SKS Questions & Advice...?

halfdar

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Greetings, all.

I am thinking about buying an SKS, but I have found that these rifles come in flavours and quality levels....

So, the following questions loom large, to begin with:

What denotes a quality SKS? What should I expect to pay for such a thing?
Where can I find the best of them?
What should I be looking for in terms of at least useful accuracy?
Can you recommend a source for goodies of the aftermarket persuasion?
How about ammo? How can I be sure of getting non-corrosive fodder?

Thanks in advance for the advice of the community here at CGN.

Mike in Ontario
 
Buy any SKS and a crate of ammo (corrosive/non-corrosive) and enjoy cheap fun.

Never seen a "brand new in box"'never fired non refurb anyway. Look for one that looks good in the bore/chamber.

Buy cheap corrosive ammo and clean it after shooting it you will be fine :p
 
As an example:

I have read that Tula Arsenal rifles are considered among the best. I note that Ep's currently has Simonov versions. Are they as good? Is there a difference? Does it matter?
 
What denotes a quality SKS? What should I expect to pay for such a thing?
Where can I find the best of them?
What should I be looking for in terms of at least useful accuracy?
Can you recommend a source for goodies of the aftermarket persuasion?
How about ammo? How can I be sure of getting non-corrosive fodder?

A good refurb SKS will cost you roughly around $200-250. You may find one for less, but that's what I'd expect to pay. There are a fair number of dealers around...you might even get lucky at your local Canadian Tire. Don't turn your nose up at the idea of a refurb...I've got two of them that cost about $200 last year, and they look new. I see Tradex has a VG condition for $250...I'd be tempted to shop around at that price. Ellwood Epps has them for $189.

If an SKS looks good inside and out...no rust, maybe covered in oil or cosmoline, the stock in good shape, the metal finish not scratched or worn, that's probably the one you want. I don't think there's any particular make that's better than the rest. You won't get great accuracy...these rifles were meant to be fired at man-sized targets a few hundred meters away, so they aren't tack drivers. 3 or 4 MOA is about what I'd expect..you might get lucky and find better.

There's not a lot of aftermarket stuff for the SKS...I regard practically none of it worth having. I recommend enjoying this rifle in its original dress. However try the places that sell a lot of SKS's...they will probably have aftermarket stocks and other odds and ends, if that's what floats your boat.

Getting certified non-corrosive 7.62x39 isn't easy, and it's expensive when you do find it [and there are dealers who 'mistakenly' sold non-corrosive that wasn't]. I recommend shooting the surplus ammo and getting used to the idea of cleaning your rifle thoroughly after firing. Strip it, wash the action and barrel and gas tube first with very hot water, wipe clean and oil as normal [I like to spray the parts and interior with WD-40 to make sure the water is all gone]. It's the best practice anyway.

Tula was an manufacturing arsenal...'Simonov' is the name of the gun's designer...so all SKS rifles are Simonovs. Tulas are generally quite decent, but overall condition is the main thing. I wouldn't spend more for a Tula over an equally nice gun from another manufacturer.

Anyhow, have fun with your SKS...every home should have one.
 
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Simonov designed the SKS so they are all Simonov versions. You have a choice of Tula or Izhevsk for manufacturers. Get your non-corrosive ammo at Canada Ammo. If you can get a 6" group @100 yards then your OK. Check the site sponsors and EE here for the rifle and sponsors for aftermarket parts. Decide whether you want a chrome lined barrel of not.
 
ok, in addition to some good advise from tengoo above here is some additional things for you to consider:

1. Buy a Russian, not Chinese (currently the market is such that the Chinese SKSs are way over priced.) Quality-wise Russian rifles are also superior.
2. Make sure you get one with original blued metal, not covered by black BBQ paint.
3. If an extra $50 is not an issue - then get one with matching numbers - you will have an easier time reselling it if you ever decide to do so in the future
4. Do not pay more than 250
 
Greetings, all.

I am thinking about buying an SKS, but I have found that these rifles come in flavours and quality levels....

So, the following questions loom large, to begin with:

What denotes a quality SKS? What should I expect to pay for such a thing?
Where can I find the best of them?
What should I be looking for in terms of at least useful accuracy?
Can you recommend a source for goodies of the aftermarket persuasion?
How about ammo? How can I be sure of getting non-corrosive fodder?

Thanks in advance for the advice of the community here at CGN.

Mike in Ontario

Izhevsk has better fit and finish on average. That said I have 6 tulas, refurbs and non refurbs and a couple match the Izzies I have. Get one with a chrome lined bore (1952 or later to be sure) Westrifle has alot of rifles that are in great condition, almost new if not new looking. You can see 5 or 6 photos of each rifle and choose from them. ( a couple of mine I got from them have no refurb marks and no bluing wear on either the internals or the bayonet mount) Don't worry about corrosive ammo, just learn how to properly clean the rifle. It's easy and takes no time at all when you learn to do it right.
 
I plan on buying a SKS in the near future :)

For ammo I think CanadaAmmo is the way to go they have non corrosive dominion arms 7.62x39 pretty cheap $250 for 1000 non corrosive that is what I am going to be buying when the time comes. Of course the corrosive is a little cheaper sure but then you need to take the time to make sure you do a proper cleaning every time.
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/1000-round-case-of-lcw-non-corrosive-7-62x39-fmj/
 
Well, now, thank you very much for all this great advice. On the subject of accuracy, I appreciate that this design was meant to be manufactured quickly and in great numbers. It was not meant to light kitchen matches at 200. I was hoping, however, to get a little better than a half-minute-of-coyote... oh, well.

I will bear these things in mind when the time comes. Thanks again.
 
Same as everyone above, Buy the Russian Tula model. I got mine for $200 and it was the refurbished unissued model and was super clean when I got it.
It is one of my favorite rifles, I am buying another one it's so good.
The 7.63 x 39mmm round is a great round.
The great thing about these rifles is that they're really easy to disassemble and take apart, they breakdown into about a dozen pieces.
Beautiful simplicity.
 
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