SKS in 223/556
- Thread starter pmatuk
- Start date
Enterprising individuals have done conversions, albeit a significant amount of work is involved.
The Chinese made a commercial SKS marketed by Norinco in .223/5.56, however it doesn’t look like it was ever produced in any significant numbers.
It appears in 1989 catalogues for the U.S. market, but was probably abandoned after the 1989 AWB in the USA (no more Chinese imports).
If you have a lot of time and patience, it can be done.
The Chinese made a commercial SKS marketed by Norinco in .223/5.56, however it doesn’t look like it was ever produced in any significant numbers.
It appears in 1989 catalogues for the U.S. market, but was probably abandoned after the 1989 AWB in the USA (no more Chinese imports).
If you have a lot of time and patience, it can be done.
wolf300H&H
CGN Regular
- Location
- Cabin in central Alberta
Well thats just bad writing right there 
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
yes this.. I've seen these, but not very many were imported before production was ceased.
Why one would want to do it is beyond me, an easier conversion would be to 6.5 Grendel. Basically just a barrel.
Conversion to 223 would be a PIA. It would need a magazine conversion as well as a new bolt face and repositioned extractor. A great deal of expensive work for ..... a POS SKS.
Conversion to 223 would be a PIA. It would need a magazine conversion as well as a new bolt face and repositioned extractor. A great deal of expensive work for ..... a POS SKS.
xxDaveMcxx
Regular
- Location
- Central Ontario
There was a guy on youtube that converted one to 5.45x39 a few years back. Apparently there was quite a bit of work involved. Will have to go and try to look it up.
Before you start your conversion, you need to determine if your receiver has a "press fit" barrel or is threaded.
Then, you need to determine whether it's easier to get a barrel liner made up, keeping in mind you will need a lathe to do the job of drilling out the old bore, then chambering the sleeve. Finding a sleeve to fit may not be easy either.
The nice thing about a sleeve is the gas port hole to the gas tube is already located, and you only have to drill the sleeve with the appropriate size hole. You can't drill it the same size as the old one because it needs to be smaller because pressures are higher, and more gas than is good for the rifle will be forced against the gas piston and bolt/return spring.
There was a kit available at one time to use AR mags. I don't believe it's still available.
Proper feeding will be an issue, and each conversion is an entity unto itself on this problem. It's mostly related to "over gassing/higher pressure."
The mechanics of the conversion aren't difficult to do, but you should have good tools and knowledge of how to use them.
This isn't something you want to attempt on your kitchen table.
You will have to convert the drop magwell to a detachable magazine type, the feed rails are too wide on the 7.62x39 receivers.
Then, you need to determine whether it's easier to get a barrel liner made up, keeping in mind you will need a lathe to do the job of drilling out the old bore, then chambering the sleeve. Finding a sleeve to fit may not be easy either.
The nice thing about a sleeve is the gas port hole to the gas tube is already located, and you only have to drill the sleeve with the appropriate size hole. You can't drill it the same size as the old one because it needs to be smaller because pressures are higher, and more gas than is good for the rifle will be forced against the gas piston and bolt/return spring.
There was a kit available at one time to use AR mags. I don't believe it's still available.
Proper feeding will be an issue, and each conversion is an entity unto itself on this problem. It's mostly related to "over gassing/higher pressure."
The mechanics of the conversion aren't difficult to do, but you should have good tools and knowledge of how to use them.
This isn't something you want to attempt on your kitchen table.
You will have to convert the drop magwell to a detachable magazine type, the feed rails are too wide on the 7.62x39 receivers.
If this is a reference to the Hical and MagWedge mag conversions, HiCal seems to still make them but they don't make em very often and they don't last super long in stock when they do.
They used to post here when they were getting a run made but it looks like they've left CGN at some point in the last year.
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I'm aware that there is at least one Norinco factory-built .223 cal SKS in Canada.
only wanted some input if anyone had done it and if there were any tips or hints ,so that was a no
done it to see if was a viable project ,would say no ,but it was a fun project to see if I was able to do it
so have a barrelled receiver in parts bin ,removed barrel stubbed it threaded donor 223 barrel 1-9 t 20" and into stub
worked over bolt to take 223 head size and extractor ,modify ejector ;used a TNA mag adaptor ( did break it but put cross pin to retain )
tweaked LAR mag lips to work ;after final adjustments ran 40 rounds with no issues
Just the front sight left to install ,and then check if it groups or patterns
done it to see if was a viable project ,would say no ,but it was a fun project to see if I was able to do it
so have a barrelled receiver in parts bin ,removed barrel stubbed it threaded donor 223 barrel 1-9 t 20" and into stub
worked over bolt to take 223 head size and extractor ,modify ejector ;used a TNA mag adaptor ( did break it but put cross pin to retain )
tweaked LAR mag lips to work ;after final adjustments ran 40 rounds with no issues
Just the front sight left to install ,and then check if it groups or patterns
Attachments
Owned one back in 1989ish, bought it brand new, Norinco.
Norinco could never get the gas adjusted to feed right, so I guess the program was dumped.
Over the years I am surprised that this idea was never rejuvenated.
Now, to close to the ban hammer.
Norinco could never get the gas adjusted to feed right, so I guess the program was dumped.
Over the years I am surprised that this idea was never rejuvenated.
Now, to close to the ban hammer.
b-wingpilot
CGN Regular
- Location
- Sherwood Park
Nice work, but I can guarantee you that you will pierce the primers on the .223 rounds. The standard SKS firing pin is HUGE and the diameter needs to be reduced along with the firing pin hole on the bolt needs to be sleeved
