[BowStreetRunner]

A friend wants to know (really, this question is not for me)
what you can do (legally) to SKS rifles
i have a regular wood stock on mine and standard nonremovable magazine but my friend wants a pistol grip stock and removable magazine....i know what restrictions the assualt weapons ban places on making guns with certain evil features, but if that sunsets, what about 922(r)?
i know some chinese sks guns imported cannot be modified so they would be illegal to import...but what about say, yugos?
thanks
BSR

[Hkmp5sd]

I know some chinese sks guns imported cannot be modified so they would be illegal to import... Same thing applies to the Yugos and all other imported SKSs. You may not make any modifications that would make the firearm considered non-sporting and thus illegal to import. This is seperate from the AW ban that sunsets next year and this will still be in force.

[BowStreetRunner]

i was worried about that
i tried to go to simonov.net to check out their info last night but their site kept taking a dump on my browser and locking up
what the heck are all the SKS goodies for if you cant use them!
:::sigh:::
BSR

[Harold A]

I was under the impression that you can switch to the detachable magazine as long as there is no bayonet mount. Remember, it is a point system.

Certain components constitute an assault rifle. Pistol grip, flash suppressor, detachable magazine, bayonet mount and some others I can't remember. As long as you don't have some number of those you are OK.

So, shave of the bayonet mount and go with the detachable magazine.

[Hkmp5sd]

you can switch to the detachable magazine as long as there is no bayonet mount

Sorry, nope. This has nothing to do with the assault weapon ban and the number of evil features. It has to do with what ATF considers a sporting firearm legal for importation. An SKS with a detachable magazine is not considered a sporting rifle and cannot be imported.

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter4.txt

If you want to use 30 round magazines, just buy an AK clone. It's cheaper and easier.

[Greg L]

Also if you bought it as a C&R you can't add all the goodies and then sell it as it can only be sold in the original military condition (this applies more to bolt actions that are "sporterized" than a SKS) unless of course it is more than 50 years old in which case it is more a relic than a curio and can be reconfigured. Confused yet?

Isn't the ATF logic wonderful :rolleyes: .

[legal disclaimer] As always when in doubt check with a lawyer or the ATF rather than believing me ;) [/legal disclaimer]

Greg