How do I pick the right SKS?

[Gator Monroe]

My Smithsonian Condition Unissued T series (1983) From consequtive serial # cratefull , Yugo SKS with Blonde Stock is as new and now has Chinese sling (Lether connecting end straps protect metal better than Russian or Yugoslavian sling) And since GL (Grenade Launcher) was Cutoff so it could be shipped into PRK ( pEOPLES rEPUBLIC OF California) I put a Rockloc M6 Muzzlebrake (Same as Colt Commando or XM177E2) and the gun looks like a New Communist bloc version of an M14 !

 

[<SLV>]

I went back into Jensen Arms today with enough $$$ to pick out one more Yugo SKS. This time I took a serial number table for reference because the serial numbers were on the outside of the box. I figured I'd just look over the box numbers to find the rarer versions. I was hoping for one of the following:

1. An early B or C series (w/5 serial numbers)
2. A very late "minty" blonde stock gun (later A, B, C series w/6 serial numbers)
3. Any rifle S series or later (about 650000+ serial number)

Well... nothing. In fact, the "D" that I picked up a couple days ago was pure luck of the draw. It is a 53XXX serial number which is pretty early (they started at 15XXX and went close to 1,000,000). The latest guns they had were N series, and neither had matching numbers. Finally I just said grab any one and as long as the numbers match I'll take it. It isn't as nice as the I series I got before (got lucky on that one - REALLY nice compared to the others I've seen), but it is just as good as the D series I picked up.

So beginners luck played out for me last time - one "like new" rifle and one older collectible version. I'm just glad I have been able to pick up three of these fine pieces before they are gone. I don't know about weeks, but I'd give it a few months (end of summer?) and it will be real hard to get one under $250 anywhere.

 

[<SLV>]

I cleaned the second SKS this morning. I tried boiling the trigger group, but I still had to clean it with mineral spirits afterwards, and even then it wasn't perfectly clean. The boiling must have removed some of the comsoline because it was floating on the water.

Does anyone know what kind of finish is on the wood? I have refinished hunting guns with B/C "Tru-Oil" and it leaves a wonderful finish. I have a feeling it wouldn't look right on an SKS. The original finish is about 50% gone, so how would you recommend I seal the stock? Furniture polish? Linseed oil?

 

[Lonestar.45]

For the trigger group, you did good boiling, but hit it with a can of cheap brake cleaner from the auto parts store. It degreases/cleans much better than mineral spirits IMHO. I always keep a can of brake cleaner around when cleaning up these SKS's.

For the finish, you'll get a lot of different opinions. Here's a link that might help:

http://www.jouster.com/Bulletin/refinishing.htm

Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and look at the instructions for the "magic" formula of 1/3d linseed oil, 1/3d turpentine, and 1/3d melted beeswax. That's what I did, and it turned out great. Leaves it with a nice hand rubbed looking finish, not too shiny. I will say this though, you have to be sure and get all that cosmo out of the wood first! There's lots of ways to do that too, but my favorite way is low heat over a long period of time (i.e., the "oven" method). Get that cosmo out before doing any finishing.

Here's another link to some interesting info on finishes:

http://www.jouster.com/Bulletin/TUNG.htm

And the granddaddy of refinishing links I go to often:

http://p102.ezboard.com/CR-stock-/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm34

You have to understand though, some folks there take a dim view of complete refinishing or any type of bubba'ing a C&R rifle. If you can deal with the purist attitude, you will learn a LOT about refinishing, and cleaning these old milsurps. Good luck.

 

[KINGMAX]

I have a YUGO w/ the grenade launcher and a long thin bayonet. I tried to up-grade to a high cap mag, w/ no success. Stick w/ the 10 round box magazine that comes on it. I have only one SKS, that's enough.

 

[KINGMAX]

For any gun stock use this stuff here: Natchez Solution, it is special made for antique woods. Try it, you might like it. Look it up on the WWW. thing.

 

[<SLV>]

Alright... I cleaned out number 3 today. It is a "L" series, and it is in worse condition than the other two (pickings were getting slim at Jensen's). After rubbing down the stock with fine steel wool and mineral spirits I decided to bake it in the oven. About 5 minutes at 220 degrees had the thing bubbling out all sorts of stuff! I was shocked. The stock looked bare when I put it in there, but lots came out of it. I think it was actually the original finish coming to the surface, because when I wiped it down it looked good. I decided to leave it that way, and it looks like an original finish. It is a very simple way to "refinish" a stock!

Now the bad news... I didn't put anything under the stock and it dripped goop in the wife's oven. Uh-oh. I like the smell of cosmoline, but she doesn't really appreciate it. Now we're talking about a "Cosmo Oven" for the garage.

 

[Lonestar.45]

Oh man, the oven method does work, but I forgot to tell you to do it when the wifey wasn't home!

Seriously.....to do it right, build a "boat" of aluminum foil underneath the stock. Put the oven on 160 degrees (any hotter and you just may scorch the stock!). Crack the oven open a few inches. Leave the stock in 20 minutes. Take it out. Wipe down with a mineral spirits soaked rag. Put it back in. Repeat until it stops oozing. It took mine about 2 hours each, with this method, but it works. The key is the tinfoil boat, cracking the oven, and not getting it too hot. This is the best way I've found.

It will dry out the stock, and you really ought to rub in some tung oil or something similar to bring back some waterproofing and finish qualities. Sounds like you have the cosmo in your blood. Excellent, another convert! Good luck with your Yugos.