Thinking of buying another SKS

[John A.]

As the title states, I am thinking of buying another SKS.

I had an old preban Norinco several years ago and fooled around and sold it, but I have been thinking of buying another to replace it with.

With that said, I don't have a lot of knowlege about the different country of origins and the Chinese is all I have experience with.

I don't really like the grenade launcher type because I don't see the need of adding weight to the muzzle for something that I would never shoot a grenade with anyway.

I don't want one with a detachable AK mag either. I want the basic stripper clip box mag.

Aside from that, is there anything specific I should look into?


I'm not wanting a safequeen, I want a shooter. Condition doesn't have to be spotless, but I don't want a rust bucket either.

What do you guys recommend I look into and why?

A local pawn shop told me they had 3 between $300-$400 (which made me gasp since the last one I bought was about $125.

[blefferd]

I think you can buy the Yugo's all day long for 250, the Norinco's are going to run a bit more because they can no longer be imported. I really dont think you can go wrong any of them in the basic configuration. Also you can always shoot golf balls with the grenade launcher!!!

When people start putting crapco on them and adding detachable mags is when they start having issues.

[einheit 13]

You can also remove the grenade launcher and install an FAL flash hider.

[John A.]

Thank you for the reply blefferd.

I want a stock gun. No frills, no bells, no whistles, complete KISS. I don't even want detachable mags. I just want a stock gun.

Although I really don't want one with the grenade launcher. I have no desire or need for the added weight and length at all.

I'd spend a few more bucks and get a Norinco between the two.

I saw a bunch of pretty clean early Ruskies at auction arms, but they're going for $400 or more. Functionally, between the Chinese Norinco and the Russian, is there any advantage or difference of one over the other?

I don't have a problem paying a little more if it's worth it, but like I said, my only experience was with the Chinese and I was pretty happy with it.

[John A.]

Thank you Einheit.

Sorry I didn't acknowlege your reply, we were posting at the same time.

I didn't know the launcher was removable so that changes my perspective.

How would I remove the launcher, and where do I get a fal flash hider for it?

I may would be comfortable putting a flash hider on it. That sounds a lot better to me now that you brought it up.

[blefferd]

I don't think there is any functionality differences between the Russian SKS and the Chinese SKS. The Russians taught the Chinese how to build the SKS and alot of the Early Chinese SKS rifles are actually Russian.

[einheit 13]

Originally Posted by John A.

Thank you Einheit.

Sorry I didn't acknowlege your reply, we were posting at the same time.

I didn't know the launcher was removable so that changes my perspective.

How would I remove the launcher, and where do I get a fal flash hider for it?

I may would be comfortable putting a flash hider on it. That sounds a lot better to me now that you brought it up.

remove the pin, soak it with oil, use a vise and pliers....right hand thread.
Anyone that sells FAL parts should have them. Make sure its a Metric pattern, dunno if the Inch pattern will work.
Apex, gunthings.com, northridge international......



Apex, check around. Prices will vary, sometimes greatly.

STG....$12


STG T48 style $40





G1 style (my favorite) $15



L1A1 (Inch pattern) dunno if it will work $55

[einheit 13]

Originally Posted by blefferd

I don't think there is any functionality differences between the Russian SKS and the Chinese SKS. The Russians taught the Chinese how to build the SKS and alot of the Early Chinese SKS rifles are actually Russian.

There isn't except that the Chinese weapon will be 'newer'.

[John A.]

That was my limited understanding as well. Although seems like I remember one or the other that added something, but I can't remember what that was, and I may be thinking about something else and entirely wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

I want to say it was a firing pin spring maybe??????

I didn't think the Russian would be worth more from a function or material standpoint, other than just collector value but wanted to ask you guys to make sure.

And Einheit, thank you for the pictures and tutorial. That was a big help too.

[einheit 13]

Originally Posted by John A.

That was my limited understanding as well. Although seems like I remember one or the other that added something, but I can't remember what that was, and I may be thinking about something else and entirely wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

I want to say it was a firing pin spring maybe??????

I didn't think the Russian would be worth more from a function or material standpoint, other than just collector value but wanted to ask you guys to make sure.

And Einheit, thank you for the pictures and tutorial. That was a big help too.

Anytime! i like the Chinese for shooting and the Russians for the safe, although i still like the Chinese better. You can luck out on a Romanian or Yugo M59 (no launcher) sometimes when folks don't know what they have. I got a Romanian for $150 cause the guy thought it was crappy Chinese SKS. Same with a misrepresented Yugo m59. paid $175 for it as it was tagged as an M59/66.....Sold the pair for $600 since i already had 2 of each in better shape!