SKS-M in ATI Dragunov Stock

[Drakejake]

This rifle was imported in 1994, according to the serial number. I removed it from the cheap blonde wood monte carlo stock and put it into a cheap plastic ATI Fiberforce stock. Of course, it was built at the factory to accept standard AK mags. These mags can be difficult to get to lock in, but Chinese 30s generally go in easily.

Drakejake

 

[MagnumCaliber357]

I thought it was the "D" models that accepted standard AK mags?

Nice rifle BTW

 

[Drakejake]

Both D and M accept AK mags. The D is an earlier model, usually has the longer barrel and the bayonet. Used the original stock and so there was a metal plate added. The M usually has a 16 inch barrel (hence a paratrooper model), no bayonet, and the stock is suited to the modified design. I find my example of the SKS-M lacking in the quality stock and machining of the Yugo, but both will get the job done. My SKS-M is an inferior example of Chinese industry compared to my MAK-90, which is an excellent piece of work. The great value of the D and M is that they can use cheap hi-cap mags and it is legal to do so. The detachable duck-bill mags seen so often with standard SKS models may work but they are illegal unless the rifle has been Americanized. But whether there is any point in having an SKS using AK mags versus a run of the mill AK is a matter of opinion.

Drakejake

 

[dfaugh]

I have the same gun/stock setup

although I bought it that way, with the addition of a scope/mount. As far as workmanship, mine at least, is of a pretty good standard, easily as good as my unissued Yugo. It's also much more accurate (although certainly not a benchrest gun!) than any AK I've shot/seen, at least with decent ammo...Some of that may come with the fact that it is much heavier than an AK. Mine works well with all different kinds of magazines, from various counties, 30 and 40 rounders, but there is a distinct technique to getting them to snap in there properly, took me a little practice, to do it quickly. It may help that mine is "well worn" as I've put about 5000 rounds through it, and who knows how many it fired before I got it. I have had exactly one malfunction (stovepipe) in all that time.

Hang on to it, as they are hard to find, and since I bought mine a few years ago, prices have gone up (but we're not talking thousands of dollars, just a couple hundred)...I would buy another, in a heartbeat, but I haven't seen another locally, or at a gunshow since I bought mine 4 or 5 years ago. I prefer the shorter M (paratrooper length), over the D, makes for a pretty handy package. Always wanted to put a folding stock on it, then it would be real compact (although maybe not as practical) but, of course, legally that's a big no-no.