Converting an SKS to 5.56 or 5.45?
- Thread starter lawn gnome
- Start date
m305?
My whole idea is ease to convert.
The 7.62x39 and the 5.45x39 have similar base dimensions.
That theoretically means the no changes to the bolt.
The barrel and chamber, change is obvious.
Only real question is what are the gas pressure changes and if the piston system as we know it can handle it?
The 7.62x39 and the 5.45x39 have similar base dimensions.
That theoretically means the no changes to the bolt.
The barrel and chamber, change is obvious.
Only real question is what are the gas pressure changes and if the piston system as we know it can handle it?
SKS is way over gassed, so I doubt the gas system is where your major issues would be.
The fact the barrel is pressed in is likely the biggest hurdle to go from one x39 case to another.
Junk means junk as they didn’t get it right and much gunsmithing couldn’t make it function reliably. As I said one of the major gun dealers chimed in on this before and confirmed they weren’t worth their weight in scrap. Would you like to buy a gun that doesn’t work and could possibly blow up in your face? —-Dieseldog!
Fair enough. Some people's version of junk is a lee enfield or a 2moa rifle or a 14" shotgun. Not making that up either, I have heard people call all those things junk. Does not function and may blow up is indeed junk
I just ordered a Chinese SKS to use as the base for one in 5.56/223. I may just need to change the barrel if we are lucky and make an adapter for the mag. I might just mod the original mag to work. I will see once I get it ripped apart. These are supposed to be threaded barrels but if they are just pinned it will actually be easier to fit.
As far as accuracy is concerned I think they may be decent shooters. I shot my Yugo at 300m and it kept all the shots on a Fig 11, for 60 shots all with. We will see how this monster will shoot.
As far as accuracy is concerned I think they may be decent shooters. I shot my Yugo at 300m and it kept all the shots on a Fig 11, for 60 shots all with. We will see how this monster will shoot.
I forgot to mention that it needs to be cheap!
There's more to it than just swapping out the barrel.
The guide rails are profiled for the larger 7.62x39 cartridge and you will have to replace the flip down magazine system with a system that will accept magazines, such as those from the AR 15.
There used to be a kit available for that and it will accept Ruger Mini 14 mags with a bit of modification, which I know you can do.
I'm in the process of putting one together as well but I want a heavier profile barrel than that which the SKS is originally fitted.
I'm still going to have to utilise the original gas system so the heavier barrel will have to be modified to fit at both ends to accomodate.
The gas port needs to be slightly enlarged as well, to provide enough gasses to operate the action. Might be better to make up an adjustable vent just in case so that it different types of ammo can be played with?
The Chinese did assemble several hundred SKS rifles in both the standard and the D model for export to the US.
The US started their ban on importing Chinese firerarms around the same time and I believe only a few made it into the US, if any.
I've held off from starting my build, until I get over my present health condition, which hopefully will be right around March.
When I get close to finishing, I will definitely write an update post.
The guide rails are profiled for the larger 7.62x39 cartridge and you will have to replace the flip down magazine system with a system that will accept magazines, such as those from the AR 15.
There used to be a kit available for that and it will accept Ruger Mini 14 mags with a bit of modification, which I know you can do.
I'm in the process of putting one together as well but I want a heavier profile barrel than that which the SKS is originally fitted.
I'm still going to have to utilise the original gas system so the heavier barrel will have to be modified to fit at both ends to accomodate.
The gas port needs to be slightly enlarged as well, to provide enough gasses to operate the action. Might be better to make up an adjustable vent just in case so that it different types of ammo can be played with?
The Chinese did assemble several hundred SKS rifles in both the standard and the D model for export to the US.
The US started their ban on importing Chinese firerarms around the same time and I believe only a few made it into the US, if any.
I've held off from starting my build, until I get over my present health condition, which hopefully will be right around March.
When I get close to finishing, I will definitely write an update post.
wish you the best to recover on your health issue.
I'm going to use a similar barrel, with a 1-9 twist rate.
I did a similar project with an M1 Carbine as far as an extended barrel.
I left it in the original chambering but used a Schilen Match Grade 1-15 twist barrel from an old Hunter Bench Rest rifle I had in the bin. Not often you see an M1 Carbine with a 24 inch heavy HBR profile that shoots into an inch at 100 yds.
If you get your rifle finished before I do mine, I would appreciate a heads up and maybe some info on how you overcame some issues, such as the size of the gass port.
When the Chinese did their conversions, it was the gas ports that gave them the biggest issue. Their rifles worked fine with 5.56nato but were over gassing with some commercial 223Win.
I would like my build to handle both, if possible and may just have to make up a simple gas regulator.
Whatever, I'm fully expecting a fair bit of tedious fiddling and fitting before this thing will work reliably.
Ian, did you make sure that your Chinese SKS had a threaded barrel tenon??? That could really cause some problems.
