Modified SKS
 

Is it illegal to modify an SKS to use high capacity magazines from an AK-47? If not, is it easy and where can I learn how to do it?

Re: Modified SKS
 

Why dont you just use detachable SKS mags? Its a whole lot cheaper and you dont run the risk of messing up your rifle

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/sks_bdeh.htm

EDIT - I think it is illegal to modify your rifle as well

Re: Modified SKS
 

hmm... I didn't know that there were detachable ones... silly me! I don't have an SKS by the way, just looking into it.

Re: Modified SKS
 

Keep looking CB, you should be able to find a Chinese SKS that accepts the hi cap AK magazines. Note: it wouldn't seem to me to be illegal to adapt one yourself, but you may want to check out the BATF web site to confirm.
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm

Re: Modified SKS
 

The stripper clips actually work pretty good with the SKS. I've seen some guys who could really rock theirs. Another bonus of the stipper clip is that it is way lighter than a magazine so you can carry a lot more ammo for the same weight. A steel AK magazines weighs about 14 ounces, the ten round stripper clips are virtually weightless in comparision.

Most any magazine mod you do to an SKS will require tuning to get it working right but if I were to do a mag mod on an SKS I would probably go with a fixed 20rd mag and feed it with stripper clips.

I used to think the SKS was a stupid and pointless weapon. I have since come to appreciate its unique features. My only complaint with them is that right now the commonly available SKS is the Yugo which doesn't have a chromed bore. That shouldn't be a big deal if it was unissued but I am wary of autoloaders that have been fed a lot of corrosive ammo that don't have a chromed gas system. Every other version of the SKS I am aware of does have the chrome but many of them are now going for prices near that of an entry level AK. The SKS is a unique weapon though, that competes with the AK in terms of better accuracy, a magazine that can't be lost and a lower overall weight for a given ammo load.

Re: Modified SKS
 

I bought a Yugo SKS last week and I'm still trying to clean all the #$@#$ cosmoline out of it. :-P

It is, however, a nice looking gun. I can't wait to try it at the range.

I've read that the removable SKS magazines can have feeding problems. I don't know for sure.

Re: Modified SKS
 

The SKS,my favorite rifle(I have 8 of them)....Do not modify them,they are good as they are.The only problems I had were with detachable magazines,other than that...good shooters.

Cosmoline is something else,carburator cleaner will take it off.

Re: Modified SKS
 

Ive never had one bit of feeding problem with my detachable magazines.

The secret is to buy the metal ones and stay away from the plastic ones.

Re: Modified SKS
 

REV127,

I really appreciate the info you put out about the AK & SKS rifles.I've picked up a lot on the AK from you....Thanks

Re: Modified SKS
 

the SKS is an imported gun that gets by the "non-sporting" clause because the mag is not detachable. if you add a detachable mag, and you have a bayo lug and muzzle device, you will need to replace the proper # of parts with U.S. parts to get the foreign parts count under 10. i'm not sure, but i don't think the SKS has enough BATFE countable parts to make this possible. the Yugo SKS's get around the U.S. parts count law by being old enough to pass as a C&R rifle. but once you modify anything on the rifle it looses it's C&R status and must comply with section 922(r). this means adding the U.S parts.

are you confused yet? because that's the idea of the law. to make you a criminal without you even knowing. if you want to be legal just leave the SKS alone or buy an AK from a repuable dealer. it would be cheeper and easier in the long run.

-that being said: there are tens of thousands of "illegal" SKSs floating around out there and no one has ever been prosecuted for it except as a "tack-on" charge with other violations. hell, i doubt if most cops even know about the firearm import laws

Re: Modified SKS
 

noelephant, drop all the metal in mineral spirits for a few hours (make sure to break it down as far as you can, especially in the firing pin area) you'll be good as new. If you're extra anal you can rinse and repeat.

On the stock put it in a plastic bag in the heat (if you're somewhere you have heat), research on the 'net for sks, cosmo (full name) and bag and you should come up with something. Did mine in the summer on the dash and it pooled up in the bag nicely.

SKS Dis/Assembly Video

Re: Modified SKS
 

Ditto. The guy is packed with killer gun info.....(er..no pun intended.)

Re: Modified SKS
 

SKS ..... my favorite "can opener" ........ hehehehe ...