[makarov]

I was attending a meeting today in a small town near here. For lunch I decided to walk downtown and go into a pawnshop that sometimes has good deals. They had a tricked out 870 that they wanted $700 for! Pass. Then I decided to go into the hardware store across the street. Years ago I remembered they used to have a gun counter. I knew they didn't carry handguns anymore, but I was bored so what the heck. I go in and at first didn't see any long guns either, but then, high up on the wall I see that they do have some shotguns, bb-guns and a few rifles. The older gentleman has to get a ladder for me to even touch one. I initially was looking at a .22 that I thought might be something special, but was a Chinese model (decent guns, but not interested) Then I notice below it a strange gun that at first I thought was an AK, but no the stock runs full length. I look at it more closely and sure enough it is one of the short barreled SKS models that takes AK magazines. It has a thumbhole stock made from a fairly nice wood.

Long story short I went back later that day after the meeting and offered them $300 for it. They were asking $339. He had ordered a bunch of them a long time ago and was happy to get rid of it. I don't know what they are going for these days, but I'm happy with it. I haven't picked it up yet, but here is a picture of what they look like:

http://www.simonov.net/images/FAQ/sksd.jpg

It is new in box, but I will probably shoot it anyway. I don't have any guns that I haven't shot.

- Makarov

[makarov]

Here's another picture of someone else's gun. Can't wait to pick it up.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid58/pb416c1a14b0709d8fc5007fe26eca583/fc609b17.jpg

[DMK]

That's a very good deal if it was brand new. I've seen them go for that or more used.

The trouble seems to be just finding one these days.

That's the Sporter version and it's post ban (post-'91) There's also the pre-ban SKS-D and has a regular stock(no thumbhole) and a bayonet. I believe they were all banned in '94.

[Snowdog]

Yeah, that's a picture of mine (and my nephew's alligator).

My only complaint would be the difficulty using the sights. The thumbhole sporter stock doesn't seem all to cooperative in that function.
Also, the foregrip is a real disaster of ergonomics... However, if you can manage overcome these minor things, it's an accurate rifle for its genre.
It's well balanced and lends itself well for shooting from the hip (for those tin-can dances).

Bought for $160 four or five years ago, it's seen a couple thousand rounds of cheap ammunition (most of which corrosive) and has never failed to function properly in any way.

Had I seen that monte carlo option, I would have chosen that in a heartbeat. The modification is seemingly permanently attached to the furniture and would rank quite high on the PITA scale to switch out to a more ergonomic stock.

That said, it's a dandy blaster!

[hillbilly]

Not to make you hate me or anything, but last year I bought via auctionarms.com the monte carlo stocked version of the AK-mag SKS for $225, shipped.

There are deals to be found out there, but it does take some looking.

Currently plotting to get some of Aim Surplus' Russian ammo in the spam can. That's 700 rounds for $59.95

Even with shipping, that ammo averages out to be about $2.10 per box of 20.

bang bang bang bang bang bang bang, etc........................

hillbilly

[makarov]

No, I don't hate you. I figured it wasn't a screaming deal, but since regular SKS's go for between $179-250 here it didn't seem too bad. The only ones I could find on any of the auction sites were going for $425 and up, so you got a very good deal.

sksman has ATI stocks that are supposed to fit the sporter model, so if I really hate the wood stock I might switch to a Monte Carlo or Dragunov style. Has anyone done a stock switch on a sporter model? I shouldered the one in the store and it actually felt OK. The grip diameter is a little small. If it is a collectible, I will probably try to avoid the Dremel ergonomic modification, which usually ends up OK, but probably destroys the value. Might be a good alternative to keep the original stock and get the ATI.

I have never seen one in any of the shops here locally, so I figured I better jump on it if I wanted it. It was nice of him to come down a little on the price. He knew they were not being imported anymore, but the gun had hung on the wall for quite some time and I think they wanted to get rid of it. They also had a very nice standard Norinco SKS NIB. Passed on it, since I had one just like it already. It was one of the models with the red bakelite gas tube cover.

- Makarov

[Snowdog]

Had I known these carbines were selling for so much, I would have put mine up for sale. I suppose I'll post it on Auction Arms for $225 and see what takers I have.

[Onslaught]

If the ergonomics are that bad for you, may I suggest one of these from Tapco...

http://www.tapco.com/item_pics/md/STK660110_md.jpg

I bought my "brother" (very close cousin) one of these SKS's at a gun show back in '90 or '91 for $139. I was gonna buy a Tec9, but I had guns, he had none, so I loaned him the money. 2 weeks later, he pawned it for $50 and used the money to go to a "Poison" concert I couldn't go to because I was broke :cuss: :fire:

Shoulda known... he sold his first SKS because he didn't like the 10 round fixed mag compared to my Mini-30's 20 rounders. Oh well, it was only a Tec9 :D

[hillbilly]

He pawned a rifle for Poison tickets?

And you still claim him as family????????


Dude....that's love...........

I think I'd just shoot my relatives if they did that.

If you're gonna pawn a rifle for tickets, at least get NCAA Final Four tickets, or Super Bowl tickets....

But a hair band??????????

hillbilly

[Onslaught]

If you're gonna pawn a rifle for tickets, at least get NCAA Final Four tickets, or Super Bowl tickets....
I had saved up for a Tec9, not an SP89...

You gets what you pays for :)

[makarov]

Onslaught, that looks like the same stock I was talking about that sksman sells. As far as I can tell from the web ATI is the only one selling a stock that fits the "sporter" SKS that takes AK mags. EDIT - I looked at the Tapco site, they only sell the model that fits the regular SKS. The magwell is different on the Sporter model.

Maybe I didn't get such a good deal after all. I didn't have time to check the web before purchase since I was out of town. That shop that is selling them for $199 must not realize what they are though. That is about what regular SKS's are going for usually. Are you sure they aren't the Paratrooper model? Looks similar, but doesn't take the AK mags.

[Onslaught]

Onslaught, that looks like the same stock I was talking about that sksman sells. I usually read a thread more carefully before I suggest a product... Oops

I wouldn't worry too much about the price. If you're happy, that's all that counts. Obviously the price has gone up, and will probably continue to do so... Just keep it till you break even :)

I'd definitely get the ATI stock. It should be more comfortable to shoot, and it will preserve the less-than-durable finish that I remember the SKS having.

I'm a lefty, and I still remember how aweful that stock was!

[Number 6]

I would avoid the ATI stocks for an SKS. If you look at the stock there is a piece of the stock that comes up right behind the receiver cover which will block the receiver cover from coming off. That is all and fine if you don't want to ever take the rifle apart, but if you do then you have to take the stock off just to do a basic cleaning. Just seems like a hassle to me. The Choate stocks are a little more expensive but will allow you take off the receiver cover without have to remove the stock. I am not sure if they will fit a sporter model but it is worth taking a look at.

http://www.riflestock.com/

[BusMaster007]

That lump on the back of the ATI stock can be hacked off with no ill effects, I believe.
I remember seeing one done like that in one of the SKS sites.

I got on a kick to get the SKS-D a while back. Then I was into the NHM-91. Moved on to the VEPR. Finally gave up the whole 7.62x39 idea and decided to get an AR10.
Now, you've got me thinking about the SKS-D again. Darn you, anyway! :D

[BusMaster007]

ATI without the lump:

[BusMaster007]

A not often seen LEFT side view of the SKS-D.
These rifles look cool, I think. With a Red Dot site and the stock cut out for a drum magazine, it'd be a blast.

[BusMaster007]

Red Dot:

[BusMaster007]

Drum...

This disease has come back...OH, NO!!! :what:

[BusMaster007]

I must thank others for the views of their SKS rifles that I have copped and used.
They were a real inspiration at the time I got the bug.
If I walked in to the shop that had the one I was looking at originally, and he still had it, and I had ca$h, I'd love to pick it up.
Neat rifles.
Enjoy.

[makarov]

Does anyone know what modification you would have to make to a regular SKS stock to fit the D models? Is there a metal insert in the stock for the magwell, or could you just enlarge the opening on a regular stock? Just curious if I could make the Choate stock work instead of the ATI.

[PATH]

Makarov,

going back a bit to an earlier post. I have a short Para that takes the AK mags. Is that unusual?

[MAKOwner]

Busmaster, that that first pic you have of the "ATI without the lump" is of a Choate stock, vastly superior to the ATIs...

[makarov]

I guess my question is how different is the stock for the D models? Could you modify a Choate stock in the magwell area to fit the gun? Right now it appears that ATI is the only company that makes a stock that fits both models. How different can they be?

I think I will keep the stock stock... It actually seemed to be pretty comfortable to me. I might do a quick refinish on it. If the gun has any collector value at all it might be better to leave it as it.

I was at a local gunshow today (total waste of $5 admission) they had a D model, but it had been really poorly refinished and someone had filled in the handgrip area with what looked like bondo. They were asking $300. Prices overall were ridiculous. I don't feel quite so bad paying $300 for a NIB one. Plus I'm supporting the local economy. Yeah that's it.... Rationalize that last impule buy....

- Makarov

[BusMaster007]

I'm 0-for-2 here lately...:uhoh:

So noted on the stock pic.
The Choate stock would be my pick, as well as their scope mount.

[makarov]

Path,


There are at least three variations that take AK mags. The others use a more standard style stock. I think the variations are the Sporter, Model D and Model M. There is also a "pre-ban" that is a military configuration, long barrel with bayonet etc.. that takes AK mags.

Still looks like ATI is the only option for the Sporter. I would rather have a Choate, but their website only lists the stocks for regular SKS's.