Chinese SKS 7.62x39
- Thread starter Oldshooter60
- Start date
Blindstitch
New member
I have one. Looks more pampered than the one in your picture. It works fine. Ammo is a bit inconsistent and dances around but I get a kick out of it.
Price is the real factor. I only paid a bit over $200 and got 400 rounds with it so I was happy.
Price is the real factor. I only paid a bit over $200 and got 400 rounds with it so I was happy.
I have a Norinco that I bought about 25 years ago for $99. I didn't like the too-short stock, so I added about 2.5-3" of maple to the butt, and shaped it to fit. I then fitted the metal buttplate off my Swedish mauser to it.
It has been flawless in operation. Never had a misfire. Never. I've shot several different kinds of surplus ammo in it, and it just goes bang every time.
It is also pretty accurate, for what it is. I get 1 1/2" to 2" groups at 50yds easily. Sometimes better, depending on my trigger control. We were shooting at a metal target, about 2/3 size human silhouette, at about 80 or 90 yards, and I was hitting it EVERY shot, standing. The other guys started getting ticked off, because after about 4 or 5 hits in as many seconds, it would finally topple over. Guess who got to go set it back up?
I've taken two hogs with it.. each of them about 125 lbs, and each at about 35-40 yards. I was using 123gr softpoints, and decided the bullet was a little on the light side. The hogs went down with the first shot, but didn't expire right away...kicking and squealing. I used a second shot right away on each of them.. probably unnecessary, but I don't like an animal to suffer. If I go for hogs with it again, it will be with the 154gr softpoints. I imagine they will do a much better job.
I've also tried a scope (on a mount drilled and tapped into the side of the receiver for stability) and didn't get terribly better accuracy than with open sights, so that's what I use now.
For $200, you should definitely get it.
It has been flawless in operation. Never had a misfire. Never. I've shot several different kinds of surplus ammo in it, and it just goes bang every time.
It is also pretty accurate, for what it is. I get 1 1/2" to 2" groups at 50yds easily. Sometimes better, depending on my trigger control. We were shooting at a metal target, about 2/3 size human silhouette, at about 80 or 90 yards, and I was hitting it EVERY shot, standing. The other guys started getting ticked off, because after about 4 or 5 hits in as many seconds, it would finally topple over. Guess who got to go set it back up?
I've taken two hogs with it.. each of them about 125 lbs, and each at about 35-40 yards. I was using 123gr softpoints, and decided the bullet was a little on the light side. The hogs went down with the first shot, but didn't expire right away...kicking and squealing. I used a second shot right away on each of them.. probably unnecessary, but I don't like an animal to suffer. If I go for hogs with it again, it will be with the 154gr softpoints. I imagine they will do a much better job.
I've also tried a scope (on a mount drilled and tapped into the side of the receiver for stability) and didn't get terribly better accuracy than with open sights, so that's what I use now.
For $200, you should definitely get it.
I am a fan of SKS's, I have two of them.
They are fun to shoot, ammo is usually cheaper than any other centerfire rifle cartridge (assuming you are going to use surplus or steel-cased and that you do not reload), and both of mine have been utterly reliable. If you are a guy who likes to customize guns, there is no shortage of options out there for it, but I have left both of mine stock.
The only down side to them is usually the sights. They are rather accurate for a "battle rifle" and more accurate than most AKs I have shot, but the sights are not user friendly. They use what most of us would consider pistol sights, a small front blade and a small notch sight in the rear.
So as long as you are not expecting clover leafs at 300, I say buy one and enjoy the heck out of it.
They are fun to shoot, ammo is usually cheaper than any other centerfire rifle cartridge (assuming you are going to use surplus or steel-cased and that you do not reload), and both of mine have been utterly reliable. If you are a guy who likes to customize guns, there is no shortage of options out there for it, but I have left both of mine stock.
The only down side to them is usually the sights. They are rather accurate for a "battle rifle" and more accurate than most AKs I have shot, but the sights are not user friendly. They use what most of us would consider pistol sights, a small front blade and a small notch sight in the rear.
So as long as you are not expecting clover leafs at 300, I say buy one and enjoy the heck out of it.
There are a couple of dedicated SKS forums to which I belong, and have many friends with the SKS in common. You'll have no trouble finding them if you want to drop into that world for awhile. Be careful though, these little rifles can grab ya. Many guys are even into the collection and accurate history of the many varients and sub-species of this weapon.
For a long time, there simply was no better buy when it came to a good milsurp weapon. Maybe still isn't depending what you're after. I've got three, love them, and use them often. Reload for them, cast bullets for them, and have even mounted a scope on one. The accuracy of that platform is generally 2 or 3 MOA, but that's not much different than what a lot of rifles ACTUALLY get if you discount the BS factor.
jd
For a long time, there simply was no better buy when it came to a good milsurp weapon. Maybe still isn't depending what you're after. I've got three, love them, and use them often. Reload for them, cast bullets for them, and have even mounted a scope on one. The accuracy of that platform is generally 2 or 3 MOA, but that's not much different than what a lot of rifles ACTUALLY get if you discount the BS factor.
jdzachattack2
New member
It's a very nice gun.
I recommend it and you can use it for deer too.
I recommend it and you can use it for deer too.
reynolds357
New member
I have 3 SKS rifles. Two are Chinese Military and one is Norinco. I paid $79 each for them. They were well worth that price.
I have owned Chinese SKS and I can tell you this. There are two different breeds. The military and the commercial.
The military ones often times were re arsenaled with blueing and newer stocks. These generally have milled trigger groups, chrome lined barrels, and barrels that have been screwed in and then pinned.
The commercial ones had trigger guards that were welded in the front, chrome lined barrels were optional, and the barrels were just pinned in. These are not bad rifles, but not as good as the military spec models.
The military ones often times were re arsenaled with blueing and newer stocks. These generally have milled trigger groups, chrome lined barrels, and barrels that have been screwed in and then pinned.
The commercial ones had trigger guards that were welded in the front, chrome lined barrels were optional, and the barrels were just pinned in. These are not bad rifles, but not as good as the military spec models.
I bought one in the late 1980s for $89. Worked fine. Picked up 1K of ammo for $59. When we went shooting in the desert I would extend the spike bayonet and stick the gun in the ground to get more ammo.
Sold the rifle to a friend and bought a shorter carbine version. Cool looking but it didn't shoot as well. Few years later I moved and gave what remained of the ammo to a buddy as I was trying to lighten the load in the trailer. Still have the second rifle...(no bayonet on this one)
Sold the rifle to a friend and bought a shorter carbine version. Cool looking but it didn't shoot as well. Few years later I moved and gave what remained of the ammo to a buddy as I was trying to lighten the load in the trailer. Still have the second rifle...(no bayonet on this one)
zachattack2
New member
Reynolds,
Where did u find the SKS for $79???
Where did u find the SKS for $79???
reynolds357
New member
They were $79 everywhere in the late 80's and early 90's. Norinco's $79, Polytech $90, Polytech $79 if you told the dealer at the gunshow that you were about to walk across the room and buy from another dealer for $79.
The early 90's, back when you could actually still get good deals at gunshows.
Norinco's $79, Polytech $90, Polytech $79 if you told the dealer at the gunshow that you were about to walk across the room and buy from another dealer for $79. The early 90's, back when you could actually still get good deals at gunshows.
There very definitely were two "tiers".
Military/government versions were very functional & "battle grade".
The later Tourist Models were quickly thrown together, were not built to military specs, and were variable in quality.
I got my Government rifle in '88, still running strong.
Later bought two Tourist Models, did not hold onto them very long.
"Norinco" is a giant combine composed of many factories.
"Norinco" markings do not guarantee quality.
Denis
Military/government versions were very functional & "battle grade".
The later Tourist Models were quickly thrown together, were not built to military specs, and were variable in quality.
I got my Government rifle in '88, still running strong.
Later bought two Tourist Models, did not hold onto them very long.
"Norinco" is a giant combine composed of many factories.
"Norinco" markings do not guarantee quality.
Denis
tahunua001
New member
a lot of those chinese SKS are real beaters. most of the ones that have come here in the last couple years were sold as U-fix-ems and have the possibility of missing parts so read the decriptions carefully. the one I got was very rough and the stock was completely unserviceable, but once I got it in a replacement it was a real tack driver as far as x39s go. I actually prefer the type 56 sks to AKs.
Smokey Joe
New member
SKS's...
Oldshooter 60--Back in "the day" SKS's were well under $100/each. Gun show this past weekend had 'em at approaching $400. I would theorize that the inflation won't continue, so at this point they're not a good investment if you expect to make $$ on them.
The Russian SKS's are considered premium, and priced accordingly. The Chinese ones are at the bottom of the spectrum--even the military ones. I would not consider a "made for export to gullible 'sportsmen'" model, which includes the so-called "paratrooper SKS." Several other countries made military copies of the Russian ones; collectors can tell the differences at a glance but they are insignificant for the casual shooter.
I've had I think 3 SKS's along the line, and also shot a buddies'. They are very sturdy, with machined parts all through, no stamped sheet metal except the magazine. Most have 10-round mags, though a 20-rounder also exists. You can get aftermarket huge mags if you want to, though most are iffy as to performance.
If you are an accuracy freak they are not the rifle for you. Some claim to be able to retro-build an accurate SKS but that is not my experience. If you are a reloader, be informed that they fling the brass all over Robin Hood's barn. They also dent it up as badly as any other auto-loader. You CAN get reloadable brass for them, however the import military stuff is steel-cased or Berdan primed or both, and not conducive to best accuracy anyhow. (Boxer-primed steel cases CAN be reloaded, but why bother.)
They have no firing pin return spring (Comrade Simonov designed one into them, but it was rejected to save a couple of kopeks on each one.) Therefore be informed: SKS's are subject to slam-firing, especially if the firing pin is not kept clean. This isn't dangerous IF you are mentally prepared for it--The tragedies happen when the shooter drops the rifle in surprise, and the rifle keeps on firing. But it needs to be kept in mind, and explained to every person whom you let shoot the rifle. You can get a firing return spring put in, which pretty much eliminates the problem.
If, now, you just want a rifle to go bang a lot, and shoot tin cans with, and operate relatively cheaply, and never be concerned with fussy maintenance, and don't want an AR, then the SKS is the one for you, and for $300 plus, you can have a great deal of fun. It's up to you...
Oldshooter 60--Back in "the day" SKS's were well under $100/each. Gun show this past weekend had 'em at approaching $400. I would theorize that the inflation won't continue, so at this point they're not a good investment if you expect to make $$ on them.
The Russian SKS's are considered premium, and priced accordingly. The Chinese ones are at the bottom of the spectrum--even the military ones. I would not consider a "made for export to gullible 'sportsmen'" model, which includes the so-called "paratrooper SKS." Several other countries made military copies of the Russian ones; collectors can tell the differences at a glance but they are insignificant for the casual shooter.
I've had I think 3 SKS's along the line, and also shot a buddies'. They are very sturdy, with machined parts all through, no stamped sheet metal except the magazine. Most have 10-round mags, though a 20-rounder also exists. You can get aftermarket huge mags if you want to, though most are iffy as to performance.
If you are an accuracy freak they are not the rifle for you. Some claim to be able to retro-build an accurate SKS but that is not my experience. If you are a reloader, be informed that they fling the brass all over Robin Hood's barn. They also dent it up as badly as any other auto-loader. You CAN get reloadable brass for them, however the import military stuff is steel-cased or Berdan primed or both, and not conducive to best accuracy anyhow. (Boxer-primed steel cases CAN be reloaded, but why bother.)
They have no firing pin return spring (Comrade Simonov designed one into them, but it was rejected to save a couple of kopeks on each one.) Therefore be informed: SKS's are subject to slam-firing, especially if the firing pin is not kept clean. This isn't dangerous IF you are mentally prepared for it--The tragedies happen when the shooter drops the rifle in surprise, and the rifle keeps on firing. But it needs to be kept in mind, and explained to every person whom you let shoot the rifle. You can get a firing return spring put in, which pretty much eliminates the problem.
If, now, you just want a rifle to go bang a lot, and shoot tin cans with, and operate relatively cheaply, and never be concerned with fussy maintenance, and don't want an AR, then the SKS is the one for you, and for $300 plus, you can have a great deal of fun. It's up to you...
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