Just finished my custom SKS build
 

I did this just for the fun of it. I had a Chinese paratrooper with mismatched numbers, so it seemed like a good candidate for a "tacticool" carbine.

Here is a list of the work and parts:

1. Removed front sight
2. Removed bayonet lug
3. Barrel threaded and DSA Steyr FAL short flashider installed
4. Kivaari trigger job with new Wolf springs
5. Tapco T-6 collapsible stock with lower pic rail
6. Rear sight block ground into new shape (squared off round tops, removed rear sight leaf support)
7. Rear sight leaf tabs cut off and sight leaf inverted
8. Millett 2x20 pistol scope mounted in scout position
9. B-square sport utility extension rings (1" low)
10. All metal bead blasted and recoated with Wheeler Ceramacoat
11. Buffer Technologies recoil buffer
12. Tapco 20-round duck-bill magazines
13. Butler Creek scope covers (eye piece was backordered at time of picture).
14. Harbor Freight $2 9-LED flashlight (sanded and painted flat black)
15. Leapers UTG 1" flashlight pic rail holder
16. DPMS CAR-15 snap on cheek rest (to raise sight picture to scope level)

I think that is everything. If I could do it over I would have left the bayonet lug intact and attached a bayo-lug bipod, but as it is the front of the carbine is heavy enough. I would also STRONGLY URGE against using the Ceramacoat. It is a joke -- a very expensive joke.

PS - I just realized that I haven't downloaded the picture. I'll update this thread with a picture later today.

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

Pics please!

:s1:

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

yes, pics!! sounds great. miss my old sks ;/

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

Here are the pictures. Let me know if you have any questions. I pretty much researched SKS mods to death.

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

any suggestions for the best sks mods "link" I have one I would love to upgrade :ok:

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

BEST PRICES AND SELECTION OF SKS PARTS: www.milsurpstuff.com

research at: www.sksboards.com

best replacement front sight post (ignore the rear sights): www.tech-sights.com

MUST HAVE TRIGGER MOD: www.kivaari.com

I'll let you know if I think of anything else.

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

OOOkkk Nice.

I do have a question. I've got the same stock kit. I have considered mounting a red-dot on the gas tube - same way you did w/ your optic.

I was concerned that holding zero would be an issue considering that you are mounting metal rings to a plastic pictinny rail.

Will this be an issue for you and if so how do you intend to defeat it?

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

My gas tube is VERY tight. I had to use a clamp to hold it down when I reinstalled it. I would not have tried that if it wasn't the case. I found that my rings attached very snuggly. In fact, I shot a 1" group of 3 at 50 yards a couple nights ago -- and that was with 155 gr. bullets I cast myself, not clean jacketed ammo.

The eye relief with the Millett 2x20 (owned by Bushnell as of 3 months ago) is perfect in that location. The CAR-15 cheek piece is an absolute must for getting the right sight picture. They are no longer made -- I got mine on GunBroker. Because it isn't made for the T-6 stock I had to warm it for 3 minutes on low heat in the toaster oven in order to get it to slip on. Now I don't know if I could get it off!

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

Thanks. My goal was part art. I wanted to make a good looking tactical SKS. That is why I did so much cutting/grinding on the barrel/receiver assembly. Kind of like "resto-mod" on a 1963 Fairlane -- nice and smooth.

The flashider goes a long way to change the look of the SKS. However, I've noticed that it "rings" with every shot. At first I couldn't figure out why I was hearing a ringing after every shot, then I flicked the flashider. I don't think the Belgian style would have done that, but it wouldn't look as cool.

Here is a cost breakdown (rounded to cover shipping):

1. SKS Paratrooper - $200 (pawn shop)
2. Barrel threaded - $50
3. Flashider - $25 (MidwayUSA)
4. Recoil Buffer - $7 (MidwayUSA)
5. Tapco T-6 stock w/lower rail - $88 (MidwayUSA)
6. Millett 2x20 - $55 (SWFA)
7. B-Square Sport Utility extension rings - $8 (SWFA)
8. Glass bead blasting - $50
9. Kivaari trigger job - $40 (www.kivaari.com)
10. Murray SKS spring-loaded firing pin - $40 (forgot to mention this in OP - www.murraysguns.com)
11. Leapers UTG flashlight holder - $12 (www.milsurpstuff.com)
12. Harbor Freight 9-LED flashlight - $2
13. Butler Creek scope covers - $16 (SWFA)
14. CAR-15 cheek piece - $21 (GunBroker)
15. Tapco 20-round magazine - $17 (www.milsurpstuff.com)
16. Wheeler Ceramacoat - $22 (MidwayUSA)

So my grand total invested is... :drumroll:... $653 (this includes the gun purchase).

I know... most people would say do something else with the cash, but it was like art for me -- and a fun project.

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

BTW... here is what I keep loaded in it next to my bed. 100 Grain Hornady 32 caliber (.312) JHP with 25 grains of IMR 4198. Should be good for about 2,800 fps!

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

WOW!

I'd love to see those loads "box of truthed":applause_

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

thanks for the 'splination...


I think my gas tube is tight enough... I'm more curious how the plastic on the pictinny rail will hold up.

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

And you have a 1 of a kind SKS that's very, very COOL :ok:

Nice job SLV :s9:

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

The upper pic rail is molded into the handguard. It seems pretty stable to me, but I'm not planning on doing any long-range target shooting. I just want minute-o-man at 60 yards (the average shooting distance for urban combat).

Re: Just finished my custom SKS build
 

Thanks! It was a learning experience -- and a challenge to try to find parts with all of the Obama craziness going on.