New to the SKS, couple of questions

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ktm174

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I bought my first SKS on Sunday from CT, it has 1950 stamped on the cover (not a mint unit, price was $180).
I plan on rebuilding it for a plinker (winter project).
Here is my list of planned modifications:
-Archangel stock (~$165-200)
-Magwedge or Wartak top rail for optics (~$120-135)
-Mag well for XCR magazines (~$165-200)

Is there anything else that needs to be done?
-Firing Pin spring added?
-See some people dish out the ejection port, is this required?

Thanks in advanced.
 
I suggest the Wartak rail. I bought one and it holds zeros very nicely, even after removed for cleaning. Plus it's made in Canada. Don't go too cheap with the optic, maybe $275-500 price range. I think if you put one of those bushnell or vortex 1-4x24 optics on the wartak rail with a Archangel stock, you would have a nice little rifle. If you shoot a lot of surplus, get the bolt zinc plated. The recoil isn't really to bad so a muzzle break isn't necessary.
 
I have modded many SKS in the past and they all seem to go back in the stock they came in. My suggestion would be that if you want to scope it, put on a magwedge or wartak and leave the rest as is. If you want to increase the LOP buy a 1" butt pad from forum member "Mobular". This is just my opinion from spending a large amount of money to try and make it better, when in fact they are great the way they came. I have refinished a few stocks that have improved the look.
 
FreedomIsn'tFree said:
I have modded many SKS in the past and they all seem to go back in the stock they came in. My suggestion would be that if you want to scope it, put on a magwedge or wartak and leave the rest as is. If you want to increase the LOP buy a 1" butt pad from forum member "Mobular". This is just my opinion from spending a large amount of money to try and make it better, when in fact they are great the way they came. I have refinished a few stocks that have improved the look.
Click to expand...

Same:

 
I've got a few of the mods you want setup on my rifle.

Wartak scope rail, XCR magazine adapter, Bushnell 3200? 3-9x Optic, recoil buffers installed. Have not chosen an aftermarket stock yet or changed any springs so far. Not in the picture is a cheapo vertical foregrip with a bipod in it.

IMG_5225_zps0omnjp7c.jpg


Yes that is a 5.56mm PMAG inserted just for the picture, don't have my mag body extensions yet so that gives the decent representation of how it will appear once I get them.
IMG_5259_zpsw5jgzm4q.jpg


Here are 2 targets I setup at 75 yards, shooting dirt cheap surplus ammo and using that cheap as balls vertical grip/bipod combo.

30 round group left, 2 1/4" shootin every 2-3 seconds or so, another 20 on the right 1 1/4" on surplus ammo, this target I was using the bipod on a bench.

Lower string was just sighting in tuning
IMG_5880_zpsqnwltjed.jpg


The other target was 75 yards as well and off hand firing slower to get good grouping, 60 rounds fired with a 4-1/4" spread with the few stragglers haha.

IMG_5882_zpsjtfxfnvh.jpg


Hand picked a good shooter from Wanstalls, an it shows when you do your part.

Haha factory stock seems to be the real winner........go figure.
 
I suggest shooting it in it's original configuration first, so you know exactly how much more pleasant it was to shoot before being transformed into a cumbersome money pit.
 
Be sure to take the firing pin out and clean out the bolt. There is no easier way to prevent slam fires. Don't worry about a sprung firing pin unless you experience problems. If shooting only milsurp corrosive you are unlikely to have problems with slam fire.
I also agree to keep it stock, at least until you have shot and determined you have a good rifle. You might find you like it fine as is.
 
jrcarbine said:
I suggest the Wartak rail. I bought one and it holds zeros very nicely, even after removed for cleaning. Plus it's made in Canada. Don't go too cheap with the optic, maybe $275-500 price range. I think if you put one of those bushnell or vortex 1-4x24 optics on the wartak rail with a Archangel stock, you would have a nice little rifle. If you shoot a lot of surplus, get the bolt zinc plated. The recoil isn't really to bad so a muzzle break isn't necessary.
Click to expand...

+1, I have a wartak rail on my SKS and its fantastic, also doubles as a shell deflector and hold zero nicely.

Archangel stock looks great, I purchased a tapco and its very solid and has options for add-ons. I would avoid an ATI stock as I have personally seen the trigger grip come loose and remain wobbly.


I am selling mine and have a bunch of non-corrosive ammo and parts you might be interested in, its inthe milsurp EE section. Page 2-3

Good luck with the build KTM174!
 
I agree with keeping it stock until you know what you want. It is perfect in its' original format. Get the sight adjustment tool and a brass/nylon hammer. It may require some love taps. Not sure of your shooting experience, but this is a great rifle to learn on.

A receiver mounted optic is the way i would go or peep sights. Lots of reading can be done in Red rifle part of the forum. Pros and cons. Then decide on mods. Beware you may end up with serveral sks's.
 
If your 1950 has the original bolt, it will already have a pin retaining spring in it. It may also have a non-chrome lined barrel, but that is no problem because
if you are shooting surplus ammo, it is the gas tube where rust will form first and worst.
 
Thanks for all the responses. So I decided to keep the original stock. I'm sure that a butt pad is going to be required. (6'4" and extra long arms). Gun feels really short.

I use to hunt a lot and moved to the city 14 years ago, sold most of my guns (ex-b wife didn't like guns) .
Decided to get my restricted last year and bought my first handgun last spring. I now go the range every week, I am really enjoying shooting again.
Shot my buddies SKS and was so impressed with how smooth it ran and how cheap ammo is.
I do realize that there will be a slew of SKS's coming my way based on the number of Carbines and Handguns I acquired in the last year and half...hahaha
 
Id loose the bayonet and definitely do a trigger job. The archangel stock is a REALLY nice stock, super ergonomic, well built and offers features above the SKS wood like adjustable LOP, pistol grip and adjustable cheek weld for scopes. BUT it does make the gun more difficult to field strip (not that the wartak rail doesnt already do that lol) The ATi stocks are alright, they are lighter, but I personally find them sort of weakly put together and rather "cluttery".
 
ktm174 said:
Thanks for all the responses. So I decided to keep the original stock. I'm sure that a butt pad is going to be required. (6'4" and extra long arms). Gun feels really short.

I use to hunt a lot and moved to the city 14 years ago, sold most of my guns (ex-b wife didn't like guns) .
Decided to get my restricted last year and bought my first handgun last spring. I now go the range every week, I am really enjoying shooting again.
Shot my buddies SKS and was so impressed with how smooth it ran and how cheap ammo is.
I do realize that there will be a slew of SKS's coming my way based on the number of Carbines and Handguns I acquired in the last year and half...hahaha
Click to expand...
 
Grove said:
I've got a few of the mods you want setup on my rifle.

Wartak scope rail, XCR magazine adapter, Bushnell 3200? 3-9x Optic, recoil buffers installed. Have not chosen an aftermarket stock yet or changed any springs so far. Not in the picture is a cheapo vertical foregrip with a bipod in it.

IMG_5225_zps0omnjp7c.jpg


Yes that is a 5.56mm PMAG inserted just for the picture, don't have my mag body extensions yet so that gives the decent representation of how it will appear once I get them.
IMG_5259_zpsw5jgzm4q.jpg


Here are 2 targets I setup at 75 yards, shooting dirt cheap surplus ammo and using that cheap as balls vertical grip/bipod combo.

30 round group left, 2 1/4" shootin every 2-3 seconds or so, another 20 on the right 1 1/4" on surplus ammo, this target I was using the bipod on a bench.

Lower string was just sighting in tuning
IMG_5880_zpsqnwltjed.jpg


The other target was 75 yards as well and off hand firing slower to get good grouping, 60 rounds fired with a 4-1/4" spread with the few stragglers haha.

IMG_5882_zpsjtfxfnvh.jpg


Hand picked a good shooter from Wanstalls, an it shows when you do your part.

Haha factory stock seems to be the real winner........go figure.
Click to expand...

Looks like you picked a winner man, how's it group out at a 100yrds? We should hook up at the range again, I've got to sight in a scope on an svt40 soon.
 
ktm174 said:
I bought my first SKS on Sunday from CT, it has 1950 stamped on the cover (not a mint unit, price was $180).
I plan on rebuilding it for a plinker (winter project).
Here is my list of planned modifications:
-Archangel stock (~$165-200)
-Magwedge or Wartak top rail for optics (~$120-135)
-Mag well for XCR magazines (~$165-200)

Is there anything else that needs to be done?
-Firing Pin spring added?
-See some people dish out the ejection port, is this required?

Thanks in advanced.
Click to expand...

A 1950 should already have a firing pin spring, it was the 51's and onward that went with a floating pin.
 
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