My buddy’s father in law just gave him an old beat up Norinco SKS. I know absolutely nothing about SKSs or pretty much any eastern gun. I’m under the impression they’re similar to AKs, but are basically to the AK as a mini14 is to an AR or M1A. parts probably aren’t too interchangeable, if at all?
He wants to tacticalize it… he’s building two ARs, but thinks it’ll be a while till he’s got a complete gun. Running his 10/22 next to my ARs is lame, so if there’s a way to convert the SKS to a drop box magazine and adjustable stock and add a pistol grip, he’d like to do that. give him something with a little more boom so he can play with the big boys.
Furthermore, it’s not in great shape. the stock is cracked, the action is pitting slightly, and it LOOKS like somebody’s done some home-gunsmithing to what i’m guessing is the bolt carrier. It’d be good to know what needs to be checked and for what, before we run it too hard. At this point, we’re not even sure if it’s functional.
And what’s up with the safety- your finger strikes the trig every time you disengage the safety. any existing solutions to that impending ND?
The SKS is not like the AK. It is actually based off an anti-tank rifle known as the PTRS-41, which fired a 14.5x114 MM round. The SKS utilizes a tilting bolt. The AK does not utilize that bolt type. The SKS also utilizes a two piston recoil system instead of a long stroke like the AK. (forgive me if my terms are wrong I just woke up). Parts are not interchangeable. SKS D models from China do utilize the AK-47 magazine.
If you bubba the SKS it will need to be 992r complaint. I do not know much about that with regards to the SKS because I will not change its configuration. The higher capacity magazines by Tapco, et al, are not very good from my understanding either. I would leave it as is because SKS rifles are nice as is, just my two cents.
Edit
Tapco makes stocks for it. You can still find the wood. I would go that route first, and keep it original because it will function better. My saftey got stuck in the on position one time. My Nornico is wound up very tight. I have not used it enough yet. I had to break it down and re-assemble it to get it to work right. I never figured out the why. Maybe want to replace the parts that look like a 3rd world gunsmith banged on it. CTD had a SKS parts kit for a while, but it has been a long time since I looked. Most places that sale AK stuff have SKS stuff. I would also take it to somebody who knows since y’all are not sure of the condition of the rifle.
I apologize again since I am drinking my morning coffee wiping sleep out of my eyes.
My Nornico, was barely ever used according to my friend when we stripped it down at the gunshop where I bought it.
It should hold 10 rounds as is. Refinish the furniture and paint the metel parts in flat black duracoat and enjoy it. I have a 1950 model Russian and it is a great rifle.
Go to Cheaper Than Dirt and look at the selection of garbage to buy for the SKS, that will be a good start on how to getto the SKS into something it should never be.
I look at the SKS as a history rifle, I rarely touch mine or shoot mine. It is too pretty and it is almost period correct. I got mine used and some numb-nut put a black plastic upper heat shield on it. I would rather find a stock wood one.
They are very reliable and shoot quite accurately. I look at hot rodding an SKS like I look at swapping a Chrysler 440 into a Corvette… it should never be done!
Years ago Norinco SKS used to sell for less than $100 new in box, with Chicom cleaning kit and ammo bandoleer. I have one that was given to me brand new in box.
Couple of weeks ago at the gun show I saw a couple marked $599!!!
In 1988, it was common to see them at Dallas area gunshows for $89 OTD. Buy 4 and get one free. I should have bought a few crates of them…
I also agree with the posters above…don’t waste time and money trying to turn an SKS into something it isn’t. In original form, it’s a very reliable and fairly accurate rifle. Once you start adding aftermarket crap (and most of it is crap), it can go downhill in a hurry. Plus you’ll have to play the 922(r) compliance game which only makes matters more complicated and expensive.
i’m still extremely ignorant on this whole compliance thing. i gather that imported rifles or the kits to make the rifles of a certain class are subject to some kind of originality regulation that prohibits certain kinds of upgrades or something?
as far as tricking the thing out, that’s gonna happen. i dont think my homie has any concern for keeping it original, or respect for the platform. i know i dont. he just wants a fun project and something that’ll shoot more like an American defense-rifle.
If he doesn’t have an AR and doesn’t have competence running a magazine-fed rifle, then does diverting funds from the primary objective and training into a suboptimal platform make sense? In case you can’t tell, I would answer that question with “no.”
