Yugo M59 SKS from AIM

glocksman · Oct 20, 2004

I preordered a Yugo M59 SKS from AIM last week, and it came yesterday.

Here's my impressions so far.

First, I can't find the importer's mark anywhere.

Second, it appears to have been rebarreled at some point, as the finish on the barrel and receiver cover doesn't quite match the (turning plum) finish on the receiver.

Third, the stock and top cover do show some wear and dings. Just like the AIM ad said.

Fourth, there's some strange numbers stamped into various parts such as 0-00.004 on the bolt carrier and 6-00.001 stamped on the bolt itself. This is in addition to the serial number (C2xxxx) on each piece. The magazine has SL-4-00.000 on the base, but no serial. The receiver cover has no serial either, but has 0-00.005 dot matrix engraved on the rear. Could it be an arsenal rebuild like a lot of the Mosins floating around are?

Fifth, after cleaning off all of the cosmoline, the stock was loose at the front so I shimmed it with some paper :evil:

to tighten up the fit.

Sixth, there was a really light surface coat of something (rust?) on the barrel under the stock. It came off and oiled up nicely though.

Seventh, the bore is corrosion free. Not as sharp as I'd like, but I've seen a lot worse and still very serviceable.

Eighth, when I shot it, the piston tube release kept popping up. I guess I can bend it in so its a little tighter.

Ninth, the trigger pull is better than the pull on my M59/66.

To sum it up, the rifle was exactly as described in the ad and I'm satisfied with the purchase.

Pics.

Rifle:

Top Cover:

Bolt Carrier:

Cover Latch:

wild billz · Oct 20, 2004

import mark

the import mark is very small and should be under the cleaning rod. I beleive they were imported by Samco. Nice rifle. Samco adn Empire Arms has better condtion rifles if you are interested. Empire is advertising unissued for 225.

glocksman · Oct 20, 2004

That's where it was!
Thanks.

I wish I'd checked Samco's site before I ordered it from AIM as Samco's a little cheaper, but oh well. AIM has good service and has never given me a problem. I don't feel bad about buying from them.

Darkmind · Oct 20, 2004

I need to check back on this. I need to spend a little less of my money on high end stuff and start looking more into SKSs and others.

wild billz · Oct 20, 2004

SAMCO

From what I understand SAMCO has absoultely rotten custoerm service, adn it would ahve taken a couple of weeks for you to get the rifle, but the quality would have been top notch from what I read. I thoght abot getting one, but opted for a SKY M39 in correct stock instead

wild billz · Oct 20, 2004

SAMCO

From what I understand SAMCO has absoultely rotten custoerm service, adn it would ahve taken a couple of weeks for you to get the rifle, but the quality would have been top notch from what I read. I

DMK · Oct 20, 2004

I was wondering what kind of condition those M59s were in

I had my mouse hovering over the buy button the other day but I already have two M59s from CAI's Gunsmiths Specials last year. Yours looks a great deal nicer than mine though.

Here's my two M59s with an M59/66 at top. The bottom M59 had a really awful stock so it's in a fiberglass "jungle stock" in this picture.

DMK · Oct 20, 2004

Fourth, there's some strange numbers stamped into various parts such as 0-00.004 on the bolt carrier and 6-00.001 stamped on the bolt itself. This is in addition to the serial number (C2xxxx) on each piece. The magazine has SL-4-00.000 on the base, but no serial. The receiver cover has no serial either, but has 0-00.005 dot matrix engraved on the rear. Could it be an arsenal rebuild like a lot of the Mosins floating around are?

Mine have these numbers as well. They seem to be some kind of parts build numbers similar to what a U.S. Garand has. I don't know if it means arsenal rebuild or not, but I doubt it. By the time these would have been due for rebuild, they would have been converted to 59/66 models if they went back to the arsenals.

What kind of sling is that on yours? leather or green canvas?

glocksman · Oct 20, 2004

It's leather, and boy you should have seen it soak up the conditioner I applied .

R.H. Lee · Oct 20, 2004

DMK- How do you like that fiberglass jungle stock? Did it require any/much fitting?

DMK · Oct 21, 2004

RileyMc, I like it a lot. I got that stock from www.globaltrades.com for like $10. Since that pic was taken, I repainted the stock with OD green Alumahyde II and put it on one of my Romanians(which is my favorite shooter SKS). I don't remember it requiring any fitting so it it did, it was very minor.

.45&TKD · Oct 22, 2004

Does the M59 feel lighter and "handier" than the 59/66 with the grenade launcher and GL sight and the extra length?

R.H. Lee · Oct 22, 2004

Thanks for the reply, DMK. I think I'll get one of those jungle stocks.

Does the M59 feel lighter and "handier" than the 59/66 with the grenade launcher and GL sight and the extra length?

I have a 59/66 without the gl but with a big muzzlebrake welded on to make it California legal. Don't know if the mb is heavier than the gl.
I also have a Chinese SKS (thanks, Wildalaska

) that is lighter and handier than the 59/66. Overall, you're better off without anything hanging off the muzzle, but they're both good.

Bainx · Oct 22, 2004

Darkmind, you got it right. For the price of an 'upper-end' rifle, you can have 4 of these Yugo SKS rifles.

DMK · Oct 22, 2004

Does the M59 feel lighter and "handier" than the 59/66 with the grenade launcher and GL sight and the extra length?

Yes. All SKS models feel lighter and handier than the 59/66.

The M59 is pretty much the same exact rifle as a Romainian, Russian or Chinese(20") SKS except that it doesn't have a chrome lined barrel and most have seen a lot of bad maintainence. The 59/66 (which also doesn't have a chrome lined barrel BTW) has more "stuff" hanging on the barrel, the GL makes it considerably longer, the stock is beefier to absorb the shock of launching rifle grenades and it has a thick rubber butt pad. This all makes it feel heavy and long when compared to the "normal" SKS configuration.

However, you can still buy 59/66s in the like new condition for an incredibly reasonable price. By now, you'd have to be incredibly lucky to even come across an NIB Norinco or Russian and it will be pricy. I've also found the better condition 59/66 models to be exceptionally accurate.

The 59/66 is also very unique in design. Just because of that, I have three, plus three of the equally interesting Albanian which isn't nearly as well made or enjoyable to shoot as the 59/66.

Yugo M59 SKS from AIM

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