SKS Feedback

[TMan]

Since we don't have a companion critique section, I'm using this to make a few comments about my Yugo SKS 59/66. This is actually the second one that I've bought, having never refinished the stock on the original yet.

My second one has a new plastic folding stock, which I like very much because it doesn't hit up against my ear muffs. Getting the rivet out of the top part was a little rough, but it came out, and went back in rather easily. In retrospect, I think I'd try to press it out with the hydraulic press. I've used the press before in pressing out pins on the BHP and it worked well.

I bought 10 stripper clips, which hold 10 rounds, and I load them with 5 rounds each prior to going to the range. (5 rounds is the range limit for rifles). The stripper clips make it very easy for loading the rifle at the range.

Between the rifle, shipping, tax, and the stock, I have a total of $200 invested in the SKS. All I've shot in it is Wolf ammo, which I bought on sale for $3 per box of 20 rounds.

Today I took the SKS to the range for the 4th time. The first round today got a stove-pipe, and this is the first failure I've had with the gun.

Accuracy: I'm amazed. I haven't shot a 22 rifle as well as I have the SKS. Today I had the Sig X-Five in my bag along with the SKS (in a short case). I enjoyed shooting the SKS so much that I never took the X-Five out of the bag.

Just the SKS (without the folding stock) cost less than the tax on the X-Five, and it has been such a pleasure to shoot.

I did take a lot off the front of the sear to get rid of a lot of the creep. I didn't do much about reducing the positive angle of the engagement, nor did I reduce the spring tension. I've almost eliminated the creep, but since I'm using Wolf ammo, which I've been told has hard primers, I'm reluctant to reduce the spring tension.

Incidentally, this is a NIB rifle, but getting all the grease out was a chore. I used kerosene, and did it all in the driveway on a Sunday afternoon after church. My neighbor from across the street came over, so we cleaned and did a lot of shooting. You know, shot the sh...

Compared to the AR-15, there are more parts to the SKS, but I like the design better - no gases into the bolt.

Considering that I could have bought 5 of these compared to what I payed for the AR-15, it is one heck of a deal.

[TA]

They sure are a lot of fun! Now you have to get a M59. It is the Yugo without the grenade launcher. It is more difficult to find one in "like new" condition as was the case on many of the 59/66's, but there are some nice ones out there. I think Samco is known to have some of the nicer ones.

[TA]

Here are a few Yugo's. From left to right, M48A Mauser, 24/47 Mauser, 2 M59's and 2 59/66's.

[Callahan]

Nice rifles. I especially like the WWII-era bolt actions. I almost bought an M48 from that outfit that advertises in the NRA mags. They were supposed to be in excellent condition but decided to go with a new rifle.

[TA]

You are probably talking about Mitchell Mausers. I have heard mixed reviews about them. Some say they are overpriced and misrepresented.

[TMan]

I was actually thinking about getting a Mauser next, but have no idea what to look for. We have fairly large Military Surplus store in Fort Worth, but they are pricey.

I went in there one day, and they didn't have labels on anything so I had no idea what the heck I was looking at so I didn't buy anything.

The advantage of buying from them vs through the mail is that 1) the gun has been cleaned, and 2) you can do a visual on its condition.

[5ontarget]

I kinda like the smell of cosmoline. ;D

Actually, I do enjoy cleaning the cosmo off/out of the guns, and reconditioning the stock.

[MLB]

"Maybe he's born with it, maybe it's cosmoline"

[5ontarget]

Tman-

Swedish Mausers, especially the M96 is probably the most sought after, and best known for accuracy.

Therfore, more expensive and harder to find.

Many years ago they were going for about $500 or so, depending on condition of course. Compared to some Turkish Mausers recently imported for sale $80-100. I've only seen one Swedish Mauser in person, and it was put together beautifully, no shortcuts on craftsmanship. Compared to the well worn, apparently quickly assembled Turks. My guess is the Turks needed guns faster than the Swedes in WWI, WWII, and beyond.

[Callahan]

ta said:

You are probably talking about Mitchell Mausers. I have heard mixed reviews about them. Some say they are overpriced and misrepresented.

Yes, it was Mitchell's Mausers. Here is their Web site address. It's worth a look. They are now promoing the "tanker Mauser." Whatever.

The stuff looks good, though:
www.mitchellsales.com/

[Callahan]

Last year I got an FN Sporter in .30-06 that I've dressed up with a new scope. It, of course, has a Mauser action. Plan to put it through the paces this deer season.

I hear Springfield was sued successfully by Mauser when they copied the Mauser action in the 1903A.

[TMan]

I just put in a Wolff spring kit. Prior to doing so, I tested the trigger and it averaged 8lbs 7oz. After putting in the springs, it now breaks at 7lbs 6oz. I did take a little off the sear, but that was primarily in the area to reduce creep. When I look at the hammer, I can't see any movement prior to it breaking. In other words, I think I'm very close to being neutral, which is undesireable, but better than being negative. I'm wondering if there is some way I could mount a dial indicator but then what happens when it breaks.

[5ontarget]

Fortunately, there are plenty of replacement parts available. If you don't like what you did to the sear, you can start over.

www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/SKS_Parts_Accessories.html

[TMan]

Hey, that is a great link. I'd been to the aimsurplus link before, but only to look at the guns. I never looked at the parts. They seem to be rather reasonable too. I'll order some sears, and when they arrive (yes, Forest Gump was right, it happens), then I'll start stoning away. Thanks much.

[5ontarget]

In case you wanted to find out the date of your Yugo...

users.cableaz.com/~mjbvrb/

[TMan]

I wish you wouldn't call it a "Yugo" ;D

I'm so observant, I thought my two guns were identical, but one has the tapered ring and the other one doesn't. Also, one has tritium and the other phosphor.

My tritium was made in 1989, and it still works all these years later. I'm impressed.

I really thought everything was interchangeable - guess I was wrong - again.

By the way, I ordered two sears from Impactguns, and when they arrived, providing I'm feeling well enough, It will be stoning time. Oh, I ordered more stripper clips too.

I didn't get any cosmoline out of the AK-47 stocks, but my SKS stock is still "bleeding". I have the parts in a black plastic garbage bag out on the patio where it gets all afternoon sun.

After shooting my friends 30-06, I really love these SKS's. I gave some thought to putting a scope on it. WWW.SPORTSMANSGUIDE.COM has some scopes and mounts for the SKS, but I'm afraid that it would interfere with the use of the stripper clips. I can only load 5 rounds at a time (range rule), but I load my clips, put them in a big plastic bag. It makes it fast and easy to load at the range.

[5ontarget]

The compact scopes don't normally interfere with loading, even with stripper clips. You may have to alter the way you handle the gun while loading, since there will be a scope sitting on top of the receiver cover. With some of the longer scopes, people have had to buy shell deflectors to prevent discharged cases from hitting the scope.
Most of the standard packages for the SKS's use compact enough scopes that this isn't a problem. Critics of the receiver cover scopes will say that they won't hold zero because of the beating that the back half of the reciever and receiver cover take during recoil, and you have to take it off to fully clean the gun. (yes Tman, you do even have to clean mil-surps, especially if you shoot that dirty coated steel wolf stuff. I hear that laquer coating can really get thick and gummy ;D) Those critics would tell you to get your receiver tapped and drilled for a scope. This has not been my experience, although it is limited to shooting only one receiver cover scope set. It held zero the entire session, but did get slightly off when remounted. We had it rezeroed in less than 10rds. Later, we did have to put a little lock-tite on the threads (on the scope rings) to keep them from backing out, after 100+rds. BTW, this was a fairly cheap set, I think it was about $30 at a gun show.

I don't know how effective they are, but there are shock buffers available, that allegedly reduce the beating to the reciever/cover. I don't have a scope on mine so I'm not too concerned about it, and looking at the construction of my sks, I'm not concerned about it wearing out in my lifetime.

On a side note, I've seen a couple SKS's that have a scout style scope or red dot mounted replacing the rear sight. www.gunaccessories.com/Millet/MilitaryRifle/index.asp

[TMan]

"lacquer coating" is that what is going on? I failed to get all the cosmoline out of the gas system, and I was wondering if that what it was that got the case stuck.

I put the shock buffers in both of mine, but as I write this I've only shot the one that I put the folding stock on. They are a fairly large piece of rubber? that goes into the back of the cover and the spring fits into it. I can't remember where I got them - either Brownells or MidwayUSA I think.

I couldn't see anymore cosmoline coming out of the SKS stock, so I brought it in today. There was a small ding on the one side that wasn't very deep. I used an old wet T-shirt and an iron and raised it up, but didn't completely remove it. Since it raised the grain around it too, I think after it has throughly dried I'll be able to sand it down and it will completely disappear. This one doesn't have quite as good a stock from a grain standpoint as the other one, so if it doesn't turn out good, I can put the plastic one on this one, refinish the other one. Since they have serial numbers on the stocks I shouldn't get them mixed up. Of course with me...

For example: on this flight back from Shanghai, I got up to use the bathroom and noticed the little red light on my earphones was flashing, which means the battery is going bad. After taking care of business, I removed the battery and put in a new battery. The light was still flashing. I looked at the battery that I "removed" and it was the new battery. I had put the bad one back into the earphones. If it is possible to screw-up, I'll do it.

I like the Millet mount that replaces the rear sight on the web-site you pointed to. If I decide to scope one of these then I think I'll go that route.

[5ontarget]

I figured the way you clean your other guns, there would be no chance of any cosmo remaining in the SKS. But, if there were some left in the gas/operator system, this could be the cause, or at the very least help contribute to the stuck cartridge.

A cleaning rod with some .30cal and some .22 patches will get your gas system clean, unless it is really nasty. Then you can use a .30cal brush and a .22 brush to clean out the gas tube and operator. Pipecleaners work well for cleaning the valve/selector.