Beginner's advice on an SKS?

[Boboclown]

I was actually surprised at how hard the Chinese receiver was too! Took two bits (one for each hole) and I broke a tap in the first hole as well, which was a real pain .

Yeah, same with a chinese dust cover I used to install a peep sight. And they say Chinese steel isn't good.

 

[RedRover]

Something about the markings and that wood on those early '50s Tula's gives me wood.

(Now defunct)KBI imported a bunch of matching #ered OGs & refurbs a few years back.

 

[BSG 75]

Is it worth asking about round count for milsurps like these?

No. No way of knowing.

I want to make sure you are aware of these SKS For Sale Chinese Military Type 56 Rifle 340+ Reviews

I have a Tula Russian, a NIB Norinco, and I ordered one of those Classic Firearms ones. I remember when you could buy those Chinese SKSs for under $100.

 

[Witsendidk]

No. No way of knowing.

I want to make sure you are aware of these SKS For Sale Chinese Military Type 56 Rifle 340+ Reviews

I have a Tula Russian, a NIB Norinco, and I ordered one of those Classic Firearms ones. I remember when you could buy those Chinese SKSs for under $100.

Wow. I want one even more now!

 

[CLT65]

I've owned numerous SKSs over the past 30 years, mostly Chinese, but a couple Yugo, a Russian, and an NVA. I still have a "Sini-Soviet" (early Chinese), and a really nice Yugo.

I really liked the Russian, wish I hadn't sold it. I put a lot of rounds through the Chinese SKS back in the day, though now it just sits in the safe. The Yugoslavian is a great rifle too, but it came along when I was kind of past my SKS phase, so I never shot it much.

I'm surprised we haven't had a derogatory post or two to tear down these rifles and their owners, since they were considered cheap junk back in the day. Millions of them were bought up by poor, ignorant slobs who did their best to make them tactical-cool, before tacti-cool was even a word.

Yeah, I was one of those guys. I bought $75 SKSs and duckbill mags, along with the $50/k Chinese ammo. The good old days...

 

[Hun Shooter]

A few weeks ago I bought one of the last TYPE56's Classic Firearms had for sale. Mine arrived clean (no cosmoline) in a pretty good condition. I fired about 50 rounds through it without issues. The sights are hard to see. other than that I really enjoyed shooting it. I have no plans to do anything to it, just shoot it as is. (I might change the hand guard if I find one in better condition that matches the stock)

 

[DunRanull]

Ive own(ed) several and my "keepers" wound up as a Russian-1954 and a Chinese commercial, (I believe). Both are trusty firearms and a bit more accurate than my AKs. The longer barrels make for a bit more power from the 7.62X39, and I wouldnt hesitate taking a shot at a deer (with soft-point ammo). I like the "platform" and it is my intention to scope the Chinese with a small 4X eventually, and put a peep-type Tech sight on the Russian. Clips make the reloads easier and I have chinese chest-pouches for each, holding 210 rounds on clips. Maybe not my first preference in a knock-up but they will lay down some fire and I don't have to carry a burdensome load of heavy magazines. For the last 20 years they have served as "cheap" trunk-guns- except they arent as cheap as when I first "trunked" them, around $70 each, then. Any more an off-brand AR15 might be "$cheaper$"...
Anyway they are a useful pdw and serve well as a semi-auto substitute for a lever .30-30, and hopefully more will come into the country!

 

[Porter]

If I was getting into the SKS market I would get a Chinese, they all work well. The Russians as said are the most desired but don't do anything better than a Chinese.

 

[coop44]

My first sks was a $69 deal at a Turner's outdoorsman store in california. Chinese. Get a Russian if you have a choice.

 

[Bon Sauvage]

My preference for a Chicom SKS was one with the arsenal /26\ mark. Rightly or wrongly they have always installed more confidence in me as to their quality.

If I were in the market for another SKS I would save my shekels for a Yugo Type 59. Not a 59/66 but the original Type 59. Milled parts, blade bayonet, fewer numbers made and a reputation for quality are selling points for me.