Best SKS dates?

1953 Izhevsk --non-refurbished-- is the true Russian gem. The refurb 1949's are more common, but also highly collectible.
If a non-refurbished 1949 exists, that would be the ultimate gem.

I would say that the early non-chrome Russians are best built, and most refined. My 1949 was (as I sold it) also surprizingly accurate!

Spring loaded firing pin makes no difference. Have both, and both work the same.

In the end, they're all worthy of praise, and there are nice examples from every year.
 
The Kurgan said:
1953 Izhevsk --non-refurbished-- is the true Russian gem. The refurb 1949's are more common, but also highly collectible.
If a non-refurbished 1949 exists, that would be the ultimate gem.

I would say that the early non-chrome Russians are best built, and most refined. My 1949 was (as I sold it) also surprizingly accurate!

Spring loaded firing pin makes no difference. Have both, and both work the same.

In the end, they're all worthy of praise, and there are nice examples from every year.
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I dunno about that. I have a '51 which functions and shoots great, but... Ivan had too much vodka while running the mill that day.
 
Flamingchicken said:
I had a 53 :( lol
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I have a '53 refurb of which I "customized"

Stock from a '54 Tula non-refurb which bubba sold me. Found blued bayonet installed. DIY cold blued carrier that screams of quality ;). An authentic Soviet surplus trouser belt turned sling loop... sweet! I also found a nice Ukrainian RPK sling with black hardware that completes the look. :cool: Next on the "work order" is AK style front sight ears and stock refinish.

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This refurb was sloppy from the get-go anways. The gas tube was incredibly loose, so I shimmed it. The bolt carrier had nasty file marks so I blued it. The trigger was awful (more than usual) so I tuned it. The original laminate stock was a complete crooked P.O.S. so I put this hardwood stock on and shimmed it nice and tight. The bore was excellent so it shoots not-too-bad. Plus the gas piston is undersized for the tube so it cycles nice and soft.

That's my '53 Izzy bubba...

I await the firing squad.
 
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Mine likes long walks trough the woods and eating corrosive meals during daylight hours. Followed by a vigorous showering and a gentle oily rub down.
 
Rob_man587 said:
just curious, but are only the referbs the ones that have chrome lined barrels?
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refurbs can be either, non-refurbs can be either.

Basically, LATE 1951 (though I have not seen one) to 1956 (or if your an American 1958) were built with chrome lined barrels.

1949-1951 came with regular barrels.

Both shoot well. Chrome lined are apparently a little less accurate but more corrosion resistant. Either one will serve you well and out-live you.
 
A $2700 + tax Sako vs. my $350 1953 Izhevek non-refurb.

The Sako is gone to a loving home, my 1953 will always stay in my home.
In this rare instance, the SKS is truly the "best bang for the buck" in the firearms world. Period.

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The Kurgan said:
Mine's of the same prefix range, with similar cartouches on the stock. Well done, and hang on to it! IT WILL GO UP IN VALUE BEFORE ANY OTHER. BTW, these are mid-year 1953's, not early, not late.
I know of only 5 1953 non-refurbished SKS amoung forum members. :)
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Yeah, I am aware that these aren't early 53 production year. What I said was it was early import to Canada. As far as selling it, it sits nicely with my laminate refurb '49, very early '50 refurb (has all '49 features except the bayo), 51 Tula non-refurb and non-refurb letter "K" laminate. It would be hard to part with them, but everything is always for sale at the right price. Isn't that how you got yours? Lol
 
leojlafrog said:
Yeah, I am aware that these aren't early 53 production year. What I said was it was early import to Canada. As far as selling it, it sits nicely with my laminate refurb '49, very early '50 refurb (has all '49 features except the bayo), 51 Tula non-refurb and non-refurb letter "K" laminate. It would be hard to part with them, but everything is always for sale at the right price. Isn't that how you got yours? Lol
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True enough. lol
 
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