Norinco SKS...Identification of Pressed in Barrel vs. with Lug

[Southern Shooter]

I am looking at a Norinco SKS in excellent...near new condition. I hear that the Norinco with the barrel attached with the lug is better than one with the pressed in barrel. Is this true and how do you identify it? See the pictures attached.

If this is the Norinco SKS with the lugged barrel...and it is in near new condition...what would it be worth?

Thanks

 

[rust collector]

That SKS has the screwed in barrel, but I can't make determine if the trigger guard is stamped or milled. The blade bayo indicates an earlier model, and that's generally a good thing.

Looks to be in good shape, probably worth $200 to $250. The duckbill mags usually don't work reliably, so their value is minimal.

 

[briansmithwins]

The long barrel shank is typical on early SKS rifles.

Much more info here: http://www.sksboards.com/

BSW

 

[Southern Shooter]

Bayonet and shank

Rust Collector, after magnifying the picture that includes the bayonet...it looks like the spike type versus the blade type. What does that tell us about the gun? Age, quality?

Also, I zoomed in on one of the pictures that showed a close-up of the trigger guard. I cannot tell if it is milled or stamped, either...maybe I don't know how to tell the difference. Which is better?

BrainSmithWins, what is the shank?

 

[rust collector]

Yes, a second look reveals a spike, which was a bit later in the the production history. Not necessarily an indictment, but the later guns were thought to be made to sell rather than arm the troops.

The shank of the barrel, below the sight block, shows the flats that indicate a screw-in barrel. A pressed in barrel does not have the enlarged shank. A stamped trigger guard would indicate later production as it was less labor intensive to make.

I am not an SKS expert, just drawing on what I've read and what I've observed on my SKS, which has the threaded barrel, milled guard, and blade bayo. I put a red fiber jungle stock on it and enjoy it. I probably should pop for the tech sight, but my aging vision makes an aftermarket cheap red dot more fun. Russian manufacture is generally believed to be highest quality, but the Norincos were light and very serviceable.

 

[ROMAK IV]

A better indicator is the slot ,illed into the bolt carrier, under the charging handle. Probably has the better trigger group, the easiest indicator for that is the presence of serations, checkering, or whatever you would call it, on the front surface of the safety lever, as later models were smooth. I consider all Chinese SKS's to be of high quality, since I have owned and used at least a dozen of all the models, over the years. I currently have two Sporter models, the kind that accept AK magazines, and they function well and are rasonably accurate, Like the rest of the late model SKS's, they have cast bolt carriers and the press in barrels.I also have two older SKS's with the screw in barrels. ONe has a new apearing barrel and is exceptionally accurate for an SKS. The other was a surplus rifle I bought some 20 years ago for $100. So, for the most part, Chinese SKS's are generally reliable and generally accurate as far as SKS's go, and the cheaper press in barrels, have little or no adverse effect on the operation of the rifle.

 

[jpwilly]

You have an early model SKS with the screw in bbl and milled trigger guard. I had one just like that when I was a teenager. It was my first rifle. Paid either $89 or $99 for it. A good shooter too. Sadly I sold it during college as I needed money.

I have a NIB SKS later model in a box. It's never been fired and still has light cosmoline on it.

Here it is...

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I had the same rifle you have pictured. It was the most accurate SKS I've owned and I wish I hadn't had to sell it during a divorce.

Buy that one with confidence and don't bother with the high cap mags, they don't feed well. My advice on the high cap mags is to buy the rifle, then sell the high caps off on the internet to reduce your rifle purchase costs.

Regards,

Dave