SKS-FILES FORUM

Everybody has a favorite SKS in their collection, whether it's a $3000 safe queen or a $150 gunsmith special that's been brought back to life and you shoot every weekend.  It might be the sweetest shooter you've ever had or maybe it has an amazingly tiger grained stock.  It might be a super tacticool'd jobber that's set up just right for your frame so you can shoot all day or it's simply an uncommon SKS that you don't see too many of. 

---

So everyone knows I've got trashy guns, and as expected, here's mine: a very modest recent import. This is a 2 million series Sino-banian I got towards the end of 2012.  Prior to this, I had gotten my last SKS (a Yugo M59) way back in 2004.  This gun was my first Chinese SKS, believe it or not, and helped get me interested in Chinese SKSs in general.  It also pushed me to look for clues about it and really was a big part of the impetus to start researching things on my own because it was clear much of the information out there is pure speculation by 'experts' with huge collections & webpages, or is simply commonly accepted assumptions repeated ad nauseam that are just flat-out wrong.  I was actually really disappointed when I opened the box for the first time.  It looked like this:

No bluing anywhere.  Totally mismatched stock w/o a S/N (two trapdoors in the buttplate...I didn't know what that meant at the time), and a replacement gas tube.  Right off the bat I had a problem, when I took the gas tube off to check the piston number (mismatching too), I couldn't get it back on, the fit was simply too tight to rotate the cam back to closed.  I actually half considered sending it back, but then I'd be out $30 for shipping and wouldn't have a new SKS, regardless of how crappy it was.  So I hit the top of the tube where the latch goes with a small riffler file and got it to seat very nicely.  It's a very tight handguard, no play in it at all when it's on the gun.  thumb1

So I cleaned it up and it really started to grow on me. 

I took it out for a spin and it shot well, I didn't have to touch the sights at all, though there were some definite popped primer issues.  I pulled the firing pin to see if I could diagnose the problem and found this:

Hitting it with the file once again, I rounded the FP tip down to a nice radius to eliminate the jagged edge and the stress risers that invariably creates in the primers and since then, absolutely 0 mechanical problems with this gun!  I still had an aesthetic problem though, the handguard being so dark looked like crap.  I decided to bite the bullet, strip it, and try to match the reddish color of the Albanian replacement stock.  Here is what I came out with, it's not a perfect match, but it doesn't *really* bother me like that almost black handguard did:

Now I take her everywhere.  She's the new bona fied 'truck gun' that I don't have to worry about scratching the metal or dinging the finish.  Anytime I need an SKS, she's the first one I'll reach for and I haven't had any problems with her since.   thumb1

Sometimes I kick myself for picking the Yugo over that Chinese when you were giving me my pick. But then I look at the Yugo, reminisce about all the neat foreign objects I found within the guts and the fun times it's been on my back while hiking, and am content with the choice.
No matter how snobby you think I am, I really like that Chinese! There's something about a uniformly worn blue that I find attractive.

That thing is gorgeous RM.

Now, I have to pick which is my favorite??

OK...this one.

(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k214/kissvids/DSCN2218.jpg) (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/kissvids/media/DSCN2218.jpg.html)

Just one!?!?       This sucks    rofl

Running-man I think she's a beauty! Call me weird but I love the well used look in these little warriors.

Justin that is a really nice looking array on your wall, I'm really impressed with how you mounted them.

So I guess I'll take a turn since I love talking about these carbines! We only have three Chinese carbines but this 3mil /26\ gun is my favorite!

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh618/smithdblueDannyboy53/26%20gun%20%203%20million%20series/3millseries26gun_zpscf5786a8.gif)

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh618/smithdblueDannyboy53/26%20gun%20%203%20million%20series/3mil26gun_zps0e6323c3.gif)

When I got this one it was clothed in a jungle stock, I had no problems with that but as I learned more HERE on THIS forum I had a hankering to put her back in some wood! I happened to run across a discarded SKS stock in our local gun shop and picked it up for ten bucks. It looked a mess but Loose}{Cannon gave me some tips on what to do with it as I had never refinished a stock. (that's easy to see!) Later it was pointed out to me by running-man this stock is a cut-down Albanian. The hand guard is courtesy of jd, thanks again jd!

I had no idea but I knew something was different when I stripped all the hardware and found two holes under the single trap door butt plate! Of course to the discerning eye the bulge in the stock near the bayonet is another dead give-away. Those are just surface cracks by the way!

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh618/smithdblueDannyboy53/26%20gun%20%203%20million%20series/Albaniancutdownstock_zps1cbb6632.gif)

Aside from the stock obviously, the only metal parts not matching is what appears to be a new one piece gas tube/piston. As you can see I did modify the bolt to take the 20 round Tapco (crapco) mags. In keeping with the series the bolt and carrier have very few markings and they are barely discernible. It appears the die were struck at an angle, maybe the inspector had been toking too long on the opium pipe.

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh618/smithdblueDannyboy53/26%20gun%20%203%20million%20series/3millbolt_zps43f78c12.gif)

(http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh618/smithdblueDannyboy53/26%20gun%20%203%20million%20series/Carrierandbolt_zps335a85c0.gif)

It's been trouble free and a great shooter, it has at least 90% of it's bluing and I am very satisfied with it!

Alright... fine!   I guess tqino-Iraqiq

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_154904_980_zps73e96f27.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155136_281_zpsde3d9951.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155200_155_zps653ae292.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155217_645_zpsd590b131.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155227_975_zps69acf61d.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155258_914_zps86d0371d.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155331_818_zps6c30b909.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155307_907_zps1c333110.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155418_033_zps9ad2eb3f.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155346_179_zps2e9970dd.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155616_384_zps4aaed152.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155608_762_zps723c0dc7.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155622_676_zps1a37d8c8.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155645_934_zpsa1726c78.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155707_190_zpsbfadd10c.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155715_648_zpse3453bd8.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155742_134_zps7cdafbd5.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155946_961_zpsbf32aad3.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155953_284_zpsf9e88e77.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_155959_676_zpse6fc8891.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_160019_258_zpsb65810ad.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_160025_373_zps8a8c9330.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_160054_648_zpsa639cc88.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_160107_765_zps6e9c0ff5.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140813_160116_253_zpsf40c74c8.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140812_171501_zps2301dae3.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140811_163849_049_zps30f66be6.jpg)

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140811_163925_235_zps8949cfqe1.jpg[/imqg][img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140811_164039_798_zpsc6ea1769.jpg)



(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/mrcoinring/IMG_20140810_213212_389_zps980d1b8d.jpg)

We all knew which one Coinring was picking!
Nice rifle Dannyboy.
I love Justin's display too.

Quote from: Blicero on November 01, 2014, 05:08:59 PM
We all knew which one Coinring was picking!
Nice rifle Dannyboy.
I love Justin's display too.

I noticed you dont like mine.    bat1 bat1

Oh I like it plenty. Liked it more when you brandished it in a West Asheville truck stop, threatening cashiers and innocent gas pumpers, calling them pig infidels. The starched white nightgown was a nice touch.

Better then chasing the dog around the house screaming "Check out my German helmat already!!"

rofl2

I guess I will have to be the first to call a non-standard a favorite...

(http://picpaste.novarata.net/pics/25a1411fc7aecf67f510aec895cd19f7.jpg)

(http://picpaste.novarata.net/pics/d76c4fd2d85804e03bb59b42101ea4b1.jpg)

This started life as a C series letter Chinese, or at least every part (other than mag, bad Bubba!) but the barreled receiver did, but for some reason the receiver was scrubbed and renumbered with a 0 instead of a C...
Shown here modeling the $20 normal blade cut stock I found in a pawn shop. I also have the "original" slightly banged up stock and a nicely fitted Yugo stock for it that makes it balance REALLY nice...

(http://picpaste.novarata.net/pics/42ebd62a03a403c71a698e7476dbeaa4.jpg)

Nice variety of beautiful and unique SKS's  thumb1

Okay, since I can't decide between my matching F series Type 56 that I love to take to the range, and we haven't seen a Russian yet...

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/phosphorus32/51%20Tula%20SKS/SKSRight.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/phosphorus32/media/51%20Tula%20SKS/SKSRight.jpg.html)

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/phosphorus32/51%20Tula%20SKS/SKSLeft.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/phosphorus32/media/51%20Tula%20SKS/SKSLeft.jpg.html)

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/phosphorus32/51%20Tula%20SKS/StockButtLeftCloseup.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/phosphorus32/media/51%20Tula%20SKS/StockButtLeftCloseup.jpg.html)(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/phosphorus32/51%20Tula%20SKS/StockButtRight.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/phosphorus32/media/51%20Tula%20SKS/StockButtRight.jpg.html)

(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/phosphorus32/51%20Tula%20SKS/ReceiverCoverDetail.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/phosphorus32/media/51%20Tula%20SKS/ReceiverCoverDetail.jpg.html)(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/phosphorus32/51%20Tula%20SKS/Chamber-1.jpg) (http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/phosphorus32/media/51%20Tula%20SKS/Chamber-1.jpg.html)

Quote from: Blicero on November 01, 2014, 05:08:59 PM
We all knew which one Coinring was picking!
Nice rifle Dannyboy.
I love Justin's display too.

Laugh, I actually would have thought he might have chosen the Soviet-Sino.  That bitumen coated Iraqi stock must reek like a friggin road repave crew on a 110° day!  rofl2

Danny's stock makes that such a classy little gun.  Much preferable to the fiberglass it had worn before.  Nice uniform color on the refinish too.  Justin's display is great!  That M59, second from the left is pretty slick, though that receiver scope mount...not so sure about that!  didnt do

(http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u604/mspeth23/imagejpg4_zps56f1a001.jpg)

My middle east 9 mill in Russian stock

Beautiful carbines all. For me...I'd rather be here than Hooter's!!  bravo1

That's a nice one Oli!  I was wondering when a shorty would pop up.  I hear the difference is night and day vs. a 20 1/2" gun.

Jon, I'm amazed that it took 5 responses to finally get a Russian gun up!  I guarantee I know which ones 06 and Blicero will be picking and they are both Izhevsks I believe. 

Worm's Sino-Syrian isn't a big surprise either, that is a nice carbine though.  Russian stocks really dress up a Chinese gun.   thumb1

Dang it 06!! I gotta stop looking at these Russians.

My "c" letter series that I don't have a full pic of and my first "ghost" that is pictured below.

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb443/agrace69/6ca8e5f7-0a29-4bce-bbb1-fee39a1d0f25.jpg)

Agrace I am turning green with envy, very nice!

Well, I guess I'm just too trifling to pick one, so here, pick a winner. thumb1


(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/screensaver/HPIM0028_zps35159b19.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/screensaver/HPIM0028_zps35159b19.jpg.html)

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/m59/SAM_0621_zps0411d74f.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/m59/SAM_0621_zps0411d74f.jpg.html)

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/m59/m59b/SAM_0858_zps2dd22938.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/m59/m59b/SAM_0858_zps2dd22938.jpg.html)

I pick your..... hmm.... your Albanian.   :)

WOW! They are all nice but I like the dark SKS, 4th from the left! Is that it in the second photo?

Quote from: Loose}{Cannon on November 02, 2014, 01:02:56 AM
I pick your..... hmm.... your Albanian.   :)

Bah!!! Its junk, not worth 3 drips of piss and a piece of used toilet paper, and No!! you can't have it., you'll never have it. Mr. I won't let you have the '58 Romy rofl

Quote from: Dannyboy53 on November 02, 2014, 01:12:46 AM
WOW! They are all nice but I like the dark SKS, 4th from the left! Is that it in the second photo?

The second photo is an odd ball M59 "C"series, it doesn't have they typical elm stock, the 4th from the left in the top photo is either a /636\ or /26\ Chinese. Also missing are a few Romanians, yea
that's my favorite. The underdog redheaded step child of the SKS world. Purdy ain't they??

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/SAM_0473_zpsb8853644.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/SAM_0473_zpsb8853644.jpg.html)

Quote from: Greasemonkey on November 02, 2014, 01:38:35 AM
The underdog redheaded step child of the SKS world. Purdy ain't they??

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/SAM_0473_zpsb8853644.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/SAM_0473_zpsb8853644.jpg.html)

thumb1 Danged right they are! If I had some of these carbines with that nice of a finish there is no way I would take them out shooting like I do with mine!

Quote from: running-man on November 01, 2014, 08:14:20 PM

Quote from: Blicero on November 01, 2014, 05:08:59 PM
We all knew which one Coinring was picking!
Nice rifle Dannyboy.
I love Justin's display too.

Laugh, I actually would have thought he might have chosen the Soviet-Sino.  That bitumen coated Iraqi stock must reek like a friggin road repave crew on a 110° day!  rofl2

Danny's stock makes that such a classy little gun.  Much preferable to the fiberglass it had worn before.  Nice uniform color on the refinish too.  Justin's display is great!  That M59, second from the left is pretty slick, though that receiver scope mount...not so sure about that!  didnt do

That isn't an M59, its a /206\ in a 59/66 stock with a 59/66 bayonet....and actually, that is the best fitting receiver cover mount I have ever had...at least on that particular gun....its rather loose on any of the others I have.  It was my first SKS, formerly housed in a CE folder, it never had its original stock, so I improvised. :)

Tricky tricky!  Interesting about the receiver cover mount fitting loosely on all the others. 

First SKS, that always gets a bump in sentimental value...well unless it's an ugly Yugo 59/66 with 7 S/Ns that the Mauser Kid is constantly beating you over the head trying to weasel you out of it!  chuckles1

I have this old SKS, kind of like it. It doesn't shoot too bad.

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee210/catmandoo1305/T-56/DSC_0062.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/catmandoo1305/media/T-56/DSC_0062.jpg.html)

I think that this one is pretty sweet. I cleaned the cosmoline off and ran ten rounds thru to test function, cleaned her and put her back in the safe. I am not having a lot of luck picking a favorite.

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee210/catmandoo1305/DSC_0065.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/catmandoo1305/media/DSC_0065.jpg.html)

OK, so this might be my favorite. Completely Bubbafied ( professionally Bubbafied) got a sweet trigger job, Talon mag release and a lefty bolt conversion by XTriggerman.

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee210/catmandoo1305/DSC_0071.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/catmandoo1305/media/DSC_0071.jpg.html)

On the other hand I have this Sporter with a red dot........................

Quote from: Catmandoo on November 08, 2014, 01:38:37 PM
OK, so this might be my favorite. Completely Bubbafied ( professionally Bubbafied) got a sweet trigger job, Talon mag release and a lefty bolt conversion by XTriggerman.

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee210/catmandoo1305/DSC_0071.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/catmandoo1305/media/DSC_0071.jpg.html)

On the other hand I have this Sporter with a red dot........................

CMD you need one of my folding adapters for that Tapco set up. That would make it easier for you to define that as your favorite. :P :P

I like how CMDs personality changes when holding each rifle.  thumb1

SinoBanian: proud
New Rifle: My precious
Tapco: You talkin to me?

Quote from: Loose}{Cannon on November 08, 2014, 03:08:44 PM
I like how CMDs personality changes when holding each rifle.  thumb1

SinoBanian: proud
New Rifle: My precious
Tapco: You talkin to me?

I was going to say it was the beer talkin', but I noticed it wasn't open....Unless, each picture is showing a new one. 1st pic, 1 beer, 2nd pic, 2nd beer, 3rd pic....well, you get my drift. Muahahaha j/k CMD

Quote from: Loose}{Cannon on November 08, 2014, 03:08:44 PM
I like how CMDs personality changes when holding each rifle.  thumb1

SinoBanian: proud
New Rifle: My precious
Tapco: You talkin to me?

I'd bet if he held up one more he would crack a smile!  chuckles1

How about the only one I have.

(http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy345/sheepdog54/SKSwithstripperclip_zps46200af9.jpg) (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/sheepdog54/media/SKSwithstripperclip_zps46200af9.jpg.html)

Yes you can have just one.

Quote from: sheepdog on November 11, 2014, 10:22:15 PM
Yes you can have just one.

Now that's just CRAZY talk!!!


(nice looking gun there Sheepy!)

Forgive the stock extension. I'm 6'3" and as the old saying goes I've always wished for another inch.

Quote from: Greasemonkey on November 02, 2014, 01:01:00 AM
Well, I guess I'm just too trifling to pick one, so here, pick a winner. thumb1


(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/screensaver/HPIM0028_zps35159b19.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/screensaver/HPIM0028_zps35159b19.jpg.html)

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/m59/SAM_0621_zps0411d74f.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/m59/SAM_0621_zps0411d74f.jpg.html)

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/m59/m59b/SAM_0858_zps2dd22938.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/m59/m59b/SAM_0858_zps2dd22938.jpg.html)

What's that huge rifle dead center of the normal mag guns??

Quote from: sheepdog on November 11, 2014, 10:22:15 PM
How about the only one I have.

(http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy345/sheepdog54/SKSwithstripperclip_zps46200af9.jpg) (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/sheepdog54/media/SKSwithstripperclip_zps46200af9.jpg.html)

Yes you can have just one.

Well if you're only going to have one, it might as well be a really nice looking one  thumb1

Quote from: Power Surge on November 11, 2014, 11:19:23 PM

Quote from: Greasemonkey on November 02, 2014, 01:01:00 AM
Well, I guess I'm just too trifling to pick one, so here, pick a winner. thumb1


(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/screensaver/HPIM0028_zps35159b19.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/screensaver/HPIM0028_zps35159b19.jpg.html)

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/m59/SAM_0621_zps0411d74f.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/m59/SAM_0621_zps0411d74f.jpg.html)

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/m59/m59b/SAM_0858_zps2dd22938.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/m59/m59b/SAM_0858_zps2dd22938.jpg.html)

What's that huge rifle dead center of the normal mag guns??

Which?? the one with a launcher, it's a Yugo M59/66

No, I've got a yugo :). The one next to it with the huge stock....

That's an Albanian

Quote from: Greatguns on November 11, 2014, 11:51:05 PM
That's an Albanian

Ah ok....haven't looked much into those. I thought my yugo stock was big... lol.

Yup, I don't acknowledge it's existence, if it weren’t so fricken ugly and rare, I'd probably trade it for a Type 53 Mosin :o.

Even uglier close up. rofl2

(http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af283/C13mechanic/Albanian/SAM_0448_zpsa855c980.jpg) (http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/C13mechanic/media/Albanian/SAM_0448_zpsa855c980.jpg.html)


And, NO, it ain't for trade, so don't even pester me about it.  bat1 I do have a conscience, and would not sell or trade piece of junk like this to anyone. rofl2