School me in SKS rifles

slushee

slushee

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Okay, I know all about the SKS rifles. What I don't know is the differences between the Russian, Russian Laminate and Chinese (Norinco).

More specifically, I want to buy one tomorrow :eek::D

There are only 3 companies that seem to have them in stock atm. Westrifle has $200 non-laminate russians, Lever Arms has $200 non-laminate russians as well as $250 laminate russians, while can-ammo has $200 chinese 'military' made in the '70's and '80's.

So I have no idea which one I should get! Bayonett aside, is the laminate worth the extra $50? If not, would you get a russian vs the new production chinese?

Are all of them chrome-lined?

Thanks in advance. I used to own a beat up old Norinco but sold it. I'd like a new 'safe queen' that looks good while also being super cheap.

Can you tell I'm really torn on this :D
 
I got one of the Marstar sks's and am very happy with it. Shoots great, and not a hicup at all so far. I would you just get one with the screw in barrel and milled reciever. Not the stamped and pressed norinco civilian issue junk.
 
Depends what you want. The Russian SKS's are all refurbs. The Chinese rifles are brand new old stock. If I was in the market for another SKS I would go with the Chinese. Marstar has a Chinese SKS and Ammo deal. If you just want the rifle Canada Ammo has a good deal ...Free Shipping. Lever Arms Russian SKS's, the magazines are pinned badly compared to the other dealers. Lots of deals out there............
 
I like the Laminate stock. Not only is it pretty, but its way stronger. Its a bunch of thin layers of wood glued together. Some people don't like it, but to me is pretty.

This is my Laminated stock SKS. Oh yea! The non-laminate and the laminate price difference at the store I got mine from was only $20 not $50. The Laminate stock ones also seem to have a tendency to whisper strange things and you can some how hear the communist national anthem.

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bjs7293 said:
Depends what you want. The Russian SKS's are all refurbs. The Chinese rifles are brand new old stock.
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Actually, you can get Russian SKSs that have not been refurbed, though most have. Also, all Soviet SKSs are military surplus, but only some Chinese are milsurp. The Chinese produce some SKSs specifically for the North American market and some are basically commercial-milsurp frankensteins; a non-military design made with some milsurp parts (the SKS 'D'). The pure commerical Chinese SKSs I've seen in person were crap. Chinese SKSs are also far more common, and Soviet SKSs are in relatively lesser supply (production ending in 1955-56).
 
Dakk said:
Actually, you can get Russian SKSs that have not been refurbed, though most have. Also, all Soviet SKSs are military surplus, but only some Chinese are milsurp. The Chinese produce some SKSs specifically for the North American market and some are basically commercial-milsurp frankensteins; a non-military design made with some milsurp parts (the SKS 'D'). The pure commerical Chinese SKSs I've seen in person were crap. Chinese SKSs are also far more common, and Soviet SKSs are in relatively lesser supply (production ending in 1955-56).
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A Russian SKS on the market today that has not seen some type of refurbishment is few and far between and not sold for $200.00. The Chinese SKS's sold by Marstar and others are "Military Grade" that are new and have been in storage, they are not the so called crap you are talking about.
 
Okay, so I've decided since I want a real "good" sks, I should spend the extra and go for the laminate stock russian.

Funny thing is, Wanstalls seems to have laminate russians on their website for only $200!!

My only concern is he lists them as " The Russian SKS rifles are in new or unissued condition and have not been previously sold at retail. " Now we all know every russian is a rearsonaled rifle.

Anyways, can anyone tell me if they got their Russian Laminate from Wanstalls, and if they are in great condition?

Thanks!!
 
I have a question about the laminated stocks. Do they resist absorbing cosmoline, so you can just clean them off and be done with it?

Or do they absorb it so it'll come bleeding out for the next 20 years, just like the regular wood stocks?
 
Okay, well I just called Wansalls, and the sales guy praised these rifles as being in great condition overall, and he's not had a non-satisfied customer AND they are expecting 2 crates in later today. He said they tend to sell a creat in a week or so .... so .. I just bought one :D

I'm so excited lol .. looking forward to the cosmoline cleaning!!
 
bjs7293 said:
A Russian SKS on the market today that has not seen some type of refurbishment is few and far between and not sold for $200.00. The Chinese SKS's sold by Marstar and others are "Military Grade" that are new and have been in storage, they are not the so called crap you are talking about.
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Actually, when the Soviet non-refurbs are intially 'discovered' its either by a knowledgable seller like Westrifle, who will ask for more money for the rifle because of it, OR by the buyer who picks one up through a seller that doesn't know or care. For instance, Wholesale Sports sells all of their SKSs for $179 + tax, and you could end up with a laminate stock, non-refurbs, the rarer 'Izzy', etc for EXACTLY the same sprice as the refurbs are selling for. Yes, inexpensive non-refurbs are not common, but they are there. One fellow on CGN just picked one up.

Did I say the Marstar rifles were crap? NOPE. I said the commerical Chinese SKSs that I have seen in person were crap. Btw, don't say "and others" unless you can personally guarantee that ALL other sellers are selling military rifles.. they aren't. There are lots of commerical SKSs out there. You may have meant "and some others".

My post was made simply because you glossed over some facts, and left out some important details about Chinese SKSs. There was no malice in my post; just the desire to properly inform the OP.
 
slushee said:
Now we all know every russian is a rearsonaled rifle.
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Some are unissued, just like the Marstar Chinese ones, and some just didn't require refurb. But most are refurbs. You need to know how to identify them, and that can be learned by doing some research. The FAQs for Russian and Chinese SKSs by member 'Curtton', stickied ot the top of the Red Rifles section, are fantastic.

BTw... if someone is looking for a nice SKS to shoot, don't pass over the refurbs too quickly. The fact that they have been refurbed is a 'good thing'. Some have virtually new surplus parts, particularly new stocks. If you're not into collecting, just be happy with a very nice refurb.
 
I have a Russian referb and it's shot very reliably for about 3000 rounds so far. I did notice how some of the actions and triggers on some of the guns felt better then others.I went through a stack of about 30 to find one I liked the feel of best.My stock is a solid wood one, had some repairs but feels nice to shoot. I got mine from Frontier firearms and he was patient about letting me see quite a few! Thanks!
 
I have a 1953 Russian SKS that has not been refurbished ever and its still in excellent shape. I shoot it on occasion when I need a bonus kick from shooting my long guns. I seem to shoot my 22's the most as well as my pistols also more then this gun so its fun when I come back to it. I paid $219.95 at Gobles in london about a year ago now and have made a few changes to it. Bipod,scope and lengthened the stock a wee bit by adding on a piece of walnut to make it longer plus a rubber pad as well. Now it fits perfectly. The length was way too short for me and I like the original stock the way it is.
 
I just received mine from Wanstalls. I am 99% sure it's never been held.



slushee said:
Okay, so I've decided since I want a real "good" sks, I should spend the extra and go for the laminate stock russian.

Funny thing is, Wanstalls seems to have laminate russians on their website for only $200!!

My only concern is he lists them as " The Russian SKS rifles are in new or unissued condition and have not been previously sold at retail. " Now we all know every russian is a rearsonaled rifle.

Anyways, can anyone tell me if they got their Russian Laminate from Wanstalls, and if they are in great condition?

Thanks!!
Click to expand...
 
So we are back to the same topic Russian VS Chinese. It is very nice to hear it again. As to Laminate VS wood. Ask yourself what you going to use it for and then I can help you. If you have any questions you can send me an email at master@westrifle.com or you can call us at 604-940-6264

Sergey

PS for me personally I prefer Russian.
 
I've got a 1954 Tula laminate and it shoots well, after I worked on the trigger and installed the Wolff springs. I found the laminate stock was easy to clean, I think it's
mainly the wood stocks that soak up the cosmoline...
 
Reliable Gun has a bunch of russian non refurbs. Got me a chrome matching for $200 last month. Ask Dan to pick you a winner, worked for me.
 
Laminate stocks are made of real wood. Russia did not have good stocks of hardwood. Their solid wood stocks are usually Birchwood. The laminates are just thin strips of wood glued into a block then carved into a stock. They are much harder than the solid stocks and are somewhat less absorbent to Cosmo and oils. All refurbs have laminate stocks and they were installed on new guns from, I believe, late 55 and thru till end of production in 56. I have refinished my own laminate stock and it turned out great but I did find that it was so hard after all these years that it would not absorb stain, probably why lams seem to be mostly "blond".

BB
 
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