The SKS

[Brownie]

Bought a few of the Norinco Chinese versions of the SKS rifle in the last few months from the shop.

Had a chance to throw some rounds out of one of them. POI needed to be brought up some at 100 initially, but after that, I whacked an 18x18" gong at 300 yrds 10 for 10 just moving the ladder rear sight up to the "3" mark.

Recently had a student out here for 5 days. One day was rifle QK, and yes, we used the SKS for that in the field up at the mine. 540 rds in 6 hours was no problem for this one to handle at all.

He was whacking torso size objects with QK from 30 to 250 yrds repeatedly in no time. After that, we settled in for some extended range shooting with the sights. Shots were made on rocks the size of torsos or less out to 400 yds from one of the hilltops. The ladder rear gave us the distance after we judged it visually, moving it until the bullets would repeatedly whack em, thus knowing the range by the rear elevator.

The rifle is simple to operate, simple in design, easy to break down and clean/maintain, etc. I rather like the idea that this rifle can be abused or neglected if necessary, and still perform under adverse conditions.

They have a long history of working reliably under field/battle conditions, and have killing prowess at longer ranges than the AK can be used due to their being more accurate. On top of all that, they are not very expensive, and parts are readily available.

Gonna get a 3rd one here shortly, also a Norinco made piece. When they were 59.00, I ignored them and should have bought a few back then, but hey, they are in the inventory now and available if need arises to get out of dodge quickly, or defend the homeland/homestead.

They make good training rifles for QK and are as inexpensive to shoot as anything out there at the moment.

Anyone else have thoughts on the SKS's, experiences with them?

[JMusic]

I was introduced to one shortly after they arrived. My brother in Law and I do quite a bit of shooting together. I had just purchased a M1 carbine and brought it down for a weekend to wring out. We both caught the bug shooting semi auto military rifles. On my next visit Donny had a surprise, a Norinco SKS. They were going for 69 bucks out the door then. To be honest I didn't think much of it at the time until I shot it. It was far superior to the 30 carbine and really was much more accurate than what I thought it would be. On my next visit down Donny had a surprise for me again. A new Norinco that he purchased for me. He was working in a gun store at the time and purchased it for 59 bucks. I've had it now for about 20 years. It shoots and shoots. It doesn't shoot as well as my A2 government model but penetration is far superior. I think it is a good 300 yard gun. After that your kinda of stretching the cartridge IMO. We have made shots further than that but out to 300 its deadly.

Jim

[DocH]

Same here.Don't own one presently,but ironically, was looking at one at Frank's this afternoon when I stopped by to buy more magazines.
Friend of mine has one that he has refinished the stock on and a few other features to pretty it up. It's actually a nice looking rifle,and having fired it some, I can also attest that 300 is no problem with one of these.
Sure cheaper than buying more AR's or Garands and such,so a couple of good examples might be a good investment.

[RTBRANE]

Bought one of the Norinco's with the cruciform sticker 'bout 10 or more years ago. Spur of the moment purchase. For $99. Degreased it and put about 30 rnds thru a couple months ago. (couldn't find the ammo can of short Russian at the time) Need to adjust the front sight, had to ladder it to 300 or 400 to hit at 100yds. Was thinking my sister could use it, she gets cougers and wild boars at her place, not to mention the 2-legged critters. Unfortunately, it's too heavy for her. She's only 5'1" and 85lbs?. Shorter stock might help, it's the muzzle weight that seems to be the problem. Should have picked up some M1 Carbines when they were only $150 or so. Choices are slim here in Kali, now.

She and her husband are going to schedule a class at Frontsight in the not too distant future, she says. (I gave her a couple certs). Don't know if they are taking rifle, handgun, or one to each. Not sure if she can handle an auto. Don't think she'll be happy trying 4 days, 1000 rnds, with a 5 shot .38 snubbie! :eek: Don't think I'd like it either:D

[Dave James]

THe early Russian and the newer Yugo's are the best imo,,,first heard one years ago:rolleyes: carried one a few times and know several road deputies that carry them as squad rifles in the trunks

[Guantes]

Never shot one, went directly to AK's

At my age if I am shooting at something 300yds away I'm looking through a tube w/magnification.

[7677]

I think the SKS is one of the most over looked combat rifle. It is simple...no magazines to loose and extremely reliable weapon system. The downside is its capacity and weight. But you have to ask yourself, how many rounds will it take if you are doing your part and aiming?

I bought my Norinco Model M for 139.00 in 1993. The model M takes AK-47 magazines and has a 16 inch barrel. It is a quite handy little carbine and with a 4X scope it will make hits at 300+ yards all day long. The only weakness I've found with the SKS is it likes to eat up American manufactured Brass and doesn't like the American soft points either. I've had mine rip the head off of Remington brass making my gun into a large club. After that incident, I bought a broken shell extractor and switched to steel cased ammo and haven't had another problem since. The russian hollow point and and soft point also work flawlessly in it too. Hindsight is 20/20 and I now wish I would have picked a couple of the $59 Norincos when they were dirt cheap.

[JMusic]

Pics of a slightly modified Norinco. I agree with DJ the Yugo's and Rusky's are the best of the lot. I hear the East German Models are tops but I haven't seen one. 7677 also brings up a good point. I think it is an excellent battle rifle. Oh Tom, thats a corvette stool its setting on.:D

Jim

[Brownie]

I haven't fired the second Norinco, it's near new condition, and will be held in reserve as a spare gun later.

The Norinco I do shoot is flawless in performance, and busts caps on about anything I want it to with nary any effort. I'll clean it every 1K or so. Stocked up on 7.62x39 with 6 cases in reserve at the moment.

Nice touchs to the Norinco Jim. How effective is that break on the muzzle?

[JMusic]

Its a home made job but yes it is very functonal. It allows you to stay on target during very rapid fire.:) The peeps were the hardest part. I had to raise the front piller about half and inch. You can tell I've been influenced by US battle rifles if you look close at this rifle. It almost handles now like a grand.

Jim

[RTBRANE]

Jim,
Do you think the stock would hold up if a storage pocket(s) was milled/carved inside it for some stripper clips? Alternatively, was thinking perhaps looking for a shotshell flapped pouch for the strippers.

Will

[7677]

Jim,
Nice stool you have there ;)

[JMusic]

As you can see I elected for the low cost redneck solution here. If I was to carry the rifle much I would elect for the shotshell strap on holder. The stocks seem to be solid but I suspect some may be a bit weak for milling. The purpose of the rubberbanded clip is to have it available with the rifle. It would go into my pocket if I were to need the rifle. The rifle is always hot.

Jim

[DocH]

Since this thread started I've been casually looking around for one of these but not really conducting a hard search. I happened to talk to a former co worker who wanted to sell his Norc Model D. It's the 20 inch and takes the AK mags.
I figured that things being what they are it wouldn't hurt to add one of these to the small pile. I got the rifle with 9 mags and 1000 rds of Wolf MC for $250. I also bought 10 AR mags from him left over from the sale of his Bushmaster for 10 bucks a pop.
I actually tried to talk him into keeping it,but he has recently married a girl with two small sons and I gathered they are desparately in need of cash right now. Don't know if this is really a good deal or not,but for me it seemed to be. Havn't had a chance to shoot it yet and probably won't until after Christmas,but I think it's a decent investment. Any comments or suggestions about this rifle? Weak points,etc?
The wife said it's the ugliest gun she's ever seen. I told her "Mama always said,pretty is as pretty does."

[Brownie]

250.00 for a Norc D with the ammo?

Want to make a quick 50% profit on it Doc:D

The ammo alone is worth no less than 210.00, the gun is fetching 375-425 alone, -----but I'll make an exception and take it off your hands for a quick profit if you'd like sir.-----:cool:

You basically got the gun for free, nice score---------

[DocH]

I'll see how I like it first,but if I don't you'll be first on the list.It seems to be a rugged,hard use piece. I figured I better grab all I can right now with high cap mags before the Democraps do something stupid.

[RAM]

Doc U a thief! Nice find, real nice.

I have a 2 Yugo's, an Albanian and a Norinco (Shortie) Paratrooper. I have shot the yugos and the Albino and they work great, not the most accurate but that could be the ammo. The Norinco was unfired and will stay that way till I really need it! Lots of fun!

[DocH]

Yeah,I stole it I guess.Guilty as charged. I felt kind of bad about it knowing the guy was strapped for cash but it was his decision. I felt better after I got it home.:p I'd like to have one of the para'a myself.I kind of like short guns. That photo of 7677's Model M.....Looks like it would fit me just right.:) I'm a newbie on the SKS.Passed on them years ago when they were really cheap.Just wasn't interested. Wish now I had gotten one then.

[E.Shell]

The SKS is a great little rifle and really kind of a sleeper that many folks overlook. Like a semi-auto .30-30.

[DocH]

Fate took me into a nearby gunshop last week and I got burned there.
But I couldn't resist. It seems that Brad Burkhalter,the owner did an inventory and buried in the back of the building under a bunch of junk were six SKS's.He said he spent a week getting all the packing grease off of them.
The boxes they were in were literally falling apart. He had three of them on the display rack.2 brand new and I do mean brand new Norinco's and 1 Yugo. I picked a Norinco up with a very light colored stock. Not a blemish anywhere,not a mark on the stock of any kind. All original,bayonet and all.
I bought it. Loads with the strippers,which is what I was originally looking for anyway. He's going to get the other three out this week.If I can swing it I may go get one of the Yugo's too.Will have to check with the finance department. I really,really like this one.

I'm still lusting after 7677's paratrooper model.

There was a military case with the first one I bought that will hold about three strippper clips. I'm going to take it down to a local shoe shop and get the straps on the back modified so it will fit over the butt stock of this one so I'll have them on the rifle,kind of like Jim has done. Will try to get a photo up soon.

[Brownie]

Nice score on the Norc Doc,

Did you get it at yesteryear's pricing as well? :cool:

[DocH]

No,afraid not B.:mad: I paid for this one. But it was one of the nicest I've seen and I wanted it real bad. Unblemished in any way.Can't wait to break it in. I'm afraid that around here yesterday's prices are gone forever.
I'll try to get a photo up soon.

[JMusic]

I like the SKS much better than the AK. People tend to think the more you can get in the gun the better. I think that is a mistake. It limits your capability of staying low. My two favorite battle rifles is the M1A1 and the SKS in that order. That could change though depending on the area I was fighting in. I would go for the availability of ammo first. But y'all have to admit the M1A1 is an awesome weapon as long as you can get ammo.


Jim

[DocH]

Yes it is,Jim. And at one point I got to where I could reload a Garand pretty fast. I agree with you. I have been trying to concentrate lately on some firearms that don't require detachable magazines for operation and this SKS fits the bill nicely. Stripper clips galore in the ammo closet.:D