SKS receiver cover after market

I had one on a yugo SKS. For the ranges i used it for. It worked mint. Less then 100 yards. People say that they are not accurate because the cover is not latched tight. But for close range, it seemed to work fine. Now if you are talking 300 yards, it would be different.

I found a bridge mount that goes over the action cover and is held down by bolts that replace the takedown pins on the action cover and the rear sight. It seems to be very rigid.
I got it used from someone in Canada and I'm not sure who made it.

The problem with most of them is they are lose. So the red dot will not be solid and your zero will move around. When my son wanted to use his for deer hunting I found one that was overly tight and fitted it so you have to press the cover on. Makes cleaning a little difficult but the scope stays put.

None of the dust cover, gas tube type scope rails are accurate. To be accurate, a scope cannot move whatsoever.

If you want to run an optic, just install on the side rails. It’s 2 holes drilled & threaded. It doesn’t change anything...It doesn’t ruin anything. It doesn’t hurt resale value(as long as it’s done cleanly) Remember, it’s an SKS....there is no high dollar value attached to the the SKS for its historic value. You know? I am all for making a rifle more comfortable & enjoyable. However, there are parts that work & parts that simply are not reliable.

Something this, I think actually keeps the historical look of the rifle.(doesn’t add any BUBBA charm). But there are other styles which are just Picatinny rails, to which any red dot can be used.

I agree that drilling and tapping the receiver is the way to go. When done well it isn’t going to hurt resell value unless it was the rifle Stalin shot Hitler with in the bunker.

I’ve heard the receiver is hardened but have navel verified that myself.

BSW

The best compromise, for those who don't want to permanently alter their SKS is a mount that replaces the rear sight, for either a red dot or an IER scope. The most sturdy mount will be drilling and tapping the side of the receiver. The piece of Picatinny rail on a receiver cover is the worst option. Even the ones with the set screws shoot loose. I and several friends tried them when we bought our SKS's, and every one of them bounced around after a couple magfuls. I gave mine away, and the guy I gave it to gave it away.

briansmithwins said:

I agree that drilling and tapping the receiver is the way to go. When done well it isn’t going to hurt resell value unless it was the rifle Stalin shot Hitler with in the bunker.

I’ve heard the receiver is hardened but have navel verified that myself.

BSW

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Receivers are heat treated, yes. But they are quite easy for a good sharp drill bit to go through. Which are the ONLY type which should be used. It’s an easy little task. 2 holes drilled & tapped and a bit of inletting on the stock. Do this, or be happy with the iron sights.

If it were me, I'd drill and tap the reciever. I'd also grab a beater stock to inlet and secure some grub screws incase I want to revert to original configuration.

Drill an tap by far best way to go.

Back when I was fooling around with SKS carbines I had one of those aftermarket receiver cover mounts. My method for addressing loose fit was to through-drill the two holes on the back corners (from below) and tap them for a pair of allen set screws. I then tightened the screws down against the top of the receiver to remove any slop. Easy to DIY and no changes to any original components. Cover was tight but still removable without loosening the set screws.

Sorry, no pictures -- this was back in pre-digital days.

daniel craig said:

That could work too. I just don’t want to drill and tap my original receiver cover.

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daniel craig said:

That could work too. I just don’t want to drill and tap my original receiver cover.

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I've seen those on eBay. I can't remember the branding. It's not the way I ended up going but it's probably the stiffest option for a dust cover/saddle mount without d&t the receiver.

I ended up d&t my reciever for a modified saddle mount. Lowest scope mounting option i could come up with. The irons are just barely useable under the saddle.

95% of the reason i went with the modified saddle is i could bring it down lower than any of the other option.

Still needed a stock riser tho

Reason the PU style scopes work so well. They are positioned at the correct height. Can’t see the sights underneath.


This is my preference on rifles. I use a scope, OR open sights....I don’t try and jury the gun to use both simultaneously. I always gravitate towards a scope though. I only have sight in my one eye...and my vision is pretty heavily corrected at that. I can manage with Irons....but I like Glass, LOL.

When I purchased my used SKS it had a rail on top of its cover. I used a drill press to drill out the welds to remove it. The one I had was too tall to be useful without modifying the stock. Without a scope, it was too high to properly use the fixed sites. Used original covers were too expensive so I made due.

Nothing wrong with a forward mounted red dot, just gives you more fov. But It can make the gun front heavy, which is part go the reason I went with a side rail on my ak.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-tactical-sks-scope-mount-with-weaver-tri-rail-mtsks.html

Or this

https://www.opticsplanet.com/barska-af10930-sks-mount.html?_iv_code=BK-MT-MOUNTS-AF10930

or this one

^^^That's what I used - but I didn't pay retail... .

Ooooo Boy! Bring on da Bubba-fication! Using those options, don’t forget the Tapco Stock! Claaaaasssy!

And I’m sure they perform as good as they look!

OTOH, the Magwedge mount doesn't require permanent modification of the gun, which is the collector definition of Bubbafication. It does make it a PITA to clean, and there are worries about zero retention. The other one, didn't they used to come with a 30-round duckbill mag?

-The only mod required for the Magwedge mount is removal of the disassembly pin, which is replaced by a bolt and nut.
I like mine as mounted on a heavily accessorized and re-stocked SKS, but I wouldn't put it on any of my other (stock) SKSs.

Heavily accessorized? Is that code for BUBBA-Palooza?

David Hoback said:

Heavily accessorized? Is that code for BUBBA-Palooza?

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Thought bubba ment lopping up a gun with "historical" significance, and over accessorizing was tacticool/Mall Ninja etc?

Besides if someone likes their set up who cares?