Thinking of buying a Russian SKS

MikeAK

MikeAK

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Hello fellow shooters. I'm thinking of purchasing my first SKS. I Was in the store and really liked what I saw and felt from the Russian SKS's. I'm leaning towards years 53 or 54 because of the color of the stock and chrome lined barrel. I have found a few with matching numbers and stocks that appear to be in good shape. Are these good years? Is there anything I should be avoiding? Any advice and recommendations would be welcome.


Cheers
 
Read thought the sks sticky thread, it's filled with a ton of useful information, including how to identify a refurb vs unissued.

But in the end they should all be good, personally I look for matching numbers and overall condition, then choose one based on its unique characteristics and appearance.
 
The wood seems to vary a lot in terms of grain, colour, condition, etc. For your first one, get one that looks pretty and make sure everything functions easily, like safety, mag release, bolt slide, etc. For ease of cleaning i prefer ones with the tab for the gas tube release instead of the shell indent, but that's just me.
 
Either year is just as good, so get both! As mentioned pick one that looks nice and everything functions properly, get a case of ammo and have fun.
 
Buy, buy, buy! Get two or better yet, four. As long as you aren't absolutely obsessed with pinpoint accuracy you'll have a blast! Your next post will be 'where can I get a #*#*load of cheap surplus ammo from?'!
 
I love threads where the tone is so positive.

Yes, I agree with everyone, just buy one. No buyers remorse here. Just be prepared to buy a bigger gun safe because, as stated before, they do multiply.
 
Its the most sh*ts n giggles you can get for the dollar. Rifles and ammo are a good price. Get it while you can. Surplus does run out.
 
I know everyone here is "buy buy buy!" but I prefer my Norinco chinese SKS to my '54 russian.

Here's why.

Although the russian has a better quality bolt and internals, the chinese was easier to clean initially by far. The Russian stock was perimiated to the core with cosmoline, no amount of steaming and heating gets it out. The chinese variant has a more mild oil, to which cleaning the stock only took soap and water. The russian took a lot of boiling water + dish soap + simple green to get all the thick cosmo out.

Both have about the same tolerances when it's cycling, and both need a trigger job to remove the 12+ lb trigger pull.

The chinese has 'looser' components. For example the release for the magazine is much easier to open.

The chinese cost $150 + tx and the russian cost $220 plus tax. Both have matching serials all around. They both have chrome lined barrels, identical safety levers and both have the same accuracy at 50 and 100 yards for what I can shoot.

I bought the russian first, and it's still a great rifle - but the chinese is all I needed. I don't regret buying the russian, as it's a great rifle, but it'll probably hit the EE soon enough.
 
SoylentD said:
I know everyone here is "buy buy buy!" but I prefer my Norinco chinese SKS to my '54 russian.

Here's why.

Although the russian has a better quality bolt and internals, the chinese was easier to clean initially by far. The Russian stock was perimiated to the core with cosmoline, no amount of steaming and heating gets it out. The chinese variant has a more mild oil, to which cleaning the stock only took soap and water. The russian took a lot of boiling water + dish soap + simple green to get all the thick cosmo out.

Both have about the same tolerances when it's cycling, and both need a trigger job to remove the 12+ lb trigger pull.

The chinese has 'looser' components. For example the release for the magazine is much easier to open.

The chinese cost $150 + tx and the russian cost $220 plus tax. Both have matching serials all around. They both have chrome lined barrels, identical safety levers and both have the same accuracy at 50 and 100 yards for what I can shoot.

I bought the russian first, and it's still a great rifle - but the chinese is all I needed. I don't regret buying the russian, as it's a great rifle, but it'll probably hit the EE soon enough.
Click to expand...

My Russians are definitely better finished than my Chinese, but the Chinese shoot just as well. I like them both, but value the Russians more for their attention to detail. Nothing to choose between them at the range.
 
I bought one for kicks as I had never seen one until I bought mine and was sort of worried I had bought a piece of junk till I took it apart. I had thought the cover on the back as just a hunk of tin covering something till I took it off and seen it is solid steel. Was amazed how simple it was to take apart and put back together. Just have get the courage to shoot the thing and then clean it afterwards.
 
There was a really interesting article in that new Canadian magazine 'Calibre' about the various milsurp rifles available in Canada - check it out.

The magazines are free - your local arms dealer likely has a pile of them by the door.

Abby
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone!

I went a head and ordered one of those 1440 cases from CanadaAmmo, my first order from them, so I hope it turns out to be a good experience. Now I just need to find the right SKS for me. I hear what was said about the Chinese model but I think I'd like a Russian model, at least to start with. Can always add a Chinese later on down the road. Can't wait to head into the store and start my search. Unless something stands out I'm probably bringing home either a 53 or a 54 simply because those years seemed to have the deepest reds.

Cheers.
 
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