I'm kicking around the idea of buying a Chinese Norinco SKS. Is this a good choice? I don't want a bayonet. Note: I'm not crazy about the grenade launcher on Yugo 59/66's. I would probably get one with the 20-21" barrel because I don't want to spend the extra money for a 16" barrel. I will use it for plinking, and my shooting will be done at 100 yds. or less. Realistically more at less than 100. I feel I'll probably want some type of scope for my 58 yr. old eyes. Can you recommend a scope mount and a scope for my purposes? I've read a little about receiver cover mounts and some people feel this is not the way to go. I don't want to invest a whole lot of money because I'm more into handguns than long guns, so I may not shoot it all that much. I would also appreciate info on stock butt extensions. Thanks in advance.
Questions before SKS purchase
- Thread starter tbeb
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http://www.scoutscopes.com has a great mount that mounts on the rear sight base. If you take the railed section off, it functions as a rear sight. This mount is only good for red/dot or Extended eye relief scopes. I have one, and it is an excellent piece of equipment.
You could by a 59/66 Yugo and have the grenade launcher cut off and the barrel recrowned, or you could buy a Yugo 59 which did not have the grenade launcher to begin with.
Most of the Chinese SKSs are not going to have bayonets because they original had the spike bayonet which would not get through the "non-sporting" ban. Chinese SKSs that legally have a spike bayonet are going to be more expensive because they came in before the ban.
Cutting down a 59/66 will probably be cheaper than a Chinese SKS.
IMO, putting a scope on an SKS is like putting a bonnet on a sow--it looks pretty but is otherwise worthless. SKSs have poor triggers and usually the covers are not that tight, so the scope is going to have some wobble.
Most of the Chinese SKSs are not going to have bayonets because they original had the spike bayonet which would not get through the "non-sporting" ban. Chinese SKSs that legally have a spike bayonet are going to be more expensive because they came in before the ban.
Cutting down a 59/66 will probably be cheaper than a Chinese SKS.
IMO, putting a scope on an SKS is like putting a bonnet on a sow--it looks pretty but is otherwise worthless. SKSs have poor triggers and usually the covers are not that tight, so the scope is going to have some wobble.
Most Yugo M59/66s you find will be in much better condition that the "best" Yugo M59s on the market, and somewhat less expensive. Some people have had issue with these rifles — if they have been poorly maintained — as this model's adjustable gas valve can occasionally leak, preventing proper cycling. Spring for a "hand-pick" or "unissued" quality rifle and this probably won't be an issue. But there are also new-manufacture stainless steel valves available for about $25 (scroll to bottom):
http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm
I cut down and re-crowned an M59/66 with excellent results, removing about four inches of barrel/grenade launcher. Accuracy was not affected. However, it may be more time/cost effective for you to simply purchase a Chinese SKS. Here's some info on crowning:
http://riflestocks.tripod.com/targetcrown.html
The best way to scope an SKS is to use a side mount like these from Choate and Kalinka:
http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_page.cfm?queries_index=index10&ProductCode=22&ProductSubCodeID=160&NewProduct=0
http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/detail.aspx?ID=565
Both attach to the receiver and have NO wobble. However, you must drill/tap the rifle for attachment. You'll find basic instructions here:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/choatesksscope/index.asp
As someone else noted, the Scoutscope system is said to be quite good as well and requires NO gunsmithing or permanent alteration of your rifle. This is something to think about. However, I have not personally used one.
Regardless, the SKS is a great rifle for many applications and I'm sure you will be happy with it so long as your expectations aren't too high. I don't have a Chinese, but have found all others to be of roughly equal manufacturing quality with some minor variation. However, the Chinese and Russians do have chrome-lined bores, which helps with cleaning and wear. (The Yugos do not.)
Here's a great site on the variations between countries:
http://www.yooperj.com/SKS.htm
Just to show off, here are a couple of mine:
Albanian:
Russian:
Romanian:
As you may be able to tell, I have a soft spot in my head for SKSs!
http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm
I cut down and re-crowned an M59/66 with excellent results, removing about four inches of barrel/grenade launcher. Accuracy was not affected. However, it may be more time/cost effective for you to simply purchase a Chinese SKS. Here's some info on crowning:
http://riflestocks.tripod.com/targetcrown.html
The best way to scope an SKS is to use a side mount like these from Choate and Kalinka:
http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_page.cfm?queries_index=index10&ProductCode=22&ProductSubCodeID=160&NewProduct=0
http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/detail.aspx?ID=565
Both attach to the receiver and have NO wobble. However, you must drill/tap the rifle for attachment. You'll find basic instructions here:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/choatesksscope/index.asp
As someone else noted, the Scoutscope system is said to be quite good as well and requires NO gunsmithing or permanent alteration of your rifle. This is something to think about. However, I have not personally used one.
Regardless, the SKS is a great rifle for many applications and I'm sure you will be happy with it so long as your expectations aren't too high. I don't have a Chinese, but have found all others to be of roughly equal manufacturing quality with some minor variation. However, the Chinese and Russians do have chrome-lined bores, which helps with cleaning and wear. (The Yugos do not.)
Here's a great site on the variations between countries:
http://www.yooperj.com/SKS.htm
Just to show off, here are a couple of mine:
Albanian:
Russian:
Romanian:
As you may be able to tell, I have a soft spot in my head for SKSs!
Hokkmike
Member
I had both a Russian and Chinese SKS. I have since opted for an AK. Between the former two I liked the Russian better but there was essentially no difference between the two.
The trigger pull on both was awful. Many SKS's need trigger jobs. Something I can't afford to do to such an inexpensive rifle.
I hope my new AK is a little better. It is a pretty rough cut firearm.
I think all of these will "dry up" sooner than we think. I belive it is a good idea to pick up a few while you still can.
The trigger pull on both was awful. Many SKS's need trigger jobs. Something I can't afford to do to such an inexpensive rifle.
I hope my new AK is a little better. It is a pretty rough cut firearm.
I think all of these will "dry up" sooner than we think. I belive it is a good idea to pick up a few while you still can.
Regarding the SKS trigger, one can easily make a DIY fix on that with a new set of Wolff springs. They dramatically reduce the trigger pull.
You like SKSs....ain't nuthin' wrong with your head.
Here are my Russian babes....a '50 Tula and a '54 Izzy.
Of course, these have collectible value as opposed to a Chinese.
I've had the Yugo 59/66, and I used it to plink with. Loved it.
I know you can get receiver covers that are scope-ready to replace the original. I've never used one though.
The smaller Chinese SKS (AKA the paratrooper) is a neat little gun, and is more collectible than most Chinese models. If a person has one, they shouldn't remove anything or modify it.
If you just wanna plink for a little bit of money, centerfiresystems had Yugo SKSs for $99. The stocks will be cracked, but no biggie for plinking.
Here are my Russian babes....a '50 Tula and a '54 Izzy.
Of course, these have collectible value as opposed to a Chinese.
I've had the Yugo 59/66, and I used it to plink with. Loved it.
I know you can get receiver covers that are scope-ready to replace the original. I've never used one though.
The smaller Chinese SKS (AKA the paratrooper) is a neat little gun, and is more collectible than most Chinese models. If a person has one, they shouldn't remove anything or modify it.
If you just wanna plink for a little bit of money, centerfiresystems had Yugo SKSs for $99. The stocks will be cracked, but no biggie for plinking.
I had a Chinese that I used the cover scope mount method. It ain't the best but is is cheap, easy, and as accurate as most people will need.
The SKS trigger springs from wolff do a good job. You can even get someone to do the work for you like Kivaari's match triggers where he will sort out any grittiness, give you a nice trigger pull and length.
http://www.kivaari.com/SKS%20Target%20Match.htm
For the sights I would skip the scope all together and put on a Tech-sight 200. This will give you a rather nice peep sight with adjustable elevation and windage and an adjustable peep that can if you want take pretty much any an M16a1 can. Really nice.
http://www.tech-sights.com/
If you want to do alot of alterations I would aim for a Chinese one imported before the 1989 ban. This allows you to do whatever you want. A Yugo one you would need to replace parts with the US made ones so you are legal to alter and add parts and remove parts and not break its curio and relics license status.
One other nice thing to do is to be the action properly in the stock.
http://www.kivaari.com/SKS%20Target%20Match.htm
For the sights I would skip the scope all together and put on a Tech-sight 200. This will give you a rather nice peep sight with adjustable elevation and windage and an adjustable peep that can if you want take pretty much any an M16a1 can. Really nice.
http://www.tech-sights.com/
If you want to do alot of alterations I would aim for a Chinese one imported before the 1989 ban. This allows you to do whatever you want. A Yugo one you would need to replace parts with the US made ones so you are legal to alter and add parts and remove parts and not break its curio and relics license status.
One other nice thing to do is to be the action properly in the stock.
Phaetos
Member
I just put a scope on my 59/66. It is a tri-rail system much the same as this one from sksman ... http://www.sksman.com/acces/mounts2.php Fits great and sits tight.
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