Originally Posted by RogueGypsy
Others may have different experiences, but I don't really like any of the SKS's I've owned. The only one that is even close to accurate is my current Norinco and that's only after hours of work: Bedding the stock, lapping burrs out of the bore and re-crowning the barrel. On the plus side, they will take a lot of abuse. The second one I owned survived my torture test. In the the southern desert, it lived in the back of my truck and had well over 10K rounds through if without any more maintenance than blowing the dust off of it before firing. Had a couple of miss fires, but no jams. They will throw a lot of lead, just not necessarily where you point it.
'Never issued' is just what it says, factory stock. Some are 'new' recently built, others are 'old' and have been sitting in the back corner of some warehouse for years. Older is usually better. Either way, it will come packed in cosmoline and will need to be thoroughly cleaned -read completely disassembled, soaked in parts cleaner, scrubbed, oiled and reassembled. Before you even consider firing it. The happy side of that is a blind monkey can tear down and re-assemble an SK and you'll get to know it a little.
The only reason to scope an SK is to better see what you missed. But if you decide that's what you want, you'll need a the scope mount receiver cover. Check Brownell's or Sportsman's Guide. A synthetic, extend-able stock might be a good idea too. SKS's are Chinese built and made for little people. Leapers makes some good, cheap tactacle scopes for the SK and AK rifles.
Notes of interest:
You will need a front sight tool, get the $12 one that looks like a clamp. It adjusts windage and elevation. Do not get the $2 'key' with the slit in the end, it only adjusts elevation and they suck.
Stripper clips suck, you will cut the shit out of your thumb until you figure out how to use them right. Even then, you will still cut the shit out of your thumb. Sanding the sharp edge off of the right side of the receiver will mitigate this to some extent.
Do not use your index finger to re-insert the cleaning kit into the butt of the stock. It is the nastiest Chinese finger puzzle you will ever encounter.
Keep it well oiled, the bluing sucks and they rust quick.
AK accessories do not fit the SKS, they look the same, but the SKS is a completely different beast.
Personally I'd avoid all the torture and buy a MAK or AK. The AK's are pricey, but the MAK's are still reasonable. They are better built, more accurate and have way more accessories available for them. The MAK-90 is my favorite of the three, the thumb hole stock and shorter barrel make it throw and sight fast and sweet.
Either way, enjoy.
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