Does this change make a 59/66 SKS illegal?

[tbeb]

I bought a Yugo 59/66 SKS, without seeing it. I will receive it soon. It has a grenade launcher and a bayonet. I know it is a "D" series, but I don't know if it has night sights. If I replace the rear sight with a scout scope mount and scope, and do not remove the grenade launcher, bayonet (and night sights if rifle has them), is this rifle illegal?

 

[Frog48]

My understanding is that as long as a modification doesnt add an "evil" feature, and is easily returned to original configuration, it is legal.

Adding an "evil" feature to a Yugo would be something like a pistol grip, detachable mag, collapsable or folding stock, etc.

As far as I've been able to find out, adding a scope and scope mount is perfectly legal. I was worried about that myself, before I ordered the scope for my Yugo SKS. But after digging, I came to the conclusion that all is good, in that department.

 

[Hoppy590]

taking the rifle out of the undefined "sporting" catagory would make it illegal

that mostly means removeable magazines, folding stocks, pistol grips etc

 

[Neo-Luddite]

You can remove the bayonet (leave the mount however) and the GL. However, you must not leave the barrel threads exposed--a shroud or cover must be soldered on. The mag must be of original 10 rd type. The stock must be substantially the same as issued--a copy of the original in wood is OK, but synthetic is not.

Updates that are cleary not original but are of newly made parts seem to be OK. New gas ports made of stainless and a spring-returned firing pin set up are OK.

This is just what I got from researching it--it's really a policy judgement call from ATF. Ask them to be sure.

BTW--a scope mount is OK, especially if not a permanent mod.

 

[dfaugh]

I know it is a "D" series

Pls explain---the only "D" designation I'm familiar with on the SKS is an SKS-D, which was NOT a Yugo 59/66 SKS. It was a "sporting gun",made to take AK Mags (similar to the SKS-M, which Iown).

 

[tbeb]

dfaugh,
Person who sold me the rifle said it is a "D" series. The letter is the serial number prefix, such as D-54XXX. I have no idea, but someone at Survivor's SKS Boards said the letter relates to the year of manufacture.

 

[Technosavant]

There's a difference between the 922r regulations and the C&R regulations.

The Yugo 59/66 is imported as a C&R rifle, since it is not a "sporting" rifle. According to the ATF, grenade launchers, night sights, and bayonets are not sporting features, and if the 59/66 were not classified as a C&R gun, it would not be importable. Any alteration to the firearm voids the C&R status (about the only things allowed would be repair of a gas valve or a refinishing). It is my understanding that if you change anything, the bayonet, grenade launcher, and night sights need to go in order for it to be considered "sporting." Pull those, and you can swap in a scout mount or Monte Carlo stock.

The 922r law has to do with parts count- you aren't supposed to have a non-sporting imported firearm. If you want one of those, then you need to have no more than 10 imported parts- this would let you use a pistol grip stock or detachable magazine.

Now, does all this matter? Good question. I doubt you'll ever have the ATF asking to see the thing and check parts counts. However, I always recommend and advise that you follow the law in all particulars.

The 59/66 has a pretty convoluted legal status, and that's why I usually tell people that they are fun guns, but only as they are- trying to keep them in the ATF's good graces can be a mess.

As an aside, the night sights are flip-up sights. The rears are pinned right to the rear sight blade, and the front is co-located with the base of the grenade launcher sight. Mine really aren't night sights anymore- they quit glowing long ago.

 

[Geno]

Agreed. I too have been advised that the SKS is a C&R rifle. If any of the "evils" are removed they must all be removed, thus mutating the rifle into a sporting rifle. For my part, I will leave all of mine as are...original.

 

[Newton]

Not all SKS are C&R rifles, but all 59/66 and 59/66A1s are.

If you make ANY changes to a C&R rifle you are in violation of 922(r) - and I think 925(d) - not sure on the latter but there are two code violations.

There are lots of "grey" areas which have been created by the ATF saying that any changes that are not permanent are ok. These are generally held to mean the removal of the bayonet (but not the lug), and the use of a detachable receiver cover mounted scope - which is useless anyway as the receiver cover jumps around so much under firing that establishing a zero is impossible.

The bottom line is that if your changes involve the use of a hacksaw/welding torch/drill - then you need to remove ALL the evil features to remain legal (GL, night sights, bayo and lug).

The penalty for violation is a 10 year jail term.

You decide if it's worth the risk.

 

[collateral]

what about adding a shell deflector?

 

[akolleth]

Whew is this a sticky widget question. Ask 10 different people, and get 10 different answers. And few seem to have any direct evidence from BATF.

Well you can follow this link from Survivors SKS boards, it has a great table that clearly spells out what modifications will result in voiding C&R status, and what modifications will result in a 922R violation.

And if in doubt, don't hesitate to send the BATF a letter asking specifically if you can do what you want. They typically will send you a letter back within 4-6 weeks, and then you will know for sure if you are legit. And more importantly, you will have a nice legal document from them that will provide a defense if they try to bust you later on.

http://www.victorinc.com/SKS-FAQ.html#_Toc138675126

 

[Limeyfellow]

The D serial number means it was made in 1967 which was before they started putting night sights on them.

 

[Stachie]

Either enjoy your Yugo in its original state, or totally trick it out. I tricked out mine! If you decide to alter this piece of history, make sure that you comply with 922r regulations; 10 or less! The last thing you want is a gun charge!

 

[Ad Astra]

I thought "same for same" meant you could put a regular synthetic stock (to replace the wood one), but not a folder or pistol-grip type...

 

[Limeyfellow]

A normal synthetic stock with no skeleton frame, no folding stock, no pistol grip etc is fine once you remove the naughty features.