Want to swich my SKS from the standard fixed 10 round mag to a 20 rounder,this easy?

J

JMack

New member
I have heard different opinions on this and was just curious how hard this is to do.

My buddy did the same thing with his and it functions perfectly and was not to much of a hassle, he has since moved and I canot get anny tips from him.

Has anybody done this and if so could you give me a quick run down on what steps I need to take to make the convertions succesfully.

Much thanks,
~Jason
 
Haven't done it myself but I believe it is akin to the basic field stripping and magazine removal. Literally it's suppose to be a snap.
 
All you have to do is remove the trigger group. The fixed mag pulls right out. Snap the trigger group back in place, and you're done.
 
Had a fixed 20rd Chinese mag that wouldn't work in either of my early Russian rifles. Dealer looked it over and gave me my $$ back. If your 20 rder is fixed it should just drop in. If it doesn't I wouldn't change the rifle in anyway to try and make it work. All bets are off if your trying to add a detachable mag,too may different styles out on the market. The only constant,don't change the rifle. May never get the 20rd to work and may not be able to go back to the 10.

------------------
Be careful what you ask for..You may get it.
An unloaded pistol is a paperweight.
 
Thanks for the ifo guys but let me clear this up a little.

I want to use 20rnd detachable mags, my buddy got his at shotgun news for like $24 a peice and they work flawlessly.

What detachable SKS mags out there should I stay away from? I do not want to change anything on my rifle that I would not be able to go back to the original assembly should I feel the need. This means no filing or bending of any kind, Russian SKS's are just getting a little too scarse not to ruin this rifle.

Thanks for any replys!

~Jason
 
I have never seen a 20 round Chi-Com mag work yet. What ever you do, dont alter your SKS to make the mag fit. You may have to put the 10 rounder back on if it doesnt work.
 
I've found that even when detachable mags function, they are still a pain to use, so I quit messing with them. The bolt must be open to install or remove a removable magazine. Unless the bolt is already locked open, usually only when the last round has been fired, it will have to be held back with one hand while using the other to release the magazine. Jams will also be more likely when firing. Most of these rifles were not designed to used detachable magazines and will function best with the fixed 10 round. I have no experience with the fixed 20 round, but it's got to work better than any of the detachable ones. The larger magazines also protrude farther and tend to get in the way, especially when on the ground. Just leave it alone. You'll also avoid politicly correct bs while having a better rifle.
 
JMack,
The SKS is really quite compact with the standard fixed 10-round mag, while having quite a bit of ammo on board. (I try hard not to use the phrase FIREPOWER, because it is so imprecisely defined. Usually it simply means "Noise making ability," and generally has nothing to do with effectiveness. )

As Doubleought says above, with a bit of practice, it is fast and easy to use the stripper clips.

My main complaint with the longer magazines is how clumsy they make the carbine to carry and store. It is not even convenient to take them out of or put the rifle into a case. If you can find a case thet fits. Won't fit in most racks.

Really, if you feel the need for more ammo, suggest you trade up to a decent AK clone--There are still a lot of 'em around for decent prices. Then you'll have a Klash lookalike that REALLY is one, semi or not. I've had both and each has its own good points.

Best,
Johnny

------------------
---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---
 
I was debating getting an AK next week or atleast start looking around, what would I expect to pay for a nice new one compared to a good condition used one?

They do seem like a ton of fun and I will most likely have the money to make a purchase seeing that I have been putting in 50 hours OT here at work :(

The way I was thinking it just seemed like more fun having an SKS with 20 round mags rather than every two minutes filling the ten rounder up.

Anyway, what should I look for when looking for a nice AK? This is all new to me so any info at all would be helpfull.

Thanks,
Jason
 
www.ak-47.net
plenty of info
the fixed 10rd mags work the best for me. also you can pick up a romainian sks for under $200. but most of the sks' out there are in the $200 range. once you get up there and pay for aftermarket hi-cap mags you can get a post-ban ak in the $275 and up range
when buying an ak look for (on the maadi's and sar-1's) for the front sight to be in alighment with the rear. some of them were off to one side.
the maadi's seem to be the lower end of the food chain on some people's ak list. with the bulgarian milled receiver ones at the top. then there are the pre-ban ak's.
speaking from experience..
i have at one time or another owned or fired all the ak varients (believe it or not) except a true russian or a select fire ak. and the maadi seemed not as well put together as the others but fired and functioned the same.
HEY they are ak-47's, not the tightly made gun as an ar or ar-10 but they were a mass produced gun made to be sold to anyone/country who has cash.
and considering a case of 1k rds is averaging $1-120 a worthwhile investment.
besides @ 1-200yds i seriously doubt that the receiving end is concerned with what mfg you are using.
 
I had installed the 20 round fixed star mag on mine not long after buying the SKS years ago. As I recall, it was pretty simple as
Coinneach sums up. The only problem I had was that the mag, when released, was a bear to put back under the latch. I think I just filed the mag extension that the latch holds on to a little and it went in okay after that. Otherwise, my 20 rounder has worked perfectly. Gotta remind myself to paint those stars red.

------------------
- Ron V.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top