Need help getting info on m new to me SKS

[jurob]

First, I would like to thank Running Man for all his help.

I bought this SKS yesterday from a friend who was selling it for his friend who is the original owner who bought it in the early 80's. He has never fired it and it sat the whole time.

I just recently decided I needed more weapons and kind of came by this on accident. After striking out on the Internet locating a decent, fairly priced SKS I found this one. I paid 300 which I think is a good deal, but even if it's not that's ok because it is a beautiful gun and a 100 times nicer than I expected to find.

On to the SKS;
I'm trying to get as much info about it as I can find. I think his name is Power Surge, he has a very similar gun to mine.

[Power Surge]

Welcome to sks files! You got that sks for a great price!

We actually have a thread going on guns from that arsenal stamp. We don't really have a specific name for it, but we've been referring to it as 0406b guns. They are unique in the fact that they have that numeric prefix, which we recently figured out was the month of production. This is the only sks we've seen this on. So your sks was made october of 1973 .

[running-man]

The thread PS is talking about is here jurob: /406b Info and Data Collection in Chinese SKS (Military) - Page 1 of 4

Some other things to add about your gun:

• The "C" at the end of the S/N is *not* original to the gun and was not stamped during manufacture.  As near as we can figure out, almost all of the /?5\ guns have letter prefixes/suffixes that were added at import.  It's pretty likely they did this to create a 'unique' S/N such that 27 CFR §478.92 was not violated.


• This arsenal transitioned from a short lug threaded barrel in the year 16 series (1971) to a pinned barrel in the year 17 series (1972).


• Some people want to call this factory Arsenal 36 (the Longyan Arsenal).  I have seen zero data to back this claim up other than some authors who claimed they had been out to visit this arsenal while researching for their book.


• The month code on your gun appears to fit well with our order.
  Look at this gun made with an 11-18 prefix:
  
  Your gun has a rolling number of 30936 which is before 31559, as such it goes w/o saying that we would expect the 10 (October) prefix should come before the 11 (November) prefix.


• Interestingly, there were inconsistencies with the early year 18 guns such as this one w/o a month prefix at the beginning of the year 18 run and the year prefix in front of the dash.  It seems anything is possible but it's good to remember that one example is not necessarily indicative of the run as a whole:
  
  

I agree with PS though, you got a screaming deal on this gun.  It looks like it is in superb condition.  Do all the components (stock, bolt carrier, bolt, receiver cover, magazine, trigger group) match the last 5 S/N digits? 

Very nice and thanks for sharing! 

[Loose}{Cannon]

We don't really have a specific name for it, but we've been referring to it as 0406b guns

Incorrect....   Your the only one calling it this 0406bee thing.  Here at SKS-FILES we call it a ?5

[running-man]

One other thing to note, your bayonet is on upside down.  (I actually hate it when 'real collectors' puff out their chest and spew that at newbies in an attempt to show their superior SKS knowledge.)  In this case, since I suspect you'll be firing this puppy soon (and yes I would shoot it...a lot....if I were in your shoes), by flipping her over you'll have a much more comfortable hold when firing it.

Hey we gotta make certain you like it so you can get her a familiar friend or two to spend time in the gun safe with.  Don't want her to be lonely!  SKSs multiply like rabbits, beware! 

[Power Surge]

We don't really have a specific name for it, but we've been referring to it as 0406b guns

Incorrect....   Your the only one calling it this 0406bee thing.  Here at SKS-FILES we call it a ?5

Or....maybe you're the only one who doesn't call it that       

Note to self... do not open any packages received from LC. They will undoubtably contain a swift kick to the junk. 

[Loose}{Cannon]

That 'was' the swift kick to the twig-n-berries.  Dont make me start a poll.   

[Greasemonkey]

That 'was' the swift kick to the twig-n-berries.  Dont make me start a poll.   

Whos gettin kicked in the man purse?  Pics or it didn't happen..

[Stoned_Oli]

One other thing to note, your bayonet is on upside down.  (I actually hate it when 'real collectors' puff out their chest and spew that at newbies in an attempt to show their superior SKS knowledge.) 

{unpuffs chest} 

[jurob]

thanks everyone!

What markings determine the year? If I flip the bayonet how do I reclock the bayonet hold?

All numbers are matching.

I pick up my PSA lower today and may be picking up another allegedly unfired rifle, but it's a Mosin Nagant. Don't really need the Mosin now, but will pick it up if it's as nice as he says (another friend of a friend).

[Power Surge]

thanks everyone!

What markings determine the year? If I flip the bayonet how do I reclock the bayonet hold?

All numbers are matching.

I pick up my PSA lower today and may be picking up another allegedly unfired rifle, but it's a Mosin Nagant. Don't really need the Mosin now, but will pick it up if it's as nice as he says (another friend of a friend).

To flip the bayo, take the screw out, and pull the bayo and collar off. Keep in mind the collar is spring loaded. Pull the bayo out of the collar and flip it over then put it back in the collar and install back on the gun.

The "18" part of your serial is the year placeholder. Check out the guide page on "dating your sks" and you'll find how the guys here cracked the dating code on these guns over what was previously thought.

[running-man]

{unpuffs chest} 

C'mon Oli, you know who I'm talking about!   Besides, anyone who will travel an hour by motorcycle (with their wife in full gear carrying a 50 lb. pack in 90 degree weather) and proceed to haggle/purchase a Romanian M56 for 45 minutes while she waits outside with said pack deserves to puff their chest out just a bit!

jurob: the 10-18 portion of the S/N determines the dating: 10 = month of October. 18 = 18th year build date which turns out to be 1973.

To flip the bayo, you can take it out of the collar and spin it 180° and reinsert.  The collar will remain in the same orientation so locking won't be an issue.  Watch the spring on that puppy, it's got some strength behind it.

-RM

[Greatguns]

No, no, no....you guys have it all wrong. You don't flip the bayonet, you remove it then flip everything else. How many times do I have to tell ya....
Seriously though, has anyone notice there have been a rash of upside-down bayos in the last year or two?


BTW, welcome to the files jurob. And nice rifle too.

[Power Surge]

No, no, no....you guys have it all wrong. You don't flip the bayonet, you remove it then flip everything else. How many times do I have to tell ya....
Seriously though, has anyone notice there have been a rash of upside-down bayos in the last year or two?


BTW, welcome to the files jurob. And nice rifle too.

I'm pretty sure it's just because many of these guns were imported with no bayo, and people added them on not knowing the proper way.

[jurob]

I flipped the bayonet, actually real easy.

got my Palmetto lower today, will research uppers tonight and should have it ordered in the morning. My SKS is so nice, I don't want to shoot it. I should be taking it to the range tomorrow, but plan on putting more rounds through the AR so I don't scratch the SKS:)

[Power Surge]

I'll give you my personal take on that..... I had a gorgeous AR....and I recently sold it... because it was so boring to shoot compared to my SKS'. Definitely shoot the heck out of your SKS. You won't hurt it. Shoot it, and clean it. That's about it. The only thing you really need to do is make sure the firing pin is free floating and not gummed up.

Oh, and if your gun is packed with cosmoline inside....you need to clean that all out

[Greatguns]

I don't know PS, I enjoy shooting my ARs. Of course with my past neck and shoulder problems I enjoy anything I can shoot without too much kick to it.

[Power Surge]

I don't know PS, I enjoy shooting my ARs. Of course with my past neck and shoulder problems I enjoy anything I can shoot without too much kick to it.

Oh don't get me wrong, I want another AR...but it's going to be 7.62x39 this time

[Greatguns]

I don't know PS, I enjoy shooting my ARs. Of course with my past neck and shoulder problems I enjoy anything I can shoot without too much kick to it.

Oh don't get me wrong, I want another AR...but it's going to be 7.62x39 this time

Yeah, I just built one myself. I like it. 

[jurob]

I was close to ordering a Palmetto 7.62 upper which is compatible with the lower I have, add mag and I would have been ready to shoot. Would have been maybe $30 more than the upper I just ordered, but from everything I read many were having jam issues so I chickened out.