So I'm getting an SKS...

thegrandpoohbah

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It was decided today that I need a red rifle. I've settled on an SKS and I want it to be a shooter, not a safe queen. I know that I want a nice laminate stock and a chrome lined barrel (I'm lazy and don't always clean my guns immediately after a range trip). Are there any pros and cons to either blued or BBQ painted? And where am I most likely to find the best price online? There are no LGS's here that carry them, just the Tapco'd ones on occasion. I guess I will be surfing the site sponsor's websites tonight.
 
I just shoot non corrosive so I don't have to clean mine every time, only gun I don't clean lol.

If you just want a shooter BBQ paint or blued doesn't really matter. Slight appearance.

For a shooter just look around for a deal, best I've seen online lately is probably ~$200 shipping included but I haven't looked for a couple weeks
 
If your just looking for a Beater Banger, go with the cheapest. They all work and go bang. Some are pretty and some are ugly. Paint it, drill it, sand it...throw the stock away and put on a Tapco or reasonable facsimile. Scope it, rail it .....on and on. Most of all, shoot the day lights out of it LOL. There a well made rifle, ya cant go wrong.
 
Westrifle is a good choice. IMHO, the BBQ painted would be my choice. Good on you for choosing the chromed barrel and laminate stock.

Have fun when you get one.
 
Westrifle is a good choice. IMHO, the BBQ painted would be my choice. Good on you for choosing the chromed barrel and laminate stock.

Have fun when you get one.
Why would you choose bbq paint? when you can get a nice blued one for the same price. BTW TEC has the best prices
 
Why would you choose bbq paint? when you can get a nice blued one for the same price. BTW TEC has the best prices

The blued samples I've seen don't look very nice. The steel looks as if it's on the verge of rust.

Because it's a shooter and would probably see lots of use, I'd choose the painted version. Probably stand up better with less maintenance.

To each their own though. Just my opinion.
 
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If you shoot corrosive ammo you better stop being lazy and clean it when you get home, the gas tube and bolt carrier aren't Chrome lined.

Have never been so happy to see someone in pink....

OP, I suggest looking at some site sponsors close by in your province. (Reliable, Wanstalls, Hical). They will all have equally good shooter grade SKS' at similar prices.
Look to spend between $170-$200 before tax and you'll be on mark and happy.
 
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When I first bought it, I shot it a couple of time at the range without cleaning the short stroke piston. I didnt realize that part existed (I shooke my head too.) I think it was 2 months without cleaning? Anyway, I took the short stroke piston out and it was orange, but just surface rust. I gave it a good scrub and it doesnt show any sign of rust anymore. Even if it get rusted that piston is so thick it wont fail any time soon!
 
I've decided to wait until May. I am going to be in Edmonton for a few days after my vacation and will try to fit in some time to check out the LGS. I remember seeing some at P&D the last time I was there.
 
Dont let corrosive scare you away. With a bit of practice you can clean it in under 15 mins while watching my Roughriders.
 
If you're looking for a shooter, you've got a lot more to choose from.

Blue vs BBQ on factors aesthetically, function will be the same if you know what you are looking at. Early Chinese guns with blade bayonets and Romanian guns are, for all intents and purposes, exact copies of the late production Soviet guns. The Chinese laminate stocks are very nice and said to be even stronger than the Soviet laminates. But they are very hard to find (at least in the US).

Echoing earlier opinions on cleaning... get into the habit of at least a very basic preventative cleaning after shooting. The barrel may be chrome lined, but other parts are not. And tests have shown that "non-corrosive" is often only less corrosive and still a potential harm to a rifle left uncleaned for even short periods of time.


Also, good luck at keeping it to just one sks.
 
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