Alright so I'm buying an SKS and I have some concerns about the interior of the gun, when I go and check it I won't be able to take it fully apart and check all the parts to make sure it's in good condition but I'm wondering what sort of permanent damage could have been done to it? Say someone fired corrosive ammo all the time and never or hardly cleaned the gun, would it be horribly corroded or could I still clean it very well and make it like new? I plan on keeping the gun in good condition but I don't want to start off with someone elses mistake. Any advice?
Possibly buying a used SKS risks?
- Thread starter Gahou
- Start date
BeaverMeat
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nanaimo, B.C.
Ask for detailed pictures. If they send you grainy pictures, just say "no-thanks". Crappy photos hide crappy rifles.
I personally have issues with buying a used SKS. Many shooters tend to abuse them because they are "cheap". Buy from a collector if you can.
I personally have issues with buying a used SKS. Many shooters tend to abuse them because they are "cheap". Buy from a collector if you can.
Take a bore light with you. It's easy, just shine the light in one end and check out the surface for pitting.
If the person you are buying from has shot the rifle with corrosive and hasn't cleaned it, it will be visible pretty quickly.
It also means the seller knows how to pull the bolt and cover from the receiver. If it is clean and lightly oiled, it should be fine. Same goes for the bolt. Check it for cleanliness. Any rust in the interior is not a good sign.
Taking off the bolt cover and removing the bolt is a good idea so that you can check out the leade to the rifling. That is the throat area of the chamber. If the throat has been burned away by the hot gasses created during firing several thousand rounds, it will be quickly visible. If it is worn, the edges of the rifling won't be sharp but rounded and maybe not start for a couple of inches after the chamber.
This would be my concern. The SKS is a very tough and robust little critter. It was made to be issued to illiterate soldiers that would learn to operate and take care of it by looking at pictures, when no instructors were available.
Darn fine little rifles. If they were being made new, they would be valued much more than they are now. As it is, if anything relatively serious goes wrong with one, it is cheaper and easier to purchase another. The Chinese models sell as low as $169 new plus shipping and taxes of course. Use that as your guide. The Chicom SKS are new old stock that was made for their military and never issued.
If the person you are buying from has shot the rifle with corrosive and hasn't cleaned it, it will be visible pretty quickly.
It also means the seller knows how to pull the bolt and cover from the receiver. If it is clean and lightly oiled, it should be fine. Same goes for the bolt. Check it for cleanliness. Any rust in the interior is not a good sign.
Taking off the bolt cover and removing the bolt is a good idea so that you can check out the leade to the rifling. That is the throat area of the chamber. If the throat has been burned away by the hot gasses created during firing several thousand rounds, it will be quickly visible. If it is worn, the edges of the rifling won't be sharp but rounded and maybe not start for a couple of inches after the chamber.
This would be my concern. The SKS is a very tough and robust little critter. It was made to be issued to illiterate soldiers that would learn to operate and take care of it by looking at pictures, when no instructors were available.
Darn fine little rifles. If they were being made new, they would be valued much more than they are now. As it is, if anything relatively serious goes wrong with one, it is cheaper and easier to purchase another. The Chinese models sell as low as $169 new plus shipping and taxes of course. Use that as your guide. The Chicom SKS are new old stock that was made for their military and never issued.
This is the best answer. Your talking about a very inexpensive rifle so just buy new.
X2. Pretty much: if the piston slides out freely and isn't coated in rust, you likely have a decent rifle in your hands.
Canadian Tire Sussex, 174 for Grade 1 with laminated stock.
BeaverMeat
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nanaimo, B.C.
I got some "new" ones... My 59/66 is brand new. Am I delusional? I would have to be if i sell them for $200.
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X4...
On an SKS your piston is generally the best indicator of how the gun has been treated. (Well, after the barrel, I suppose.) I've bought and sold a dozen SKS rifles over the years. New or used, I strip them and give them a full clean every time they come through the door. The only one I had any real problems with had the piston seized up in it. (Bought it 'unused' off the EE here, BTW.) So, just ask for a pic of the piston and the gas tube if you're worried.
FWIW it was an easy fix to free it and clean up the gas system and it never gave me any trouble. That's really the whole idea of the rifles. They're supposed to be able to be treated like crap by barely-trained soldiers and yet still work.
Finally, as BirdCity suggests, new or used pull the pin and clean the channel out. It takes 5 minutes, is just good maintenance and will help you avoid the one main potential failing of these rifles - the possible slam fire.
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Anyone with nothing to hide will let you inspect it if you are there in person. If you are doing a distance deal, lots of detailed as possible pics of the key areas should tell you all you need to know. A well taken care of firearm is obvious, same as a neglected one. If they can't or won't let you inspect or won't supply pics, walk away, lots of others to buy.
