I am having a hard time with my NORINCO SKS SPORTER, it is modified to take AK-47 MAGS. The mags (30 rd.) have to go in at a strange angle in order to load into the weapon properly. The mag catch grabs the mag even if it is not loaded in properly.....any suggestions?
SKS SPORTER modified to take AK MAGS
- Thread starter hardcor24
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Sam Cade
Member
Is it actually modified to use AK mags or are you using "duckbill" magazines?
Sam Cade
Member
Was this guy reputable?
I am willing to bet money that your rifle has simply had the fixed 10 round magazine removed and then dropped back into the stock.
I am willing to bet money that your rifle has simply had the fixed 10 round magazine removed and then dropped back into the stock.
iamkris
Member
There is a version of the SKS that is modified to take AK mags...the SKS-D. It is a variant of the SKS Paratrooper (short barrel). This version provides for the use of AK-47 detachable magazines. As I remember it is banned from future import (Norinco?), however the ones currently in the country are grand-fathered and legal to own.
railroader
Member
http://www.sksboards.com Ask here. Mark
rbernie
Contributing Member
It might also be an SKS with the DC Engineering adapter....
There is also the SKS-M, sometimes called the SKS Sporters or even the "Cowboy Companion" that is built to take AK mags.
It has a short barrel, and one of a couple of really ugly wood stocks on it...a weird thumbhole monstrosity or or cheesy monte carlo affair.
I own one.
It takes the AK mags, you just have to make sure you have exactly the correct angle when you put them in.
hillbilly
It has a short barrel, and one of a couple of really ugly wood stocks on it...a weird thumbhole monstrosity or or cheesy monte carlo affair.
I own one.
It takes the AK mags, you just have to make sure you have exactly the correct angle when you put them in.
hillbilly
DMK
Member
Guys, the "SKS Sporter" this gentleman has is an authentic Norinco factory AK mag conversion (also called the SKS-M). There is also an SKS-D which is more desirable as it is pre-ban (pre-9.22r, not pre-AWB). See here for more details.
HillBilly, I believe the Cowboy Companion has a standard fixed mag, but other than that, you are spot on.
Concerning, getting those mags in. Yes, they are a pain to get aligned right. Don't hold them at too sharp an angle. Hold them *almost* straight up and down. You have to get the notch at the front to catch on the receiver, then rock them back just a little to lock. If you hold them at too much of an angle, they will want to catch at the ridge on the mag just below the notch. Do it slowly with the rifle upside down and an empty mag so you can see. Then practice a bit, you'll get the hang of it.
Unfortunately, the Chinese didn't do the best job in the world building these. It's an extremely crude conversion (hard to believe it's actually more crude than an AK). Certainly an interesting collectable, but difficult to get to work. Just the nature of the beast. On the plus side, it's probably more accurate than your average SAR1 or WASR.
They can also be picky about what mags work with it. I can get Hungarian 20s, Romanian 30s and Plastic Waffle mags to work in mine no problem, but I've seen some guys say they can't get any european mags to work at all and can only get Chinese mags to work. It probably varies from rifle to rifle.
adrianleewelch
Member
I have a similar problem with mine, it is tricky to load, I have to pull back on the handle, reach my hand into the mag well from the bottom and push up on the slide lock thingy to hold the bolt back, then the mag will go in no problem if I line it up correctly. It is a PITA, but I guess it is ok for the range when I wouldnt have to use it for defense. It is a wonderful shooter though, and is about as accurate with open sights as anything I have ever fired, I know there are alot more accurate rifles out there but I am able to shoot a clay at 100 yards with mine so that is exciting for me !!
JA
Member
The first SKS rifle modified to use AK mags were made by Midwest Ordance in the mid 1990's. The early ones are easy to spot as they have the SKS mag catch as later ones had AK type mag catches. They also cut the barrels down to 16" on some of the rifle they modified to use AK mags.
Midwest brought in reps from China Jing An to see how the process was done to convert SKS rifles to "Paratrooper" rifles by shortening the barrel to 16" and also the AK mag conversion. In 1988 the first Chinese made SKS rifles to use AK mags was imported. It was not marked as to the model but the owners manual referred to it as the "Sporter". They have 20" barrels with bayonets.
After the 1989 ban the SKS commonly referred to as the SKS-D was imported in 1990. The first ones imported looked just like the Sporter except they didn't have a bayonet lug just a square lump of metal where the lug should be. None of the SKS-D rifles were marked but had a sticker with a bar code was on the end of the box. Above the bar code was printed "Semi automatic rifle detachable magazine,SKS-D". The later imported SKS-D rifles had a thumbhole stock. Rifles with 16" or 20" barrels were imported.
The SKS-M was imported in 1993 which some were marked MC5D or SKS-M on the receiver.
All had 16" barrels and stocks that while look like a standard SKS type stock have a Monte Carlo cheek piece.
So there were 3 models imported from China with the Sporter being preban, the SKS-D and SKS-M being post ban.
Midwest brought in reps from China Jing An to see how the process was done to convert SKS rifles to "Paratrooper" rifles by shortening the barrel to 16" and also the AK mag conversion. In 1988 the first Chinese made SKS rifles to use AK mags was imported. It was not marked as to the model but the owners manual referred to it as the "Sporter". They have 20" barrels with bayonets.
After the 1989 ban the SKS commonly referred to as the SKS-D was imported in 1990. The first ones imported looked just like the Sporter except they didn't have a bayonet lug just a square lump of metal where the lug should be. None of the SKS-D rifles were marked but had a sticker with a bar code was on the end of the box. Above the bar code was printed "Semi automatic rifle detachable magazine,SKS-D". The later imported SKS-D rifles had a thumbhole stock. Rifles with 16" or 20" barrels were imported.
The SKS-M was imported in 1993 which some were marked MC5D or SKS-M on the receiver.
All had 16" barrels and stocks that while look like a standard SKS type stock have a Monte Carlo cheek piece.
So there were 3 models imported from China with the Sporter being preban, the SKS-D and SKS-M being post ban.
Otherguy Overby
member
D model
I've a D model bought new in probably 1989. It came with the bayonet and three AK magazines. I recall it came through an Ontario CA importer but I'm presently somewhere the rifle can't be so it stays at the other house in a more EBR friendly state.
It's accurate to well within minute of MZB and works with complete reliability using whatever is around to feed it when using the magazines it came with. It is a keeper.
I just wish someone would make a good trigger for SKSs.
I've a D model bought new in probably 1989. It came with the bayonet and three AK magazines. I recall it came through an Ontario CA importer but I'm presently somewhere the rifle can't be so it stays at the other house in a more EBR friendly state.
It's accurate to well within minute of MZB and works with complete reliability using whatever is around to feed it when using the magazines it came with. It is a keeper.
I just wish someone would make a good trigger for SKSs.
I resemble that remark! I have an SKS-M and the fit and finish is actually pretty good...And yes it is more accurate than most any AK variant (albeit quitea bit heavier).
Mine is not the least bit picky about which mags it uses, and I've probably got one of most different kinds...As far as attaching the mags, there's definitely a "technique" involved....I hook the front part in place, rock the rear part back, then give it a resounding smack to seat it! Sound worse than it is, and with practice it becomes a fairly smooth operation.
DMK
Member
That's a great post JA! Nice pictures, especially the one of the NIB SKS with all the goodies in the box.
However, my postban SKS-M (thumbhole stock, nub where the bayo should be, and all) is marked "SKS Sporter 7.62x39 Made in China by Norinco 93 #######" (the #s being the serial number) on the side of the receiver. So "Sporters" are not exclusively pre-ban nor did all later models have monte carlo stocks.
dfaugh, I didn't mean any slight by that comment. I have a couple Norinco SKS and I love them all. One is probably my best shooter and my favorite SKS of my collection. You sound like you got a good one too. However, these were commercial rifles built to make money in the sporting market. Their QC was very spotty and their manufacturing methods were aimed at getting them assembled quickly and out the door cheaply. As a group, Norincos aren't nearly as consistant in quality as the military models. When you get a good one they are great shooters and very reliable, but some just weren't made to the highest standards. It's just a good example of caveat emptor.
JA
Member
There are really no rules carved in stone when it comes to Chinese rifles. As there is always someone that has a rifle that is different when you say "all XXX type rifles are like this". I found this out when I first started my web pages in 1998. I had to make many revisions over the years because of some one sending me a pic of a odd ball rifle.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jfreeman246/index.htm
But every SKS-M I have ever seen had a Monte Carlo stock and came in a box stenciled in yellow-green paint. The steciled letters were the same as this box of a pre ban Sporter except it had SKS-M instead of just SKS.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jfreeman246/index.htm
But every SKS-M I have ever seen had a Monte Carlo stock and came in a box stenciled in yellow-green paint. The steciled letters were the same as this box of a pre ban Sporter except it had SKS-M instead of just SKS.
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