SKS Question
 

After some delays, I have finally decided to make the move and a) acquire some weapons b) become well-regulated with said instruments. After much research and reading, I have been leaning towards SKS models because of their economy in price and apparently reliability. American guns, from most accounts, tend to break and are significantly more expensive.

If anyone has any quick advice, particularly in reference to SKS rifles, I would be most grateful.

Re: SKS Question
 

my advice is: get one as soon as possible! I love my SKS, and for under $500 you can have a very rugged rifle and a thousand rounds of ammo. Don't worry about the 10rd magazine being too small. Stripper clips load very fast.

You will probably have to take it completely apart and clean it with solvent and toothbrush. That was an undertaking, but disassembly is extremely easy.

Finally, I would say getting a handgun would be at least as important as getting a rifle. Reading FerFal's stories convinced me of this, and I went with a GLOCK.

Re: SKS Question
 

You can't go wrong with an SKS. If you have a choice get a good Russian or Norinco because they will have chrome lined barrels. Yugos are good too, but lack of chrome in the barrel makes them harder to clean and prone to corrosion.

HUB

Re: SKS Question
 

I own a few SKS's. I have one that never needs sighted in. It stays true every shot.

Plus, the ammo is cheap and these are great weapons to cash under ground for the "Just in case" days.

If you can find the AK47's cheap, that would be even better.

Re: SKS Question
 

Hey Buff, any recommendations on solvents? I picked up my SKS last week, and I haven't gotten around to cleaning it up yet. I've heard of using everything from Simple Green to mineral spirits to laquer thinner to get the cosmoline off. My FFL recommends mineral spirits, but I also have some laquer thinner laying around.

Here's a link I found that may be useful for anyone looking for ideas:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...line/index.asp

Re: SKS Question
 

Diesel fuel or kerosene will also work on cosmoline. Another successful method...take it to a coin-operated carwash and blast it with high-pressure, hot, soapy water.

Re: SKS Question
 

You can easily get 30rd mags for the SKS, it MAY require some stock mods, but after that they will drop right in and out, and you can throw the stripper clips away.

I have a norinco paratrooper model, and although VERY heavy, not a bad gun.

Re: SKS Question
 

I had 12 SKS rifles and had sold hundreds of them when I had my FFL. I encourage people to keep the SKS as is,no modification ,except possibly the stock...I've had problems with the 30 round magazines unless it is one that was built to take the AK mags.(I believe that's the model D)

Stripper clips are easy to load into the rifle with a little practice.

Re: SKS Question
 

good choice! mineral spirits for cleaning. auto shop tank worked real fine when i was in that biz. if getting surplus unit, be sure to dissamble bolt and firing pin and clean thoroughly. i generally use a stainless steel toothbrush for caked on cosmoline. compressed air is helpful if available. printout of exploded view can aid in re assembly. i like synthetic motor oil for lube, get a weight appropriate for expected climate. broken shell extractor is a nice accessory to have with rifle. plenty of ammo loaded on stripper clips, after a little practice very easy to reload . be sure to ream out gas port to eliminate any carbon buildup if a used unit. if bayonet equiped, the bayonet partially extended can be used for an improvised steady rest for a longer shot. happy shooting!

Re: SKS Question
 

Good Choice! It was designed and first built as a 4 shot semi-auto ANTI-TANK rifle in WWII useing a round much larger than the 50 caliber US round, and afterwards scaled down and converted to the 7.62x39. So there is a very good founding for the durable design.

Re: SKS Question
 

Ive read that it is wise to have some spare firing pins on hand... haven't had one fail on me personally .. but its been documented

Re: SKS Question
 

Never one jam or misfire with my 30rd mags, and no they aren't the AK mags.