I've seen some "paratrooper" versions of the SKS and I like the look of the shorter barrel. I don't want a front sight or bayo mount... Just the barrel with a tip of some kind (flash hider or whatever it's called). Can I have that done? Will it effect how the gun shoots or operates? I know about the legal length for the barrel but at that length will the gas system operation be effected? Any help or guidance would be great.
Shortening the barrel on my SKS?
- Thread starter pavmentsurfer
- Start date
So you want to sacrifice what little accuracy an SKS has for 'looks'? Sounds practical.
If the sight is optical, shortening the barrel will not hurt. More likely it will help a bit. But you can't go shorter than about 18.5". Not sure how long the stock barrel is, but can't be much more than that.
I thought about this for mine, but the barrel was only 20", so there's not much point.
Superior Communist worker in 1954 made barrel to specified length. Ideal for shooting capitalist pig. Not to be cut up by capitalist pig for make toy.
- Location
- Niagara Region, Ontario. For now
Really?
Rocket Surgery
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
do it man
I mentioned the legality issue in my original post. I understand that the legal length is 18.5. Thats pretty much exactly how long I want it to be... I think I could knock off at least 4 inches at the moment. Its just so long and I don't like the bayo mount and front sight.
Id attempt to shorten it myself if it wasn't going to mess up the gun. But Ive read you have to do it right and there are other considerations besides just hacking the end off. Id also like to have the end reverse threaded for AR tips... about $100 at Ellwood. Not sure if I'm going to do it. Im more concerned with the gas system and weather shortening the barrel will cause problems with re-cocking.
Can anyone answer that for me.
Id attempt to shorten it myself if it wasn't going to mess up the gun. But Ive read you have to do it right and there are other considerations besides just hacking the end off. Id also like to have the end reverse threaded for AR tips... about $100 at Ellwood. Not sure if I'm going to do it. Im more concerned with the gas system and weather shortening the barrel will cause problems with re-cocking.
Can anyone answer that for me.
Hmmm... thats very interesting. I may have this done at some point. The guys at Ellwood kind of treated me like an idiot when I asked about it... mind you, they've treated me like an idiot every time Ive called in the past few weeks. Maybe its because I'm new and don't use all the right words. or maybe its because I'm not looking to buy $2500 guns.
either way, anyone know a place that does gun modifications like this anywhere. If I do it, I want it done right.
either way, anyone know a place that does gun modifications like this anywhere. If I do it, I want it done right.
Dlask Arms Corp.
But be prepared to shel out some $$$ not only because of the price to chop, crown & thread the barrel but also shipping back and forth. Although I am sure there are some other smith's out in your neck of the woods that would do this if the price is right.
Although I have been in talk's with a certain company about making a part that would resolve the problem of not being able to apply muzzle brakes to this rifle although I am afraid that this concept is still in it's plaining phase. As not to many manufactor's out there believe that there is a market for this product.
But be prepared to shel out some $$$ not only because of the price to chop, crown & thread the barrel but also shipping back and forth. Although I am sure there are some other smith's out in your neck of the woods that would do this if the price is right.
Although I have been in talk's with a certain company about making a part that would resolve the problem of not being able to apply muzzle brakes to this rifle although I am afraid that this concept is still in it's plaining phase. As not to many manufactor's out there believe that there is a market for this product.
So you want to sacrifice what little accuracy an SKS has for 'looks'? Sounds practical.
I had the barrel shortened on my SKS to 18.5 inches and it shoots accurately enough for me. I can consistently hit a 1 foot gong at 200 yards with an Aimpoint micro.
^^ Thats the info I was looking for. Thanks so much man. I appreciate it. Once my PAL comes in and I can actually HAVE the guns I've bought (my brother is currently storing them for me) I'm going to have this done. I was looking at more SKS pics on line today and I MUCH prefer the short look with just a flash hider.
IIRC, an SKS barrel is about 20". If shortening it by 1 3/8" is what you want to do, go for it. Remeber that the ones in the US can have 16+ inch barrels, 2 1/2" shorter than here.
If the new crown is better than the original, the accuracy just might be improved. Otherwise, there shouldn't be any change, unless the new crown is bxggered up, then accuracy might suffer.
The bore is chromed, so be careful when cutting and crowning.
The muzzle could be threaded to put an AR "tip" on it. Maybe even a brake or flashider. Of course, the carbine won't be any shorter with an extension on the barrel.
Cutting, threading and crowning would be a bit of a p.i.t.a. to do, given that the barrel is not readily removable. The work would have to be done on the barrelled receiver.
I'd be surprised if a shop like Epps charged less than a couple of hundred dollars to do the job, given the time that would be spent on fiddling around. Even if they treated you like an idiot, your money is as good as anyone else's.
If the new crown is better than the original, the accuracy just might be improved. Otherwise, there shouldn't be any change, unless the new crown is bxggered up, then accuracy might suffer.
The bore is chromed, so be careful when cutting and crowning.
The muzzle could be threaded to put an AR "tip" on it. Maybe even a brake or flashider. Of course, the carbine won't be any shorter with an extension on the barrel.
Cutting, threading and crowning would be a bit of a p.i.t.a. to do, given that the barrel is not readily removable. The work would have to be done on the barrelled receiver.
I'd be surprised if a shop like Epps charged less than a couple of hundred dollars to do the job, given the time that would be spent on fiddling around. Even if they treated you like an idiot, your money is as good as anyone else's.
Just an FYI...
Assuming that the overall length remains 26" or longer, the barrel length limit before they become prohibited is actually 18". Between 18.5" and 18", semi-automatic center fire rifles and shotguns become restricted. So some rifles (non-semi-auto, or semi-autos that are not center fires) can be cut down to 18" and still be non-restricted. If a person had an RPAL, they should be able to legally cut their SKS down to 18".
People can do as they please of course, but generally less rifling = less accuracy. Of course, a poor crown is also less accurate, so people do tend to shave off rifling length in favor of a more consistent rifling crown. Logically, its better to have that rifling available to recrown, than to simply remove it for purposes of cosmetics, then be screwed when you do need to cut it back some more.
