Chinese SKS C&R status question

[akv3g4n]

I have a lead on a Chinese SKS in great condition for an awesome price. The problem is, it's in a Tapco stock and doesn't include the original stock, bayonet or magazine.

I like my military rifles in their stock configuration. As a C&R license holder, if I get the original stock, bayonet and magazine and return it to it's original set-up, will it become a C&R firearm and need to be logged in my bound book? I've never seen the Chinese SKS rifles listed as C&R but some online retailers have begun to sell them as such.

If it does become a C&R, do I record it as being acquired on the day I buy it or once the conversion if finally complete? Thanks.

 

[Onmilo]

The C&R Type 56 SKS rifles are real early sino-soviet variations.
Chances are the tapco stocked gun is a later variation and won't meet C&R criteria even if you did put original stuff back on it.

 

[akv3g4n]

Thanks for the quick reply. Is there any marking that I should look for to verify if it's a type 56 or not? I imagine it's one that was produced for export but don't know how to verify that.

The original owner said it had a spike bayonet before he did the conversion.

 

[wally]

I don't believe PRC Chinese SKS were ever C&R, unless you are talking about the currently available ones from Taiwan. The bayonet can get you into 922(r) issues depending on the year of the importation.

Replacement Chinese SKS stocks are still pretty easy to find for ~$40-50 just have to match pinned vs. screwed in barrel receiver to the type of replacement stock you buy. The original mags weren't as easy to find as I'd expected, but I wasn't really looking to buy one.

 

[akv3g4n]

I'm going to the the whole conversion back to the original setup in one session so I shouldn't have any 922(r) issues.

 

[nathan]

The Chicom SKS s with the ones i ve owned have the best trigger break, light and smooth let off about 6-8 lbs. Maybe the Chinese just hate a heavy trigger pull . Of course it depends on which factory they were made as they had so many of them during Chairman Mao's time . Mine has the 316 inside a triangle. Many believe they made some improvements on the Russian SKS design based on how they like it to be . They changed the stock to a slimmer profile and bayonet to a spike configuration. The chromelined barrel is also an added feature.

 

[tahunua001]

assuming it's a type 56 and not a norinco, which a vast majority that I've seen are t56s that were bubbad, it seems counter intuitive but I believe that it must be added to your bound book on the day that you convert it.not that it will be easy, original chinese parts aren't in great demand so the supply is a little low as well. I tried for a long time to sell my chinese stock, I took it out last month and added it to a bonfire.

I personally feel that if you did not use your C&R to acquire it that it should not have to be placed in your bound book but that's bureaucracy for you

 

[primalmu]

Note that the whole 922(r) issues are only an issue if you are the one doing the modifications:

It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts . . .

Its not illegal to buy or own a rifle that is not 922(2) compliant (i.e. its not your responsibility that someone else broke the law). However, if you do convert it back to stock you'll need to abide by the guidelines in 922.

As for your C&R question, there seems to be some debate as to whether or not you have to log a rifle that wasn't actually purchased using your C&R license. I tend to think its a good idea to play it safe and to log it regardless. You may even want to log it before you convert it back to original condition, just as a CYA measure. I'd rather play it safe when it comes to documentation like that.

 

[akv3g4n]

Its not illegal to buy or own a rifle that is not 922(2) compliant (i.e. its not your responsibility that someone else broke the law). However, if you do convert it back to stock you'll need to abide by the guidelines in 922.

So, basically, there isn't any way to return an SKS that had been dropped in a Tapco stock to its original configuration with all correct foreign parts? I would think that as long as you used all correct parts and returned it to is original set-up, 922(r) would be a non issue. I would assume that I would only have issues if I left a US or other non original part on it.

I mean, it's the same as if I do the conversion but hang onto all the original parts and then put it back how it was, isn't it?

 

[primalmu]

You should probably check with someone over at the SKS Boards forum since they are likely to have a better grasp of the laws. However, the way I read the law is that if you take a non-stock SKS and put original parts in it, you are assembling using imported parts, meaning you cannot use more than 10 imported parts.

Apparently, according to 27 CFR 478.39(b)(3), if your SKS was imported before 1990 you don't have to worry about it.

 

[akv3g4n]

I think I'll just pass on the rifle. What a headache.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[wally]

If the price is right, they can be good shooters in the Tapco stock. With a US made stock, handguard, magazine, and minus the bayonet. you are 922(r) compliant. IMHO the Original owner was an idiot for not saving the original parts, its not like they take up a lot of space to store somewhere.


As was said, if you can somehow verify it was a pre-1990 import the headaches go away.

 

[slumlord44]

A second to logging it in your book if you restore it. If you have a gun logged in that is not a C&R, as long as you went through the correct paper work to by a non C&R gun, there should be no problem. Fail to log in a C&R that should have been logged in will cause a problem.