Yugo SKS Project- 922R parts help

[Noah]

Hey! I've decided I want to make a spring project out of a Yugo SKS. I want to lighten it up, improve it a little, and have it for my Dad to shoot in a configuration that will be useful and enjoyable for the both of us.

I already (carefully and with no permanent modifications) removed the grenade launcher sight and bayonet, which improved the handling considerably. As far as I could tell (I hate gun laws) this voids the rifle's C&R status, thus making it 922r applicable, correct? So I removed the "evil" grenade launcher, then cut it in half to make a thread protector, and repinned it in place. I have a polymer rifle stock arriving tomorrow. Now, with no muzzle device/pinned cover over threads, no pistol grip, and a fixed, 10 round mag, the rifle is devoid of evil parts and needs not have the 5 US parts, correct? Next up will be a set of Tech Sights, and my Dad and I will have a nice rifle (this SKS shoots very well) with a little bit of an M1 feel (blasphemy, I'm sure). Soon I'll be refinishing the "thread protector" and adding the polymer stock, and might be able to shoot this weekend. At some point I'll get the Tech Sights for it to finish it off. Is this gun legal? Do I need to spot weld the thread protector? Can I legally add a muzzle device? 922r gives me a headache.

Next up- If I was to add a Tapco 20 rounder modified to use stripper clips, what else can I do for 922r in an SKS? I need 5 US parts in a Yugo, right? I'd have the 2 parts of the mag, and one for the stock, would it work to add a US gas rod and muzzle device? That adds up to 5

EDIT: I know some people think modding a Yugo is a sin, but the rifle isn't being used much now, and we only paid $150 for it. I'm not trying
to make it an AK, we already have a few of those, I just want to be sure our shooting project is 922r happy. As far as a new mag, I like the strippers, and would plan to use them for reloads, but 20 is a lot more than 10 in a defensive situation. And to those who say a 7.62x39 is a bad HD round, we use good hollowpoints, have a thick brick home, and live in a very rural area.

 

[nwilliams]

922r gives me a headache.

Amen to that!

Honestly my advice would be to just make the changes you want to make to your gun and don't get too wrapped up in the whole 922r thing. There are so many thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of SKS and AK owners out there that have made changes to their guns without knowing the slightest thing about 922r compliance.

There was a time when I was very observant of 922r and counting parts on the guns I modified. These days I don't give a rats behind about it. As far as I know nobody has ever been charged with a 922r compliance violation and my guess is that nobody ever will unless LE really wants to nail you on something. I'm more worried about getting caught for jay-walking downtown than I am about getting busted for not abiding by 922r.

I can understand why companies like Century Arms and Arsenal would be concerned about 922r because they build guns using foriegn imported parts and then sell them as part of their business, they would be under scrutiny by the ATF. However for the average gun owner who wants to modify their SKS or AK platform rifle, I don't think they have to worry a whole lot.

I'm not condoning that you break the law, if you want to take 922r seriously then by all means do it. I'm only stating my personal opinion on the matter, take it or leave it.

 

[Noah]

I'm not worried about being struck by lightning for it, I just figure some liberal lawmaker crying "Illegal homemade assault rifle laser sniper of mass destruction of the disadvantaged minority children!" if I'm ever defending myself legally after an incident would be even more annoying than 922r But no, I'm talking about a non pistol gripped, 10 round fixed magazine rifle here, so it's not too evil.

I think 922r is idiotic, but who really wants to be the first person in trouble for it?

 

[Noah]

Oh, and I wasn't really modifying the gun just to make it 922r legal to put the polymer stock on it (voiding C&R because the smell of Commie wood annoys me ) I was just taking some deadweight off the front of the gun to improve the handling.

 

[backbencher]

http://gunwiki.net/Gunwiki/BuildSKSVerifyCompliance

Probably bad to prepare to shoot someone w/ a rifle that violates federal law, especially when the BATFE could point to your post here & say you obviously knew.

 

[akv3g4n]

The commie wood smell is one of my favorite smells. It's the first thing that hits me when I open my safe.

I would be careful about ignoring 922r compliance. The risk is low but if the BATF wanted to make your life miserable they certainly could...and it's not too hard to stay complaint with all the US SKS parts on the market.

I agree Noah, no one wants to be the test case to be made an example of.

Throw a Tapco gas piston and muzzle break on it and call it a day.

 

[mac66]

Consider this...

"...922r applies to the act of assembly, not mere possession of an assembled firearm." ATF 2009

While it is a violation to convert it, converting it makes it legal to own. In other words, if you are caught in the act (zero chance) of "assembling" a firearm without the requisite number of US parts you theoretically could be prosecuted (highly unlikely) for an import regulation violation. Once it is converted the firearm is legal to own.

I am not suggesting violating the law. Always follow the law. I am suggesting that the law is not enforced and is in fact unenforceable.