Israeli Capture/Egyptian Contract SKS

[maximizer39]

Hello everyone. This is my first post here. I have two other Chinese SKSs which are nothing special (I think) but I thought this one was worth sharing and hopefully getting some info about. I can post more pics if anyone is interested.

Picked this up last week while I was on a trip to Florida. At first I thought it was a Sino-Soviet because of the laminate stock, but then I noticed the white paint marking, did a little research and found out that it is what is known as an "israeli capture" or "egyptian contract" SKS. Price at the store was $500, which I knew was a good deal. After shipping back to my state and the transfer fee, it came out to $635 total. Still a good deal. The bore is immaculate, and all serial numbers that I can find are matching. Only problem is that it's missing the cleaning rod and the upper handguard has been replaced with polymer. I've submitted it to the survey on http://chinesesks.weebly.com/. Mine falls slightly outside the known serial number range for these, which is quite interesting.

Stock is cut for both a blade and spike bayo. Import mark reads "CAI ST. ALB. VT" on left side of barrel and "SKS 7.62 CHINA" on right side.

Also, the sling on mine is unique, and I wonder if it's some kind of locally produced middle eastern sling. If anyone has seen one of these slings before I'd love to hear about it.

[echo1]

Score and welcome abord from Kali, PAX

[maximizer39]

Thanks! After doing some research, it turns out that the sling is Albanian. Very interesting...

[Phosphorus32]

Certainly looks like an Israeli Capture Type 56 with the laminate stock, cut as you described, correct era of Century import mark,  and the rack number 70 

Perhaps the same Bubba who installed the plastic handguard added the Albanian sling. Definitely needs a wood handguard.

[maximizer39]

I ordered a dark brown wood handguard, cleaning rod, and cleaning kit from Liberty Tree. Does the SKS handguard twist off just like an AK?

[running-man]

If only they were that easy to get off!  They come off via a permanent rivet at the handguard ferrule.  Kind of a PITA and if you ruin the ferrule they are *extremely* tough to find.  Instructions here: How to safely remove/install handguards.

[maximizer39]

Hmm, the pin on mine is already buggered up. The ferrule itself looks fine though.

[echo1]

You can use a finishing nail or a piece of aluminum pop rivet, sometimes you can leave it out. PAX

[Phosphorus32]

You can find the little aluminum rivets on eBay, as shown in this example. They used to be more plentiful at a lower unit cost but it looks like the guy I bought them from stopped selling them.

[maximizer39]

Good to know. I will update when it arrives.

[Matchka]

Welcome to the forum/posts!

[maximizer39]

I got the wood handguard in. Installation wasn't a problem, as the pin had already been messed with and easily came out.

[echo1]

The HG looks great, nice bunch O SKS, PAX

[running-man]

Definitely looks nice!  Good save there! 

[Bob_The_Student]

Agreed, that HG looks pretty good. That Albanian sling is worth a good penny. Nice find.

[Phosphorus32]

Nice rescue, much better looking 

[maximizer39]

One thing about this rifle is that the barreled action is able to move front-to-back very slightly within the stock. I'd say about 1/16th of an inch. Could this lead to a cracked stock and if so, how do I shim it?

[Phosphorus32]

For accuracy and minimizing the chances of the stock cracking it would be better to have no play, so recoil is not an acceleration and impact of the barreled action against the stock. I would recommend a thin wood veneer piece(s) inserted where the tang (trigger group release tab) fits into the stock.

[echo1]

For accuracy and minimizing the chances of the stock cracking it would be better to have no play, so recoil is not an acceleration and impact of the barreled action against the stock. I would recommend a thin wood veneer piece(s) inserted where the tang (trigger group release tab) fits into the stock.

I use a strip of plastic lid for fitting there. PAX