Shorten SKS barrel?

Dexter Morgan

Dexter Morgan

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Has anyone here shortened their SKS barrel?

If I cut the barrel right behind the bayonet lug, would it still be a legal length?
 
What does your tape measure tell you? Your barrel cannot be cut less than 18.5" for a semi auto center fire. Close the bolt and stick a cleaning rod down the muzzle and mark the rod at the crown. Remove the rod and measure how long your barrel is, subtract 18.5" and that is how much you can remove and still stay non restricted.
 
You could shorten but you then have to start crapping around with the gas system.
I think you could knock 2" off buy not a micron more before you reclass. I know the guys in the states seem to go for the "Para" look
but is it worth it?
 
If you are bringing it down to 18.5 don't worry about gas issues as it will be just fine. It is when you go past the 17.5 inch mark that you can run into cycling issues but then again if you were to do that here in Canada you can be thrown in jail so keep it 18.5 and higher & you will be good to go ;)
 
I would assume a non-chrome bore would be easier. I've toyed with the idea, but it's not enough of a benefit for me to expend the energy.
 
Canadian_Zuk said:
What does your tape measure tell you? Your barrel cannot be cut less than 18.5" for a semi auto center fire. Close the bolt and stick a cleaning rod down the muzzle and mark the rod at the crown. Remove the rod and measure how long your barrel is, subtract 18.5" and that is how much you can remove and still stay non restricted.
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18.5" is to keep it non-restricted. OP could cut down to 18", but would end up with a restricted SKS. Anything shorter than 18" results in a prohib.


Mark
 
Ah good, no one hates the idea, so I can ask this. Is it possible to take the bayonet lug and front sight off at home? Or would I need a press?

Also, from what I have learned, no gun barrel at all, semi auto, rim fire, shotgun or anything can be cut shorter then 18.5 inches without a classification change (I noticed someone posting that you cant do that with "Centerfire semi auto" But it doesnt matter what it is)
 
You should re-read the law. You can cut ANY barrel to 457 mm (17.99") legally. A semiautomatic centerfire rifle or shotgun is automatically classified as restricted if the barrel is shorter than 470mm. A manually operated action or any rimfire action only changes to restricted if OAL is less than 660mm (26") And the barrels of said manually operated actions may be shortened to 457mm (17.99") and remain non-restricted as long as OAL remains 660mm or more in its shortest possible configuration. Shortening any barrel to 456mm or less automatically creates a prohibited firearm. You can install a barrel factory finished shorter than 457 mm on any firearm. Again, semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns become restricted while rimfire rifles and manually operated action firearms remain non-restricted so long as OAL length is 660mm or greater. The only exception to this rule is shotguns with a barrel length of 16" or less equipped with a pistol grip only (RCMP considers this configuration a handgun regardless of OAL) and the Mare's Leg/Ranch hand rifles which are 24" but non-restricted. As to shortening the SKS, yes you can do it all at home. Drift out the two pins holding the bayonet lug on, heat with torch, use brass hammer or drift on bayonet lug to drift it off. You can shorten the lug to leave the front sight base and set it back on the barrel to the bayonet lug shoulder by opening the front sight base end as both the barrel and bayo lug assembly taper for a press fit. You will have to drill, file or carefully grind a new slot on the top of the barrel to re-use one of the retaining pins. Function is not affected @ 18.5", the action cycles just as aggressively with surplus ammo.

BCshooterFMJ said:
Ah good, no one hates the idea, so I can ask this. Is it possible to take the bayonet lug and front sight off at home? Or would I need a press?

Also, from what I have learned, no gun barrel at all, semi auto, rim fire, shotgun or anything can be cut shorter then 18.5 inches without a classification change (I noticed someone posting that you cant do that with "Centerfire semi auto" But it doesnt matter what it is)
Click to expand...
 
I use a press heating it isn't my thing, don't like doin that. I cut the whole sight /bayolug apart. just so the sight part is by itself. repress straight back on after bbl shortened and turned . lil red locktight and then get it inplace square. let sit overnight. next day put it in the mill and redrill hole for lock pin, drift pin in. done
 
supernova said:
. As to shortening the SKS, yes you can do it all at home. Drift out the two pins holding the bayonet lug on, heat with torch, use brass hammer or drift on bayonet lug to drift it off. You can shorten the lug to leave the front sight base and set it back on the barrel to the bayonet lug shoulder by opening the front sight base end as both the barrel and bayo lug assembly taper for a press fit. You will have to drill, file or carefully grind a new slot on the top of the barrel to re-use one of the retaining pins. Function is not affected @ 18.5", the action cycles just as aggressively with surplus ammo.
Click to expand...

I will pass on a re read of the laws, all I learned is I was .5 inches off, and I am fine with that ( TBH, the gun I modified, I kept at 19 just to save any trouble) . But yeah, I dont really need to shorten it, I just want all at metal off the front, this is for my scoped SKS and I do not use the front sight at all. Was thinking of pulling the front assembly off, or just cut and grind, but not to hot on the ladder Idea.

And thanks by the way
 
If done right, and the front sight reattached, it might look really nice. Heres a few from the net, not sure on the barrel length...
Any idea what it would cost to get a barrel cut and crowned?
CIMG5655.jpg

41288d1307143654-can-i-shorten-sks-barrel-sks-3.jpg

This one looks a little short for Canada
2208.JPG
 
BCshooterFMJ said:
This what I asked " Is it possible to take the bayonet lug and front sight off at home? Or would I need a press?" I am taking it off ,and leaving it off. I dont have a press.
Click to expand...

This thread really has me thinking about this....

The way I see it is if I'm going to get the barrel cut, I'd take it to a gunsmith or a machinist that is familiar with guns, and have them remove the front sight and bayo lug. Then they can make sure front sight can be reattached properly after it gets cut down.
The big question is, is it worth it? You'd be left with an expensive but a unique SKS. If it could be done for $200-$300, why not.

So, to answer your question, I don't know. I tried removing a sight off a mosin and it didn't go well. It turned but wouldn't move.
 
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