Yugo SKS Thread
 

I'm looking to buy myself a Birthday / Christmas
present. I've been perusing the web to find a
decent rifle. I was hoping for a .308 or .223, all
of which are very expensive. My "allowance" is
going to be around $400.00. The best weapon I
could find was a unused (new) SKS for $330.00
+ FFL + Shipping. So right at my $400.00 target.

I have also found tons of 20/30+ round magazines and
many after market stocks.

So my question is... Is the Yugo SKS a decent /
reliable / accurate firearm? It it worth the money?
Or should I be saving for a Mini 14?

http://www.parts4sks.com/mm5/graphic...Ultralight.gif

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Excellent choice. Yugos, however, don't have chrome-lined barrels like the Chinese SKSs (resistant to corosive ammo).

You should be able to get a Yugo "in the cosmoline" for under $200, though.

You will want to spend a little bit to make it work just right:

Replacement firing pin w/spring: http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm
Complete trigger job: http://www.kivaari.com/
Peep sights + small diameter front post: http://www.tech-sights.com/
Recoil buffer: http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/711657

The above list will set you back about $130-$150.

DON'T convert it to removable magazines. They are very unreliable. Get a bunch (100) stripper clips and learn how to use them. It is an quick and effective loading procedure.

I was able to pick up "Made in China" 5-rd and 20-rd integral (hinged) magazines, but they are hard to find.

Have fun!

PS - Also check out www.sksboards.com and http://yooperj.com/ for the best information on SKSs.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Yes, a Yugo SKS is an excellent rifle. You should be able to find a good quality SKS for well under $275. Check out Classic Arms or Gun Broker

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Call Jensen Arms in Loveland, CO, to get a freshly imported Yugo for $199 - (970) 663-5994 (http://www.jensenarms.com/index.htm). BTW... don't expect them to be friendly... they are being slammed with customers right now.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Thanks, You guys are great. I appreciate the help! :applause_

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

BTW... the first thing everyone should do after buying a freshly imported SKS is to decosmoline the thing. This involves a complete disassembly and a lot of time and elbow grease. But you will know the gun thoroughly when you are done. Here are my cosmo tips:

1. Use a toothbrush and mineral spirits on most small parts.
2. After scrubbing the trigger group with mineral spirits boil it on the stove until the cosmoline is floating on the water -- then blow it out with an air compressor.
3. Bake the stock and recoil tube (wood parts) at 175 for 15 minutes or so (until they "sweat" cosmoline - be SURE to put paper towels under it, or your wife will hate you!). Remove them and rub them down with paper towels. Repeat this process until you get the finish you desire.

One more thing... the pull length on a factory SKS stock is a little short. Get this recoil pad from Midway to add 1 inch of pull length: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...500&t=11082005. It still permits access to the cleaning kit trap door. TIP - It installs OVER the factory metal recoil "pad".

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

I had no idea so much work would be involved. Perhaps
I should save up some more cash and purchase a late
model .223 since I am not familiar with disassembling
firearms at the moment.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Don't be put off. Any weapon you get will need a cleaning, and the ARs are the worst IMHO. AKs and SKSs are pretty easy to take down. They also put up with a lot of abuse. Plus a 30 cal (7.62x39) is a better self defense round than a 223.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

SLV, what exactly is cosmoline?

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Are the Chinese SKS's better than the Yugos? Or should
I get a Yugo and purchase a new chrome lined barrel?

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

cosmoline is a oily substance with a viscosity similar to vasaline. It works really well for preserving firearms. Some use hot steam to remove it, others use keroseen...

Don't be put off by buying the SKS. My dad and I took down an SKS to remove cosmoline last weekend, and although it was a lil work to get it off the weapon, the finished product is like a brand new rifle.

We bought a few yugo sks and a few AK47s...

The AK is still my fav so far...I love how easy it is to take down and clean. Also got my groups down to 10" @ 200 yds open sights. -:565: Blackwater eat your heart out.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Cosmoline

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmoline

In short, its this gunky stuff that these rifles were soaked in to preserve them. Over time it may get crusty. But cosmoline is your friend.

Don't let it scare you off. There are plenty of websites that give good advice and illustrations for cleaning and maintaining an SKS.

And yes, you should get an SKS! Don't mess with the larger magazines. Just use the 10-rounder it comes with.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

If you keep it clean and dry, a Yugo bore will be fine. Plus you will likely pay more for a Chinese than a Yugo. But if you can afford a Chinese (and can actually find one for sale right now), that is a good option too.
The only major difference other than the chrome-lined bore is the Yugo is a little longer and heavier than the Chinese.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Almost...

Most Yugos for sale nowadays are the 59/66 version, which has the snazzy NATO 22mm diameter grenade launching "spigot" on the muzzle. They've also got a flip-up grenade launching ladder sight, plus a blade bayonet (legal on most Yugos, eeeeeeevil & forbidden on most Chinese SKSsss). The grenade launching setup also uses a gas valve, which can sometimes leak on the Yugo SKS (causing the semi-auto rifle to function as a single shot). If you get a good one, you're in great shape. If you get one with a leaky gas valve, it will cost you $$$ to replace it.

If the OP can't get a Chinese SKS, he should go with the Yugo. Chances are that his rifle will work just fine.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

You are correct, I just didn't want to get uber-technical. Good explanation.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

I prefer the Chinese (mine are Norinco) because of the chrome-lining and the lighter muzzle (no grenade launcher or grenade launcher sights). You do NOT want to change a barrel on an SKS -- it isn't worth it. However, if you are looking at Chinese SKS always check to see if they have the:

1. Large barrel lug (best - screw in barrel)
2. Small barrel lug (still OK - screw in barrel)
3. No barrel lug (not that great - pinned barrel)

Cosmoline MUST be cleaned in order to provide safe reliable functioning of the gun. ESPECIALLY CLEAN OUT THE FIRING PIN JOURNAL through the middle of the bolt. The firing pin must be removed to do this. Failure to do so could result in run-away slam firing.

SKSs are great guns -- espcially if you do the $150 worth of tweaks I mentioned in my first post. I'm grouping fist size at 100 yards with the peep sights -- good enough for 4 or 2 legged critters.

PS - Any Chinese SKS under $300 is a lucky find.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

Thanks for the great info on sks upgrades.

I read that polymer Tapco 20rd removable mags are good without feeding problems like those steel ones. Did you hear otherwise? I'm considering buying some of those to replace the original fixed 10rd mag.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

I don't know. I have a 20-rd "star" magazine (integral) that I keep loaded by the back door.

If you decide on removeable magazines, then you need to consider the drop-free bolt modification on www.sksboards.com.

Re: Yugo SKS Thread
 

At the very least, get the SKS and save up for the difference for a AR. You can ALWAYS sell the SKS for what you have into it. Maybe even make more. If the extra money falls though (or the world falls apart before you have enough), you still have the SKS. Get ammo too.