I bought a russian SKS about 3 weeks ago and started tinkering (some may call it butchering) right away.
First off I gave it a good thorough cleaning. I love how easily the rifle disassembles.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY dislike the wood stock so while I had it apart I sanded it down and gave it a couple coats of Krylon textured paint. I finished it off with a coat of Plastidip rubberized clearcoat, but that didn't hold up very well so I ended up having to peel it off.
I decided to extend the mag release. I don't know why (seeing as how I haven't even shot the rifle yet) but I just felt like it. So with a little cutting, bending, and TIG welding, this is what I ended up with. I know it's rough looking, but it's only the 2nd time I've fired up my TIG.
I ordered a cheap muzzle brake and slapped that on.
An extended mag release is kinda useless with the box mag, so it only made sense to order some 5/20 tapco mags. Hmmm.... maybe that's why I had to urge to make the extension in the first place. Perhaps subconsciously I knew I would "NEED" detachable mags to justify doing the work.
I would love to order a Tapco stock but funds are tight so that will have to wait. Fortunately, I was given a stainless folding stock for a Ruger Mini 14. So I cut down the wood stock and modified it to accept the mini 14 stock mount. For the amount of work it took I'd recommend just buying an SKS folding stock. But what the heck, it was free and I like to tinker.
That's all for now. I'll be taking it out this weekend to finally shoot the darn thing. Next on my to-do list is to make a scope mount that attaches to the receiver so I can put on my spare bushnell. Thanks for looking.
Jason
First off I gave it a good thorough cleaning. I love how easily the rifle disassembles.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY dislike the wood stock so while I had it apart I sanded it down and gave it a couple coats of Krylon textured paint. I finished it off with a coat of Plastidip rubberized clearcoat, but that didn't hold up very well so I ended up having to peel it off.
I decided to extend the mag release. I don't know why (seeing as how I haven't even shot the rifle yet) but I just felt like it. So with a little cutting, bending, and TIG welding, this is what I ended up with. I know it's rough looking, but it's only the 2nd time I've fired up my TIG.
I ordered a cheap muzzle brake and slapped that on.
An extended mag release is kinda useless with the box mag, so it only made sense to order some 5/20 tapco mags. Hmmm.... maybe that's why I had to urge to make the extension in the first place. Perhaps subconsciously I knew I would "NEED" detachable mags to justify doing the work.
I would love to order a Tapco stock but funds are tight so that will have to wait. Fortunately, I was given a stainless folding stock for a Ruger Mini 14. So I cut down the wood stock and modified it to accept the mini 14 stock mount. For the amount of work it took I'd recommend just buying an SKS folding stock. But what the heck, it was free and I like to tinker.
That's all for now. I'll be taking it out this weekend to finally shoot the darn thing. Next on my to-do list is to make a scope mount that attaches to the receiver so I can put on my spare bushnell. Thanks for looking.
Jason
Last edited:



















































