Advice wanted on buying 1st ever SKS

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DukesArcher

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Hi everyone!

So I would say I have good knowledge regarding hunting rifles and shotguns ect, but zero on milsurp weapons.

I'm in the market for an SKS right now. Just something to have fun with basically, and maybe even to use as a sub 80 yard deer/predator rifle? I'm bow hunter 1st, so 80 yards or so would be a long range shot for me :redface:

I essentially want a decent enough rifle. By that I mean not completely rusted, barrel not worn down with no rifling left ect. I've seen some pretty crummy examples in the past, with some not even looking like they are safe to shoot.

I've been looking online and Westrifle seem to have an ok selection. What am I looking for, and where would be a good place to buy?

I'm based in Alberta, but will most likely buy online

DA
 
MosinMagnum said:
Wanstalls has a few crates of them in right now, I would order one from them
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They are cheaper, but I might get hit on the shipping cost for the gun and bulk ammo. Westrifle seem to let you choose which rifle you want, but obviously it is just pictures. plus free shipping.

I could get a really nice one, but I could also get a piece of junk.
 
IIRC Wanstalls does $10 shipping...

Weimajack is sold out on the EE, so Westrifle is your best option for being able to pick based on photos. I've bought many rifles from WR, and they've all been nice.

Get it now, because they really are scraping the bottom of the barrel. The SKS a few years back were much nicer, but soon there will be none!
 
Phat Eagle said:
IIRC Wanstalls does $10 shipping...

Weimajack is sold out on the EE, so Westrifle is your best option for being able to pick based on photos. I've bought many rifles from WR, and they've all been nice.

Get it now, because they really are scraping the bottom of the barrel. The SKS a few years back were much nicer, but soon there will be none!
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Who is Weimajack and what is the EE?
Thanks
 
DukesArcher said:
Who is Weimajack and what is the EE?
Thanks
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The EE is the Equipment Exchange. You need to request access to it, but it's where people buy and sell firearms. Weimajack is a trader on the EE who sells very high quality firearms, unless you ask for something not quality of course. He has a very, very good reputation for quality and his hand selects are top notch.

When looking for an SKS personal opinions are key. Do you want a chrome lined bore? If so you should look at post '51 example, some '52's aren't chrome lined so that year may be a gamble. All Chinese SKS's are chrome lined. You can tell if a rifle is chrome lined by looking at the muzzle and seeing a small ring of shiny chrome around it. Some pre-51's will be chrome lined if they were refurbished at an arsenal and got a new barrel. Do you care if it's blued or painted? Painted will usually cost a bit less. Laminate stock or hardwood? Laminate will hold up better to the weather, hardwood weighs less and to some looks better (I prefer the laminate, personally). Some people care about matching serial numbers or getting a rifle that hasn't been refurbished. I don't care. They are tools, I use them. I like chrome lining personally. From here on out it's mostly aesthetics, unless I'm forgetting anything. If you like the spike bayonet, go Chinese (or '49 Russian, which is an expensive year) if you like blade, Russian, or Chinese Type 56. True Type 56's will have a blade bayonet, Commercial production ones will have a spike. There is not a real functional difference.

I wish you luck on your pursuit of a great rifle. If you can afford it buy several, in time they will be worth unfathomable amounts of money compared to their current cost. A semi auto that always goes bang and shoots a great centerfire round and is ~200m accurate for targets and can be used pretty well to ~150m for hunting at even $250 is a screaming deal. If you hunt look into buying Hornady SST ammo in 7.62x39, it, and PPU make for great hunting ammo.
 
They're around $200ish right now from the right shops, closer to $250-300 from others. By this time next year the cheapest you can find might be over $300-350. You've been warned! I'm picking a few up this week from an LGS!
 
Thanks for all the great replies. I think I will buy one from Westrifle and some ammo.

It'll be my first ever semi auto rifle. Being from the UK, all semi auto's are prohibited. While it is all pretty ordinary for you guys, for me it will be quite the treat!
 
DukesArcher said:
Thanks for all the great replies. I think I will buy one from Westrifle and some ammo.

It'll be my first ever semi auto rifle. Being from the UK, all semi auto's are prohibited. While it is all pretty ordinary for you guys, for me it will be quite the treat!
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I walked into my first Canadian gun store and did a double take "Simonov?". The only SKSes I'd seen were in Belfast :). I bought 2!
 
When you get your SKS - be sure to strip it completely (lots of good YouTube videos out there) and clean out any remaining cosmoline. It's important to strip the bolt and remove and clean the firing pin, as most SKS rifles have a free-floating pin (though some early ones have a spring retained pin, and retrofits are available). Then reassemble the bolt and do a "shake test" to ensure the firing pin moves freely. This prevents "slam fire" risk where the pin is stuck protruding forward on the bolt face and can fire a round when the bolt flies home.

This is not complicated, not should is dissuade you in any way from getting an SKS! Just sounded as if your milsurp and semi auto experience is limited...

Plenty of help available here as well.
 
FirearmsEnthusiast said:
When you get your SKS - be sure to strip it completely (lots of good YouTube videos out there) and clean out any remaining cosmoline. It's important to strip the bolt and remove and clean the firing pin, as most SKS rifles have a free-floating pin (though some early ones have a spring retained pin, and retrofits are available). Then reassemble the bolt and do a "shake test" to ensure the firing pin moves freely. This prevents "slam fire" risk where the pin is stuck protruding forward on the bolt face and can fire a round when the bolt flies home.

This is not complicated, not should is dissuade you in any way from getting an SKS! Just sounded as if your milsurp and semi auto experience is limited...

Plenty of help available here as well.
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I'll second this. Clean that delicious goop out of every crevice, every pore. You'll only have to do it once and it'll help you get to know your new rifle. After that, as long as you make sure your firing pin is "sloppy and loose", you're gonna love that hunk of driftwood.

SKS's are most definitely the 'Lay's Potato Chips' of rifles.
You can't have just one.
 
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