Magazine question

[Matchka]

Picked up this 'veteran' /26\, no import stamp, on a trade today for a mismatched, sans bayonet, [0138]. Previous owner got the /26\ from his VN vet dad - said it was a 'capture', no paperwork. Claimed neither of 'em ever fired it. He wanted a reliable shooter, I wanted this 'old soul'.

Buuuut, take a look at the gap btwn the magazine box and the stock. Is there a way to correct this? Or, izzit - leave it alone, some came like that; won't be a problem?










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[Greatguns]

Other than it looks like the stock was re-shellacked(not saying it was, just saying it looks like it was), I don't see anything to worry about. As long as it seats all the way in and locks up it should be good to go.

[Phosphorus32]

I'll go ahead and say it...It's been sanded and refinished, hence the gap. It's not a functional issue, so just leave it alone.

[Greatguns]

Okay, so I was being overly polite about it, LOL

[Power Surge]

I agree that stock has been sanded and refinished. This was actually quite common practice when war trophies were brought home.

[running-man]

I agree that stock has been sanded and refinished. This was actually quite common practice when war trophies were brought home.

Yup, I was going to say that the sanding and refinish could be easily explained by it being a legit bringback.
The S/N is in the correct range, metal looks the part, who’s to say for certain. I personally think you did quite well even with the stock as it is.

[lowell66dart]

Very nice find. I would take some 220 sandpaper and just take the finish off gently and put some tung oil on it but that's just me. Last week I took my Plainfield M1 carbine with a glossy stock and did that to it. It really looks right to me now. Good score.

[Matchka]

Excellent advice! The wood definitely looks to have been refinished.  Apart from sanding, would a paint stripper, or denatured alcohol work best to remove whatever the finish is?
Also, best clue on year? Tks!

[Greasemonkey]

Until you know what finish it is, I wouldn't mess with it. If they used polyurethane it could end up being more of a mess than worth... my opinion which amounts to a pile of dog crap  .. that poor stock has been through enough trauma and abuse in life.. I'd leave it as done by the previous owner, enjoy it for what it is.. if it has to be pretty, just get another stock to fluff and buff.

[running-man]

Year 11 type 56 = 1966. 

Also I hadn't noticed it at first, but that gas block casting is quite a bit different from the other year 11 guns in the similar S/N range.  Definitely a neat gun!  You are about 50k guns away from being in the range of the Chinese laminate stocks too, that would have been icing on the cake there...

[Greatguns]

RM, you beat me to it. But yeah, '66.

[echo1]

Great rifle and trade. Leave it. PAX

[Phosphorus32]

I've already put in my vote for leave it alone, but if we're doing Chicago style voting, I did "vote early" so I'll add my "vote often" 

Good reading: https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=360.0

[Greatguns]

If it is a potential bringback, worth more leaving it as is as it adds to the story validity.

[Bob_The_Student]

I'm with the masses don't mess with it. Great trade.

[Matchka]

Year 11 type 56 = 1966. 

Also I hadn't noticed it at first, but that gas block casting is quite a bit different from the other year 11 guns in the similar S/N range.  Definitely a neat gun!  You are about 50k guns away from being in the range of the Chinese laminate stocks too, that would have been icing on the cake there...

Rgr that. Specifically why I posted a close-up pic of the gas block. I'm leaving as-is.

[Sksghostgun1986]

Unlatch the mag so it swings open then push the magwell up towards the action it could be not seated 100 percent!

[Matchka]

Unlatch the mag so it swings open then push the magwell up towards the action it could be not seated 100 percent!

Tks. Tried it a few times when I first got it. Don't want to bend anything, so I'll just ignore it!

[High Noon]

Looks good to me - even with the refinish.