards just a tiny bit - it will grip the detent better. Did that with mine, works fine.
Mine has a shield with cross slash symbol carved in the buttstock - a poster on another website said it was a Serbian Islamic crest used in the Balkan War of the 90's. It also has a name carved in the mid-stock - the prior "owner's" girlfriend's name I think. I always wondered if he ever got back to her?
Mine shoots great - 1MOA at 100 yards with commercial ammo, with gas valve turned "off" and with a 6X scope, shooting like a 'straight-pull bolt-action'.
The only possible problem will be the gas valve - some used rifles have corrosion pitting from poor cleaning. This allows gas to escape, causing 'short cycling' and misfeeds/jams. There are various easy fixes though.
The electric pencil numbering is common. The serial number prefix - a letter - tells you about where in production it is - mine is an "H" number. Some features changed over time too - night sights added at a certain point, different styles of grenade launcher, etc.

[cremley]

As far as the stamping goes, I think almost everything is marked. At least my 68' is. The wood stock is stamped on the side of the butt, the receiver, the magazine, the trigger guard, all components of the bolt, etc. The only thing that is not stamped on mine is the receiver cover. It is an aftermarket with a picatiny rail on it. I wish the original owner sent it to my gun shop with the original cover, I would have even paid a little extra for it.

[PONTIACDM]

Thanks for the info guys, it is appreciated.

[res45]

If you bend the gas tube latch and it still shoots loose,lay the SKS latch side down with a small wooden block on the pin in the latch where it goes through the front sight. Then place a 1/4" ball bearing in the pean hole and give it a couple light taps with a small ball pean hammer. That should tighten it up.