Advanced Soviet Tactical Entry Carbine

[Desertscout]

Thanks for the positive comments and I certainly expected a large number of negative as well. The gun is selling well either way.
The advantages over the AK are pretty obvious and were pretty much all listed by Wedcopan. Accuracy is a big plus over the AK, especially with the rear-mounted ghost ring sight.
As far as the price goes, I don't think some of you realize the work that goes into these like turning the barrel down to put the front sight back on and the hand work that goes into the bolt. If you look at just the after-market parts alone, your cost would be $199.00 plus about $35 shipping from both companies. Now add the cost of the rifle at somewhere between $120 and $150 and the cost is around $380. I don't think you'll find too many other companies that will do the work that we do on top of that for the $215 that's left. Consider the cost and time of cutting and crowning the barrel, removal of rear sights and installation of Tech Sights, turning the barrel down to put the front sight back on, machining the bolt to allow insertion of detachable mags, possible mods to gas system and re-bluing of all affected parts.

 

[DMK]

I like it

I especially like the rear mounted sight and left bolt handle. I wish I could adapt those features to my AK.

You need to call it the Advanced Simonov Tactical Entry Carbine. Since you are using Chinese and Yugoslavian SKS, it's not exactly Soviet is it?

Will you be offering these modifications to an owned rifle sent in? That would allow someone to avoid the hassle and cost of going through a local FFL transfer.

Some trigger work would be a nice option too. One advantage an AK would have over this is that better triggers are available for it.

A pushbutton type mag latch might make mag changes easier. Where you could push the latch back with your thumb.

A parkerized finish would be a nice option too.

Just thinking out loud and throwing out ideas...

 

[.45Guy]

The fact that you can swap out duckbills without doing a contortionist trick to hold the bolt back is a step in the right direction. But why not go the full SKS-D or M route? And then if you want to get really crazy, relieve the sides of the magwell to accept 75 round RPK drums....

 

[Langenator]

Interesting idea...and it people are willing to buy it, who's to criticize?

Now, do it with an SKS-D or -M so it can take AK mags (although that may run you into compliance issues, I don't know).

Personally, I have to agree with rbernie on the charging handle location...mainly because left-side handles are a titanic PITA for right handed shooters in the prone position.

 

[mattw]

Cool ideas but I just don't know too many people that would pay $600 for an SKS when they could get a Mini-30 for the same money. If you aren't hooked on 7.62x39 then that opens up a whole world of similar rifles for the same money.

 

[Desertscout]

You need to call it the Advanced Simonov Tactical Entry Carbine. Since you are using Chinese and Yugoslavian SKS, it's not exactly Soviet is it?

The original design is Soviet and that's what we based the name on.

Will you be offering these modifications to an owned rifle sent in?

Yes, we're working on a Russian and 4 Yugos as we speak.

Some trigger work would be a nice option too. *** A pushbutton type mag latch might make mag changes easier.

We already do triggers and the a new mag catch is next on our list of things to do.

A parkerized finish would be a nice option too.

We already offer Parkerizing. It was mentioned in the original post. Thanks for the ideas though!

But why not go the full SKS-D or M route?

922(r) compliancy issues.

Cool ideas but I just don't know too many people that would pay $600 for an SKS when they could get a Mini-30 for the same money. If you aren't hooked on 7.62x39 then that opens up a whole world of similar rifles for the same money.

I do.
In the first place, a stock Mini-30 MSRP is $809 without any after market parts. Magazines are more expensive and harder to find.
It would be VERY difficult to feasibly put the bolt handle on the left side which is one of the biggest attractions of the ASTEC.
The Mini-30 is not as accurate.

 

[.45Guy]

922(r) compliancy issues.

Would it be an issue if you modified a standard SKS to accept AK mags?

 

[Dionysusigma]

What about rechambering the SKS to 5.45x39?

Is that even possible?

 

[crazed_ss]

I suppose the greatest utility of this rifle will be that it is likely California legal, and not a mini-30.

Not CA Legal... Detachable Magazine and Pistol Grip

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

What about rechambering the SKS to 5.45x39?

Is that even possible?

Wayyy too much work involved there.

 

[1 old 0311]

OR get a Yugo UF, 10 mags, 500 rounds of ammo for the same price, and be able to resell it some day. Looks like quality work but it also looks like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[22/22mag]

I like it!
My SKS unfired,cosmo cleaned, cost $150. couple years ago .To upgrade chop barrel ,add legal folding stock and ak mags would be plenty $$$$........ so price isn't out of line to me.My Saiga converted cost $600.

I like my Mini-30 with a side folder but high cap mags are chancy I use 10rd mags for reliability . Is there a picture of a side folder on the SKS?

 

[mattw]

In the first place, a stock Mini-30 MSRP is $809 without any after market parts. Magazines are more expensive and harder to find.
It would be VERY difficult to feasibly put the bolt handle on the left side which is one of the biggest attractions of the ASTEC.
The Mini-30 is not as accurate.

You make some valid points. I agree that your ASTEC is cheaper than a brand new Mini-30, but are these SKS rifles brand new? I'm asking because I don't know, not trying to be a smart ass.

I guess you're right about the bolt handle on the other side of the reciever being about impossible for a Mini-30. But I shoot left handed anyway so it doesn't really matter to me all that much.

Does that stock make it much easier to shoot? I've handled a few of my friends' SKS rifles and the only real complaint that I had is that they do not seem very ergonmic. The height of the receiver makes it difficult to get a comfortable stockweld and be able to see the sights.

 

[Desertscout]

You make some valid points. I agree that your ASTEC is cheaper than a brand new Mini-30, but are these SKS rifles brand new? I'm asking because I don't know, not trying to be a smart ass.

I guess you're right about the bolt handle on the other side of the reciever being about impossible for a Mini-30. But I shoot left handed anyway so it doesn't really matter to me all that much.

Does that stock make it much easier to shoot? I've handled a few of my friends' SKS rifles and the only real complaint that I had is that they do not seem very ergonmic. The height of the receiver makes it difficult to get a comfortable stockweld and be able to see the sights.

It is pretty hard to find a brand-new SKS but there are still a few around. The ones we use are the best used ones that we can find. We don't use "shootersGade" guns unless there are no others available.

Yes, the ASTEC is certainly for right-handers.

I have 2 different stocked ASTEC's. The collapsible stock is certainly easier to handle in close-quarters and the adjustable pull appeals to some. For most uses, I much prefer the Dragunov stock. I will be taking 2 of them to Front Sight the first weekend in March. I'll use one for the close-up and personal stuff and the other for 2-400 yard shooting.

 

[chunk]

 

[mattw]

Haha! Not very constructive, but funny none the less.

 

[rugerdude]

Nice work!

My tactical SKS (makes it pretty much a mini-30 with a price tag of 285 bucks.) I did not need to make it shorter however, or change the bolt and this is why it's much cheaper.



Good luck at front sight.

 

[telomerase]

But if you move the bolt handle to the left side, you still can't hit yourself in the face with it. So it's not as "modern" as an AR.

 

[telomerase]

Overall, it's an interesting idea that will allow folks in AK-banned states to have an updated carbine.

They can build a long-term business around this concept. Culminating in a crossbow with a 30-round magazine.

 

[Magnum88C]

Do you use the ATI or Choate Dragunov stock?
If you use the ATI, I'd suggest the Choate, it's much better.

Have you considered putting an AK side rail on? If you want to call it an "entry/tactical" rifle, being able to mount good dot optics is more important than a longer sight radius (in fact the short sight radius won't matter for "tactical entries").

Is there any way to mount a folding stock? They make the weapon more compact than collapsable stock, and don't make it look like you're trying to turn an SKS into an AR.

 

[Sistema1927]

What a tough audience. Best of luck to you.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

I like it, but i would like it in a straight stock(not adjustable)

 

[atblis]

Please

Please don't hack up any Russians. There are plenty of Chinese and Yugos to go around.

 

[Caimlas]

Let me be one of the few to say: good job!

I'm probably in the minority on this, but I greatly prefer the SKS over the AK, provided it's got a configuration like your's (w/ or w/o the pistol grip stock). I'd not personally say I prefer the left-side bolt carrier handle, but I'm partial to everything else. Its overall feel is more 'rifle-like' in my mind, while still having all the benefits of an AK. I odn't know what people are talking about when they say the SKS is less reliable than an AK, either.

I'm surprised there are not US-made SKSs being made. the SKS design seems incredibly simple compared to an AK or an AR, and I would think could be fairly easily made compared to an AK or AR.

 

[Desertscout]

Do you use the ATI or Choate Dragunov stock?
If you use the ATI, I'd suggest the Choate, it's much better.

Have you considered putting an AK side rail on? If you want to call it an "entry/tactical" rifle, being able to mount good dot optics is more important than a longer sight radius (in fact the short sight radius won't matter for "tactical entries").

Is there any way to mount a folding stock? They make the weapon more compact than collapsable stock, and don't make it look like you're trying to turn an SKS into an AR.

We use the Choate stock. The ones from ATI are kind of cheesy.
We haven't yet considered an AK mount but it's something to think about. One of the options on the T-6 stock is the rail on the top of the forearm for optics.
Yes, there are 3 choices for stocks. Thje T-6, Choate Dragunov and a folder.

What a tough audience. Best of luck to you.

LOL! Thank you!

Please don't hack up any Russians. There are plenty of Chinese and Yugos to go around.

Sorry. Already have. There's one back in the shop as we speak.

Thank you, Caimlas. I agree.