SKS-M - updated pics

[Power Surge]

Local guy is selling an M (import stamp verified).

I noticed it doesn't have a metal magazine, and it has the cheese grater style gas tube. I am guessing both of these are not original.

Did they ever come with the cheeze grater mag original? What parts should be serial numbered on a M? And is the magazine literally just an AK magazine? (meaning was the original equipped magazine special to the M)

[Loose}{Cannon]

Cheese grater is not original.

Not sure if the original mag was serial #ed, but they are standard AK

[Power Surge]

Cheese grater is not original.

Not sure if the original mag was serial #ed, but they are standard AK

Thanks LC. My understanding is these were new production. Looking at the pics posted of that other M here in this section, it doesn't look like as many parts are serialed as older guns. Any idea what should be serialed on an M?

[Loose}{Cannon]

Cheese grater is not original.

Not sure if the original mag was serial #ed, but they are standard AK

Thanks LC. My understanding is these were new production. Looking at the pics posted of that other M here in this section, it doesn't look like as many parts are serialed as older guns. Any idea what should be serialed on an M?

Did you check the guide?  M - Chinese SKS Guide

I would think all parts would be serialized minus the mag.

[Power Surge]

Cheese grater is not original.

Not sure if the original mag was serial #ed, but they are standard AK

Thanks LC. My understanding is these were new production. Looking at the pics posted of that other M here in this section, it doesn't look like as many parts are serialed as older guns. Any idea what should be serialed on an M?

Did you check the guide?  M - Chinese SKS Guide

I would think all parts would be serialized minus the mag.

Yeah, I've been looking at the guide. I don't see any M's that have serials on the stocks or triggers, that's why I asked. I was wondering if just the parts on the receiver got matched on the new production guns.

[Loose}{Cannon]

hmm..   I dunno.   

[Stoned_Oli]

The two I have owned had no serials on the triggers either, and no M has a serialized stock. Some even have non-serialized receiver covers, IIRC.

[Power Surge]

I drove 3 hrs round trip to go get it. It's a beautiful rifle. It's a C&A import, no arsenal stamp, 93 serial. It's like new condition.











Compared to my /0406b\ rifle...

[Loose}{Cannon]

Kewl...  you going to find an ak mag and wood hg for it?

[Power Surge]

Kewl...  you going to find an ak mag and wood hg for it?

Definitely. I've never changed out an upper hand grip. Does that cheese grater replace just the wood, or did they come as an entire drop in part? I know the M has a short gas system, and it kinda looks like the tube assy might be original.

Also, I noticed on the SKS guide page, the pics of the M there show a short AK mag. Is that what they were sold with? And if so, how many rounds is that? 10?

[Loose}{Cannon]

Looks like a 10.  Im sure joe would only show original equipment.

[firstchoice]

  Since I'm a long time "M" owner, I'll chime in and give my $.02 worth of info about my "M" and how it came.

  Mine is a /416\ arsenal, BTC, S. El Monte, CA import, 1994 import. (SN begins with the 94 43***)
  Came with a 5 or 10rd Chinese steel magazine. (Too many years of shuffled around to know which one, for sure.)
  The only (stamped) numbered parts on my "M" were the Receiver, Bolt Carrier and Bolt, with the Gas Tube and Gas Rod being electro-penciled, albeit almost unreadable. Very poor effort on the part of that worker. I can make out about 2-3 of the 5 digits, (barely, using a little imagination), on either part. The rest of the penciled digits don't resemble any digit. They're original, just penciled poorly. The Stock, Receiver Cover, and Trigger Guard are blank/un-numbered. (Nothing on the Rear Sight Leaf, either.)

  The C&A VA BCH, VA import stamp is new to me. I remember the D.I.G. VA BCH, VA importer. Same city, anyway.

*EDIT:  I just noticed/figured it out that you went ahead and brought it home. Nice find! Congrats! Looks in great condition. I've used mine a lot and the stock has some dings and scratches, nothing major. The metal is all still good, though. One of my favorite shooters!

firstchoice

[Justin Hell]

Sweet score Power Surge!

I really like these, and rarely see them around here...but the last one did indeed have a ten rounder in the styrofoam packaging.  I didn't notice if it also had the short gas system. 

Good luck with that hand guard search....if you don't find one, I have one that if stripped could be brought to match the stock.  It appears to be finished with a poly/stain on the visible sides, underneath....it looks like raw blonde wood.  I don't think it ever has seen cosmo....I dare say, it even smells like wood.

 I would strive to find a matching one, as that stock sure is purty.  I think the cheese grater looks great on it, so take your time finding the right wood....lest you end up with a plethora of 'almost' right hand guards....and the urge to find even more SKS's to give them a home. 

[Dannyboy53]

Beautiful specimen Power Surge, if you weren't on the other side of the state from me I'ld drive over to see it!

[Power Surge]

Firstchoice, according to the sks guide page on the M, it was imported only through BTC and C&A. Apparently only some of the BTC ones had the arsenal stamp like yours. And I agree on the EP work...mine is barely legible too, lol.

Justin, I found a guy on ebay who had some new old stock handguards, and they look light blonde, so I'm going to try one of those...it was only $13. We'll see, lol.

Danny, thanks

LC, I think my buddy at work has a 10 rounder he's going to give me

[Loose}{Cannon]

Nice...   I would def want that rifle in as-imported configuration.   

[Power Surge]

Nice...   I would def want that rifle in as-imported configuration.   

That's the plan! I'm all about originality. Comes from years of auto restoration

[Phosphorus32]

That is a nice looking SKS.  I've never seen an M in the wild.  I like the stock as it looks like it would be comfortable to hold and get a good cheek weld.  I'm with Justin, the cheese grater doesn't look bad to me, so a patient approach to restoration seems reasonable.  I think a nice clean vintage metal AK mag would look great with your carbine.

[Stoned_Oli]

^^ A nice Chinese flat back looks great in there...

[Power Surge]

^^ A nice Chinese flat back looks great in there...

It's already got a correct chinese 10 rounder sitting in it

I'll post pics once the upper handguard is back to original.