Found an SKS30 on GB and they finally made me a deal tonight, $696.00 including ship & tranfer. The catch is that they only ship on Tuesdays. It's out of a pawn store in Mesa, AZ. Looks like the later bolt carrier, decent stock and metal, importer is Beta and the serial range is 880XXX. As soon as I get it in I'll post pictures. Cheers, Bruce.
Congrats! I love those Beta Arms import SKS-30's! That has to be my all-around favorite SKS. Looking forward to a big pictoral on it when you get it!
You now have 2 of the 3 known importers of the SKS-30. Find one of the elusive DIG imported ones and complete the set! (And then sell me the set!) :))
firstchoice
Pics or it didn't happen rofl
Seriously, congrats. Did I hint that I was looking forward to pics yet? ??? wink1 :))
just in time for Christmas, congrats. thumb1
P32, well the charge hit my debit card so, for me, it better happen. I'm also getting vague hints that you want to see some photographs..... ::)
Carl, knowing how freight is this time of year, I'll be lucky to get it by the 27th. whistle12
Once I get her in and torn down, I'll definitely post some pix. I tried to copy some pix off of GB, but I couldn't get it to work.
It got here today. Let's see, packed in a 6x6x48 UPS box, only the gun wrapped in bubble wrap and the remaining void left empty allowing the Samsonite apes at UPS to prove that they can crush anything, with the magazine thrown in as an afterthought. What could go wrong? Hmmm, only the stock cracked from the wrist to the mag well. Highly perturbed. Freaking idiots. Did I mention I was perturbed? Here's pix of the damage. I'll get pix of the rest as soon as I calm down, again. Bike ride on my '80 Beemer worked the first time, but it's gotten dark. Yeah, I can fix it and have fixed worse, but, ya know. Sorry, had to vent. Cheers, Bruce.
(https://i.ibb.co/wsL1vjs/IMG-20191226-120513-03.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Wt31Tjt)
(https://i.ibb.co/zRG3H0X/IMG-20191226-120513-02.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k8QL6W4)
(https://i.ibb.co/c3XXGN1/IMG-20191226-120513-01.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g9FF5D3)
upload pics to internet (https://imgbb.com/)
What a shame! I would be PISSED! Do you know if (shipment) was insured with UPS?
Really don't know if they insured it. Told them I wanted the weapon, but that you can't get replacement stocks for them and it will have to be repaired. I've packed and shipped many rifles and handguns. I've never had a complaint. Putting it in a cheap UPS box (cheap quality, not cost) and not a rifle box, packed as it was, is begging for trouble.
Is the stock like this:
(https://i.ibb.co/7GwrLpq/DSC00199.jpg) (https://ibb.co/p3t45KS)
(https://i.ibb.co/qmPTk4t/DSC00200.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JrMD5bf)
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(https://i.ibb.co/zRD2x11/DSC00202.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VS5C9dd)
(https://i.ibb.co/x2g2qYh/DSC00203.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sg1g9Cj)
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I got the stock and handguard from GB, it was covered with black flex seal type rubber coating, removed about 98% with elbow grease and mineral spirits, someone also drilled holes for sling swivel studs.
If this stock could work for you, we could work out something.
Thanks, owenj, but mine has a bayonet and your channel is filled. I tore mine down and this is how the split looks. I'll use some small stock pins from the top and bottom and Gorilla Wood glue. Like I said, done it before, can do it again, though come to think of it, this is the worst I'll have attempted. Also found out why it was pawned. The piston was seized in the gas tube. Had to take a punch to the tappet end and bang it out. Used an AR chamber brush to clean the tube and steel wool on the piston chucked to a drill. There was 1mm to 2mm of carbon on the face of the piston, thick blowback on the tappet and even the bayonet has been discolored by the carbon. She works now, though. I'll take pix as the work progresses. Cheers, Bruce.
(https://i.ibb.co/CBGY8YZ/20191226-203638.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SNCMyM8)
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That crack is just heart breaking, I've had the same problem with stuck gas piston, last time I soaked everything in Hoppe's 9 for two days and cleaned with brake parts cleaner, I've also done what you described also. Please keep us updated with pictures with your restoration, I wish you good luck friend.
Thanks, owenj. I didn't say it, but I appreciate your offer of the other stock. If i blow this one, I might get back with you, but I'm pretty sure I can do what needs to be done. I'll keep y'all posted. Cheers, Bruce.
That’s a shame! I don’t understand how brick and mortar outfits can fail to pack a firearm correctly but I also know from first hand experience that it happens bat1
Wow, that sucks! Do you have gun insurance? I have insurance that protects the shipment if with a major carrier. Also have you called the shop and complained? I would gladly take my money back and find another. Good luck!
Yes, I've called them and emailed with the pix. The Lady that runs their GB sales has to discuss it with the owner. I can fix it, we can make it stronger, FASTER...(oops, flashbacks to the Six Million Series), it'll just take time. Finding another is problematic since the SKS30's are getting fewer, and I just auctioned off a CSI imported SKS30 to cover this one. If they cover the repair work, say 100.00 to 150.00, I'll be happy. Cheers, Bruce.
Wow. That hurts me to see it. I can imagine what it was like when you opened it up and found the damage. There's no excuse for that damage. How could that happen in "normal" transit situations? I may tend to go all conspiracy theory in these situations, but that looks to have taken a great amount of side loading to break that stock like that. We see battle pick-up stocks with cracks like that, but a trip half way across the States in a truck? Nah. That shouldn't have happened. Even with the gorillas throwing boxes across the room. Yeah, stuff like that gets my hackles up, too. Sorry you're having to deal with it Bruce. I'd definitely agree with at least $150.00 credit. I hope it works out for you.
Just curious. Did they even wrap the magazine when they threw it in the box?
firstchoice
Thanks, FC. I've got the box and there are compression lines on both sides where it was sat on by something or dropped full length. No response from the pawn shop other than what I've posted. Come Monday I'll send another email and if no response, feedback will be accordingly harsh. Cheers, Bruce.
What's the name of the pawnshop?
I might just be in Mesa next month........
I really shouldn't tell you the name of Pawn Now wink1, since they might be a great overall business bat1.
The one on Mesa, Lindsay, or Apache Trail?
That's a pretty big chain in Phoenix and part east of there....
They give the address as Mesa. Going back to FC's last question that I missed, I asked my receiving FFL if he had seen the magazine that was supposed to come with it. He replied a negative, but got the box, upended it and the mag came rattling out.
I always have my FFL to keep the box the firearm ships in, mostly so I can transport it home and not raise any eyebrows, and also to find anything left in the box, got a 24 Mil SKS and it had extra plastic 20 round mags in the bottom, we didn't even know they were in the box.
How is the stock repair going? Please post pics of your progress!
owenj, I've kept the boxes, also. Never know when you'll want to ship something out. The repairs will have to wait till after the New Year. A lot of other things on the burner. I'll send pix of the steps of the process. Cheers, Bruce.
P.S. Cool, this post makes me a Lance Corporal. Haven't seen that rank since 1981!!! dance2
Quote from: Bacarnal on December 29, 2019, 12:11:12 PM
They give the address as Mesa. Going back to FC's last question that I missed, I asked my receiving FFL if he had seen the magazine that was supposed to come with it. He replied a negative, but got the box, upended it and the mag came rattling out.
It sounds like they either didn't know the value of this particular SKS or,...?, sheesh, I'm not sure why they let that be shipped out like that. It simply doesn't make much business sense, but we don't know the person that actually packed it for shipping, either. Have you heard anything from the Pawn Now business yet? Surely they would fix this for sake of future reputation on GunBroker? I hope it works out for you Bruce. I'm still trying to estimate how much weight/pressure it would have taken to break the stock like that.
Yeah, if I hadn't kept the boxes that my purchased guns were shipped in I would've always thought I missed something! chuckles1 I've had cleaning rods and small parts fall out after the shippers tossed in extras before sealing the box. "Like a box of chocolates" kinda deal... :)
The Beta Arms SKS-30 is a great one to have regardless. Take your time and make the repairs. You obviously have the talent to do the repairs correctly. I look forward to seeing it whole again. thumb1
firstchoice
FC, no response other than the "I'll have to talk to the Owner" email. I sent one last Saturday thanking them for their (implied) help in the resolution of the matter and said that proportional feedback would be forthcoming. Not a peep. They must not understand my dry Anglo wit derisive1. I might start work on her tonight. Cheers, Bruce.
I'm wishing the best for your repair and that it comes out well! Good Luck!
Well, step one is dunn. Let her dry over night and see about pinning. The finish on these is like a TruOil. Should I use that or BLO? Gonna have to sand and steel wool her down anyway.
(https://i.ibb.co/yWrkWMk/20191231-200004.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4PHSPDS)
Aawwh, to heck with it. I wasn't doing anything tonight anyway...pins in, spaced at 1 1/2". Total break at about 7". Always save the sawdust to mix with glue for a filler.
(https://i.ibb.co/ySfxCqH/20191231-231607.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GTxrDRz)
Used a jeweler's saw to take the excess pins off. I've used a Dremel before and it tends to heat the pin up and melt/scorch the glue. Filed the pins to contour. The brown filler that you see in the mag well looks to be a factory fill. I file off the excess of that, also. Right now the stock is drying after having give it a warm water bath and a scrub with #1 steel wool. When it dries, I'll steel wool the raised grain with #00.
(https://i.ibb.co/d4kk5qb/20200101-122548.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5hssRyY)
(https://i.ibb.co/WPfXy0v/20200101-122615.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qWp8sCY)
Wow! Very impressive work my friend! thumb1
I agree with the craftsmanship of repairing that stock. Looks like this is right up your alley. Like they say Bacarnal, God wouldn't give more then we can handle thumb1 Looking really good and now we really want more pics when your done fixing it all up. I know where im sending all my 249.00 dollar cracked stock specials : ) rofl
Wow, great job!
Thanks, owenj, BTS and DC. I had a little bit of drill through on the first two pins up from the wrist. Got the angle wrong using MK I Eyeball, and with only less tha 1/16 of an inch to play with, well...They don't look bad, but I know. I'm surprised that the mag well ones came out as well as they did. The re-calibration on the EB's must have worked.
Went to Wally World to get TruOil. $8.95 A BOTTLE!!! The first coat of BLO is on and drying. Looking fairly good.
Quote from: Bacarnal on January 01, 2020, 01:19:11 PM
Used a jeweler's saw to tack the excess pins off. I've used a Dremel before and it tends to heat the pin up and melt/scorch the glue.
I must admit I cringe every time I hear that someone is using a Dremel for *anything* gun related, they are simply an ill-suited tool for this kind of work for just the reason you describe.
Looks like you've got it down to a science Bruce, glad to hear it's not irreparable. I'll be interested to see how the BLO darkens. I suspect you're going to wind up with a stock a bit darker than you started with, but compared to the alternative of a replacement mismatched stock or the original held together by bailing wire and gorilla tape, I think it's absolutely the right way to go. thumb1
Im a big fan of using blo also and nothing to shinny thumb1
Well, I got her done. Two coats of BLO. The BLO darkened the crack at the wrist, but it fades out. The two burn through a are noticeable, but just. On the whole, fair. I bought her for a shooter and that's what she'll be.
(https://i.ibb.co/5nFtgZH/20200103-080114.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qW5X36Q)
(https://i.ibb.co/Z2H1x28/20200103-080237.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QD8jMDN)
(https://i.ibb.co/dtyhwsM/20200103-080320.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KDH1pch)
(https://i.ibb.co/Fqgrvyx/20200103-080356.jpg) (https://ibb.co/h1D6547)
And now, finally in her full glory...
Just as an aside, the dealer never got back with me. Looked at their feedback on GB and there were several recent "D's" and "F's". Mine just added to the total. They may be a great place to buy a firearm, just don't have them ship it.
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Beautiful rifle, and wow on the repair! thumb1
Nice job salvaging a useful SKS-30 from what was a bad situation thumb1
I'll try to remember Pawn Now as a shop that I don't want to ever purchase anything from bat1
There's a bunch of Pawn Now's around the area.
There's 3 just in Mesa.
You've done a great job on the repair.
The drill through's look like just another stock ding to me.
Thanks all! It's appreciated.
Really pised me off to see that damage but with the amount of crud you found could the crack have been there prior to shipping? Good you can repair the damage.
Tremendous job on that repair! I have one I want to repair I may be sending a PM to confer.
Quote from: ArkSlim on January 04, 2020, 08:28:51 AM
Really pised me off to see that damage but with the amount of crud you found could the crack have been there prior to shipping? Good you can repair the damage.
Arkslim, the thought had crossed my mind, but I went to the sales pictures and description and no crack was present. Packed as it was and the compression lines on the box make me favor an inept packing job.
Quote from: Bob_The_Student on January 04, 2020, 01:28:30 PM
Tremendous job on that repair! I have one I want to repair I may be sending a PM to confer.
BobTS, I'll try to help in any way possible.
Cheers, Bruce.
lemonade out of lemons, way to go. nice job, you did good. thumb1 -------> what you do after lunch? :)
You did a great job on the repair, Bruce! You definitely showed me a few tips on stock repair. I'm sorry to hear that the Pawn Now business didn't respond, AT ALL! That is terrible customer service! I'll convey the story to anyone that I run across that could be affected. Yep, I always check out the Feedback on any potential Seller I may deal with on Gunbroker. If they have complaints about poor customer service, I don't want to do business with them.
Great save on your new-to-you SKS-30! Let us know how it performs.
firstchoice
I went to a friends property yesterday bringing four SKS's, this one, the 16"barreled mag capable sporter with flash hider, the Romie and the Yugo. Fired at a 12" swinging plate till it fell over then switched to 6" swinging plate. Wind value was, at times, full from the right. Shot offhand and sitting benched. This one shot well, hitting the plate about 70% from offhand, 90% sitting. The 16" fired even better,80% standing and 100% sitting. The other two were in the area, but I'll have to BZO them. Also got to fire my friends Vietnam bring back, /26\, 11mil, which was pitted and had 40%-50% finish. It fired well also, sitting 90% on 6". A good day. thumb1 I'm in the process of conning my friend out of the bring back. wink1
Quote from: firstchoice on January 05, 2020, 04:01:27 AM
I'm sorry to hear that the Pawn Now business didn't respond, AT ALL! That is terrible customer service! I'll convey the story to anyone that I run across that could be affected. Yep, I always check out the Feedback on any potential Seller I may deal with on Gunbroker. If they have complaints about poor customer service, I don't want to do business with them.
firstchoice
I'm putting the word out on the local boards, too.
No excuse for this type of thing.