Thoughts on this SKS?

I would dress them up if they functioned properly, but to my knowledge it just can't be done. I'd say trigger job is the first and probably last thing you should do.
 
I went down the road of trying to make my first "tactical" rifle out of an SKS and threw waaay too much money at it thinking I was saving money by starting with an affordable, non restricted rifle that shoots cheap ammo. I started with a stock, next came the rail, the red dot and a few other little trinkets. I realized I could no longer use stripper clips so it was definitely not a "tactical" rifle so I bought some plastic mags. I didn't like the clunky after market mags very much so I sold the rail, red dot and mags and bought a nice peep site then went back to the original mag.

There it should have stayed, and it did for a year or so. I then noticed Hi Cal had their AR mag adapter on sale, so I thought darn, that's just what my SKS needs. A few hundred more in for the adapter and 4 pistol mags. I had since acquired another rail for a good deal, so back on it went and of course I needed another red dot. I have put well over a grand into that SKS and don't get me wrong, it was a fun project but it is still a large, heavy rifle that really didn't become any more ergonomic.

I have since bought a Vz 58 which in retrospect is what I should have done in the first place, I also have an original SKS so I never pull the "modified" SKS out anymore. I wouldn't even attempt to sell it because to make any sort of return, I think I'd have no chance. And now my current project is putting it back into the hardwood stock with the mag adapter and peep sites.
 
I dont own a SKS and have only shot one a few time cause i dont know very many people that own one. That being said i like your set up and i agree with the other posts that a lot of people want to build their own from stock. The problem with aftermarket parts is just like a vehicle it can depricate in value cause it has been customized to the previous owner. But you never know someone that is new to guns might see it on the EE fall in love and pay $600 for it.
 
Why anyone would do that to their SKS is beyond me. There are some guns you just don't try to convert into "tacticool"..
 
RielM said:
I went down the road of trying to make my first "tactical" rifle out of an SKS and threw waaay too much money at it thinking I was saving money by starting with an affordable, non restricted rifle that shoots cheap ammo. I started with a stock, next came the rail, the red dot and a few other little trinkets. I realized I could no longer use stripper clips so it was definitely not a "tactical" rifle so I bought some plastic mags. I didn't like the clunky after market mags very much so I sold the rail, red dot and mags and bought a nice peep site then went back to the original mag.

There it should have stayed, and it did for a year or so. I then noticed Hi Cal had their AR mag adapter on sale, so I thought darn, that's just what my SKS needs. A few hundred more in for the adapter and 4 pistol mags. I had since acquired another rail for a good deal, so back on it went and of course I needed another red dot. I have put well over a grand into that SKS and don't get me wrong, it was a fun project but it is still a large, heavy rifle that really didn't become any more ergonomic.

I have since bought a Vz 58 which in retrospect is what I should have done in the first place, I also have an original SKS so I never pull the "modified" SKS out anymore. I wouldn't even attempt to sell it because to make any sort of return, I think I'd have no chance. And now my current project is putting it back into the hardwood stock with the mag adapter and peep sites.
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Seen this too many times.... modding the snot out of an SKS is a lose-lose thing.

Either stock or minor practical enhancements are the way to go or it quickly goes from a great rugged inexpensive rifle into a money pit that is no more useful.

I have 2x 54' IZZY laminates both with identical mods, all practical & useful ... and makes the rifle as light as it's ever gonna get.

- trigger job
- Wolf trigger springs
- Tech Sight TS200 rear sight
- Tech Sight thin front sight
- removed bayo, cleaning rod, cleaning kit and spring in stock storage compartment
- ground off cleaning rod & bayo attachments
- Magpul flush cup for QD attachment on right rear of stock
- Blue Force Gear universal wire loop for front sling attachment
- RedWire Gear sling
- in the process of filling the bayo & rear sling attachment holes with mahogany for a cleaner feel

Mods I may still do:
- swap TS200 for the steel version
- trigger over travel mod search "sks ratrod"
- AK slant break

These mods are all inexpensive, functional, improve accuracy and keeps the SKS clean and light.... a win-win to me.

And agree, if you wanna put money into a more "modern' x39 design the vz58 is the better way to go.
 
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OP"
- take all of that wannabe AR junk plastic off of the SKS
- leave the Wartak rail on
- put the wood stock back on
- enjoy shooting it and don't worry about its looks.
just my opinion , do what makes you feel good :)
 
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Warren is right - there are two types of SKS guys on this forum: keep it traditional, and the build guys.

I am a bit of a fence sitter as I have my best sks shooter in a Archangel stock. However, once I got a csa 58, my Sks are sitting in the safe pining for a chance to be a parade carbine.

For the money you can spend on rails, add ons etc for the sks, you can have a much lighter, better handling and more accurate 58 or 858. Guess I fell off the fence.

Btw EL, you are on fire today!
 
VanIsleCam said:
Warren is right - there are two types of SKS guys on this forum: keep it traditional, and the build guys.

I am a bit of a fence sitter as I have my best sks shooter in a Archangel stock. However, once I got a csa 58, my Sks are sitting in the safe pining for a chance to be a parade carbine.

For the money you can spend on rails, add ons etc for the sks, you can have a much lighter, better handling and more accurate 58 or 858. Guess I fell off the fence.

Btw EL, you are on fire today!
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Gotta keep in mind that the starting price is 1k for VZ, and that's just a stock VZ with irons, no muzzle brake, rails and basic polymer furniture. For 1k you have a pretty sweet SKS, or a decent SKS and a lot of ammo. Most. Modded VZ's are passing the $1500 mark by the time the owners are done with them. That's a lot of money for a gun that only offers less weight, shorter length and better balence....
 
So long as you save the stock and do not alter the base gun so it can be put back in the original stock at anytime with original parts. Then I have no issue with this and it is cool to see how modifiable this rifle is. I have 2 SKS one hardwood and one laminate. I picked up a norinco railed cover to mount a scope or red dot on top of, just for fun sometime. Really its a great short range carbine, and I enjoy shooting irons just because its simple.
 
warrenlikesboats said:
Gotta keep in mind that the starting price is 1k for VZ, and that's just a stock VZ with irons, no muzzle brake, rails and basic polymer furniture. For 1k you have a pretty sweet SKS, or a decent SKS and a lot of ammo. Most. Modded VZ's are passing the $1500 mark by the time the owners are done with them. That's a lot of money for a gun that only offers less weight, shorter length and better balence....
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1k ??? I don't seem em for under 12-1300 !!
 
While I have to agree that saying the rifle is improved is a longshot! That said everyon is entitled to their own opinions, and can dress up their guns as they see fit. I have a refurbed 53 that I have a D/T scope mount and a red dot and it's fun to shoot, not really any more accurate than my Chinese with irons. The black stocks don't make it a better rifle, more valuable rifle or any improvements . Too some they may look cooler, I resisted the urge to tacticrap mine all out and am so glad that I did resist as I now fall on the original is better, but it's your rifle to do so, so enjoy!!!

What I do find the most funny is there is at least one person posting saying the same opinions as I have, but before I adopted a more tolerant view I gave this member a rough Time and he struck back kinda angrily at me. So, that said take everyone's opinions as a grain of salt and shoot your rifle. The most important thing is we have another shooter in our ranks which is better for us firearms owners as a whole!!
 
warrenlikesboats said:
Gotta keep in mind that the starting price is 1k for VZ, and that's just a stock VZ with irons, no muzzle brake, rails and basic polymer furniture. For 1k you have a pretty sweet SKS, or a decent SKS and a lot of ammo. Most. Modded VZ's are passing the $1500 mark by the time the owners are done with them. That's a lot of money for a gun that only offers less weight, shorter length and better balence....
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1K :cool: I waiting hoping the VZ price would drop so I could snag a .223 version and sell my 7.62 and now the MSRP is 1400$ and the cheapest I found was 1379$.... By the time you get upgraded furniture ( stock is trash ) say goodbye to afew more hundred :p Mines been a money pit for ammo and accessories :p
 
I think it looks pretty sharp there OP. Might not get everything you put into it if you try to sell it but I don't think you built it that way just to sell. I'm putting my SKS in an ATI right now.....
 
If it makes YOU happy screw the other idiots. An SKS with one or two exceptions is not highly collectible. Too many around. Great plinkers, cheap to buy and lots of cheap ammo available. It will attract curiosity at the range. Shoot the daylights out of this and clean it well.
 
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