New SKS. Unsure of Date

[Mikedick]

Well after shooting my cousins MAK-90 yesterday, it has me yearning for another direction. His has the red dot scope on it, 6 position stock, a few other goodies i'm sure. I had a blast with it doing 150 yard shots. Mine was a bit tough, had to aim a little low to get on the paper. Groups at 150 compared to 100 were noticeably spread out. While his was noticeably superior.

I just wanted to ask before I committed a tragedy on a gun that should be kept together, or is this one of those rifles that is a good candidate to make into a "fun gun", while I could keep on the lookout for a better option for that "all stock" SKS?

I'm looking at dong a Red dot, getting a Murray's firing pin (few slam fires yesterday), like to get a different stock (to shorten up), and also am looking at getting 20 round mags to replace the 30 I have now, or putting the stock 10 back on and using stripper clips.

All in all, not totally getting crazy, but again, better to make sure first. Thanks for lending me your ear, and for any guidance on this.

[fastwest433]

In my opinion, I would sell the sks as is and find something more in the
"Assault" rifle category. Seems to me that is what you are after. A nice wasr AK can be found at a decent price.

[Greatguns]

HI Mike, a little late in the welcoming committee here but welcome just the same. You have a very nice and very collectible rifle there and at a super price. heck, either of the two you got are worth the $300 you paid for the pair. I would find a blade bayonet and a correct sling for that SKS and keep it original as it will definitely retain a better value that way. Complete you could get around $450 +/- depending on your area. If you want to have a "fun gun" look for a mis-matched Chinese or get an AK or something, but yes if you  make permanent modifications on that and/or sell of any of the original parts you will make  a lot of grown men cry.

Oh, as to slam fires, just strip your bolt down and make sure it is thoroughly cleaned. Especially in the firing pin chamber. With it being a free floating pin if it is dirty it will hang up and cause that.

[Mikedick]

Upon sleeping on it some more, I don't really think I would need an AK to do what I want to do. Please don't be mistaken, I don't want to hang a bunch of lights off it and other junk.... I really am more considering putting the original fixed mag on there more than I originally knew. Detachable mags seem like so much wasted time. I assume I need to read more on converting back... I, in the end, would like to stay away from any permanent mods to the gun. Even being new, I know better than that.

The slam fire thing started happening around 7-800 rounds into the day. I read up on that when I first got the rifle and did a good bolt and firing pin cleaning both previous times I shot the rifle. Maybe I didn't get in there good enough, but I am usually pretty thorough. I can always chalk it up to the 100+ degree day here.

Thank you guys for the advice, in the end, why I asked. Helped me stay away from doing something stupid with the stock! I think what I just need to do is get myself an optic setup, for my degrading eye sight, and get that original mag back in there. Stripper clips on my Mosin just feel so much easier, I can only imagine it the same for the SKS! Thank you again guys!

[Greatguns]

Let's see 7-800 rounds into a 100+ degree day probably shooting dirty Russian ammo. Yep, I'd say the bolt is ready for another cleaning Check for primer shavings in the firing pin cavity as well. What ammo were you using exactly?

Sounds like you had a fun day of it at least.

[Mikedick]

Let's see 7-800 rounds into a 100+ degree day probably shooting dirty Russian ammo. Yep, I'd say the bolt is ready for another cleaning Check for primer shavings in the firing pin cavity as well. What ammo were you using exactly?

Sounds like you had a fun day of it at least.

No, I didn't see any kind of shavings in there when i cleaned it. Just the black dust, and a little black "goop" from a tad overzealous oiling.    I was using mostly Brown Bear cheapo's, but did have 2 light blue boxes of 80's Czech manufactured I wanted to get rid of also. Those were the first to be fired though. So yeah, dirty Russian ammo, check!! 

All in all you're probably right on that one, and you are definitely right about having a fun day! Thank you for the enlightenment on that though! Still probably a good idea to swap over to the spring loaded firing pin though i'm guessing. One of those "better safe than sorry" things... Since i'm not concentrating on making it pretty, more funds for the function bit, and lots and lots of 7.62's 

[Righteous]

I go up to 300 yards with open sights and that's as far as
I can see. I love to hear that pop on the plates at that distance

[Mikedick]

No plates at my house yet, and the range in my back yard is only 140 yards max unfortunately. A 25 yard pistol range too though. Guess I can't complain. I shoot when I want to 

[Mikedick]

Did a quick tear down today and placed the stock fixed magazine back on the rifle. Now to score some stripper clips for the weekend! Step one in the "returning to former glory" complete!!!