My New SKS - Newb Perspective (Updated with Pics)

ArchiePerry

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Location
Fort McMurray
Original Post: 2011/05/04


Because I am as excited as child on Christmas eve.

2011/04/30 13:11 QUESNEL Item accepted at the Post Office

2011/05/04 21:02 EDMONTON Item processed at postal facility

It looks like hopefully I get to pick it up after work if all goes according to plan!

DON'T SCREW ME NOW CANADA POST!

------
May 15.

Well It took Canada post 8 days to send the gun about 10 hours drive. In contrast I have had guns delivered from the same distance in only 2 or 3 days. I was very dissapointed when I had to wait to so long. I went though many different stages from glee to remorse, to just not giving a damn... Then the day came, 8 days later, a Monday. I drove to the post office with a smile, walked into the building grinning from ear to ear. In line I stood there , the only one happy that I was finally in que. That is until I got to the counter and promptly realized I had left my delivery notice at home! Fortunately for me, they accpeted photo ID and my address instead. So I signed for my abnormally long package and out on to the street I went skipping along grinning and giddy as could be. This was my first CGN EE purchase and I was excited to see what was inside the box.

Once home this is what I had.
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I opened it up and this is what was inside:
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Its a 1945 model Siminov SKS Manufactured 1951. (russian version of SKS) BTW, SKS Stands for Samozaryadnyj Karabin sistemy Simonova... or in Russian: Самозарядный карабин системы Симонова which basically means Self-loading Carbine of (the) Simonov system google "SKS WIKI" to read more.

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It came with a circa 1975 ammo pouche.
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My room mate was excited to see and hold a real gun. I gave him a primer on the basics of safety and Don't Do's.
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The SKS fires a round called 7.62 x 39mm which can be purchased in bulk surplus for about 20 cents each ( quantities of 1100 approx.) These come in full metal jacket though, and cannot be fired at indoor ranges such as http://www.theshootingedge.com/. Apparently a domestic source of ammo can be had that has soft, lead point which is suitable for indoor ranges, though I tried to find it at wholesale sports and canadian tire and http://www.theshootingedge.com/, and nobody had it.

surplus ammo
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While in Calgary I went to http://www.theshootingedge.com/ to shoot my SKS. My problem is that I am a newb and this was my first SKS or milsurp in fact. Also my first centre-fire. Also first semi auto. I didn`t know how to break it down, or how to set it up, how to load or fire it! Even though http://www.theshootingedge.com/ had no ammo to sell me ( sold out apparently), they kindly helped me out with my new gun which I did not buy from them. They gave me great help and service at no cost and because of this customer service experience, I would recommend them. I bought a trigger lock from them but was dissapointed that I didn`t give them more business as this was originally my intention. Perhaps if they had more 7.62c39mm softpoints in stock ( lots) then I could have.

Needless to say, I took this opportunity to drive out to the wilderness and test fire the gun with the FMJ rounds instead.
While out at the APRA public range I met a heck of a nice guy from Airdrie who apparently owns 2 or 3 SKS`s and was pretty fond of them. He told me I made a great purchase and not to ever buy a NORINCO SKS for among other reasions, not to support the chinese government. Politics or ideals aside, I agreed simply because I like the history behind a 1951 coldwar souvenir.

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I fired about 100 - 200 rounds for fun practicing opperating the gun it's self, loading, unloading, firing rapid, slow. It was a very satisfying experience. I had to stop after a short while though because I was developing a pretty bad sun burn. My pale artificial office-light skin isn't used to the out of doors.

I made a video of me shooting 20 rounds with a silly grin on my face.


I found that firing 5 rounds in a fast and menacing maner and then reloading with stripper clips and firing 5 more was not hard at all. One thing that I was un sure of was what actually happens when you load it.. Just like the youtube videos show, you simply jam the rounds down into the magazine, and thats it. I was sure there must be a trick to it. something secret nobody would share. There is no secret. Just jam them in with your thumb.


I recommend an SKS to anybody interested in Milsurp or Semi auto. It`s cheap, its easy, and it gets the job done. I`ll probably buy another 1 or 2... then start hoarding crates of 7.62x39.

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Drachenblut: yes first milsurp, thanks!
.30/06FTW: Pics. Not worthless.


Hope you enjoyed the writeup.
 
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Ah, she looks to be a fine Tula!

I remember my first time shooting my '52 Tula. I had no idea how to load the rifle like you, but then I saw the stripper clip guide. Problem solved. So easy a monkey could do it. And after firing it, I honestly thought it was more fun than my M1.

You'll probably need an SKS front sight tool to adjust the sights. And don't forget to clean the sh*t out of it after firing corrosive!
 
Hope you took your buddy shooting; the more we can get in this sport, and them all happy, the stronger we will be.

Nice little rifle. Mine is a '55... and a lot of fun.

Welcome to the World of Milsurps.

Next on the list: Long Branch Number 4? SMLE? 98k? ROSS???

No matter; it WILL be fun!

.
 
Hope you took your buddy shooting; the more we can get in this sport, and them all happy, the stronger we will be.

Nice little rifle. Mine is a '55... and a lot of fun.

Welcome to the World of Milsurps.

Next on the list: Long Branch Number 4? SMLE? 98k? ROSS???

No matter; it WILL be fun!

.

I think I'll have to convince him to get an M1 Garand next since it was I who pressured him into getting the SKS. :D
 
You have a nice SKS there, seeing as how the bolt and the bayonet are both polished and "in the white". Most (refurbed) SKS's have either a black bolt with a bead blasted bayonet, or a black bayonet with a bead blasted bolt assembly.( either way, pretty hard to find one with a shiny bayonet) I own both types, and IMO the "polished" examples of the Russian SKS are the more desireable. My "shiny" 1954 Tula is stored in the back of my gun safe right now, I use my Chicom for range time!
 
is you front sight leaning a little to the left or is tjhat just the pic.. looks like the center pin is moved over to compensate for it.. i have a tula with the same prob.. shoots good. but to tell y9ou the truth. i like my chinese milsurp better.. it doesn;t feel as nice in the hands( little fatter) and doesn;t look as nice.. wood is ugly.. but the thing can shoot a fly off #### at 50 yards..

but nice gun!!! im sure you're genna love it
 
The pics don't show everything needed to confirm, but that looks like a non-refurbed rifle. Nice score, take good care of it. You will have more SKSs, trust me. Very few people can stop at just one.

I have eight.
 
What are the indicators of a non-refurbed SKS?

When I took it into the shooting edge and they broke it down,, they told me that the springs and hinges were very tight and questioned if it had been fired much at all.

As to buying more. Yes, I foresee that in my near future. 2012 is close.
cou:
 
I made a youtube video that might help you figure out if its refurbed. Its called "Russian SKS comparison". I made it for situations just like this, hope it helps.
 
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