Yugo SKS questions

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RNB65

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I've researched SKS's and I've found a whole lot of confusing info. I'm thinking about getting one of the Yugo SKS's since they seem to be the only ones readily available, but I would like to get rid of all the unnecessary crap that comes on it. I just want a short, lightweight plinking rifle.

1. Can the grenade launcher be removed and replaced with either a standard barrel end or a flash hider?

2. Can the flip-up grenade sight be easily removed?

3. Can the bayonet be removed? I don't care if the bayonet pivot lug is still there, but I don't see any reason to carry around the extra weight of that silly blade.

4. What kind of cost are we talking about to get the above changes done?

TIA
 
1. Yes

2. I'm pretty sure

3. Yes

4. The only thing I can say is ask the smith who you want to do it for you.
 
You should be able to come up with a chinese for a few dollars more, with none of the said accessories.
 
If you want a lightweight model, I don't think the Yugo is the way to go. Maybe a Russian 45 would be better. I like my Yugo, but it's a pain to shoot off hand due to the balance issue, which is front heavy like a mother! I can't imagine that taking off the doo-dads would help this very much either.

Yugo's are great though. I like the muzzle brake on mine, reduces recoil like no other. Pretty accurate. Reliable, but be careful with selection due to gas problems that are inherent on Yugo's for some reason. Mine works perfectly, but others have gas leaks which leads to inconsistent ejection problems which causes jams. Gas valves are cheap, only 20 bux and my Yugo throws the cases FAR! I like it a lot. Good luck with your choice!
 
Unfortunately, those Russian and Chinese SKS's are awfully hard to find. And practically impossible to find in close to new condition like some of the Yugo's. Decisions, decisions, decisions...
 
1. Can the grenade launcher be removed and replaced with either a standard barrel end or a flash hider?

2. Can the flip-up grenade sight be easily removed?

3. Can the bayonet be removed? I don't care if the bayonet pivot lug is still there, but I don't see any reason to carry around the extra weight of that silly blade.

4. What kind of cost are we talking about to get the above changes done?
Click to expand...

  1. NO. Ok, physically, it is possible, but the Yugo SKS rifles are only allowed into the country because of their C&R status, which is voided by modifying them from their original military configuration, according to the Firearms Technology Division of the BATFE.
  2. NO. See number 1
  3. NO. See number 1
  4. Violation= time with Bubba. If you violate federal law, you may be charged, convicted, fined and imprisoned. Not worth it

If you want a Yugo, without the gizmos, get a M-59. The only feature it has is the bayonet, but remember, you can't take that off because the feds will get pissed if they catch you.
 
If you want a Yugo, without the gizmos, get a M-59. The only feature it has is the bayonet, but remember, you can't take that off because the feds will get pissed if they catch you.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... So what exactly constitutes a bayonet? Let's say the bayonet was to get into a serious fight with a hacksaw and lose, with maybe a 1/2in of blade still hanging on for dear life. Would that still qualify as a bayonet?
 
mp510, you are incorrect. While removing one part by itself is not allowed, removing all the evil features is allowed.

Because of the C&R status and the non-sporting status of the SKS, if you take off one of those non-sporting features (consisting of grenade launcher, night sights, and the bayonet), you need to remove ALL of them (incl. they bayonet lug). This will take a torch and punch (heat up grenade launcher for removal, punch to remove pin), a drill (night sights and grenade launcher sights), and a hacksaw or Dremel (bayonet and lug). There are how-tos at various places online, try http://www.sksboards.com/forum/ and the SKS section at www.surplusrifle.com. You will also need to install something over the barrel threads; I'd use a US-made muzzle brake, personally.

If you stop there, it is my belief that you are OK. There is some discussion on this point, though. Since it is now a "sporting" rifle, I believe that 922r is not a concern. Put in a detachable magazine or a folding stock, and welcome to the 10 or less game.

If you decide to swap in a folding stock or a detachable magazine, then you need to make the rifle 922r compliant through the replacement of existing parts with US-made parts. Tapco sells compliance kits for the SKS, with stock, magazine, op rod, and gas rod (and maybe a few other things too).
 
If you actually bought the Yugo and fired it...you would not want to remove any of those parts. The weight in the front end just makes this weapon feel right...I find that I shoot it more accurately than any other SKS. The bayonet is nice as well...you still have a weapon once you run out of ammo. If anything, you will want to add to it...like a front peep sight.
 

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I've researched SKS's and I've found a whole lot of confusing info. I'm thinking about getting one of the Yugo SKS's since they seem to be the only ones readily available, but I would like to get rid of all the unnecessary crap that comes on it. I just want a short, lightweight plinking rifle.

1. Can the grenade launcher be removed and replaced with either a standard barrel end or a flash hider?

2. Can the flip-up grenade sight be easily removed?

3. Can the bayonet be removed? I don't care if the bayonet pivot lug is still there, but I don't see any reason to carry around the extra weight of that silly blade.

4. What kind of cost are we talking about to get the above changes done?
Click to expand...

I took a cut off wheel and shortened the launcher to a point just ahead of the rifling. Cleaned up with various sandpapers and cold blue.

I took off the launcher sights and bayonet myself too. Real easy.

Bedded the action

Added spring-loaded firing pin. No more slam fires http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm

Match trigger job
http://www.kivaari.com/SKS Target Match.htm


The 7.62x39 round is pretty tame. The gun is still pretty heavy and recoil is pretty non-existant.

ZM
 
I don't think the Yugos are in current production.
To get ATF C&R--Curio and Relic status--they are collector's items.
They are relatively inexpensive now but when the sources are dried up....

There are better candidates for sporterizing. Leave C&Rs AS-IS.
Altering a C&R is the tactical equivalent of vandalizing history.
 
I don't think the Yugos are in current production.
To get ATF C&R--Curio and Relic status--they are collector's items.
They are relatively inexpensive now but when the sources are dried up....

There are better candidates for sporterizing. Leave C&Rs AS-IS.
Altering a C&R is the tactical equivalent of vandalizing history.
Click to expand...

actually, i think Zastava still makes m59/66's.

http://www.zastava-arms.co.yu/english/civilni.htm

its under "sporting rifles" on the left-hand side.
 
Hmmm... If you're not supposed to remove the Evil Features, then how are the CA Yugo SKS's legal? CA considers the grenade launcher to be illegal, so it is replaced with a muzzle break by the importer (Century Arms). They are then legal to be sold in Cali.

Are Cali Yugo SKS's with muzzle breaks technically illegal?
 
I'll say it again...

If you begin removing evil features, you must remove ALL of them. Then you're good.

If you are talking about the model 59 (usually listed as CA-legal), it's legal there because it was made without a grenade launcher, and thus is legal there in its C&R configuration. But since you are referring to one with a removed launcher, I am guessing it is one that has also seen its bayonet & lug and night sights removed. I haven't seen one of these myself. CA has some funky laws.
 
I use to have a cali legal 59/66. The only thing different than the standard c&r rifle was it had a muzzle brake instead of the grenade launcher. The rifle had grenade sights, bayonet and tritinium night sights. They have sold tons of these rifles here in california so the ATF must be looking thew other way. Mark
 
RR, that's funky. Every ATF regulation I have seen says all the evil features need to come off. Maybe they are making some special exemption for CA.
 
I don't even think it's possible to modify my Yugo 59/66 with a folding stock / pistol grip legally, because I can't seem to find enough compliant parts. I've also searched this and it gets really confusing. Does anyone have a straight forward answer?

On www.sksman.com they have a compliant parts kit, but I can't use the detachable 5rnd mag in CA. So I'm only using 5 compliant parts. Any ideas?
 
Something in the back of my mind keeps saying that years from now we will be lamenting the fact that all those SKS's were butchered from their original configuration. :)

My suggestion is just to find an SKS that was imported without the grenade launcher. I'm sure if you look around, you can find one.
 
Something in the back of my mind keeps saying that years from now we will be lamenting the fact that all those SKS's were butchered from their original configuration.
Click to expand...

I agree. That is why I have left my unissued 59/66 completely intact. It is, after all, a period rifle which I doubt will be replicated again.

Besides, I got mine with all eight major components having the same matching serial number ('originally done', not electro-pencilled). I figure that if it lasted in that condition long enough to find me, I won't be the one to dismantle it.

I'm probably going to try to find an M59 w/o the launcher add-ons. I think it would be a sweet plinker/blaster....

I like the Yugo because it has a longer length of pull which suits me well.
 
I'd have to say just leave it as it is. From what I heard from folks on here and elsewhere, modifying a Yugo opens yourself up to a lot of legal gray areas.
Personally I like it the way it is, gives it character.
 
i remember in the 90's when bayonets not to be sold for the rifle cause of the atf so that means you would have to pay another $10 to $20 for it i WOULD NOT worry about taking that stuff off it not lilke you have atf running around your town looking for a sks without bayonets and other like things that was once on it ( does this mean that the sks's from the 90's are illegal without the bayonet?)
 
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