Question about black bolt sks?

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Fyn

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Hey guys, my apologies if this is a newb and/or redundant question. I just picked up my first sks (it was acutally my first purchase as well). It's a refurb'd Russian from Tula, manf'd 1953. It has a black bolt. I bought it locally, I paid a little more than online, but it was on my commute home, and I was eager to get it. I'm not really concerned with the collector side of things, I really just wanted something to plink with and most likely take up north in the fall.

I know the black bolt isn't as sought after as the silver bolts. From what I've been reading, the main reasoning behind this is the black bolts aren't numbers matching. But mine is all numbers matching, and does not appear to be "forced matched", from what I've been reading. So is this really the only "problem" with the black bolt refurb's? Does this mean it's essentially no different than the silver bolts? I don't really care about shiny stuff, and I actually kind of like the look of the bolt. I was just curious.

Thanks in advance.
 
Fyn said:
Hey guys, my apologies if this is a newb and/or redundant question. I just picked up my first sks (it was acutally my first purchase as well). It's a refurb'd Russian from Tula, manf'd 1953. It has a black bolt. I bought it locally, I paid a little more than online, but it was on my commute home, and I was eager to get it. I'm not really concerned with the collector side of things, I really just wanted something to plink with and most likely take up north in the fall.

I know the black bolt isn't as sought after as the silver bolts. From what I've been reading, the main reasoning behind this is the black bolts aren't numbers matching. But mine is all numbers matching, and does not appear to be "forced matched", from what I've been reading. So is this really the only "problem" with the black bolt refurb's? Does this mean it's essentially no different than the silver bolts? I don't really care about shiny stuff, and I actually kind of like the look of the bolt. I was just curious.

Thanks in advance.
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The black bolt sks's are refurb but they have been painted during refurb process. They are as good as the silver bolt from performance view but not as good looking. When sks's where refurb, they where refurb in severals places, that's why some are painted and some are blued, all depend who did the refurb. Ofc blued are prefered for collection purpose because sks were originally blued but as an exemple, the 1949 sks we have in canada, are for the most part all painted so we must take them like this. My 2 1949 are refurb painted but all criticals parts are matching.
Cheers. Jocelyn
 
No problem with black bolts bud!....As a matter of fact,they have been reported to be some of the best shooters out there....of sks's that is. I don't think that collectively we really know for sure as to why the armory paints some bolts and not others....lots of speculation but I haven't heard any proof/evidence.
A word of warning though..........these guns are too much fun to shoot,they are addictive,you will not be able to stop fondling it....you'll wish you had more and you will never be able to stock enough ammo to feed it...........................................................................................................................................................but at least you won't get hairy palms:D
 
Sounds like we have the same rifle. My '53 Tula black bolt refurb is my best shooter, she puts my '51 all original Tula to shame accuracy wise. Does your rifle have the No 1 on the front site base?
 
Thanks for the responses guys, I definately see what your saying, I'm just itching to get a chance to try it out. I know it will be a slippery slope from then on :D

cainesy said:
Sounds like we have the same rifle. My '53 Tula black bolt refurb is my best shooter, she puts my '51 all original Tula to shame accuracy wise. Does your rifle have the No 1 on the front site base?
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That's very reassuring. It does have the "1" stamped on the front base. That has to do with the accuracy test after the refurb, or something of that nature right?
 
I have a black bolt SKS a Tula 1955 i think it is, and it works flawless, I love it< I might be buying another SKS with a silver bolt, I doubt there will be much of a difference
 
Fyn said:
Thanks for the responses guys, I definately see what your saying, I'm just itching to get a chance to try it out. I know it will be a slippery slope from then on :D



That's very reassuring. It does have the "1" stamped on the front base. That has to do with the accuracy test after the refurb, or something of that nature right?
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:rolleyes:...That's also a bit of a misnomer,I've heard that as well. I,ve also heard that the front stamps have nothing to do with accuracy. Shoot it to find out how it shoots....Minuit to barn door or cracker. In either case you'll find front stampings 1 thru 3...So who knows what they really mean?
 
General consensus among colectors is that the number on the front base refers to the journal size of the outer barrel. The bayo should have the same number. It just aided the arsenal in matching parts during assembly, no bearing on accuracy.
 
Black bolt, silver bolt, doesn't matter in terms of performance.

If it's looks you're after, well AFAIC the silver bolt SKS is nicer-looking.

I have one of each BTW.
 
Thanks for all the responses guys :).

One more question, I noticed a little bit of light rust on the gas tube, near where it meets the wood. Pretty minimal but it's bugging me. Since it's just painted, what would you guys recommend for redoing it? I have a couple different cans of matte and semi-matte black engine enamel, any other ideas?
 
wd-40 and steel wool to remove the rust, if it left enough pitting to still bother you then touch it up with some cold bluing.

Fyn said:
Thanks for all the responses guys :).

One more question, I noticed a little bit of light rust on the gas tube, near where it meets the wood. Pretty minimal but it's bugging me. Since it's just painted, what would you guys recommend for redoing it? I have a couple different cans of matte and semi-matte black engine enamel, any other ideas?
Click to expand...
 
shredder said:
Black bolt, silver bolt, doesn't matter in terms of performance.

If it's looks you're after, well AFAIC the silver bolt SKS is nicer-looking.

I have one of each BTW.
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There was a black bolt/bayo in a laminate stock at wholesale sports in G.P. I might grab a tula refurb to do that to. I think the silver bolt/bayo looks out of place.
 
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