Accurizing an sks

JimDO

JimDO

CGN frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
32   0   0
Location
Closer to here than I want to be
Ok..I know we are lucky to have access to several M14 clinics..ie Barneys great clinics for the M14 and M1 platforms(been to one and it was amazing),, but is there anything comparable for the sks? Seeing that there are so many out there in Canada, maybe not a bad idea?

Sure..the sks and the M43 round are far from ideal sniper platforms..but what can the average guy do to modify his shooter grade, bbq painted, multi refurb rifle into a better shooter? (Yes leave those mint unissued ones and collectable ones alone).

One quick mod I was considering is to carefully grind or file down the front sight post to a thinner diameter..

Has anyone attempted this or have any other ideas...without resorting to scopes and red dots?

(I prefer to leave the rifle in as close to stock configuration as possible even though this one is a dogs breakfast of mismatched parts)
 
Last edited:
Much can be gained by just shimming or tightening up the original stock. Even adding layers of Poly spray to the inside can work wonders to tightening the stock up.
 
If you want to get really technical. Modify the gas system to reduce bolt carrier momentum just enough to cycle... or just take the piston out.

Shorten the piston by 1/8" and drill gas pressure relief holes in the gas tube where the tube meets the gas block. Start small and enlarge the holes progressively. AND... if you want to go a step further. Reduce the recoil spring power buy cutting coils.
 
Last edited:
"One quick mod I was considering is to carefully grind or file down the front sight post to a thinner diameter.."
I have done this quite easy to do IF you have a drill press. CAREFULLY lock the post threads, centered in the chuck.
Run press at slow speed. Gently run a fine file back and forth against the spinning post keep it straight and true. Took mine down from 1.8 mm to 1.4 mm flat black engine/high heat paint and bake. Now have a cleaner sight picture. Haven't been out with the sks but on my M44 the same type of mod (reduced post thickness) made a difference. Get a spare post to play with if you are not sure.
 
Another thing you can do is work in the trigger. YouTube can show you how to replace springs, shorten the sear, and polish the contact points, all of which help improve the trigger.
 
Biggest thing is stock fit. Grab the barrel behind the front sight with one hand and the buttstock with the other hand and pull on the barrel. If it slides in the stock at all some bedding may be required.
 
Biggest issue isn't so much the bedding as it is the barrels. No point spending a pile of money trying to make a silk purse if the barrel is low end. Like Hical.ca says, the rest isn't that much trouble.
The other thing to do is use good ammo. Preferably reloaded with the right diameter bullet. That alone can make a huge difference. Still won't give you the silk purse though, but if the rifle shoots minute of deer, it's good.
Do not use a file or grinder on the front sight blade. Mill it, if you can. Filing or grinding isn't precise enough. A U.S. Military National Match front sight blade is 50 thou thick, as I recall. Had my M1 Carbine's done, long ago. Easily done on a mill. Not so much with a file or grinder.
 
sunray said:
Biggest issue isn't so much the bedding as it is the barrels. No point spending a pile of money trying to make a silk purse if the barrel is low end. Like Hical.ca says, the rest isn't that much trouble.
The other thing to do is use good ammo. Preferably reloaded with the right diameter bullet. That alone can make a huge difference. Still won't give you the silk purse though, but if the rifle shoots minute of deer, it's good.
Do not use a file or grinder on the front sight blade. Mill it, if you can. Filing or grinding isn't precise enough. A U.S. Military National Match front sight blade is 50 thou thick, as I recall. Had my M1 Carbine's done, long ago. Easily done on a mill. Not so much with a file or grinder.
Click to expand...
The front sight on an SKS is a cylindrical post not a blade. you don't know what you are talking about. As far as grinding not being precise enough, you don't know what you are talking about. I routinely grind parts to plus or minus three tenths. The method of turning the post in a drill chuck and using a file will work just fine.
 
Here is the link to our Murray target trigger sear & spring kit, they will fix most negative or neutral engagement issues as well, HERE.
options would be Tech or Mojo peep sights, paired with the Tech thin front target post
Optics would be the Wartak optic rail, these are the best way to mount optics we have seen yet, optics? Take your pick, HERE.
Hope that helps, we have the largest selection of SKS accessories all at one place!
 
Front sight chucked in a drill press, filed then finished with fine sandpaper works very well. A hand drill will work too. I've done several and they look factory. Bedding and trigger job is high on the list. I won't discourage you from supporting our sponsors but I do mine with the original parts. Deburr and polish contact surfaces, correct sear engagement, cut 2 coils off hammer spring, shorten sear and install over travel stop. Bed the recoil lug with trigger group locked in stock. Its best if you can rig it up so the action is being pulled forward into the stock crossbolt. I hang it from the ceiling by the barrel and attach some weight to the rear sling swivel. A peep sight or solidly mounted scope will serve you well. Consider hand loading for best accuracy. Surplus is not capable of better than 3-4 moa in my experience and commercial is expensive.
 
How to accurize an SKS.

Remove stock and discard. Remove trigger group and discard. Remove gas cylinder and upper handguard and discard. Remove tappet rod and discard. Remove bolt carrier group and discard. Remove barrelled action and discard.

Replace with bolt action scoped Remington 700
 
Squinty said:
How to accurize an SKS.

Remove stock and discard. Remove trigger group and discard. Remove gas cylinder and upper handguard and discard. Remove tappet rod and discard. Remove bolt carrier group and discard. Remove barrelled action and discard.

Replace with bolt action scoped Remington 700
Click to expand...

Replace scoped Rem 700 with another Rem 700 because first Rem 700 has been recalled... Discard replacement Rem 700 with a Winchester Model 70.
 
Last edited:
Squinty said:
How to accurize an SKS.

Remove stock and discard. Remove trigger group and discard. Remove gas cylinder and upper handguard and discard. Remove tappet rod and discard. Remove bolt carrier group and discard. Remove barrelled action and discard.

Replace with bolt action scoped Remington 700
Click to expand...
f:P:

:feedTroll::feedTroll:
 
hical.ca said:
Here is the link to our Murray target trigger sear & spring kit, they will fix most negative or neutral engagement issues as well, HERE.
options would be Tech or Mojo peep sights, paired with the Tech thin front target post
Optics would be the Wartak optic rail, these are the best way to mount optics we have seen yet, optics? Take your pick, HERE.
Hope that helps, we have the largest selection of SKS accessories all at one place!
Click to expand...

Your thin front sight post looks good! And I will prob be ordering one. How much smaller is it vs the original sks post sight?
 
I have a Russian SKS myself. I like the gun. I enjoy shooting it. But it is a short range carbine that cost me $250. Trying to turn an SKS into a precision rifle is like trying to turn a Mazda Protégé into a Formula One race car.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom