I am not an sks guy at all, but I do think they are pretty cool. I have recently found one for a pretty good price locally with some corrosive ammo, but am unsure what to be looking for besides rusted/pitted bore / gas tube and (not that it matters too much for a shooter) matching numbers. What else should I be looking for since buddy obviously shot corrosive through it, and I really don't want to over pay for POS? (haha yeah I know it is an sks so that is what I'm paying for already)
what To inspect on sks before purchase?
- Thread starter Big-boss-man
- Start date
Some guys will say chrome lined barrel which would be assured with anything post 1950, but Id say its not an issue. Non chrome may even be more accurate. Bore, trigger(you can easily improve it) , bluing...not much else to worry about.
When buying a SKS for a shooter - as opposed to collecting - I look at the muzzle condition, stock condition (cracked), and try to strip it down to see the barrel, trigger group, gas tube/pistons, magazine internals, and bolt. What I'm looking for is obvious damage and rust on those areas, and I like to shake the bolt to see if the firing pin rattles. There are some that don't, but they were made in 1949/50 with a spring-loaded firing pin - one could've been added from the aftermarket. I seldom worry about the bayonet, and part of the fun of shooting a SKS is making sure it's sighted in.
If it's a Soviet or Eastern Bloc SKS made post 1950, it should have a chrome lined barrel precisely because the primers of the military (as opposed to commercial) ammo have corrosive primers. The chrome in the bore prevents the salts in the primer compound from rusting the bore or gas tube/piston.
There are some excellent stickies in the Red Rifle forum, I'd advise you to study them carefully as they contain a wealth of knowledge on the SKS.
If it's a Soviet or Eastern Bloc SKS made post 1950, it should have a chrome lined barrel precisely because the primers of the military (as opposed to commercial) ammo have corrosive primers. The chrome in the bore prevents the salts in the primer compound from rusting the bore or gas tube/piston.
There are some excellent stickies in the Red Rifle forum, I'd advise you to study them carefully as they contain a wealth of knowledge on the SKS.
- Location
- Steel Town
Check the bore and crown for wear or damage, and check the gas tube and piston for rust. Also check for play in the stock. A tighter fitting stock is always better.
