New to forum and SKS (pics att.)

RossP226 · January 31, 2019, 03:37:13 PM

Good Day all!

I'm new to both the forum and the SKS. I've been a handgun shooter for about 40 years, but am not a hunter and other than a Ruger 10/22 didn't own a long gun. But I started seeing videos and reading about the remarkably rugged and reliable SKS and got bitten by the bug and had to have one.

I knew the gun store attached to my range had them so the owner let me go through the inventory and find one I wanted. After mistakenly ending up with a 1955 Tula which was painted (only after I got it home did I realize this - then learned about the BBQ paint thing), I returned it and settled on a 1951 Tula.

The Tula had a horrible stock, but I settled on it as it was matching numbers (but for the stock??) and all blued metal in fine condition. The bore is mirror-like. A previous owner appeared to have taken a belt sander to the stock so I did a complete refurbishment.

Took it down to bare wood - the arctic pine was near bone white! Sanded, starting at 80 grit and working to 320 grit. Minwax pre-stain, 3 coats Minwax gunstock stain and 8 coats Tru-oil. Very pleased with the results.

Glad to have joined this forum! Looking forward to learning about the SKS. I will attempt to load some pictures....

carls sks · January 31, 2019, 06:47:21 PM

hi Ross and welcome. good to have you here. nice work on the stock, you did good.

Worm · January 31, 2019, 07:00:27 PM

Nice! I love a blonde Russian. Welcome

running-man · January 31, 2019, 10:41:36 PM

Greetings, glad to have you on board! Once the SKS bug hits, hey start multiplying like crazy!

Hope you enjoy it here, if you need anything please feel free to ask!

Bob_The_Student · February 01, 2019, 05:48:51 AM

Ross welcome. The first thing you should do is admit you're an addict. You will see what I mean in a few months when you're telling us you now own 4, 7, 15, 25 SKS's (11 in 5-6 mos. for me and possibly another in a week or two...in progress).

Nice job on your stock.

These guys will help you with any questions you have. I'm still trying to learn and I have a very long way to go. But I'm a lot wiser with help of the SKS-Files.

Justin Hell · February 01, 2019, 09:52:40 AM

Welcome to the Files...and your new addiction!

You are off to a great start! A 51 Tula with the 45 degree gas block. Its one of the last in the evolution of design before they settled on what became the standard SKS-45. They are a highly desirable version that are fairly uncommon. While it's a shame about the stock, you refinished it beautifully. Just get a cleaning rod on there and you are all set.

Matchka · February 01, 2019, 08:01:00 PM

Welcome, Ross! B-T-S speaks words of wisdom. The first thing I had to do in the SKS world, fess up and admit to my 'addiction'.

Loose}{Cannon · February 02, 2019, 11:23:52 AM

Welcome

RossP226 · February 03, 2019, 10:28:57 AM

Quote from: Justin Hell on February 01, 2019, 09:52:40 AM

You are off to a great start! A 51 Tula with the 45 degree gas block. Its one of the last in the evolution of design before they settled on what became the standard SKS-45. They are a highly desirable version that are fairly uncommon.

Thanks to all for the welcome! And you guys are right... I'm thinking I need another! I was intrigued by Justin's comment to the effect that the rifle went through a number of design changes. My local gun store has more stored in individual boxes but I think the owner would let me go through them. Is there any year(s) which are more interesting from a design perspective?

I selected the 51 because there was no paint and the absence of evident ware on the bluing suggested to me that it had seen little use - of course, for all I know it may have been re-blued when refurbished.

Can you give me some direction please as to what I should be looking for in the year of manufacture? Thanks!

Greasemonkey · February 03, 2019, 10:57:48 AM

Hi and welcome

One thing to consider.. if the stock was in the shape you said it was, its possible the previous owner stripped the metal. That possibly could account for the metal "wear marks". As for design changes... you could fill a safe with the little nit picky changes through the years. Some people absolutely despise that black paint.. me, I could careless....it ain't gonna rust.

Maybe find an early '50 with a non chrome bore, a later Letter gun, or if your really get lucky....a Izhevsk SKS.....................or if the golden goose flew in and dropped a golden egg in a box at your LGS....a 1949 version.

Quote from: RossP226 on February 03, 2019, 10:28:57 AM

Thanks to all for the welcome! And you guys are right... I'm thinking I need another!

Oh we got another one, them famous last words, "I'm thinking I need another"...................hook, line and sinker... a new addict has been born.

Worm · February 03, 2019, 11:22:20 AM

First step is admitting you're an addict. Second step is to fulfill the desire. Get buying.

RossP226 · February 03, 2019, 12:21:05 PM

Quote from: Greasemonkey on February 03, 2019, 10:57:48 AM
Hi and welcome

One thing to consider.. if the stock was in the shape you said it was, its possible the previous owner stripped the metal. That possibly could account for the metal "wear marks". As for design changes... you could fill a safe with the little nit picky changes through the years. Some people absolutely despise that black paint.. me, I could careless....it ain't gonna rust.

Maybe find an early '50 with a non chrome bore, a later Letter gun, or if your really get lucky....a Izhevsk SKS.....................or if the golden goose flew in and dropped a golden egg in a box at your LGS....a 1949 version.

Quote from: RossP226 on February 03, 2019, 10:28:57 AM

Thanks to all for the welcome! And you guys are right... I'm thinking I need another!

Oh we got another one, them famous last words, "I'm thinking I need another"...................hook, line and sinker... a new addict has been born.

Thanks for the input Greasemonkey! I realize I didn't post any before pictures and will below. Looks to me like someone how had no idea what they were doing started to refinish the stock - the sanding was across the grain, deeply scoring the wood. Seems he gave up as the wood over the gas tube was untouched. I doubt the metal was refinished/reblued on this side of the world as there was still cosmoiline in the receiver and re-bluing is pretty expensive.

I take your point about the myriad design changes the rifle underwent and being retired and without money to burn I'm really interested in another one or two with interesting characteristics. I guess I want to avoid the paint as I like the patina blued steel develops with use. One of my favourite revolvers is an 1970s S&W Model 13 police trade in - I love the hostler wear! I doubt I'll ever find a '49 - sounds like the Holy Grail, but I'll look!

Before I refinished the stock...

Loose}{Cannon · February 04, 2019, 12:20:36 AM

When you strip a Russian that has the bbq, you will find they stripped the bluing and somehow etched the surface of the metal for the bbq to adhere to, so I don't think thats the case here.

Can you post a pic of the import mark?

Greasemonkey · February 04, 2019, 09:38:53 AM

I figured someone, somewhere would have figured out how to remove the paint and not alter the blueing. I remember seeing all kinds of concoctions used with moderate success in years past.

Loose}{Cannon · February 04, 2019, 09:42:23 AM

I'm saying, the Russians did this to the surface as a prep for bbq.

RossP226 · February 04, 2019, 10:37:53 AM

Quote from: Loose}{Cannon on February 04, 2019, 12:20:36 AM
When you strip a Russian that has the bbq, you will find they stripped the bluing and somehow etched the surface of the metal for the bbq to adhere to, so I don't think thats the case here.

Can you post a pic of the import mark?

Here are the import markings. The electric penciled marking from the side of the receiver is hard to see, but appears to be the same as the marking beside the number "15" found on top of the barrel.

RossP226 · February 04, 2019, 10:48:29 AM

A close up...

Greasemonkey · February 04, 2019, 11:03:48 AM

A Molot stamp...

Ok... are you from Canada by any chance.. just curious.. that would explain the stamp.

RossP226 · February 04, 2019, 11:13:58 AM

Quote from: Greasemonkey on February 04, 2019, 11:03:48 AM
A Molot stamp...

Ok... are you from Canada by any chance.. just curious.. that would explain the stamp.

Yes, I'm in Ontario. Please tell me what is a Molot stamp?

Greasemonkey · February 04, 2019, 11:34:04 AM

Those stamps are part of Russian export requirements, it's not an import mark persay, but a mandated export mark. If I remember correctly from playing with Mosins.. the Diamond mark is a Russian proof mark, it will be found on any Russian exported rifle and the Bn mark is a trade mark of Molot. I believe the larger number next to the diamond is the year it passed the Russian requirement test. The CIP mark, I believe, is it meets requirements for ammo...Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms.... Like SAMMI(Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) here in the US. Russia is a CIP member, and weapons have to meet said requirements.

These same markings can be found on quite a few Mosins of all variations, M44s, M91/30s, Snipers here in the US that were imported like somewhere between 2012 and 2014-'15. Actually Molot... or Vyatskiye Polyany Molot Machine-Building Plant has been around since the early '40s.. they produced the PPSh-41 in mass numbers.. Now they build alot of commercial/sporting weapons, along with military weapons.....including doing rebuilds.

The reason I asked about Canada... we never got the Molot SKS here in the states... just Mosins, Veprs and maybe a few others........ now, we cant even seem to get them.

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New to forum and SKS (pics att.)