Purchasing SKS for first gun, what to look for?(purchased now, pics post 98)

R

Rifter

CGN frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
7   0   0
Location
Surrey, BC
Im going to be purchasing a SKS the same day my PAL arrives(hopefully soon...)

Im looking for a shooter as I intend to use it to learn how to shoot a rifle so see myself putting many 1000's of rounds through it.

So what should I be looking for? newer/older model? refurbished or not refurbished?

Will be purchasing from Lever arms in Vancouver so will be able to go in person to look through the stock so want to know what I should be looking for.
 
Last edited:
If you want a shooter none of it really matters.

Really early ones 49-50 didn't have chrome lined barrel, so that might be a consideration if you want to shoot surplus ammo that's corrosive.

Otherwise they are all the same pretty much. Find one that looks good and has mostly matching numbers. Gas tubes are the most common item to be force matched, along with stocks. If it's got good rifling and a good crown it aught to satisfy your needs.
 
If you want a shooter, a clean refurb will be fine. Chinese military or Russian Tula or Izhevsk doesn't really matter either, although I'm more fond of the Izzies. If I were in your shoes, though, I'd snag one of the 53 Izhevsk refurbs weimajack's got listed now on the EE for around $190. That's a great deal on the best made and rarest model of sks. The 54's are just as good, just more common. Buy a 1" or 2" stock extender pad, the tech site TS-200 and you'll have a fantastic shooter for around $300.
 
If you want a shooter, any old SKS will do, don't go paying premium for something you're going to beat up.....Don't bother with non-refurbs, they will cost more. I am new to the game too, i got mine for fathers day last. Don't be scared of the corrosive ammo, just strip the gun down, put all the parts in a turkey pan, boil a kettle, hit everything with boiling water, down the barrel and through gas tube, use some solvent and patches in the barrel , ( i use q-tips ) too to nook and cranny and get the black schmutz out...I lightly oil everything before i reassemble, w/ rubber gloves on. Takes 30 mins or so to giver a good clean, no big deal. Do some youtubing on cleaning corrosive and you'll see too many options, boiling water is best. I have 300 or so through mine and no signs of rust.
 
I would recommend you order from Corwin-Arms or Westrifle instead of going to Lever. Or from Weimajack here in the Equipment Exchange.

All three of them have forgotten more about SKS's than most of us will ever know, and are reputable enough to only sell good quality examples.

Lever Arms lost their import license a while ago, and the ones they have in stock are second picks from dealers who can still import.
 
Thanks for the heads up about Lever arms, it would be a bit of a drive to get to Kamloops or Kelowna to check out corwin or westrifle.

I had wanted to go in person as opposed to ordering online because I feel that if you are there in person you can pick a good one yourself but if you order online you are getting the ones that the people who go instore pass over so second rate guns.
 
Can't go wrong with Corwin. I'm in Ontario, ordered first rifle online around christmas, one of his select Svt 40's . He sent me what i asked for, great condition, he replied fast to any email i sent him and it arrived the day he said it would. For my first online rifle purchase i would definately give him my business again, hands down. !!!!!!

Thanks again Martin ,if you read this .... she shoots great :)
 
I bought my sks from wanstalls. They are in maple ridge and are also a site sponsor. Reliable gun is in Vancouver, international shooting supply is in Surrey if they are better locations. I stay away from lever. Never been there, but from the reviews I've seen about em i doubti ever will.

$225+tax, everything but the gas tube and piston match. Matching laminate stock too. (Is a 55/56 so it may be original even. No way to tell though)
 
Depending on where in Alberta...
rust not so big of a problem where I live.
usualy I just oil it up.
cant rust if it cant get damp.

The 3 on the site here are all good bets.

300 rounds is not even a start for an SKS.

I wore out my wood stock......7000+ rounds
lost track after i bought my second one
 
Nothing wrong with Levers sks's my first was from them, very nice blued laminate refurb 53 Tula. Ive always had good experiences at Lever, just make sure you know what you want and they'll be happy to let you look through a few. It really comes down to laminate or birch as well as Chrome lined or not. You'll pay more for early years with a spring loaded firing pin, so just clean the bolt and pin and save yourself some money. You can't beat their $375 combo for a sks and a crate of Romanian ammo. Go pick one out, clean it well and have fun.
 
Last edited:
I would get one thats blued , not painted. The painted Molot guns also have paint inside the reciever making for a rough surface. That being said, the parkerized/painted finishes are incredibly durable. Triggers can also be problematic. Finding a good bore is not a trouble with an SKS, they are almost all good. Probably want a chromed barrel, but thats not a big deal.
 
fyi $189 every day of the week from Canadian Tire. Plus you can use Canadian Tire money which is even cooler. The lever ammo SKS deal that CB mentions is great. Lever are good people.
 
Grandview near Rupert sell guns now, the last time I was in there looking for something I checked out the selection of sks they had. One looked like it had been dragged behind a truck all the way from the Ukraine. Do yourself a favour and go to Lever or Reliable, support your local gun store.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom