What is the best SKS?

While it makes for a light rifle is anyone else kind of aghast at how flimsy the Chinese wood stocks are for a service rifle? And not finished/varnished inside
 
The Chinese French Ticklers from dealers are NIB and UN-fired. Mine was from1980, in Cosmoline and mirror-bore. And they now cost about $100-150 more than last Summer, so ca $600-ish plus tax. Used might be cheaper but take a borescope to verify the bore.
 
Thanks so much for the help guys Im really learning so much from everyone .... Last question here is there any mods you think are actually worth doing or is it better to keep the thing stock
 
Thanks so much for the help guys Im really learning so much from everyone .... Last question here is there any mods you think are actually worth doing or is it better to keep the thing stock
I have a chinese and russian sks in their original stocks that hit 400m no issue. Depends on if your into modding, i perfer original. Maybe wait to see if the libs win before u start buying aftermarket bling.. youll just end up losing more money..
 
They all function and perform identically enough. The best to me is Chinese military surplus with the spike bayonet because it has a slimmer profile forearm compared to the blade style. Also, the spike makes for a good monopod.

The Russian is more collectible if you find one of those truly non-refurbished ones that Westrifle brought in 10+ years ago from Ukraine. Those were sweet! Most were Tula 54s, 55s, and the letter dated ones. There were some izhevsk 53s and 54s in that batch too. I know because I had both in my possession. Sad I sold them before the values skyrocketed.
 
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The best sks is the one you how to shoot,clean,and store properly.Holy Grail from a collection,?..Russian 1949,North Korean, East German,Romanian,Albanian.
For a shooter....,Russian and Chinese will do the job nicely...
 
The best SKS is the one you have ;)

A brand new chinese SKS or a nicely refurbished are nice shooter. Keep it in its stock configuration, find one that has chrome lined bore and enjoy.

Buy 2 if you can
 
Someone - I'd suggest when you have one in hand, you clean the Trigger assembly thoroughly. Especially if it's in Cosmoline. I'd remove the Sear and lightly polish the 'tracks' both on the Sear and the frame where it slides. I lube them with Permatex Synthetic (PTFE) Grease (@ Cantire). Doing this will make the Trigger run smoothly. Other mods are possible if you feel adventurous. An MCarbo Spring Kit is worth the price - ca $20-ish.
 
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on a new surplus one make sure you clean the bolt and FP channel and trigger group of all cosmoline
so FP doesn't stick forward
good videos on you tube to clean SKS easy to take bolt apart
 
The 1950 and earlier are not chrome lined
They also have a spring loaded firing pin unlike the later ones that have floating pins
I personally like the Russian ones the best but those new unissued Chinese French tickler ones are the ones to get if you want a good shooter
As for modifications I think they are best left as is
I put one in a Tapco stock years ago and ended up putting it back to its wooden glory as it just felt better to me
These days with all the stupid bans I can see the tactical sis becoming more popular
 
I have a chinese and russian sks in their original stocks that hit 400m no issue. Depends on if your into modding, i perfer original. Maybe wait to see if the libs win before u start buying aftermarket bling.. youll just end up losing more money..

Hit what at 400 meters?

I mean a 24x24 inch target would be kinda man sized fair enough. It seems pretty rare to find one that consistently groups better than 4-5 MOA

I personally like the Russian ones the best but those new unissued Chinese French tickler ones are the ones to get if you want a good shooter
As for modifications I think they are best left as is

I can feel the action moving/flexing in the stock at the heel end while I shoot mine lol. Probs explains the 6" groups.
 
Hit what at 400 meters?

I mean a 24x24 inch target would be kinda man sized fair enough. It seems pretty rare to find one that consistently groups better than 4-5 MOA



I can feel the action moving/flexing in the stock at the heel end while I shoot mine lol. Probs explains the 6" groups.
I almost pissed myself when I read the "Hit what at 400 meters" Ive owned a few for a very short period of time. With my OCD and shooting centerfire and rimfire competitively, they were not for me. However in combat or close encounters I would be very fearful of them. A great combat gun and ammos very plentiful. Everyone should be aware on operating and maintaining one. Ditto for AKs
 
I almost pissed myself when I read the "Hit what at 400 meters" Ive owned a few for a very short period of time. With my OCD and shooting centerfire and rimfire competitively, they were not for me. However in combat or close encounters I would be very fearful of them. A great combat gun and ammos very plentiful. Everyone should be aware on operating and maintaining one. Ditto for AKs

Could not put that better.

Not gonna lie though, if we had AKs, I'd never think of the SKS at all unless they were still $265 haha
 
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