Author Topic: New SKS  (Read 7275 times)

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Offline cogit8r

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New SKS
« on: February 25, 2018, 02:09:22 PM »
The first thing I did with my Chinese SKS was tear it apart, scrub the "cosmoline" off the metal bits, lubed and protected the parts, and then put them away while I played with the stock. From all appearances, this rifle has never been fired. The bolt face is pristine, the gas piston looks brand new...no powder residue.

The stock was coated with varnish and Citrusstrip cleaned it up nicely. I don't see any signs of oil soaked in.

The rifle had one of those tan plastic, sex toy-looking upper hand guards. Before it even arrived I grabbed a wooden one from eBay. Last night I began fitting and shaping the stock and handguard so they mated up smoothly. I'll probably go ahead and fit the stock, the ferrules and the butt plate tighter and closer to one another as I go along.

I've refinished several M1s and Carbines over the years and have come to love the smell of Walnut. I gotta say, Catalpa smells great as well.

Once everything is fitted to my liking, I'll fine sand the stock. I haven't decided if I'm going to stain it darker, but that's a possibility. Since I don't care for shiny gunstocks, I'll probably do a final finish with BLO. I'll post pictures as it comes together.
Dave


Offline Greasemonkey

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2018, 02:58:26 PM »
Quote
had one of those tan plastic, sex toy-looking upper hand guards


Was it an aftermarket handguard or whats known as the "french tickler" handguard..  If it was the later... it would have been a little more valuable in it's original condition, as those are not that common.  It's kind of the odd situation where having the sex toy is a good thing..
I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse......

Leave the gun, take the cannoli.

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Offline Loose}{Cannon

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2018, 03:16:47 PM »
Yup, sounds like you had a good one.  Most likely an 0296 m21 or a 1978/79 /26\.  I would have def left it alone.   
      
1776 will commence again if you try to take our firearms... It doesn't matter how many Lenins you get out on the street begging for them to be taken.

Offline carls sks

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2018, 04:54:14 PM »
hint: we love pics Dave.   yahoo1
ARMY NAM VET, SO PROUD!

Offline cogit8r

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2018, 06:50:53 PM »





More pictures as this progresses.
I made the decision to alter the rifle to suit my taste. No offense to those who commented. I respect your opinions, but chose to fiddle with it. I really don't own anything I haven't screwed-with in some form or another.
Dave

Offline Phosphorus32

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2018, 07:02:05 PM »
Yup, 1979 Factory 26. French tickler handguard is standard on these, as is a shiny shellac finish. There are quite a few of us that are collectors, as well as shooters, which accounts for the don't mess with originality attitude.

Offline cogit8r

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2018, 07:10:01 PM »
Thanks for the info. I am not a collector. I'm more of a resto-mod guy.
I do apologize if I have appalled anyone, it was not my intent.

Offline newchi

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2018, 08:25:38 PM »
Its usually best once you have the wood sanded to give the stock to a local kindergarden for arts and crafts, some finger painting, crayon, elmers glue and glitter work wonders, maybe a few my little pony or spongebob stickers.

THEN post it on the forums, if you want to appall people!  rofl2

Offline cogit8r

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2018, 10:18:09 PM »
Ima bedazzle the sucker.

Offline carls sks

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2018, 08:41:21 AM »
that stock is looking good, nice find on eBay. thanks for sharing Dave.  thumb1
ARMY NAM VET, SO PROUD!

Offline Loose}{Cannon

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2018, 08:42:28 AM »
Rhinestones and glitter.....   NOBODY has done that yet. 

But seriously, whatever floats your boat... Its yours to do with.
      
1776 will commence again if you try to take our firearms... It doesn't matter how many Lenins you get out on the street begging for them to be taken.

Offline martin08

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2018, 11:16:52 AM »
What was a potentially $700-plus desirable collectible is now reduced to a $300 shooter.

Lots of us have learned this lesson the hard way, including myself.   :)

Offline Justin Hell

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2018, 02:06:41 PM »
I was a little worried, and was going to predict that it was a 24m /26\ when I first saw the description...once I read Citristrip I feared the worst.
Was the original serial number also sanded off of the stock?

These stocks are pretty hard to come by. They are inletted for the inverted take down lever, which is another unique aspect of this series of SKSs.

I just finished restoring a 23m /26\ last week.  It isn't as perfect as this was...but close.  I have learned that if I just hate a stock on a matching SKS, that I will hunt down one more appealing for it (hopefully without a serial) and keep the original stuff intact. I will even get another gas tube to leave the original pin unfettered.  The 23m has a very nice non matching furniture set that I highly prefer over the correct set.  If I can't stand the French Tickler anymore...I can switch them out in minutes.

Offline Loose}{Cannon

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #13 on: February 26, 2018, 11:12:00 PM »
Poor 1978 some idiot lathered with bitumen.





      
1776 will commence again if you try to take our firearms... It doesn't matter how many Lenins you get out on the street begging for them to be taken.

Offline Justin Hell

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2018, 11:22:59 PM »
Shaft's SKS

Offline Phosphorus32

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #15 on: February 27, 2018, 05:00:47 AM »
Poor 1978 some idiot lathered with bitumen.






Pitch it!

Offline Greasemonkey

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #16 on: February 27, 2018, 06:13:59 AM »
Wonder who's asphalt for that one..  rofl2
I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse......

Leave the gun, take the cannoli.

I said I was an addict........I didn't say I had a problem

Offline echo1

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #17 on: February 27, 2018, 02:40:55 PM »
The first thing I did with my Chinese SKS was tear it apart RUIN IT, scrub the "cosmoline" off the metal bits, lubed and protected the parts, and then put them away while I played with the stock. From all appearances, this rifle has never been fired. The bolt face is pristine, the gas piston looks brand new...no powder residue.

The stock was coated with varnish and Citrusstrip cleaned it up nicely.

The rifle HAD one of those tan plastic upper hand guards
Dave
What was a potentially $700-plus desirable collectible is now reduced to a $300 shooter.
Lots of us have learned this lesson the hard way, including myself.   :)

Dave, your gun and all that, but you really screwed the pooch on that one. In your angst to make it "better" you destroyed an unfired desirable piece. Poor thing.

A replacement stock could have better suited your needs without devaluating something uncommon. You may have been able to sell yours for enough to pickup 2 decent matching Chinese to Bubbafize, or traded to one of us here. I'm sure it'll look nice, but it's too late now. I shudder to think about how devalued the expensive rigs like the Garand & carbine became. Like the Hippocratic oath says, "First Do No Harm". PAX
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But they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of Independence from any who might attempt to abuse them. echo1

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Offline cogit8r

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #18 on: February 27, 2018, 05:35:46 PM »
Anyone else?

Offline cogit8r

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Re: New SKS
« Reply #19 on: February 27, 2018, 05:50:16 PM »
Before I leave, I'll just add I glass bedded the Garand, added NM sights, and regularly shoot NRA matches with it.
The SKS would never have remained unfired. It's a tool, not a precious pet to be fondled and stored in a safe.
Dave