Just picked this up today. All-matching with a mint bore, and marked “M21” which evidently indicated an export example.
Yeah, they’re clunky and homely with only a 10 round factory mag. But they say “Hey, I’m secure in my masculinity” when in the presence of M4’s 
Nice looking SKS. Are the Chinese models as 2x4 as comparable Yugoslavian models?
I like SKS’s. Have two, myself. A 1967 Norinco in a Tapco stock with a long eye relief scout scope setup for range fun, and a 1954 Russian Tula re-arsenal that I’m keeping in its original config.
The first semi auto rifle I ever fired was an SKS.
My mom bought it for me when I was about 16 and you couldn’t have convinced me if you tried that it wasn’t the perfect battle rifle. No need for excuses to own an SKS here - they’re quite alright by me.
I remember when you could get “crate pricing” of $69/ea on SKS’s. I had only one left, a nice Russian one in great condition, but I sold it during the sandy hook panic. Probably should’ve kept it.
No need to feel bad about owning an SKS. Some of us owned shipping crates full. 
Of course there isn’t… the SKS is a fantastic rifle.
(some of the responses on this thread seem… odd)
Thats a good looking SKS. Its nice to see them with wood as opposed to polymer decked. I own 2 type 56’s & love em.
If you are interested in finding out more of its history, be sure to check out Yooper Johns SKS site. Very informative.
Good thing I never had to sit through this guy’s SKS familiarization class:
+10000
The SKS is a fantastic rifle and has stood the test of time. Cheap, reliable, easily modifiable, and comes in many flavors.
OP, congrats to yours. I have one that looks similar, and another that takes standard AK mags (SKS-M).
My first centerfire rifle was an unmolested Chinese SKS I think I paid a little over $100 for. I had a blast with that thing for a long time. Eventually I started getting urges to modify so I sold it off to a loving home and got an AK instead. Still regret getting rid of it.
Ahhhh, those were the days…in some ways anyway.
Nice SKS OP!
They are good rifles. I have two Russian Tula arsenal rifles I bought in the early 90’s when they were first coming over. Yeah, $90 each, and they are original except I added easily removable rubber butt plates to each to add two inches to the LOP. Now, they fit me perfectly, and are a joy to shoot. They are reliable, and more accurate than they should be. I prefer them to my AK’s.
The first rifle I bought was a Norinco SKS. I still have it and shoot it regularly. Balances well, fills lighter then it is, accurate, and a last round bolt hold open. I have sold my aks but kept the sks.
Interesting you said that. I was considering an AK at one point, but just keep plinking with my SKSs.
If I feel like doing the “Comm Bloc” thing to balance my ARs, my SKSs fill that nicely.
AK’s should just be as reliable as an SKS. just depends on the brand/make.
What I don’t like about SKS’s are the hunting-oriented ergo’s. They’re a little on the heavy side as well, but otherwise they are great rifles.