optics for a SKS?

Anything which attaches to the top cover, gas tube, or other floating parts by definition will not hold zero over time. The only truly solid mount requires drilling and tapping the side the receiver and removing some stock material to install a PU mount.

I don't think so. That gun wasn't meant to have optics when it was designed- just like everything else from that era. The upper receiver cover isn't solid, and unless its a very compact scope, the aggressive ejection will probably result in cases hitting the scope. The gas tube? It will still have slop in it, and besides- there is a tappet in there raising 7 kinds of hell slamming back and forth every time you fire.

I'm with FL-NC on this one. Even though I own a couple the SKS would get my vote as one of the most Un-scopable firearms of all time. The whole design seems to work against any attempt at optics mounting. The only changes I've ever made to an SKS concerning sights was replacing the front sight post on my "beater" SKS with a fiber optic front sight post that replaces the original with no modifications. Makes it easier on older eyes and when you consider that while they are solid, reliable guns that last a long time any SKS is not considered a "tack driver" even from a solid rest. I'm happy with "minute of paper plate" (MOPP) 100 yd. accuracy and even that could not be improved very much with optics, even if it did feature a good solid mounting method. Color me skeptical but I have yet to see a reliable method of putting optics on an SKS. If there is some way to do it I'd be willing to take a look at it with an open mind.

I tried everything except the PU mount route didn't want to cut up my gun ,all to no avail. Ironsights only for me on the SKS.

I heard aperture sights work well with sks
http://www.tech-sights.com/sks-products/

There are only two ways to properly do this.

The first is with a proper gas tube mount or the like. Unfortunately the closest there is is... https://www.ncstar.com/optics-acc/mounts/sks-mounts/msksv2-mntskswvrgas-tubegen2 Would love to see Amega or the like come out with one.

The second get a AK style rail amounted onto the side of the receiver. This will require removing a bit of the stock to do and it will be a bit finicky getting a scope that works and still allows clips to be used as a lot will mounts will put the scope to far over the barrel, meaning it will be in the way when trying to slot a clip.

EDIT: I am amazed that after all the time, none of the respected scout mount manufactures have come out with one for the SKS yet.

VVelox said:

The first is with a proper gas tube mount or the like. Unfortunately the closest there is is... https://www.ncstar.com/optics-acc/mounts/sks-mounts/msksv2-mntskswvrgas-tubegen2 Would love to see Amega or the like come out with one.
...
EDIT: I am amazed that after all the time, none of the respected scout mount manufactures have come out with one for the SKS yet.

Click to expand...

The gas tube mounts seem like a good idea but much like the cover mounts they do not hold zero over time, regardless how tightly the set screws are clamped down. There is just too much play as these parts weren't designed to be rigidly fixed in place.

The aftermarket fell apart due to the chinese bans and 922r compliance issues. Technically the gas tube counts as an original part so changing it gets into component counting. Unfortunately we are not likely to see changes any time soon.

I am pleased with the SKS scout mounts made by Scout Scopes Mounts.com out of cedar park, TX. The mounts are not cheap at $78.95 but they are well made and will hold zero. Primary Arms.com has them in stock.

Tech sights work very well

Brin said:

I am pleased with the SKS scout mounts made by Scout Scopes Mounts.com out of cedar park, TX. The mounts are not cheap at $78.95 but they are well made and will hold zero. Primary Arms.com has them in stock.

Click to expand...

https://scoutscopes.com/products/sks-mount-with-35-inch-rail

What he said.
These mount in place of where the rear sight is so it's part of the receiver.
I've had this for 10+ years and it doesn't budge, thank goodness, as I can't remember what I did with the rear sight.