Tricking out an SKS. What are some practical suggestions?
- Thread starter Mudcat Stew
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Onward Allusion
Member
Receiver cover scope mounts do not work well for holding zero. Sure, one can go against the grain and get lucky just like that Hi Point user who never experienced a jam in 1,000 rounds or that guy who have a dozen Taurus handguns and never had a lemon, but I digress.
Shadow 7D
Member
In accuracy there are a number of factors
the 'repeatability' of the shot is the ability for the scope/shooter to place the POI to hit the same place
Maybe with a REALLY crappy gun, the wobbling zero (explained and demonstrated more than a few times here) cancel eachother out
Otherwise, a waste of money.
the 'repeatability' of the shot is the ability for the scope/shooter to place the POI to hit the same place
Maybe with a REALLY crappy gun, the wobbling zero (explained and demonstrated more than a few times here) cancel eachother out
Otherwise, a waste of money.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
I don't see much reason to try to turn it into something it isn't.
Plenty of people try to turn an SKS into an AR by throwing a TapCo catalog at it, and the results are generally pretty heinous.
For what it is, the SKS is a decent 200 yard carbine. I'd say that the best improvements you could make would be to start with Tech Sights, install an after-market firing pin, and get a trigger job.
After that, maybe take it to a gun smith and have them either re-crown the barrel if it's out of spec, or install a new barrel altogether.
Plenty of people try to turn an SKS into an AR by throwing a TapCo catalog at it, and the results are generally pretty heinous.
For what it is, the SKS is a decent 200 yard carbine. I'd say that the best improvements you could make would be to start with Tech Sights, install an after-market firing pin, and get a trigger job.
After that, maybe take it to a gun smith and have them either re-crown the barrel if it's out of spec, or install a new barrel altogether.
Shadow 7D
Member
cause most people don't really care, in the end, they just want a scope and if it shoots off at bit, or never hits the same place, they don't really care
OR
the curse the stoopid commie piece of crap that can't hit stuff....
Consider this, would you EVER hunt with a gun that has wobbly mounts, then why do you think the SKS or AK ones are so great, 25 - 50 meters, plinking distance etc hey they work, just don't claim they are ACCURATE
the Scout mount or after market sights do the same exact thing and are repeatable.
I don't see the reason for butchering one, they work fine and I don't see any improvement other than adding 10 pounds of crap. But then I'm not a fan of 'Takicool'
OR
the curse the stoopid commie piece of crap that can't hit stuff....
Consider this, would you EVER hunt with a gun that has wobbly mounts, then why do you think the SKS or AK ones are so great, 25 - 50 meters, plinking distance etc hey they work, just don't claim they are ACCURATE
the Scout mount or after market sights do the same exact thing and are repeatable.
I don't see the reason for butchering one, they work fine and I don't see any improvement other than adding 10 pounds of crap. But then I'm not a fan of 'Takicool'
One of the other SKS threads mentioned the firing Pin mod did not work with the trigger mod on his particular weapon. Just spent 10 minutes looking but did not find it?
Maybe there have been improvements since the owner had his problems.
leadcounsel
member
To add to my previous post, the SKS is a great value semi-auto 7.62x39 caliber rifle, even at $300 or $350. Learn to use it as it was intended. Wood stock. Stripper clips. Etc.
Pouring $200-400 of Tapco crap into it to make it into a weapon it was not intended is just silly. It reminds me of the guy that buys the beat up old Honda Civic and poors twice its worth into big new tires, rims, stereo, interior, etc. to make it into some Frankenstein that actually detracts from the value.
If you want an AK, buy and AK.
Pouring $200-400 of Tapco crap into it to make it into a weapon it was not intended is just silly. It reminds me of the guy that buys the beat up old Honda Civic and poors twice its worth into big new tires, rims, stereo, interior, etc. to make it into some Frankenstein that actually detracts from the value.
If you want an AK, buy and AK.
Onward Allusion
Member
Ya know, the bottom line is that if one wants to customize/franken-mize...etc..etc to their own stuff, more power to 'em if they gots the money, time, inclination.
Do it for the fun of it, do it "just because", do it 'cause it's your hobby, but don't do it because it will make it into a target rifle, evil-black-assault-weapon, sniper rifle, AK pattern rifle,...etc..etc. If you do, then you're an idiot.
Yeah - feeling old and crusty today!
Do it for the fun of it, do it "just because", do it 'cause it's your hobby, but don't do it because it will make it into a target rifle, evil-black-assault-weapon, sniper rifle, AK pattern rifle,...etc..etc. If you do, then you're an idiot.
Yeah - feeling old and crusty today!
okiewita40
Member
It's your gun do with it what you want. I prefer mine in stock form. I was taught on and prefer iron sights. I have only shot 1 scoped rifle in my life. I like the SKS for what it is. A solid battle rifle. Not a stripped down semi auto version of an assault rifle.
When I was in the Military i got to shoot an AK47 in full auto mode. It was a pain to try to stay on target with the thing.
When I was in the Military i got to shoot an AK47 in full auto mode. It was a pain to try to stay on target with the thing.
Redlg155
Member
Leave the rifle stock. Buy a Kim Jong Il outfit complete with dark shades and platform shoes.
Then walk around the house making crazy and outrageous demands while threatening to nuke the joint.
Then walk around the house making crazy and outrageous demands while threatening to nuke the joint.
Omaney
Member
Ok. I bought my SKS on from someone on this site a few years back. I did the whole Tapco stock/magazine unreliable mount routine. The Tapco stock was OK. If you are going to go that route, buy the gas tube as well. My personal opinion on aftermarket magazines; they all suck and are not worth the time or money.
I quickly came to realize that my SKS made me happier in its original configuration. The only $$ I personally recommend spending is for Kivaari's excellent trigger work and Tech Sights. These are the only mods remaining on my rifle today. YMMV.
I quickly came to realize that my SKS made me happier in its original configuration. The only $$ I personally recommend spending is for Kivaari's excellent trigger work and Tech Sights. These are the only mods remaining on my rifle today. YMMV.
MCMXIautomatic
Member
I would not recommend replacing the stock ten round mag with an aftermarket detachable one. Most of the aftermarket SKS mags are unreliable junk. The exception is the Tapco 20 round mags. They're very sturdy and they work well, but I still decided to trade mine off and go to the original ten round mag, for some very simple reasons.
Firstly, none of the aftermarket mags are compatible with stripper clips. Secondly, the "duckbills" make them awkward to carry and I know of no load bearing systems that will accomodate the aftermarket mags, so that makes them undesirable for use with a SHTF rifle. Thirdly, I find them very difficult to reload quickly, as you mentioned. The ten round fixed mags with stripper clips are much faster and easier to reload with just a little bit of practice. Also, you'll never lose the mag and if you lose your stripper clips, you can just load the rounds in one at a time. I think this is one of the inherent advantages that the SKS has over AR-15s, AK-47s, Mini-14s, HK-91s, etc. Since the ten round mag doesn't protrude as much, this makes it easier to shoot the rifle from the prone position as well.
I have an inexpensive Chinese SKS bandolier with tie straps in the back. I think this is one of the best carry systems available for the SKS because it's lightweight, simple, durable, and it will hold up to 180 rounds of ammo on clips. You can just keep it ready to grab and go. So yeah, definitely keep the ten round mag in place.
Firstly, none of the aftermarket mags are compatible with stripper clips. Secondly, the "duckbills" make them awkward to carry and I know of no load bearing systems that will accomodate the aftermarket mags, so that makes them undesirable for use with a SHTF rifle. Thirdly, I find them very difficult to reload quickly, as you mentioned. The ten round fixed mags with stripper clips are much faster and easier to reload with just a little bit of practice. Also, you'll never lose the mag and if you lose your stripper clips, you can just load the rounds in one at a time. I think this is one of the inherent advantages that the SKS has over AR-15s, AK-47s, Mini-14s, HK-91s, etc. Since the ten round mag doesn't protrude as much, this makes it easier to shoot the rifle from the prone position as well.
I have an inexpensive Chinese SKS bandolier with tie straps in the back. I think this is one of the best carry systems available for the SKS because it's lightweight, simple, durable, and it will hold up to 180 rounds of ammo on clips. You can just keep it ready to grab and go. So yeah, definitely keep the ten round mag in place.
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woad_yurt
Member
I got a peep sight from Williams Gunsight Co and it's one of the most wisest $30 purchases I've ever made. It slipped right in where the original was in less than 5 minutes. Target acquisition is quick and I can hit clay pidgeons at 100 yards no problem. I can almost shoot my Cowboy's Companion* as quickly and as accurately as I can my ol' Glenfield 60.
* Incredible model name, huh?
* Incredible model name, huh?
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