SKS Modification Advice

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AcornFumbler

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Hey guys, doing research right now to see if it's possible to turn an SKS into a more functional platform.

It seems like the most useful parts to obtain are the spectre mag release and block - however, I can't find them for sale anywhere in Canada. If anyone has experience obtaining or employing these parts, or similar parts with the same functionality, let me know.

Also looked at the Badace sight mount. Did a search of the forums and couldn't find anyone talking about it. Again, if anyone has used it and can vouch for/against, please help me out.

Maybe at a certain point too it's simply not worth the effort to improve the SKS, and effort should be directed towards something more modern. Let me know your thoughts.
 
What function does it lack? I’ve been full circle with the SKS… it’s fine as is.

Only “useful” thing to improve the SKS is to shim/bed the stock and some trigger sear work.

The rest is cosmetic… maybe a TechSight but I do just fine with the originals.
 
The best bang for your time/buck is the bolt mod so you can remove a mag with a bolt closed with factory release. Very easy to do. Remember the SKS is a $200 gun. Don't overthink it.
Spectre has nice parts, I have supported them. But your me the bolt mod is the best thing I did.
 
I've had a bunch over the years and have done all sorts of mods and upgrades. In the end my opinion is that these rifles are best left unmolested. If you like to modify and tinker, you may be better served with a different rifle. You're more than likely going to just dump a bunch of cash into it making it "into a more functional platform" and end up having a rifle you're not happy with.

The sks is a great rifle but has become an unsatisfying money hole for alot of newbie gun owners.

My advice would find a platform that's abit more modular and has decent aftermarket support for parts or mods. The wk180 or type81's are kinda the next step up the ladder for non restricted semi auto's in Canada.

-M
 
I’ve modified them mildly, they’re back to regular with the exception of a magwedge rail on one. Shimming the action tight into stock is the best mod you can do, cut my groups in half. It shoots 3.25”-3.75” five shot groups at 100m with irons and bulk norc white box, 4.5”-4.75” at 200m. Good enough for me, and it’s not dripping in plastic add on’s
 
AcornFumbler said:
Hey guys, doing research right now to see if it's possible to turn an SKS into a more functional platform.

It seems like the most useful parts to obtain are the spectre mag release and block - however, I can't find them for sale anywhere in Canada. If anyone has experience obtaining or employing these parts, or similar parts with the same functionality, let me know.

Also looked at the Badace sight mount. Did a search of the forums and couldn't find anyone talking about it. Again, if anyone has used it and can vouch for/against, please help me out.

Maybe at a certain point too it's simply not worth the effort to improve the SKS, and effort should be directed towards something more modern. Let me know your thoughts.
Click to expand...

Its definitely possible. But like others are implying with todays prices youll quickly step into Type 81 territory. IMO the only thing the SKS potentially does better then the Type 81s is accuracy. And by only a small half to one MOA margin in my experience.
 
All I did was slap a hunting stock on, peep sight and a cut down magazine.
It was a handy as hell bush carbine. But sadly my friends wanted it more than me, exactly twice now but the third time it’s not going anywhere! LOL



(Click for a bigger pic)
 
I think the sks is a fine rifle as it is but there are a couple things that would make for good mods.
One is the firing pin return spring parts if the rifle does not have that feature. Some russians come this way.
Next would be a slightly larger bodied stock as they are made a bit small for my liking. To that I would add a nice rubber buttpad for comfort.
I'm not real fond of the SKS sights..... they work but I find myself getting too low on the stock and find it uncomfortable. Not sure how I would address that but maybe a tech sight rear unit and a modifed front sight with a dovetail base I could slip an M14 sight on hehehe.
Triggers are hit and miss and verifying sear engagement would probably also be on my list of must do "mods"

otherwise...... scoping these rifles is a road I've been down repeatedly over the years and I wouldn;t bother unless I was using one of the drill and tap scope mounts or side rail mounts.
A short rail that replaces the rear sight would be the only other mount I would look at in case I wanted to mount a light red dot or prismatic.
 
AcornFumbler said:
Hey guys, doing research right now to see if it's possible to turn an SKS into a more functional platform.

It seems like the most useful parts to obtain are the spectre mag release and block - however, I can't find them for sale anywhere in Canada. If anyone has experience obtaining or employing these parts, or similar parts with the same functionality, let me know.

Also looked at the Badace sight mount. Did a search of the forums and couldn't find anyone talking about it. Again, if anyone has used it and can vouch for/against, please help me out.

Maybe at a certain point too it's simply not worth the effort to improve the SKS, and effort should be directed towards something more modern. Let me know your thoughts.
Click to expand...

You have to cut the magazines. I did not like it, had it on one of my rifles and sold the whole thing. I did not really get the idea I guess. One of the worst mods ever.
 
My first SKS just got the MCarbo Sear Spring change to the MC-'medium strength Spring". The "Light spring" allowed the magazine 'bottom' to drop Open ! And I polished the Sear Contact point. Now I have a Tapco stock and a few Tapco mags; I think this is the best way to go with SKS, but they're out of business. Other after-mkt stocks like this should be considered. I did the MCarbo Sear Spring, polished the Sear & Rails and Lube stuff with PTFE-grease. On the Iron sights I painted both the Front and Rear for better visibility. A Reflex-scope in place of the Irons is in the Future.
SKS-Sight-Picture-from-Rear-1.jpg
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SKS-Front-Sight-from-Rear-2.jpg
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OP - mostly leave the rifle alone.

I have a BadAce rear sight scope mount and really like it with a small red-dot sight. It's a simple and durable scope mount.

I added the MCarbo medium trigger spring and 3D printed myself a custom bolt buffer.
 
AcornFumbler said:
Hey guys, doing research right now to see if it's possible to turn an SKS into a more functional platform.

It seems like the most useful parts to obtain are the spectre mag release and block - however, I can't find them for sale anywhere in Canada. If anyone has experience obtaining or employing these parts, or similar parts with the same functionality, let me know.

Also looked at the Badace sight mount. Did a search of the forums and couldn't find anyone talking about it. Again, if anyone has used it and can vouch for/against, please help me out.

Maybe at a certain point too it's simply not worth the effort to improve the SKS, and effort should be directed towards something more modern. Let me know your thoughts.
Click to expand...

Check out "The Blast Shadow Project" on YouTube (aka "WmMcLeod" on CGN). He's been working on a very cool SKS modernization project for several years and has designed two modernized SKS systems that utilize Type 81 magazines and add features like bolt stop release paddles, left side non-reciprocating cocking handles and left side safety latches to the rifle:

The "SK-22":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QICkCneRnWc

The "SKS-C":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpVX8ImwVUM
 
nbd said:
Hical sks xcr mag kit.
Love mine.
Can feed 10 rounds in from the clips.
Click to expand...

Me too if I take the limiter out.

Honestly, I doubt a cop or court will care if you are using ACR mags or not, it is a sham. 5 rounds is 5 rounds and 10 rounds is 10 rounds.
 
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