SKS newbie with technical/historical question

[fistful]

This evening I acquired (not bought, acquired) a ChiComm SKS with Advanced Technology synthetic stock. This is my first SKS, and first 7.62 Commie gun. I'm looking for tips, techniques, etc.

Where can I go online for pointers on dissasembly and maintenance?

Any good aperture sights for this weapon?

What are the strengths, weaknesses of the Norinco?

What kind of ammo is best, cheapest?

The gun has one of them cool, lockback bayonets. Should I toss it?

Is there a cool nickname for the SKS that I should be down with?


BTW, the A T stock is comfortable and nicely done, but I suppose it is heavier than the original wood.


Does anyone know if the Soviets ever made a full-auto, detachable magazine version of the SKS? Seems to me that when the when they were ready to go that route, they would have modified the SKS accordingly. If not, why? If they did, why was the Kalashnikov chosen instead?

 

[BamBam-31]

Check here:

www.simonov.net

Lots of SKS info there. HTH.

 

[White Horseradish]

Where can I go online for pointers on dissasembly and maintenance?

www.simonov.net

What are the strengths, weaknesses of the Norinco?

Mine are yugos, so no personal experience with Norinco. I know they have chrome lined barrels which are supposed to last longer.

What kind of ammo is best, cheapest?

Wolf. Cheap and works fine in any comblock firearm. Not all ranges allow it, though, because of steel jacketed bullets.

The gun has one of them cool, lockback bayonets. Should I toss it?

If it's cool, keep it. I'm keeping mine. Never know when it might come in handy.

Does anyone know if the Soviets ever made a full-auto, detachable magazine version of the SKS? Seems to me that when the when they were ready to go that route, they would have modified the SKS accordingly. If not, why? If they did, why was the Kalashnikov chosen instead?

The SKS was never made in full-auto. It cannot dissipate the heat from that high a rate of fire fast enough. There are detachable mag versions called SKS-D, they take AK mags. The Kalashnikov was chosen because it is cheaper to make and lighter/easier to carry.

 

[rbernie]

What kind of ammo is best, cheapest?

Wolf is the cheapest, but Barnaul is the most accurate in my Norinco SKS's and doesn't cost a lot more.

For a good SKS reference, you can also try http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/index.asp .

 

[max popenker]

Some history + downloadable manual for SKS

the most "cool" name would be "Simonov"

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Watch out, they are addictive since they are cheap/well made/reliable/and fun. I picked up a Romanian SKS back when I first started shooting and figured I wouldn't need another, why should I spend for another when I had one? Well, I wanted an Albanian, and didn't have my C&R so I waited, then they disappeared from the shelves and show up for high prices now. So when AIM had a blowout on Yugo SKSs, I picked one up to add to the collection.

As the others had said, siminov.net has just about all the information you need. Wolf is the only thing I have fired through my SKS, and has worked fine.

 

[MrMurphy]

The AK was under development when the SKS came out. The SKS was the first issue weapon in 7.62X39mm, it was a "just in case" if the AK didn't work out. The AK did so the SKS went into a reserve role or ceremonial rifle role after less than ten years in service. Good rifle, but the AK kind of stepped on it.