What to look for in a refurb Ruskie SKS?

For a shooter

Look for a newer safety with spring
Chrome barrel is nice but not a must
Laminate stocks are nice looking and durable

You really cant go wrong if its in good shape
 
<--- SKS Newbie

How does/should model year affect my choice? Are the earlier rifles harder to get parts for? Is later models better than earlier models?
I found 2 1950 refurbs...
#1 has squared off gas block and "box'ish" shaped bayonet
#2 just has the squared off gas block and normal bayonet
Both have laminated stocks with a serial number ######XX'ed out and a new number underneath (funny story...the counter dude tried to tell me that the "X"s were kills :D and were worth waaay more...but thanks to this forum, I know better)

There's tons of the 1952-1953's there, but these two early models caught my eye because they look different. Should I avoid these 1950's and stick with the newer models?
 
check the muzzle--look for dings on the crown.
check the chamber--look for rust,pitting.
try the trigger--see how much creeeeep:) it has.
how is the mag pinned to 5 rounds.butchered and s/n redone on side of mag or rod welded to follower.
i prefer chrome barrel,so '52 or later.
if you can remove the gas tube,look under the tube for surface rust--they aren't painted there.
finally,look at bolt face for a "ring" around the firing pin--bigger and deeper ring means more use...
oh ya,try to find one with the least amount of s/n's scratched out and redone--they are on stock,trigger guard,mag,ejector,gas tube,piston.bolt,...
 
I found 2 1950 refurbs...
#1 has squared off gas block and "box'ish" shaped bayonet
#2 just has the squared off gas block and normal bayonet
Both have laminated stocks with a serial number ######XX'ed out and a new number underneath (funny story...the counter dude tried to tell me that the "X"s were kills :D and were worth waaay more...but thanks to this forum, I know better)


any pics?

whats the bayos finish? shiny ? matte silver ?
 
any pics?

whats the bayos finish? shiny ? matte silver ?

No pics, I don't think the store would let me snap any either.
The bayonet is actually looks blued to me, looks more like a spike or two blades mounted perpendicular to each other as opposed to a single blade like the others I saw. I guess the best way to describe it is if you extended the bayonet and looked down the barrel, the bayonet would be shaped like this --> "+"

Maybe I'll pass on it, seems like it's an odd ball mix and match of parts.
 
No pics, I don't think the store would let me snap any either.
The bayonet is actually looks blued to me, looks more like a spike or two blades mounted perpendicular to each other as opposed to a single blade like the others I saw. I guess the best way to describe it is if you extended the bayonet and looked down the barrel, the bayonet would be shaped like this --> "+"

Maybe I'll pass on it, seems like it's an odd ball mix and match of parts.

that would make a horrible wound... wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that.
 
No pics, I don't think the store would let me snap any either.
The bayonet is actually looks blued to me, looks more like a spike or two blades mounted perpendicular to each other as opposed to a single blade like the others I saw. I guess the best way to describe it is if you extended the bayonet and looked down the barrel, the bayonet would be shaped like this --> "+"

Maybe I'll pass on it, seems like it's an odd ball mix and match of parts.

I would buy the first rifle, it is a very very early 1950 with an extremely rare bayonet on it. First Russian SKS I have heard of with the first pattern bayo on it!
 
so picked one.
laminated stock, chromed barrel, and polished bolt.

will pick it up on monday and proceed with cleaning it.

also, gun preservative oil might stain your new white shirts...

Thanks for all advise!
 
Back
Top Bottom