Shortening an SKS barrel - Issues?

[haha49]

Well you lose velocity when you make a barrel shorter. That's the biggest draw back. You might mess with the gas system due to the back pressure changing but it might still work fine.

The crown of a rifle is important because it allows a smooth transection from leaving the barrel if there is a nick of deep gash in the crown what happens is it effects the bullet as it leaves the barrel changing the flight path slightly over distance that means bigger groups. Recrowing a rifle isn't the hardest thing to do but with a gunsmith they have the tools to do it easy ie straight cutting and proper tools not that it can't be done it's just they happen to have the better tools to do the job. Cutting a barrel with a lathe works better then a saw.

 

[fiddler]

I have some friends who have done this and the rifle operates and cycles ok for an SKS, but it has improved nothing. Having that said, there are no advantages of doing so considering the time and costs involved, especially when its for nothing more than to modify the way that it looks. You can modify and put all the make-up, silk stockings, and lace you want on it, but it is still an SKS and will only shoot like an SKS. If the SKS is not the rifle you desire, you are way better off in the long run to put your money into a black rifle that will meet your needs and be capable to perform the way you want.

When it comes to resale value, its just a worthless Babba SKS. Just take a look at the value of an unmolested Lee Enfield compared to a Babba Lee Enfield. It wasn't that long ago when every store had them for nothing more than a song. An SKS won't increase in value just because you have decorations on it. Anything that is chopped off, removes value. What you think is cool now, will be sold off as a parts gun in the future because it will be an embarrassment to own. Again, nobody but kids want a chopped German Mauser or LE.

 

[mikeystew]

I think there's more to it than looks. I've been looking at sks's recently and im thinking about picking one up, but i have zero interest in having a bayonet on it. I don't plan on sticking zombies any time soon, and it's essentially dead weight hanging off the end of the gun.

I suppose one could just remove it but i too HATE the look of the lug hanging down bare, and i find in pics it makes the barrel seem disproportionately long. That, and there is just something appealing about an 18.5" barrel carbine. I think nipping a couple inches and nixing the lug all together would improve not only the appearance, but also the balance and feel of the gun immensely. I don't see it taking more than an hour or so in the shop to do it. If i get one I'm pretty sure I'll end up chopping it, installing a tech sight, and id put a sling stud in the cleaning rod hole and cut the one off the gas block. That's about it.
... maybe a trigger job.

Notsorichguy, Do you have a pic of that gun?

 

[timandkimandshea]

Fiddler, there is nothing you can tell me about the merits of doing a bubba job. As I stated, it was a cheapy I picked up to fool around with, and I wasn't trying to improve the performance, I was wondering if chopping the barrel would significantly impair its operation/performance.

 

[timandkimandshea]

Tonight I got the Promag picatinny scope rail mounted, it wasn't too bad, it was a bit tricky drilling the holes as the receiver wouldn't sit flat due to the bumps and knobs. But I gritted my teeth and persevered, and it all worked out. I can still use the iron sights fine, so I think for now I will leave the front sight and not cut the barrel. I did put the red dot on and it looks pretty good. I will try to shoot it this weekend. I still think I will cut the bayo lug off and Krylon the stock. Pics coming.

 

[notsorichguy]

Notsorichguy, Do you have a pic of that gun?

Sure, I posted some in another thread..... I still haven't re-blued it.... I have the cold blue sitting on the bench, but I just haven't found the time yet......

I spent $169 on the rifle. $69 on the stock. $10 on the bit to make it fold. $20 for the metal gas tube cover. I also spent $180 at brownelles for the tools to re-crown .22LR, .223, .243, .308 & 338..... So all-in this rifle has "made" me spend $448 plus tax, plus shipping..... I am soon going to send it to that guy on the EE that puts the bottom metal in to accept XCR mags..... Then it will be done! So the final total will be just shy of $700....

I must be retarded!

 

[supernova]

I just finished doing pretty much the same. Drifted the pins out of the bayo lug/FSB, drifted it off with a brass drift and hammer, cut at 18 5/8" but instead of spending money on tools I went oldschool. Faced and squared with a hand file, carefully crowned with a cone stone. Shortened and re-pinned front sight base. It removes ALOT of weight from the front end. The weight balance is slightly to the rear when holding the rifle by the magazine. I'll be picking up some more X39 for a trip to the range.

 

[Bowyer]

This is the 4th Simonov I've shortened

It's an all-matching '53 Tula with the barrel cut to 18 11/16" (474mm) - 38 1/8 overall.

Did a trigger job to get rid of the gritty, long travel and 5lb trigger weight. Now it's got neutral sear engagement with a millimeter of travel through the first stage, and breaks at less than 3lb with no travel in the second stage.

Profiled the front sight post into a cone with a drill and file for a much better sight picture.

Shaved the bulge off the forearm to straighten the lines a little. Stripped and refinished the wood.

It's a light, compact carbine now. Nicely balanced and can be aimed off-hand without any effort lifting and steadying the muzzle.

Countersink and rotary file used to cut the crown - finished with 240 grit wet/dry sandpaper spun on a 3/8 wooden dowel:

 

[timandkimandshea]

Heres what I came up with, removed bayo lug, decided not to chop the barrel for now, got the promag picatinny rail and matte green paint job.

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[timandkimandshea]

Heres what I came up with, removed bayo lug, decided not to chop the barrel for now, got the promag picatinny rail and matte green paint job.

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Not sure about the color, its a little lighter than I wanted.