SKS-KD. Customer Review

Here is SKS-KD with P-Mags-feels like much better mags than IMI Israeli mags and cost also 23$ instead of 45-50$
No a single FTF/FTE after 50 rounds
The only problem-they are too easy to fall off, so the mag button doesn't hold them as good as IMI mags in this SK-KD model
So, I can conclude that FTF/FTE was not due to SKS-KD, but rather 2 out 4 malfunctioning IMI mags
 
My SKS-KD works no problem with the IMI mags. My only issue is the vast spec difference in AK mags. I have 10-15 various mags from 5,10,30,40, and a 75 drum and over half do not fit or if it does fit I have to remove the trigger to remove the mag. The main issue is the variance in feed lip lengths and I think the rear tab length. The bummer is I sent the gun back once for tuning and I still can't get the drum mag to fit with out modifying the mag. The funny thing is I have the same issue with my 2 SKS- m models. Never had a D so can not comment.
Other than that not a single FTF/FTE. The thing runs flawless especially with the supplied IMI mag.

Just my 2 cents worth. I do not regret the mod though and KD do some good work!
 
My SKS-KD works no problem with the IMI mags. My only issue is the vast spec difference in AK mags. I have 10-15 various mags from 5,10,30,40, and a 75 drum and over half do not fit or if it does fit I have to remove the trigger to remove the mag. The main issue is the variance in feed lip lengths and I think the rear tab length. The bummer is I sent the gun back once for tuning and I still can't get the drum mag to fit with out modifying the mag. The funny thing is I have the same issue with my 2 SKS- m models. Never had a D so can not comment.
Other than that not a single FTF/FTE. The thing runs flawless especially with the supplied IMI mag.

Just my 2 cents worth. I do not regret the mod though and KD do some good work!

totally agree re: "feed lip lengths and I think the rear tab length" suspicion. if I push P-Mag all the way up so it locks better, then the bolt cannot even feed a single round... so I just leave it the way it is and make sure I don't lose my mag, when running w/ rifle behind my back
two of the IMI mags, which function well are superior to P-Mags-they very nicely lock in and no FTF/FTE at all, right from the box
I just ordered bolt hold open Croatian mags (all metal, from IRUNGUNS)-will see how the function
 
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P-mags are not FTF, but there is another different problem with them in SKS-KD
So at this time-no perfect mag yet for this SKS mod
 
If you stick to the IMI or modify/shorten the feedlips on some of the euro or Chinese steel mags you should be able to get them functioning perfect. I just hate modifying mags as now they are kind of gun specific. I have also had success in shortening the rear tab and even filling the surface down a little. Takes a fare bit of Messing around but it is an option to get them working flawlessly. I don't like the poly mags as the SKS eventually eats them in my experience and they start to fall out while in use. Wrong style mag release IMO.

Cheers
 
If you stick to the IMI or modify/shorten the feedlips on some of the euro or Chinese steel mags you should be able to get them functioning perfect. I just hate modifying mags as now they are kind of gun specific. I have also had success in shortening the rear tab and even filling the surface down a little. Takes a fare bit of Messing around but it is an option to get them working flawlessly. I don't like the poly mags as the SKS eventually eats them in my experience and they start to fall out while in use. Wrong style mag release IMO.

Cheers

totally agree-the mag release is ridiculous crap-not sure what Kodiak was thinking really, when designing it
as to poly-yep, they get ruined after 1000 or so rounds
I hope that those IMI mags which FTF will eventually break through and at least work for 1000 rounds
Metal-is the way to go, but the way the Kodiak designed the mag release looks that it is pretty thin in the front part and start wearing off by metal mags... well, only time will tell
I know ... paying 580 CaD for such a rifle, I won't expect that Kodiak went all the way to perfection and made a really reliable gun... it is what it is and customers are left alone trying to improve the rifle and make it more or less, what an SKS should be-reliable, robust, simple and lasting
 
Croatian AK-47 mags from IRUNGUNS (extremely fast shipping and good communication):
1. made of metal
2. feel like well made, but some are pinned the way that hold only 4 rounds and you have to play with the spring, so it holds 5 rounds as per specs. so, based on this fact alone-I am already expecting performance problems, but shooting range performance-not yet known
3. these mags are AK-47 bolt-hold-open, BUT DO NOT reliably hold bolt open on SKS-KD as SKS bolt cycles higher and doesn't catch well with the follower
4. fits into SKS-KD with minimal filing (1-2 min or so)
5. Price in CaD with shipping/ taxes etc = 36CaD as of 2017. Comes only in a package of 5

And yes-I am not naked, neither I am sitting in my underwear-'coz I anticipate comments from those who are preoccupied with anything else but content

 

TEST A: Range test of Croatian bolt-hold-open AK47 mags:
1. Croatian mags advertised as bolt-hold open for AK47
2. Metal made
3. Well made, but pinning is not the greatest-some are only holding 3, some 4-5 rounds, you have to play with the spring-move/ force it down after mag disassembly to make them truly 5/ 30 rounds
4. Minimal filing needed to fit them into SKS-KD- maybe 1 minute or so
5. They hold in the mag well pretty well as you can see in the video, you need some impact for them to fall off as I am trying to show in the video. I would say they sit in the mag well as good as IMI AK47 mags: there is minimal if any vertical movement and some horizontal movement 3 mm or so to the left/ right
6. No reliability issues after 100 rounds through them out of the box-very pleasent and nice cycling
7. They do not hold bolt open in this SKS mod
8. To buy go to IRUNGUNS
9. With all taxes, shipping etc= 33-36+CaD
10. Hopefully bolt-hold-open which is not working in this SKS-KDm won't damage the bolt, 'coz they do not function as bolt-hold-open, yet scratch the bolt which is passing over the mag follower on each last round

TEST B: Range test of previously FTF IMI Israeli mags:
1. so after 300+ rounds, Graphite lube and mags sitting loaded overnight, the problem was solved-now they are very nice, reliable, no FTF, easy weight mags.
2. Overall-recommend them if you'd like to waste 300 rounds to make them work reliably.
3. To buy go to WESTRIFLE
4. With all taxes, shipping etc= 50+CaD

Some conclusions:
The overall problem with easily falling/ detachable AK47 mags in this SKS-KD is due to the strange mag release button from Kodiak Defence. This becomes a real issue with P-mags and much less so with IMI/ Croatian mags. So overall, I'd recommend this SKS-KD system, but it needs some easy-medium complexity fixes. So for 490 (wood stock)/ 580 (plastic stock) it is rather worth the money than not. Please watch for intermediate conclusions video coming out soon
 
Accuracy at 100 m/ yrds. Open sights:
1. Every click---} boom- --} ding = hit
2. Distance 100m/ yrds
3. Size of the target 20x20 cm or so
4. Mags used: IMI AK47 and Croatian bolt-hold-open AK47 mags: overall happy with those, except Croatian:
a) need some minimal filing to fit. An easy fix
b) do not hold-bolt-open in SKS-KD
c) pinning is bad, many mags are pinned at 5, but you need to lower the spring so they hold really 5/30 rounds instead of 3/30-4/30. Not a difficult fix
 
SKS-KD intermediate impressions-Photo. Wait for the video soon

SKS_KD_intermediate_Impressions.jpg
 

Applicable for CANADIAN USERS ONLY
This video is an attempt to compare reasonably priced AK mags (<50-60Ca$):
1. Croatian mags: 36Ca$ (w/ taxes, shipping), from IRUNGUNS, metal, no a single FTF, made in Croatia. Have some problems with incorrect pinning and the bottom plate on some is loose
2. PMag, USA: 32 Ca$ (w/ taxes, shipping), sold by Questar; no a single FTF, but too easy to detach/ lose your mag while running
3. Tapco, USA: 50Ca$, sold by Northern Republic Magazine: I finally got it to work, the problem was incorrect pinning
4. IMI, Israel: 50Ca$, sold by WestRifle, initially have to put 200-300 rounds +/- graphite lube to get them into no FTF position-so quite expensive overall

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Overall, happy with SKS-KD platform from Kodiak defence
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Those that are sold for 80-100Ca$ per mag!!! (by marstar)-seriously, guys, do you think somebody is going to buy those from you? WTF?!
 
SKS-KD is Canadian COmpany (Kodiak Defence) modified SKS to accept AK47 mags.
Will it accept type 81 Chinese assault rifle mags?
What about CZ58/VZ58/WR762 mags?

 
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