SKS tips

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hfx123

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OK before I get flames for not reading the stickies I have. I just wanted some recent input. I have a friend, he has an sks, it's never been fired bought from local has a tapco stock etc. He wants to move it as he claims it's too heavy and it is at drastically reduced price. Says the mag is difficult to seat and had a lgs file a piece off to make it fit. It is a 1950r. It's dirty inside but not greasy it's more like a rough texture that doesn't come off when you rub it. Bolt /chamber etc very clean. I won't have the opportunity to shoot it but let's say he wants less than half price and I'm going to buy it.

Any advice on first steps of getting this going, I know a full clean etc what do you guys recommend? Also recommendations on aftermarket mags? Anything else that will make this a more 'fun' gun..... Any input is welcome save the negative. I have lots of expensive fun guns and can shoot them so the naysayers who feel the need to voice their negative opinion on this rifle can save it lol. I'm fully aware of what it is I just want some experience hands to fill me in on what it could be

Thanks to anyone who has Input
 
Sorry if I was not clear. I have zero experience with this gun. The owner has already said the mag had to be be modified to fit easily and it was still a bit of a struggle. I was looking for anyone with hands on experience with a 1950r it's associated mags and/or after market mags in relation to this rifle in a tapco stock. Or wood for that matter but any info relating to what mags I should buy, any modifications that I could perform easily now the would result in a better shooting rifle etc. I know the possibilities are kind of endless but I'm paying what amounts to 75 bucks for a sks in a tapco but the ill fitting mag mentioned above won't be coming along with it bc the owner misplaced it in a move. He is my neighbour all his stuff is top notch so I'm not worried about a scam here or anything he was candid with his experience with the mag and the edge in Calgary filed it a bit and it was still awkward. Just want opinion on what I can do to make this an easily fed fun gun
 
I will be cleaning it more than 2k rounds. Just a habit maybe or maybe not it will be fine but I don't like gunk. Also bc I'm obviously a noob this is chrome Lined? 1950r? I haven't taken it yet or disassembled it. Will look at it later with bore light
 
hfx123 said:
Sorry if I was not clear. I have zero experience with this gun. The owner has already said the mag had to be be modified to fit easily and it was still a bit of a struggle. I was looking for anyone with hands on experience with a 1950r it's associated mags and/or after market mags in relation to this rifle in a tapco stock. Or wood for that matter but any info relating to what mags I should buy, any modifications that I could perform easily now the would result in a better shooting rifle etc. I know the possibilities are kind of endless but I'm paying what amounts to 75 bucks for a sks in a tapco but the ill fitting mag mentioned above won't be coming along with it bc the owner misplaced it in a move. He is my neighbour all his stuff is top notch so I'm not worried about a scam here or anything he was candid with his experience with the mag and the edge in Calgary filed it a bit and it was still awkward. Just want opinion on what I can do to make this an easily fed fun gun
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Some of the aftermarket mags will require hand fitting. They should be fine in a Tapco stock.

The original magazine works the best.
 
hfx123 said:
I will be cleaning it more than 2k rounds. Just a habit maybe or maybe not it will be fine but I don't like gunk. Also bc I'm obviously a noob this is chrome Lined? 1950r? I haven't taken it yet or disassembled it. Will look at it later with bore light
Click to expand...

I think someone will be along to name a good aftermarket magazine for you, I use the original. In regards to chrome lined; a 1950 should not be chrome lined. I have a 1950 with no corrosion in the bore of the barrel but I clean it after each use. SKS are lots of fun because you can afford to let her rip instead of making each shot count.
 
hfx123 said:
Sorry if I was not clear. I have zero experience with this gun. The owner has already said the mag had to be be modified to fit easily and it was still a bit of a struggle. I was looking for anyone with hands on experience with a 1950r it's associated mags and/or after market mags in relation to this rifle in a tapco stock. Or wood for that matter but any info relating to what mags I should buy, any modifications that I could perform easily now the would result in a better shooting rifle etc. I know the possibilities are kind of endless but I'm paying what amounts to 75 bucks for a sks in a tapco but the ill fitting mag mentioned above won't be coming along with it bc the owner misplaced it in a move. He is my neighbour all his stuff is top notch so I'm not worried about a scam here or anything he was candid with his experience with the mag and the edge in Calgary filed it a bit and it was still awkward. Just want opinion on what I can do to make this an easily fed fun gun
Click to expand...

Look man ,it's probably ok mechanically, if your buddy had to take it to a lgs to file it for him, that kinda tells me he doesn't know a whole lot. I mean it is pretty easy to slam the mag in and file the marked areas until the mag goes in and out of the magwell, that's likely the issue. The tapco mags in aftermarket stocks can by finicky and you shouldn't be afraid to take a little off here and there. Plenty of youtube vids on the subject. The sks in question will likely need a nice long bath in boiling water and a good scrubbing and solvents to get all the gucky stuff you're talking about off. No worry's just clean it well and watch some vids on taking apart and putting back together. enjoy man
 
I'm betting the OP's buddy bought it at a Canadian Tire with the Tapco stock already installed. The stock is usually OK, but sometimes the fit of the Tapco 5/30 magazine is an issue with both the standard stock and the Tapco.

When I had an SKS with a Tapco stock, I left the original magazine in the rifle, because after I bought the 5/30 Tapco mag, I too had troubles getting it to seat properly. I didn't bother to file the magazine so it would fit, as I can easily reload the SKS with stripper clips (cut to hold 5 rounds). I can reload a SKS (and CZ 858 for that matter) with cut stripper clips faster than I can change magazines.

To properly clean it, strip it down and disassemble the bolt. Clean all the parts thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly!! The Soviets/Russians stored those SKS' with a LOT of cosmoline in them, and from what I've seen of Canadian Tire SKS internals, they don't do a great job of removing that cosmo. I use a metal coffee can with some gasoline (just enough to cover the bolt parts) or Varsol to clean the bolt and firing pin, and hot/boiling water to get the cosmo/gunk out of everywhere else. Of course, as soon as you get all the cosmo/gunk out, you've got to dry and oil the metal parts.

What Spotagwan said (above post) about filing the magazine is true, if you want to make that magazine easy to remove/reinsert. I don't recommend filing on the receiver itself, but filing on the magazine and stock (if needed) should be OK.
 
hfx123 said:
OK before I get flames for not reading the stickies I have. I just wanted some recent input. I have a friend, he has an sks, it's never been fired bought from local has a tapco stock etc. He wants to move it as he claims it's too heavy and it is at drastically reduced price. Says the mag is difficult to seat and had a lgs file a piece off to make it fit. It is a 1950r. It's dirty inside but not greasy it's more like a rough texture that doesn't come off when you rub it. Bolt /chamber etc very clean. I won't have the opportunity to shoot it but let's say he wants less than half price and I'm going to buy it.

Any advice on first steps of getting this going, I know a full clean etc what do you guys recommend? Also recommendations on aftermarket mags? Anything else that will make this a more 'fun' gun..... Any input is welcome save the negative. I have lots of expensive fun guns and can shoot them so the naysayers who feel the need to voice their negative opinion on this rifle can save it lol. I'm fully aware of what it is I just want some experience hands to fill me in on what it could be

Thanks to anyone who has Input
Click to expand...

I have SKS too. First, make sure you clean this throughly. Completely disassemble action and take action and barell with gas tube out of the stock. First is gasoline or kerosine bath. Then have tooth brush and go through the action parts making sure there is no cosmoline. Next step is to remove powder old deposites on and inside bolt. Pay attention on the the big hole in stainless part of bolt. The best way is to use Thomson Bore Cleaner #13 for muzzleloaders. I surprised how many people didn't do this simple thing. Same for bore. First run with Thomson bore cleaner, next Remington brite bore. I would recommend the same procedure for bore if you use chinesse or russian surplus ammo, those leave a lot deposites in bore and action. The powder they use just awful.

As for mags, this is not AK-47 even if this looks alike. Buy few 10 rounds strips and practice with loading. Once you get it, you will find out how fast it is. Large nondetacheable mag does not make sense to me. The only exception is a drum mag, but it makes SKS heavy.

And as for degative perception about SKS, let's be honest, if you shoot Hornady SST or Z-Max, accuracy is not that bad ;) And if I was a rebel, I wouldn't probably go with AR-15 into the woods unless I was licensed and insured sewing machine technician
 
Thanks for input guys. And to the above yeah he even admits he bought it knowing nothing and when it didn't work took it back to local store it came from. Was one of the vendors on here and he buys everything there so it wasn't a dud or anything he just want familiar or comfortable enough to start hacking and filing on a gun he just bought. I'm a bit more adventurous and have no fear around a Dremel lol so I will make it work. It was purchased in the stock and I know enough about some and zero about this so I do appreciate the time you guys took to comment. I'm sure it's fine it will just be a test with mags etc after a good clean
 
I have no experience with cosmoline either. This isn't a dirty grease or something i can wipe off its like a textured ####ty spray paint job. Very small bumps over the surface of most of the underbelly and inside mag area and around action. Bolt is silver and shiny the rest is black and rough
 
If you don't have any experience with the rifle, don't by a modded specimen off someone else.
Drop the $200, buy an unmolested example and learn the platform first.
Then figure out what you like and don't like and make any desired modifications.
Skip looks, and strive for function.
 
EL34/6L6 said:
If you don't have any experience with the rifle, don't by a modded specimen off someone else.
Drop the $200, buy an unmolested example and learn the platform first.
Then figure out what you like and don't like and make any desired modifications.
Skip looks, and strive for function.
Click to expand...

Agreed, or buy both the bubba'd rifle and a stock rifle. Once you're familiar with the rifle in stock form you'll be able to do what you like with the bubba'd sks, cause we all know that two sks is better than one.
 
hfx123 said:
I have no experience with cosmoline either. This isn't a dirty grease or something i can wipe off its like a textured ####ty spray paint job. Very small bumps over the surface of most of the underbelly and inside mag area and around action. Bolt is silver and shiny the rest is black and rough
Click to expand...

Cosmo ,best and cheapest way brother is boiling water, boil a kettle, get that hot water all down the barrel into a turkey pan containing all the other metal parts, get some through the gas tube.. all the metal will get nice and hot, once you're outa water i would wipe and dry everything off, wear gloves, the metal will be hot, but the heat will also help with the drying of the parts. if you put wet infront of a fan or vent you may get some surface rust. I clean alot of the parts with q tips and hoppes solvent, then with a light oil on my gloves, wipe all the parts when i re-assemble, hoppes oil... 400+ out my sks and no rust. takes about 30 mins....
 
In my opinion it's no different than stock anyway . nothing has been modded except for mag that doesn't come with anyway. It came from a big store in Calgary and they did the stock. Learning the parts or field strip etc is no different In this case the way I see it. The mag doesn't come with so it's pretty much a fresh start and make it work. I've bought lots of things I want familiar with lol but never cosmoline coated goodies so I'll sort it out. Thanks again for all the input. I agree 2 is better than one and the old wood speaks to me anyway so I'm going to grab another and look for similarities and differences and get them where I want thanks all
 
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