BACKGROUND:

Several years ago Soviet Block SKS rifles were dumped in large quantities into the U.S. Firearms market. I think most people bought them mainly because they, the Chinese, were really cheap, around $69-$99.00 retail and mass quantities of surplus ammo was also available at reasonable pricing. This drove people to buy firearms they might never have considered purchasing until they thought they might not be able to buy them any more. But then the steel tipped ammo became a threat and was removed from the market.

For several years ammo costs for 7.62x39 were comparable to .223 (5.56) ammo or higher and demand for these rifles dropped. Currently, the ammo situation has changed. Even better ammo is available from Wolf and really cheaper. Generally these are good shooters, and with good ammo, VERY good shooters.

I personally dropped a running 8- point buck whose live weight was a little over 200 lbs. using my Chinese SKS Carbine with one shot to the boiler room. Now this isn't a 300 Win Magnum, but it does get you moving in the right direction.

This is a great starter rifle. Any firearms instructor will tell you that real practice is what makes good shots. This is not something you can master on a computer, reading a book, or thinking about. Active participation is the only means to accomplish shooting skills. So this is where the SKS comes in, more bang for your buck and enough to get most bucks.

Today SKS Rifles price wise range all over the map. Better quality ones are from Russia and Yugoslavia. Their guns were better than their cars. Personally, I’d pay the higher price for the better condition rifle. My main concern would be the rifles bore condition. There is no economical fix for a rusted out bore. By the way, the SKS is a well made rifle with the basic parts being machined, not stamped sheet metal like the AK 47. In addition, they field strip easily for cleaning and maintenance.

Up at our hunt club we have the good days and the bad days weather wise. I wanted something of a brush gun or utility gun when sitting out there waiting for the rust to collapse the steel tree stand. So the caliber and pricing of the SKS seemed to fit in place. So we did some AP&W magic and came up with our version.

Here's the deal. For our project, we hand picked and grabbed about ten of these in excellent condition, pick of the litter, Yugoslavians and we did tricked up a few. Literally a silk purse from a sows ear. Just look at the pictures. They are for sale, first come , first choice. Call for more information.

THE MAGIC

Trigger pull - These rifles like every other SOVIET BLOC country have terrible trigger pulls. The cost to tune one is $95.00 to 4+ lbs. This price includes hard chroming the internal parts.

Sights - Original sights on these rifles are battle sights and crude. Williams makes a replacement rear that we install Green Fiber Optic pins in. Your cost is $50.00 installed. By changing the original front to an AK front and with a little more AP&W magic, you have a front Fiber Optic in red. If you can’t pick up this sight picture, it’s time for some serious eye examinations, or you are color blind. The front sight costs $50.00. It’s basically hand made.

Glass Optics - If you are more into optics, Millett offers a scope mount that locks into the rear adjustable sight housing and doesn’t move. The base is designed for Weaver Style rings and can be used for Dot Scopes, HOLOsight® Scope or “Scout” style Long Eye Relief Scopes. The best combo cost-wise is probably the Dot Scope. The base costs $37.00 and Dot Scopes can be bought for as little as $50.00 and as much as $400.00.

My Suggestion - Personally, I prefer the Open Sights or a Dot Scope. This is a great bad weather, loaner, fast food on the table, brush, utility camp rifle, leave it in the Jeep, kind of gun. It wasn't made for 500 yard shots.

If however you want to take it up a notch please continue, here are some additional choices.

Polymer Stocks - Several companies make after market Polymer stocks for these rifles. Average cost is around $60.00. There is also a way to convert them legally to use a removable magazine. Average cost per magazine is $35.00 with fitting, so they lock in and come out correctly. Do not try this yourself, it's more complex than you think. One last thing about the SKS…

Save the Old Stock -The original stock system can be cut off, fitted with a pad for younger shooters. The low basic recoil makes this an ideal first hunting rifle for a young person, or for a woman who is of small stature and recoil sensitive. AS the kids grow, fit them into a Polymer.

IMPROVED COGAN REAR FIBER OPTIC SIGHT CUSTOM
MADE FOR THE SKS COMBINED WITH THE FORWARD SIGHT MODIFICATION SHOWN BELOW, I DOUBT THERE IS A FASTER SIGHT PICTURE AROUND

AFTER MODIFICATIONS SHOWN, THESE ARE GREAT BRUSH GUNS AND THE LOW COST OF THE AMMUNITION ADDS GREAT VALUE TO THE USABILITY FACTOR. PLINK, TRAIN OR HUNT.

COGAN FRONT FIBER OPTIC SIGHT CUSTOM MADE FOR THE SKS FROM AN AK FRONT SIGHT. IN ADDITION NOTE THE COGAN CUSTOM COMPENSATOR WHICH LITERALLY ELIMINATES MUZZLE RISE.

THE FIREARM IS TOTALLY MATT CHROMED FOR BOTH PROTECTION AGAINST THE ELEMENTS AND LOW GLARE