Looking to buy an SKS. What to look for.

ForaFewDollarsMore

ForaFewDollarsMore

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So Im looking to get myself a sks for some cheap fun and history some time in the new year. What things should I look for and why. So far I hear the crome lined barrel is better for corrisive ammo. Also I hear that the laminated stocks are abit more money.

So far I was thinking to make sure its crome lined, laminated stock, check the firing pin, rifling. What else. ?

I don't mind paying more for something better.

Any thoughts would be a great help.
 
Anything from 1951-56 will be chrome lined. I usually make sure the bolt/reciever seem tight, no rattle or extra looseness. Open the magazine release, make sure it's not stuck, work the safety a couple times. There were some changes around the 51-52 so for uniformness a later model gas block style (usually 52 onward). I have a 1950 that some accessories don't fit on as easily, where my 53 they go on without a thought. I prefer the latch for the gas tube to have the tab instead of punch hole, but that's just personal preference. The stock shouldn't rattle back and forth with the reciever. If you can take off the gas tube look for rust around the gas port.

Other then that it's mostly cosmetic and personal preference. Most of the ones we get seem to be matching (sometimes forced) serial numbers, you can sort through and find non refurbs sometimes. I prefer the birch stock, but many like the laminate. I have seen some with a really nice looking grain to the wood, others not as nice. Some wood is darker red, some is lighter.

Also pick up and compare a laminate and a hardwood. The wrist section of the stock where you hold it seems slightly narrower on the laminates and for me i like the feel of the birch stocks better.

As long as the function of everything is good, for a shooter pick out what looks good to you.
 
You can also take a look through the stickies in the Red Rifle section. Alot of good info there from people like Curton. Sks is a great little rifle that is cheap to buy, well made, and very very cheap to shoot. Good luck.
 
I was thinking about the birch stock ones because I want it an all wood stock, but I figure the laminate might be less prone to warping. (does that make sense) . great info guys, thx alot.
 
dand883 said:
Anything from 1951-56 will be chrome lined. I usually make sure the bolt/reciever seem tight, no rattle or extra looseness. Open the magazine release, make sure it's not stuck, work the safety a couple times. There were some changes around the 51-52 so for uniformness a later model gas block style (usually 52 onward). I have a 1950 that some accessories don't fit on as easily, where my 53 they go on without a thought. I prefer the latch for the gas tube to have the tab instead of punch hole, but that's just personal preference. The stock shouldn't rattle back and forth with the reciever. If you can take off the gas tube look for rust around the gas port.

Other then that it's mostly cosmetic and personal preference. Most of the ones we get seem to be matching (sometimes forced) serial numbers, you can sort through and find non refurbs sometimes. I prefer the birch stock, but many like the laminate. I have seen some with a really nice looking grain to the wood, others not as nice. Some wood is darker red, some is lighter.

Also pick up and compare a laminate and a hardwood. The wrist section of the stock where you hold it seems slightly narrower on the laminates and for me i like the feel of the birch stocks better.

As long as the function of everything is good, for a shooter pick out what looks good to you.
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The majority of 1951s will be chrome lined, but not ALL of them, they started doing that partway through the year. I personally have two that are not and have seen more 1951s that are not. Chrome lined barrels wear longer, and corrode less easily (not to say you don't clean it the same as you would if it wasn't lined) They're said to be less accurate because of inconsistencies in the plating process but I doubt any of us can shoot good enough to notice the difference, especially with a military pattern rifle and the ammo we use in it.
 
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