SKS: Izhevsk Arsenal vs Tula

RMXC51

RMXC51

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I was told by a co-worker that SKS's from the Tula arsenal tend to be superior to those from the Izhevsk Arsenal but I'm not sure if its true. I ordered an SKS from Lever arms and asked the Asian guy on the phone which plant the rifles came from. He said they were all from Tula, so I ordered one.

It showed up today. I havent been able to more than glance at the rifle, but the markings are an arrow in a tringle within a circle, with "1954R" underneath. From what I understand, this is a stamp from the Izhevsk Arsenal.

So the question is: have I been sold an inferior carbine? Should I be pissed and ask for a different one, or just enjoy what I have? It appears to be in good shape, with a silver bolt, and I want wanted an SKS for pounding rounds through. If there isn't much difference in quality between the two plants, I'll keep it.

Anybody with the know, your help would be appreciated.
 
Looks like you got an Izzy alright. IMO, an Izzy may have greater appeal to collectors if it is in excellent condition or at least good condition. There are many beautiful SKS examples at Lever arms so without seeing pictures of your particular piece it is difficult to say for sure what if yours is in excellent shape, but I am betting it is. At less than 200 bucks, you may have already made a profit.

Anyways, Izzys come few and far between so before you shoot your SKS, show us some clear pics, all sides, all angles, close up of the rear cover that shows all the markings, and we'll give our opinions.
 
Thanks, I'll try to post pics tomorrow. So is this gun desirable due to scarcity alone? Should I be worried about a lower quality firearm than a Tula made SKS?
 
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All numbers appear to match, and there are no refinished stamps that I can see. Is this a good example of an SKS?
 
Yes it came from Lever. Numbers under the trigger group match the rest, and there is a small diamond under the stock near the trigger.

Do the ###X's on the stock indicate refurbished?

Thanks again for helping the noob!
 
###x means stock has been replaced.
And it is also forced match meaning numbers were filed down "to match".
basically gun was put together from spare parts.
Good IZZy hard to find.
 
I just look at the pictures again :)) On the stock below ###x you can see that numbers were forced "to match". :)))
Spare parts SKS.
:))))
 
I have a pair of 1954 Izzy's. One is an IZH refurb (force match stock) and the other is an all matching non-refurb beauty from West Rifle. Both of them exhibit less machining marks under the receiver than my Tula's do. Now all I need is a non-refurbed all matching 1953 Izzy...
 
Woodbeef said:
I've found the Izzies to be of better fit and finish,nicer deeper bluing too.
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I ve seen a lot of SKS rifles and I mean it. Izzies refurb are still nice but non refurb is a beauty. From what I know Tula is know for mass production and Izhevsk known for smaller production that is where craftsmanship comes from. Basically they spend more time on making it and. If you look at any gun produced by Izhevsk it is nicer then Tula. They produced Mosins, SVT, SKS, AK and many more. Prices always higher on Izzy.
To this day Izhevsk Produce quality rifles and they are know for that.
With all that was said above you have to know that every rife produced by USSR or Russia there is inspection that operates on same principals that was in place during and after WW2.
Izhevsk produce under brand name Baikal also some of their rifles and shotguns were sold under Remington line Spartan one of them.
Baikal is sold in Canada by Impex and the member who sells their new line here on CGN teapot.
I ve got one of their shot gun and it is awesome. I love it would not change it to anything else. They are not produced in China so prices are a lot higher but as I always said you pay more you get more.
At least I cannot bended like it happened with Chinese new production(not Military as I ve seen some nice military SKS).
Nobody complains when they pay for Italian shot gun 5000+ and Russian are know to build quality rifles and ammunition. That all they spend money on developing firearms and space shuttles (Also planes, tanks, rockets and etc.. Anything military)
So in the end buy Izzy from anyone I agree it is a good rifle. As long as it does not have rust on it as it is sign of neglect and damage.
 
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