my new russian SKS

[Popsicle]

hello everyone! Today I picked up the nicest example of an SKS I've personally ever seen. It's a russian SKS made in 1952 at Tula. This rifle has never been issued as far as I can tell, the wood is perfect...the original stock, no refurbish jobs. I paid 299.00 for it and thought I did pretty good, what do you guys think? The only " problem" as far as I can tell is the safety does not spring into place like the chinese SKS rifles I've owned. It is being caused by the trigger group takedown lever not exerting enough force on the safety lever itself. Don't get me wrong, the safety works fine and is plenty stiff, it just doesn't "spring " into place as I am accustomed to. Should I be a worry wort over this, or shoot the rifle and break in all the parts ( I don't believe the rifle has been shot since test firing) and see if my "problem" takes care of itself.

Pat Brophy

 

[RBK]

Boy 'ya just can't beat an SKS for plinkin and such. It always brings a grin to the face of a new gunner when I lend mine.
Seriously, I would get a gunsmith to examine the safety and pass judgement.

 

[Mylhouse]

Popsicle

I had a Russian SKS imported by C.A.I. that had the same issue with the safety. It didn't have that crisp snap when engaged. There was resistance to put it in place, but it worked nonetheless. It bothered me for a little while, but the thing was a blast to shoot and stone cold reliable. I treated it like a beater, and it took it like a soldier. Cleaned only twice (I owned it for 6 years), never put in a rifle case, bounced around in the back of a pickup, etc. It was ALWAYS up to the challenge. I even took my first elk with it (with an amazing moving shot @100 yards, I might add).

Like a moron, I sold it for $300 before Y2K. Not bad considering its condition when I sold it.

My thought: It isn't like you blew a grand on the thing, so just shoot it and enjoy it!

P.S. SKS's get better the more you shoot them, so don't be afraid to put thousands of rounds through it! I hate it when people buy an inexpensive gun and then try to keep it "choice" by hardly ever firing it!