I was exposed to my first SKS when my dad bought one years ago and put it into a folding stock with detachable mags, clamp on muzzle break, and a bipod.
After working on one for a friend and seeing how simple and reliable the system was, I decided to acquire one.
While speaking to my dad on the phone, I mentioned that I was interested in getting one, and he told me that I could have his. He never shoots it, and just bought it to help out a friend that needed cash. Said it had been sitting in the closet for all those years. Awesome for me!
Luckily, he found the original stock and magazine. It has been lovingly reassembled, refinished(the original finish was almost non-existent) without sanding, and the bayonet re-riveted onto the rifle.
Being a Security Forces marked rifle, I struggled with the decision to refinish it. Since it has more sentimental value than collector value, I decided to proceed. It is more blonde than red now, but is complimented on each outing. Dad also thinks it is something special, now.
Of all the toys in my modest collection, it is the one that my son(not at all a gun guy) would like to have after my passing.