Pawn Shop Score!
 

Yesterday I talked my wife into letting me stop by a few pawn shops to check out guns while we were running errands in the city. Finally, at the last pawn shop I could get out of her, I found this screaming deal!

It is a Norinco-imported SKS Carbine (16 5/8" barrel). It has been parkerized and a K-sports synthetic stock is installed. I'm guessing it was imported during the ban because the bayonnet and flash hider have been removed. At first I expected it to be Chinese, but there are no Chinese markings. In fact, I think there might be a Romanian hallmark on it, but I need to do some more research. The serial numbers match, and they are yugo-type. The number is 214792. I'd appreciate any help in identifying it.

Anyway, the guy wanted $189 for it, so I offered $150 cash -- and he took it! $150 for a SKS carbine with a synthetic stock! What a great varmint / deer stand carbine!

I need to recrown the barrel. Once I get that done and put together some hand loads we'll see how it groups at 100 yards.

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

:applause_:applause_:applause_:applause_:applause_ :applause_:applause_:applause_


One can never have too many guns especially at a good price.

T

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

Nice......I'd buy every one I could find at that price.

You stole it ! :applause_ :s9:

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

Sweet deal! I need a smaller .357 to carry in my pocket so I'm going to start hitting up smaller pawnshops to see what kind of sweet deals I can stumble across.

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Some research has uncovered that Norinco made a "paratrooper" model that had a 16.5" barrel and bayo/break delete for import only. However, it seems these were only Chinese, but my numbers aren't Chinese... still searching...

EDIT: I've confirmed that only the Chinese made a 16.5" barrelled "paratrooper" (requested by US importers), but my serial number doesn't fit the Chinese pattern of 7-8 digits. Also, I haven't seen any Chinese characters on the receiver. I thought I saw a Romanian marking but the serial number is definately not Romanian.

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

Handy rifle there... Good Deal man!

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I thought the "paratrooper" models have folding stocks.........although your stock does look new (or a replacement). :wink:

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For SKS's, Paratrooper models come w/ shorter barrels..

and Yeah- that's definately an aftymkt stk.

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The "paratrooper" SKS carbine was a 16.5" barrel that was never used in a military application. Norinco made them this way to import and market them to the US consumer. I'm sure it had wood furniture originally, but a previous owner put a synthetic on it. I really like the synthetic -- can't beat all black, and the ergonomics are better than the "thick" SKS wood stock.

Unfortunately, China will not release a chart of production numbers because it is a "state secret". It could be that my carbine is a very early 6-digit serial number, but I may never know. I have been able to verify that my rear sight tower has markings consistent with the "early Chinese" style. It does, however, bear some resemblance also to the North Vietnamese issues. It definately isn't Russian.

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

Aha! I just learned that the earliest Chinese SKS (first year - 1956) had some 6-digit serial numbers and NO chinese characters! It appears that my carbine is one of the first Chinese SKS made: http://www.yooperj.com/. Kinda cool from a collectors standpoint (although the gun is not really collectible), but maybe not so good from a functional standpoint.

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I'm pretty sure it's all Chicom.

That's a pretty good deal!

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Chinese are the only ones who did this...should have a threaded barrel with LONG barrel nut (earlier type) or short barrel nut...but NOT pressed into receiver...typically NOT chrome-lined barrels.

In good shape, one of my favorite SKS...

Be careful of slamfires if you reload with softer primers (Federal), as these SKS have inertia firing pins.

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

For what it's worth I saw a "paratrooper" model SKS at a flea market on Monday this week. Wood furniture, 16.5" barrel, few extra stripper clips, and a case for $350. I thought that was steep but I am seeing the prices on SKS's in general rising pretty steady over the last 5 years. At the gun shows (which isn't always the best place to get a deal) $250 seems to be going rate anymore in these parts. I remember seeing these things all over the place at one time long ago for $89. Cases of them still packed in cosmo. For $150 you got a nice deal there.....

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

I have confirmed it is a 1956 Chinese - one of the very first they made. It was built at the Jianshe arsenal. I'm wondering if my K-sports synthetic stock was actually installed by Norinco as part of the "paratrooper" configuration. I haven't found anyone retailing a "K-sports" synthetic SKS stock.

It does have the long barrel lug, and I don't think the barrel is chrome-lined (shucks).

I have to admit that it is my favorite SKS. I've owned a bunch of Yugos, but I sold them because they were so heavy and unwieldy. This one is perfect for varmints/deer stand. In fact, I'm thinking about picking up a few more just like it to give to my girls when they are old enough to hunt deer. I had better get them now -- these and CZ-52s are the next milsurps to disapper IMHO.

I disassembled the entire gun -- especially the firing block -- and made sure that the pin is entirely free floating. However, I am thinking about installing an aftermarket spring-loaded firing pin for safety.

I can get cosmo'd Yugos for $199 locally. I also found one used Chicom (20" barrel) for $199. When I saw this ban-paratrooper w/synthetic sitting on the shelf for $189 I was about to pay full price -- I just got lucky with a $150 offer. REAL lucky! :applause_

I just shipping out the trigger group this morning to have it smoothed out to a crips 4-5 pounds: http://www.kivaari.com/. Anyone ever worked with this guy?

I'm also going to find a gunsmith today that can put a new crown on the barrel. Oh, this is an interesting story...

Yesterday I called the local gunsmith to check on having the barrel re-crowned. When I told him it was an SKS he said, "I don't work on those commie guns. I did my time in the military defending this country." I called TWO MORE gunsmiths with the same result! It seems that a lot of local gunsmiths around here will only work on American-made military firearms. That is something I didn't epect to encounter.

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

Re: Pawn Shop Score!
 

I just got back from hitting the pawn shops like I do every thursday and friday (people usually hawk good shit on thursdays and fridays trying to get money for drugs for the weekends) and scored a reeeal nice Remington 870 12 gauge in excellent condition, much like the one MTNMAN found at his flea market the other day for 150, I got this one for 165, he wanted 240 for it and I told him id give him 165 or I was walking and amazingly he took it without bitching, I guess he was hurting for money. It was a real good buy and its in great condition aside from a nick or two on the buttstock, but nothing I cant fix, otherwise nothing wrong with it at all. Its well worth 325 used as it is, if I were to find a motivated buyer, but I have no plans to sell it, will add it to the arsenal as it is definitely time to keep and not sell guns of any kind. I am happy with it, I have 3 other 870s and they are the most reliable and rugged shotguns I have ever owned, Ill get some use out of this one for sure!

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... ahem... "load"...

I was thinking about casting 155 gr gas checks for it, but I've heard that the gas port tends to shave a lot of lead. Anyone tried casting for an SKS/AK?