SKS -- worth it?
- Thread starter ACP
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They are what they are! Why try to make it something they aren't??
I have 3 of them and the are cool. Detail strip them (especially the bolt) drift out the pin holding the FP and clean it from all the cosmo and crud.
They are a fun to shoot old military rifle.
Shoot it!!
They made thousands of them.
Floating FP? Gee what other popular rifle has that??
I have 3 of them and the are cool. Detail strip them (especially the bolt) drift out the pin holding the FP and clean it from all the cosmo and crud.
They are a fun to shoot old military rifle.
Shoot it!!
They made thousands of them.
Floating FP? Gee what other popular rifle has that??
Jackal
Member
*Millions
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
It's not simply that the firing pin is floating, but that the shape of the SKS pin and channel is such that it can wedge in the forward position if the rifle gets enough sticky crud or rust in the channel, causing the rifle to slamfire. I have never seen it happen, but it is reason enough to keep the firing pin channel clean and lubed with something that will not gum up (I'd personally use a good synthetic oil, and not something that will dry out over time). Retrofit kits to swap the firing pin for a new-manufactured one with a return spring are inexpensive and IMO a good idea.
The price of the SKS has gone up a lot in the last few years due to the panics. Even with the price increase, they are interesting. How many AR-15s have been converted to piston action? Hmmm, might be something to the design of an SKS after all (OK AR fans, flame on! Pitiful attempt at humor, I know!).
Yes, the stock may be shorter as stated in a previous post. I'm 6'2" and it's a nice length when you have on heavy winter clothing. The design is different, and had different parameters. The mag is not detachable, but it is quick to load with stripper clips - 10 at a time. Accept it for what it is and don't try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear (but it can be a nice ear!).
I have a few and the better ones almost shoot as well as my FAL and not far from my M14. SKS trigger pull weight and pull length can be tuned, and pretty easy to DIY. The bad part of the SKS is hard to scope unless you want to drill and tap receiver to install a scope mount. Other than that, I consider it as poor man's M1 Garand, cheaper to own and cheaper to shoot. However, with $400+ARs not hard to find now, ARs would be better buy.
MilsurpShooter
Member
Only thing i hate about my SKS? Stupid pin on the bolt you have to knock out to clean the firing pin channel. Don't know if it's just mine but it usually takes a good few minutes of pounding with a brass drift punch to get it out, then the same to send it back in once it's clean.
Just know one of these days it's gonna snap, need to buy a few replacements to have on. But, even though it's a PITA to do after doing it, I'm glad I did.
That's what my bolt looked like when I got the rifle. I'd heard the stories about the firing pin and the like but for the life of me I couldn't get the bolt apart due to that pin (New gun, never worked on before, was a little timid about hitting it as hard as I should have been) I figured I'd just soak it in boiling water and be done with it.
Well, still kinda sticky, wasn't rattling freely even after the boiling so I finally did it right. But once I got it apart and saw the design? Yeah definitely something required and the one thing on the entirety of the rifle that shouldn't be skipped. Far as the trigger goes, mines not bad, I've fired worse from K98's and Mosins. It's a fun little rifle TBH.
Wasn't originally going to buy it, I always figured if I got an SKS I'd get a Russian variant but the price was good and a friend owed me money and had a lot of 7.62x39 he was willing to let go of lol.
Just know one of these days it's gonna snap, need to buy a few replacements to have on. But, even though it's a PITA to do after doing it, I'm glad I did.
That's what my bolt looked like when I got the rifle. I'd heard the stories about the firing pin and the like but for the life of me I couldn't get the bolt apart due to that pin (New gun, never worked on before, was a little timid about hitting it as hard as I should have been) I figured I'd just soak it in boiling water and be done with it.
Well, still kinda sticky, wasn't rattling freely even after the boiling so I finally did it right. But once I got it apart and saw the design? Yeah definitely something required and the one thing on the entirety of the rifle that shouldn't be skipped. Far as the trigger goes, mines not bad, I've fired worse from K98's and Mosins. It's a fun little rifle TBH.
Wasn't originally going to buy it, I always figured if I got an SKS I'd get a Russian variant but the price was good and a friend owed me money and had a lot of 7.62x39 he was willing to let go of lol.
Swampman
Old Fart
My guess is that the folks responsible for the "better relations" aren't exactly chomping at the bit to import weapons from those places...
Swampman
Old Fart
So, not Russian, but what is "it"?
Judging from the look of the "commiosmoline", I'm gonna go with Yugoslavia, but I wouldn't put any money on that.
MilsurpShooter
Member
Sino-Soviet Type 56.So, not Russian, but what is "it"?
Judging from the look of the "commiosmoline", I'm gonna go with Yugoslavia, but I wouldn't put any money on that.
The concerns about the firing pin and the trigger are real. They are also easily dealt with. Everyone should know about common problems with the firearms they own. Anything else is just irresponsible. The SKS is a very good example. You can find yourself holding a non-stop machine gun if you don't pay attention to the details. It's rare. Very rare. But it does happen. Simply cleaning the firing pin channel can generally keep any problems away but replacing the firing pin with a pin designed to work with a spring pretty much completely does away with any worries. Even still attention should be paid to that firing pin to make sure it won't stick.
The problem with the trigger is a lot more subtle. It can go off if you bump the gun too hard "IF" the trigger wasn't put together right by the people who built it. Unfortunately that is too common with the SKS. Peasant workers don't learn industrial skills all that fast. Fortunately there is Kivaari. He can fix your trigger (if it needs to be fixed) but also you can follow a few directions on his web page and find out if your rifle needs to be fixed. Almost all rifles will benefit from a Kivaari trigger job but not all of them are dangerous. Again actual problems are rare but that shouldn't be a reason to overlook the issue. It's simple to see if your trigger needs to be fixed. You can find the directions on determining if your trigger needs this fix on this web page:
http://www.kivaari.com/SKS Target Match.htm
Go there. Follow the simple instructions to check your SKS if you haven't already. It's important.
I guess people forget things over time. This stuff has been common knowledge stuff for many years. But it doesn't get mentioned all the time so people forget or newbies come along and haven't heard the issues. It's a good idea to point this stuff out if you know it. Be safe friends.
The problem with the trigger is a lot more subtle. It can go off if you bump the gun too hard "IF" the trigger wasn't put together right by the people who built it. Unfortunately that is too common with the SKS. Peasant workers don't learn industrial skills all that fast. Fortunately there is Kivaari. He can fix your trigger (if it needs to be fixed) but also you can follow a few directions on his web page and find out if your rifle needs to be fixed. Almost all rifles will benefit from a Kivaari trigger job but not all of them are dangerous. Again actual problems are rare but that shouldn't be a reason to overlook the issue. It's simple to see if your trigger needs to be fixed. You can find the directions on determining if your trigger needs this fix on this web page:
http://www.kivaari.com/SKS Target Match.htm
Go there. Follow the simple instructions to check your SKS if you haven't already. It's important.
I guess people forget things over time. This stuff has been common knowledge stuff for many years. But it doesn't get mentioned all the time so people forget or newbies come along and haven't heard the issues. It's a good idea to point this stuff out if you know it. Be safe friends.
I am glad I got my Chinese SKS when they were selling for $69.00! Use military primers, clean out the firing pin channel, and the slamfire issue is controllable. Unlike Garands or M14’s, which slamfire in battery and out of battery, I have not heard to date of an out of battery slamfire with an SKS. Simonov put design features that really reduce the probability of an out of battery slamfire. It is safety critical to keep the firing pin channel clean to prevent the firing pin from being wedged in a forward position. Here, Murray performs an insanely risky test with an SKS. He has wedged the firing pin forward and the gun fires until the rifle is empty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj3QtnUWCwQ The primary reason the rifle does not have an out of battery slamfire is due to the titling breech face design of the mechanism, but given a long enough firing pin, I don’t see any reason why an out of battery slamfire could not happen.
Here is a video of an SKS which the owner claims is well maintained and it slamfires in battery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPn97vz0Vyw Slamfire reports have been reported in every military rifle with a free floating firing pin, and that includes AR’s, SKS’s, AK’s, FN’s, FAL’s, MAS 49/56’s, Garands, M14’s, M1 carbines, Tavors, etc. The only one without a slamfire report is the German roller bolts.
Look, always be aware that any of these military semi auto's and any civilian semi autos with free floating firing pins can slamfire. Just be aware of your muzzle and wear shooting glasses.
As for the trigger, yes it sucks. Still, I think the SKS an interesting historical design, it was issued in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and probably a bunch of bush wars that the US never got involved in. So, it is a battle tested design, and a fun rifle.
Here is a video of an SKS which the owner claims is well maintained and it slamfires in battery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPn97vz0Vyw Slamfire reports have been reported in every military rifle with a free floating firing pin, and that includes AR’s, SKS’s, AK’s, FN’s, FAL’s, MAS 49/56’s, Garands, M14’s, M1 carbines, Tavors, etc. The only one without a slamfire report is the German roller bolts.
Look, always be aware that any of these military semi auto's and any civilian semi autos with free floating firing pins can slamfire. Just be aware of your muzzle and wear shooting glasses.
As for the trigger, yes it sucks. Still, I think the SKS an interesting historical design, it was issued in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and probably a bunch of bush wars that the US never got involved in. So, it is a battle tested design, and a fun rifle.
stubbicatt
Member
The design feature that I admire most about the SKS is the disconnector which won't allow the trigger to release the hammer unless the bolt is fully engaged. This will prevent an OBD, which I have experienced with a PSL, and do not wish to experience ever again. Same feature is present on the SVT 40.
GBExpat
Member
Amen!
I have to say that's a really bad attitude to spread around. If you've never seen an SKS with a firing pin that might stick you just haven't looked at many of them. Sometimes cleaning won't do it if for example you get a popped primer that bends that firing pin. I've seen that happen.
It's something that should be checked on an SKS. If you're telling people they don't need to do that you just might cause a big problem.
mgmorden
Member
When I had one I didn't like it a lot myself.
The original design has a fixed mag. You have to go aftermarket parts to get removable mags.
The one I had (a Yugo SKS) was also incredibly off balance. I think it was the bayonet, but it was just really, really front-heavy. An AK (at least without bayonet) feels a lot better balanced in my hands.
The original design has a fixed mag. You have to go aftermarket parts to get removable mags.
The one I had (a Yugo SKS) was also incredibly off balance. I think it was the bayonet, but it was just really, really front-heavy. An AK (at least without bayonet) feels a lot better balanced in my hands.
Sunray
Member
1). Not an issue. Slam fires are not caused by rifles. They're caused by improperly loaded ammo. Usually high primers.
2) An SKS is not and never has been a target rifle. They were made to be issued as stop gap semi-autos to illiterate conscripts, who could be taught to use 'em in as little time as possible. Trigger pull(and sights) meant nothing.
"...any chance getting more cheap surplus SKSs..." Not with King Obama in office. You likely wouldn't want a rifle from Vietnam or Cuba anyway.
"...poor man's M1 Garand..." Poor mans M1 Carbine.
2) An SKS is not and never has been a target rifle. They were made to be issued as stop gap semi-autos to illiterate conscripts, who could be taught to use 'em in as little time as possible. Trigger pull(and sights) meant nothing.
"...any chance getting more cheap surplus SKSs..." Not with King Obama in office. You likely wouldn't want a rifle from Vietnam or Cuba anyway.
"...poor man's M1 Garand..." Poor mans M1 Carbine.
Yeah those Yugos would be nice if not for the extra hardware up front. I had one for a while. It was pristine condition but I didn't like it a lot because of the grenade launcher so I sold it.
Sorry friend but that is totally and completely wrong when talking an SKS. How many examples would you like of people who have been shooting them for decades saying what you just said is wrong? They're great rifles if you take proper care of them. It isn't hard. Mine has had so few failures over the years I can't think of a single one that was actually caused by the rifle. In fact I'm sure it hasn't happened. I have had bad ammo cause problems and a combination of parts I added on caused a failure to fire a few times. Even with those problems I haven't had more than 2 dozen issues and I've fired at least 10,000 rounds through it. BTW every round was loaded into a detachable mag. Some of them work very, very well. You just have to know which ones. The SKS is not a poor man's anything. Yes they were sold cheap. They doesn't mean they were made cheap. They are excellent rifles for the era they were produced. They're at least as accurate as the venerable M1 that many people go ga-ga over. I love M1's too BTW. They're a big part of our history. But the SKS is a rifle on par with the M1 except for the power making it a near perfect match for the M1 Carbine. They were very similar in operation and capability. The Russians no doubt copied our design when they built the SKS in the first place.
People that mix cheap with inexpensive almost always get it wrong. I remember when a US car sold for double what a Japanese car sold for but the Japanese car would go twice as long without a major overhaul. People can keep US cars running forever (ask the Cubans) but the Japanese stuff barely needed the oil changed to keep going. In fact I bought a lot of them that people thought were worn out because they had 100,000 miles on them. I bought them for $300 or so and drove them 75,000 miles rarely if ever doing any maintennce like oil changes. It was cheaper just to buy another one. I made ridge runners out of them too. I had one that wouldn't roll downhill unless it was running and in gear. I drove it 20,000 miles like that. Inexpensive? Yes. Cheap? Heck no. People that took care of some of those old Hondas got 400,000-500,000 miles out of them. That was after people like me got done buying them as scrap and driving them forever. People knew what they were really like by then.
I could name 100 examples of this. My SKS is incredibly durable and reliable. It uses detachable mags too. And it's a lot more accurate than many people seem to think. But just for the record I think I should include some quotes form people about the slam fire issues.
Start on this web page.
Then maybe watch this video.
Or this video.
And here's Murray's famous page on the subject.
And there's this web page which has a video.
Google lists 112,000 results on the subject. I think these people can't all be wrong. Besides I've seen this issue myself. I've seen bent firing pins and I've seen guns fired so many times the bolt got completely gunked up to the point I was surprised it would fire at all. But it did.
Friend you are giving out dangerous advice.
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I like the SKS but like some one else said, "they are what they are." I wouldn't buy one with the idea of making it into something it is not. As far as the floating firing pins are concerned, there are many, many guns out there, both military and sporting, with floating pins. It usually isn't an issue, just keep it in mind and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction as it always should be anyway when chambering a round. There are several options available to lengthen the stock.
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True but the SKS can be worse because of the shape of the firing pin and the shape of the channel. It gets narrow toward the end and if something (like a piece of a popped primer) gets pushed back in that channel it can bend the pin and jam it against the side of the channel. It is rare but if a person gets a popped primer they should definitely check the firing pin first thing. Other than that regular cleaning and just keeping an eye on the firing pin is enough.
razorback2003
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I think the SKS rifles are a little expensive now for what you get. I've seen the going price for many at 400 dollars for the Chinese and Yugo SKS rifles. They are almost as high as AK's.
Gun Master
Member
SKS....Worth It ?
I couldn't believe, when I bought my Norinco SKS in 1990, a semi-auto HP rifle for under $200 !
Shoots well, looks new (today), what's the problem ?
Oh, BTW, paid less than 1/2 the price, they're asking for the currently offered, shot up Chinese MilSurp rust and rattle monsters, today.
I couldn't believe, when I bought my Norinco SKS in 1990, a semi-auto HP rifle for under $200 !
Shoots well, looks new (today), what's the problem ?
Oh, BTW, paid less than 1/2 the price, they're asking for the currently offered, shot up Chinese MilSurp rust and rattle monsters, today.
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OP
OP
ACP
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Just to be clear, if I get an SKS it will remain stock -- no scope mount, no aftermarket stock, no detachable magazines, etc. I take a similar approach to my ARs and even feel bad about adding just a BCM Gunfighter charging handle to my 16" carbine...
StingRayRay
Member
Don't discount the value of adding an aftermarket stock to an SKS. As was mentioned before the military stocks are for small people. After you shoot one with an improved length of pull and a recoil pad you will just love it. I'm not sure who made the stock I have on mine because I got it from my father in law just before he passed. It was really rough because he got sick and was never able to finish it. Can't take it to the range without remembering him.
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