SKS stock thickness diffrence?

Canadiankeeper

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Hey guys, so me and a friend had the good ole sks's out the other day and immediately noticed that my Russian hard word is much thicker in the butt stock and "pistol grip" area. It is a visible difference and holy does it make the rifle feel different. We are both on the side of liking the sticker hard wood stock. Has anyone else noticed this or have we just not got enough SKS's in one place at one time to see it ? lol
 
Is anyone aware of a breaking point or a test they used to do? I mean for a mass produced rifle at that time, you think they would be worried about just hammering them out. I guess if laminates are refurbs they would have time to figure that out ? It surprises me that the rifle stock would have standards (I mean it shouldn't but it does), obviously the machining and metals parts have standards but even the wood stocks. Well done Russia well done.
 
I noticed this a while ago. Most of the hardwood stock grip areas feel like baseball bats compared to laminates.
I like sleeker feel and hold of the laminate.
 
Is anyone aware of a breaking point or a test they used to do? I mean for a mass produced rifle at that time, you think they would be worried about just hammering them out. I guess if laminates are refurbs they would have time to figure that out ? It surprises me that the rifle stock would have standards (I mean it shouldn't but it does), obviously the machining and metals parts have standards but even the wood stocks. Well done Russia well done.

If I recall laminate stocks were being issued in 1955-56 iirc, so while they are defiantly a sign of refurbishment they did issue them from the factory. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the Russians adopt the laminate stock after capturing german Mausers with laminate stocks, there's a bit on the birch and laminate stock run in the sks sticky I think. Lots of good info in that sticky.
 
I handled a Chinese stock at a gun show and noticed the wrist was smaller, easier to grip.
As for strength test, image the purpose of such a rifle. Smash a few skulls, swing it like a bat while holding the muzzle, bayonet a few Capitalist, butt stroke an Imperialist dog (or 2) and if it hasn't broken, it's strong enough. Comfort is not a really heavy consideration.
 
Yes the birch stocks are thicker then the laminated ones. When you laminate wood it is much stronger so I guess it makes sense.

I noticed the exact opposite. My birch stock is much thinner in the pistol grip area than the laminate i tried.

I have noticed the same thing in Mosin stocks, but not necessarily from laminate to solid wood. One explination may be that they sourced stocks from different suppliers, who made them to slightly different tolerances?
 
Many of the refurb sks hardwood stocks have some sore of repair behind the tang. This was to repair cracks that developed in the hardwood stocks. Thus the switch to laminate. They are stronger and also were made with the second crossbolt through the grip behind the tang to further prevent cracking. Also the switch to laminate stocks was a material and cost saving measure as you could use up short pieces of wood and produce stronger stocks.
 
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