Norinco SKS - Bakelite/French tickler handguard preferable over wood?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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Looking to pick up a Norinco SKS from the recent batch. The rifles at the online vendor I'm looking to buy from appear unissued and in excellent condition, all matching serial numbers, but they have the wooden handguard instead of the "French tickler" Bakelite handguard. Aside from the Bakelite being more rare, are there any practical advantages or disadvantages to wood versus Bakelite handguard on the SKS? Is one better than the other?

I'm going to find out what factory and year of manufacture they are tomorrow, but am curious if anyone can tell me if some of the really nice, late 70's, factory 26 manufacture rifles that we've been seeing came with wooden handguards. All the picture I've seen on this forum of the unissued rifles have Bakelite handguards, so these ones being wood kind of threw me off.

Thanks
 
CanuckShooter said:
Looking to pick up a Norinco SKS from the recent batch. The rifles at the online vendor I'm looking to buy from appear unissued and in excellent condition, all matching serial numbers, but they have the wooden handguard instead of the "French tickler" Bakelite handguard. Aside from the Bakelite being more rare, are there any practical advantages or disadvantages to wood versus Bakelite handguard on the SKS? Is one better than the other?
I'm going to find out what factory and year of manufacture they are tomorrow, but am curious if anyone can tell me if some of the really nice, late 70's, factory 26 manufacture rifles that we've been seeing came with wooden handguards. All the picture I've seen on this forum of the unissued rifles have Bakelite handguards, so these ones being wood kind of threw me off.
Thanks
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I have a Type 56 factory /26\ Chinese SKS from that recent batch. They are in absolutely superb condition. The barreled action is brand new and nicely blued. To the best of my knowledge all the type 56's from that batch have Bakelite handguards since they were produced in 1978 (23rd year of production which is identified by the first two digits of the SN) which was the first year the factory /26\ introduced a Bakelite handguard. If the SKS from your vendor has a wooden handguard it is, most likely, not the same batch. Although, it's hard to say more without seeing the handguard. Now, Bullseye North have some type 56 SKS's on sale for $466. Are you referring to those?
With regard to one being better than the other, IMHO there is no difference whatsoever.
 
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I am indeed referring to the ones at Bullseye. Have you seen any of theirs? Are they decent or am I better off waiting for Cabela's to put the ones with the bakelite on sale again?
 
CanuckShooter said:
I am indeed referring to the ones at Bullseye. Have you seen any of theirs? Are they decent or am I better off waiting for Cabela's to put the ones with the bakelite on sale again?
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I noticed an advertisement from Bullseye a few hours ago. The picture on their website is crappy and I would not trust that it shows a real type 56 they are selling. I would simply call them and ask if their SKS have a Bakelite handguard or a wooden one. If the latter, then it is not the most recent batch from the 23rd year of production with a Bakelite handguard. You could also ask about the SN and then you would know the year of production. Having said that I suspect that, indeed, their SKS are from the recent batch and have a Bakelite handguard but the picture is just generic.
 
CanuckShooter said:
Oh I did. They verified that the handguard is wood.
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O.K. Very well then, it is not the most recent batch. Before buying it I would very carefully examine the gun. I just noticed on their website this disclaimer: "Please note all SKS rifles are surplus/refurbished and may exhibit rust/corrosion, wear or scratch marks" and this: "rifle shown in image for representation only. rifle shipped may have a different look and finish".
I'd be very careful.
 
The guy I spoke to on the phone was very helpful. He's going to send me a pic of the rifle and the markings tomorrow. That should sort it out.

He said they do appear unissued, the serials all match, and they're some of the nicest he's seen.
 
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I ordered what appeared to be a "French Tickler" version from G4C, https://g4cgunstore.com/product/chi...-w-spike-bayonet-7-62x39mm-20-non-restricted/

But received a regular all wood stock Norinco 1969 instead. Contacted G4C and they said they wouldn't do anything for me. First and last purchase from G4C!

PXL-20230214-225317222.jpg
 
g36k said:
I ordered what appeared to be a "French Tickler" version from G4C, https://g4cgunstore.com/product/chi...-w-spike-bayonet-7-62x39mm-20-non-restricted/

But received a regular all wood stock Norinco 1969 instead. Contacted G4C and they said they wouldn't do anything for me. First and last purchase from G4C!

PXL-20230214-225317222.jpg
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Absolute shame on them! On top of it, their website picture shows the real "French Tickler" type 56! It's completely misleading. Your rifle looks like a rather heavily used beater. Ask in strong terms for return of the rifle and money reimbursement.
 
g36k said:
I ordered what appeared to be a "French Tickler" version from G4C, https://g4cgunstore.com/product/chi...-w-spike-bayonet-7-62x39mm-20-non-restricted/

But received a regular all wood stock Norinco 1969 instead. Contacted G4C and they said they wouldn't do anything for me. First and last purchase from G4C!

PXL-20230214-225317222.jpg
Click to expand...

I was gonna tell OP to buy from G4C bcos of their pic and priced at $529 . after seeing what they sent you. i wouldnt buy that so are they running out of the french tickler?
 
CanuckShooter said:
What about the Bakelite handguard do you prefer?
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to me? nothing really. its what it represent. i've never seen an unissued from factory 26 before.

btw, prior to this shipment, french tickler were quite rare. i've seen one or two in gunshows in decades.
 
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