SKS Question (Not one that's been asked 100 times)

[HB]

I'm try to "sporterize" my Yugo SKS, which will call for me to remove the grenade launcher sight. I tried to tap out the pin that it hinges on but it won't budge, even with heat added. What is the best way to get it out?
I'm going to keep the original look but just move the unnecessary parts.

Thanks,
HB

 

[res45]

Clamp the barrel in the vice protected of course,take the pin out get it nice and hot around the rear threads and use a pipe wrench with a piece of leather wrapped around the jaws to twist it off. Rotate counterclockwise, assuming the barrel pointing toward you after about 1/2 turn you should be able to turn it by hand make sure it is cooled off before you do.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/grlaunchremove/index.asp

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Do consider that by removing the grenade launcher, the rifle loses Curio and Relic status and you must add enough U.S. made parts to comply with 18 U.S.C. 922(r).

 

[strat81]

I'd ask in the gunsmithing forum.

I'd try drilling it out, but I'm not a gunsmith.

 

[DMK]

I tried to tap out the pin that it hinges on but it won't budge, even with heat added. What is the best way to get it out?

heat and penetrating oil.

Use good penetrating oil, not WD40. Go to your local auto parts store and buy some PB Blaster or Kroil. Heat the muzzle device and apply it to the pin and where the GL threads on the barrel. Orient the rifle so gravity can pull it in and let it soak a while.

Use a good quality punch of the proper size. Secure the barrel in a vice so it can't move or flex where you are striking it. Strike it hard.

Failing that, you may need to press it out with a small bearing press.

These pins are very tight.

After you get the pin out, follow res45's advice to remove the muzzle device.

 

[Odnar]

Run it over with a Jeep.

 

[railroader]

It sounds like you just want to remove the ladder of the sight. Ask here: http://www.sksboards.com/ Mark

 

[res45]

Sorry I misread your post if you just want to remove the ladder sight all you have to do is remove the pin that holds it on you can drill out on side of the pin then punch it through, so you don't have to cut it all up to get it off.

 

[CBS220]

Run it over with a Jeep.

We have a winner!

 

[detcord]

the pin is flared on both sides...grind down one side a little and u can push it out.

 

[dispatch55126]

There's no good way of removing the sight without cutting it off.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/grenadesightremoval/hs.asp

 

[Cmdr. Gravez0r]

lots of threads on this at

www.sksboards.com

 

[rde]

Would probably cause significant (and expensive) damage to the Jeep.

 

[Technosavant]

Do consider that by removing the grenade launcher, the rifle loses Curio and Relic status and you must add enough U.S. made parts to comply with 18 U.S.C. 922(r).

Only if you plan to make it non-sporting. If you stick with a traditional sporter stock (like a Monte Carlo) and the stock fixed mag, no worries, so long as the bayonet and night sights go too. Go to a detachable mag or keep the bayonet or add a pistol grip stock, time to add compliance parts.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Only if you plan to make it non-sporting. If you stick with a traditional sporter stock (like a Monte Carlo) and the stock fixed mag, no worries, so long as the bayonet and night sights go too. Go to a detachable mag or keep the bayonet or add a pistol grip stock, time to add compliance parts.

This is incorrect.

You can not legally modify a Yugo SKS without installing appropriate US made compliance parts.

The rifle was imported under "Curio and Relic" status under 18 USC 925(e)(1) as determined by the Attorney General. In order to maintain C&R status, it must be in "original military configuration" (see "Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide," page 130 (ATF, 2005)). Altering the rifle makes it no longer in "original military configuration" and thereby is manufacturing an imported military surplus firearm which is prohibited in 18 USC 925(d)(3). Note the definition of "firearm" in this case means semi-auto as referred to in 18 USC 922(r).

There is a lower threshold on Chinese--you can't add "evil" features without adding compliance parts, but there is no requirement that it be maintained in "original military configuration" because Chinese SKSes were never imported as Curio and Relics.

 

[Funderb]

here we go again!
Ah.

Just leave it how it is. They shoot great as is, if you want, throw a scope on the receiver cover.

 

[dispatch55126]

I read all these thread about compliance but according to several BATF agents who use my local range, 922r only applies to the seller. Once in your possession, it really doesn't matter.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

18 USC 922(r) says:

"It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation under section 925 (d)(3)..."

It's clear that they mean person, not specifically importer, manufacturer, or seller. Every jurist that has studied this and judge that has ruled on cases concerning this law have come to the same conclusion. Unless your BATFE agents can provide a statement from the U.S. Attorney General clarifying that it only applies to a seller, I would not trust their unofficial, nonbinding opinion.

 

[Jackal]

"It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble

One could argue that your not assembling anything, rather your disassembling it by removing a part.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Yes, in the case of the Yugo, you are removing the part. However, in order to comply with 18 USC 925(d)(3), Curio and Relics must remain in "original military configuration" (According to the ATF Ruling 85-10 found in "Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide (ATF, 2005)," page 130):

In classifying firearms as curios or relics under this regulation, ATF has recognized only assembled firearms as curio or relics. Moreover, ATF’s classification of surplus military firearms curios or relics has extended only to those firearms in their original military configuration. Frames or receivers or curios or relics and surplus military firearms not in their original military configuration were not generally recognized as curios or relics by ATF since they were not of special interest or value as collector’s items.

Removing the part makes the weapon no longer in "original military configuration," thereby losing C&R status, and therefore making the weapon "prohibited from importation under 18 USC 925(d)(3)," which is a violation of 18 USC 922(r).

The issues concerning the Yugo SKS are different than the Chinese SKS and most imported AKs. Chinese SKS and most imported AKs don't have to remain in "original military configuration" because they were never imported under special approval of the Attorney General (C&R status) under 18 USC 925(e)(1).

Yugo SKSes were legally imported fully assembled with 100% imported parts because they received approval for C&R status by the Attorney General. Anything else that is military surplus semi-automatic that has not been approved for C&R status by the Attorney General must be imported as parts and then assembled with the appropriate number of USA made compliance parts to satisfy 27 CFR 178.39(c), thereby exempting it from 18 USC 922(r) by making them-in effect-USA made rifles. This is how "Century Monkey Special" AKs are born.

If you modify a Yugo SKS from "original military configuration" it becomes non-compliant with 925(d)(3) and, by extension 922(r) unless you replace the appropriate number of compliance parts required by 27 CFR 178.39(c).

 

[Jackal]

I have to ask the question, who cares? I have never once seen or heard of anyone in my state getting busted for hacking off thier grenade launcher/bayo lug/anything. Its not like the FBI is going to kick down your door for removing night sights. I think people are way too paranoid about this subject. Heck, almost every SKS I see at shows then are illegal. I guess I'm just not the kind of guy that worries over trivial matters.

 

[Technosavant]

Mojo, you're forgetting one important part of section 922r.

You are correct that the Yugo SKS is importable only because of C&R status.
You are correct that any alterations void that status.
You are correct that compliance parts must then be installed, but ONLY because those who tweak their Yugos generally go for detachable mags, which is a non-sporting feature.

922r applies only to non-sporting rifles. The non-sporting features on the Yugo 59/66 are the grenade launcher, bayonet, night sights, and bayonet. Amputate those, and it is a sporting rifle. Go with a detachable magazine, and you are nonsporting.

The reason semiauto surplus rifles require compliance parts is because they are universally nonsporting. However, due to the fixed magazine and lack of a pistol grip, the SKS is a stone's throw from being sporting. Lose the evil features, and it is legally no different from a Chinese Norinco SKS sporter.

At least, that is my interpretation. I am not aware of any ATF rules that stipulate that once a gun is considered non-sporting, it can never be made sporting. If so, that would indeed make your position wholly correct, but I am not aware of such a ruling.

I have to ask the question, who cares? I have never once seen or heard of anyone in my state getting busted for hacking off thier grenade launcher/bayo lug/anything. Its not like the FBI is going to kick down your door for removing night sights. I think people are way too paranoid about this subject. Heck, almost every SKS I see at shows then are illegal. I guess I'm just not the kind of guy that worries over trivial matters.

I might suggest that saying "who cares" about following the law is not a wise thing to do online where there are records of everything said and by whom. The ATF is not in the habit of getting medieval over 922r violations. It is generally thought that such violations will be used as "tack on" charges if they ever bust you for something else. That said, it is foolish to disregard the law.

Most SKSs you see at gun shows are either legal due to C&R status, sporting status, or compliance parts. The Yugo SKS has a pretty convoluted status due to its C&R status and a hodgepodge of confusing federal rules.

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

The Yugo SKS is inherently non-sporting due to being "military surplus" and thereby prohibited for importation in 18 USC 925(d)(3), unless special consideration is made by the Attorney General (C&R status, which it is). In order to maintain C&R status, it must be kept in "original military configuration."

"Sporting purposes" status of the Yugo SKS has already been determined by the ATF and Attorney General: it's "military surplus," not a sporting firearm.

Just cutting off the "evil" features won't cut the mustard. You have to replace the compliance parts to modify it away from "original military configuration" anyway.

Lose the evil features, and it is legally no different from a Chinese Norinco SKS sporter.

This is not the case. The Norinco SKS Sporters were never imported under the "Curio And Relics" determination by the AG [18 USC 925(e)(1)]. Norinco SKS Sporters were imported as "sporting firearms" not "military surplus." Since they are not C&R, there is no requirement that Norincos must be kept in "original military configuration."

 

[jerkface11]

Obviously the law means the militia when it says person.

 

[buck00]

You can not legally modify a Yugo SKS without installing appropriate US made compliance parts.

Because we all know each month the ATF does thousands of raids on civilians who modify their Yugo SKS rifles (removing bayonets, etc). They usually come in with helictopers, tear gas, lasers, and no-knock warrants. Kind of like the scene in "Shooter" when they attack the cabin.