SKS project - Any tips?

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RockAboutBaby

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Hi guys, glad to be on this forum, lots of information and personal testimonies :)

So heres my project, To modernise (like many yes I know) the SKS, but into the most functional, effective and ###iest way.

So far my idea consists of:

-TULA SKS 1952-53 or 54, refinished excellent condition.

(any tips on the best model? I know the tulas are the best but I dont know which years have the best reputation.)

-Tapco black stock, bottom rail, 6 pos stock.

-Ventilated metal hand guard

(was looking for an alternative for the railed handguard on the tapco, and it just seems perfect for cooling and beauty and to maximise the iron sights vision\silouette)

- Vertical grip FAB T-pod

-Murrays spring firing pin (or any other make) for maximum safety.

I intend to keep the original clip for maximum reliability (anyways 5 rounds limit) but I would be open to suggestions for another reliable hi-cap mag for handling. (just looks better too right?).

Originally I was thinking of going for a normal vertical grip and attach a bipod on the bayonet lug, but the T-pod just seems that much usefull and good at keeping the overall weight of the rifle low. As well as maintaining a clean, easy to carry, system.

Perhaps I could attach a laser point on the bayonet lug, any thoughts on this? Is there already a system that could attach or would it require some tweaking and crafting? Just seems like the most accurate position for a laser tool.

I will keep the iron sights as they are already quite good, but I do not remove the possibility of a good low power scope or dot reflex mounted on a Choate. I do not expect this rifle to be accurate or very usefull past the 200-300m line. For this I will have another project going with the Nagant or maybe a m14s with a better barrel :)

Thanks in advance guys and once again, happy to be here :)
Rocka
 
Well you came to the right place.
Every thing you mentioned is your personal taste and some won't like it.
2 Recomendation
Scrap the Murray Sping Pin idea. Not worth the money and the cheap surplus ammo don't like it.
Also the mag idea scream's that your rifle will be TAPCO'd be on all beleaf. Not a bad thing but more of a personal point of view. As for the laser save the money as this bayonet area is perfect for CQB ;)
Also whats wrong with taking this rifle out to 200 meter mark?
I have pissed of many of AR groupies because of my cheap SkS competing with there high end AR's.
 
The bayonet lug mount for the bipod will likely throw your groupings off pretty significantly from the off hand groups at anything over 100m. I've found that the more forward I install bipods on my rifles (AR, AR180 or SKS), the more they lose predictability. I tried a bipod at the rear-most end of my Tapco'd '53 Tula, and it still made a 2+ inch difference at 150m compared to off hand. Bipod is now in the bottom of the safe. I've heard it referred to as barrel whip or 'harmonics'. If you do all your shooting from a bench rest, or prone, then it's of no consequence. If you want consistancy over different positions, mount it further back (on the Tapco) or do away with the bipod. I've ot a Vortex SPARC on mine and regularly shoot out to 200m on 12x12 plates and seldom have an issue, even with the iron sights. It's a great all-round gun.

The Choate mount is great. Never had an issue with maintaining zero, or ejection. I've tried others, but most are cheaply made bubba-junk that don't hold zero and rust overnight. Just get it squared away properly and you'll enjoy it.

Best of luck on your project.
 
If you haven't bought your SKS yet, and it sounds like you haven't, check out the EE section. There's always some for sale with all that plastic add-on crap installed on them already and you can get it for a better deal than buying all that stuff seperate. Personally, I'm not a fan of any of those off-the-shelf plastic SKS stocks, they all look terrible to me, but like already mentioned, that's a matter of taste.

The firing pin thing is way overblown. Shoot your gun and don't worry about it.
 
Bayonet monopod

Yep, done that with mine. Just make sure you take the cleaning rod out of its groove first. With the bayonet down, there is nothing holding the cleaning rod in place. Just a little embarassing when it starts popping out the front of the rifle like pinocchio's nose.:redface:
 
Thanks for the replies,

Satain said:
Well you came to the right place.
Every thing you mentioned is your personal taste and some won't like it.
2 Recomendation
Scrap the Murray Sping Pin idea. Not worth the money and the cheap surplus ammo don't like it.
Also the mag idea scream's that your rifle will be TAPCO'd be on all beleaf. Not a bad thing but more of a personal point of view. As for the laser save the money as this bayonet area is perfect for CQB ;)
Also whats wrong with taking this rifle out to 200 meter mark?
I have pissed of many of AR groupies because of my cheap SkS competing with there high end AR's.
Click to expand...

Yes I understand the views on the Tapcos, but for the price (160-180), Im getting one to keep as is, and another one for more casual shooting. The reason I have to remove the bayonet on the Tapco project is because I really want a vertical grip on this one and theres no space for a rail if I keep the bayonet. Could perhaps find a small rail to screw on the lower handguard.

As for the 200-300m mark, I definitely think it will still shoot good, but just not as good as a .308 grouping per say. Hence why I dont expect much from equiping it with a scope.

skunkydaniel said:
The bayonet lug mount for the bipod will likely throw your groupings off pretty significantly from the off hand groups at anything over 100m. I've found that the more forward I install bipods on my rifles (AR, AR180 or SKS), the more they lose predictability. I tried a bipod at the rear-most end of my Tapco'd '53 Tula, and it still made a 2+ inch difference at 150m compared to off hand. Bipod is now in the bottom of the safe. I've heard it referred to as barrel whip or 'harmonics'. If you do all your shooting from a bench rest, or prone, then it's of no consequence. If you want consistancy over different positions, mount it further back (on the Tapco) or do away with the bipod. I've ot a Vortex SPARC on mine and regularly shoot out to 200m on 12x12 plates and seldom have an issue, even with the iron sights. It's a great all-round gun.

The Choate mount is great. Never had an issue with maintaining zero, or ejection. I've tried others, but most are cheaply made bubba-junk that don't hold zero and rust overnight. Just get it squared away properly and you'll enjoy it.

Best of luck on your project.
Click to expand...

Yes! Ive seen a few bayonet lug bipoded SKS and they seemed really bad to shoot. Thats also one of the reasons Im going for the T-pod vertical grip.

The cheap tri-rail dust cover mounts seemed interesting at first glance, but it had me wondering, did some research and Choate side mount seemed like the answer. Obviously you do not want to mount your scope on a flimsy platform. I was thinking of trying my build for a while with iron sights, then go from there if the accuracy is up to the tradition with my set of rifles.

playkation said:
If you haven't bought your SKS yet, and it sounds like you haven't, check out the EE section. There's always some for sale with all that plastic add-on crap installed on them already and you can get it for a better deal than buying all that stuff seperate. Personally, I'm not a fan of any of those off-the-shelf plastic SKS stocks, they all look terrible to me, but like already mentioned, that's a matter of taste.

The firing pin thing is way overblown. Shoot your gun and don't worry about it.
Click to expand...

As you probably heard already, getting there is half of the fun :p Plus its always more rewarding when you know the love & work you put in. For the price im paying the TULAs I can definitely spend a few more bucks on getting the parts, it will probably be a 2 part buy, 1 order for the rifles and 1 for the accessories. Tons of great sites out there for the SKS. But thanks for the info Ill check it out still.

Like I said earlier I totally understand and appreciate the original SKS design, very beautiful, this is why im also keeping the one with the better stock finish for the collection. I just think the SKS is such a great all around shooter, why not give it a little modern touch, Im really just into the Tapcos for the pistol and vertical grips. If there was a wood stock with pistol grip for the SKS Id probably settle for that.


Oh and thanks for the heads up on the firing pin guys, I was into the idea of keeping it safest possible after hearing and seeing some videos, but obviously thats not much of a big deal, especially if you handle your firearms safely which I pride myself in doing so.

Thanks again guys have a nice day & happy shooting
 
i've used the tri mount for sights on my sks and i found it worked quite well the only problem is what everyone has mentioned if you take it apart to clean your gonna have to re zero its never off by very much but you still have to do it. i would also look into ati stocks they make a really nice stock for these guns. if you are looking for a sight i would look into NC star rubberized tactical 3 i know a lot of people don't like it but it has worked excellent on my sks
 
I have the tapco stock on my sks and i love it. The length of pull was way to short on the factory stock so the tapco fixed that problem for me. I also installed the choate mount and have no complaints about it, its rock solid. As others have said the firing pin upgrade is not necessary and the only way i would do it is if i was shooting handloads only but i dont. just keep the channel that the firing pin moves along clean and there will be no issues. If your going to be shooting with iron sights buy a sight adjustment tool, they are like 5$. If you want to mount a scope i have a choate for sale if your interested PM me. Here's a pic of my sks.
Randoms020.jpg
 
Just remember, if you ever decide to sell your SKS, that a $169.00 SKS with $500.00 in parts added, is still a $169.00 SKS(that shoots the same with or without bells and whistles added)!!!
 
pklassen said:
I have the tapco stock on my sks and i love it. The length of pull was way to short on the factory stock so the tapco fixed that problem for me. I also installed the choate mount and have no complaints about it, its rock solid. As others have said the firing pin upgrade is not necessary and the only way i would do it is if i was shooting handloads only but i dont. just keep the channel that the firing pin moves along clean and there will be no issues. If your going to be shooting with iron sights buy a sight adjustment tool, they are like 5$. If you want to mount a scope i have a choate for sale if your interested PM me. Here's a pic of my sks.
Randoms020.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm curious how exactly did you attache the bipod? I have one mounted to the bayonett lug right now & would love to move it back like you have. I know I need a different bopod (I have one ready) but theres no eye lug where the bayonett cut slot is. Did you install one further back behind the cutout?
I just checked mine again and there doesn't seem to be enough space behind the cotout to install a stud without the bipod interfering with the magazine?????
 
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