SKS conversion

[DanielJones]

I've had this Russian SKS for a good 18 years now. I still have all the original parts to revert it back to stock condition with all the wood and all, but that just makes the pull too short for me. Almost a childs size gun with the wood stock. I had done a conversion on it with one of those synthetic Dragunov style stocks and it is pretty cool but I think I'm ready for a change. I'm considering changing the stock to something that would make it look like an M4, or one of those variants. Something that would make it a better close quarters weapon. I think the stock style is called a T6, and I was wondering if any of the experts here could recommend a really well made stock with the picatinny rail system and the collapsable stock? Is Tapco the only choice out there or is there something better? Also, can any one recommend a good red dot sight to add to this? Links and pictures would be most helpful and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Basically something from this...


To this...


With a sight like this instead of the scope...


There is a lot to choose from out there and I don't want to buy crap. That is why I figured the experts here could lend a little guidance towards good choices. Thanks again!

Cheers!

Dan

[Eric Renderking Fisk]

I can't recommend anything, but I have to admit that I admire and respect that rife. Is there a story about how you can about it?

[n11pilot]

Dan, I've never been lucky enough to own an SKS but I do have an old college buddy who has owned and modified several over the years, right up until he married a woman who "Hates the idea of guns". I can call him and get some info for you after he gets to work, about 10:00 AM my time.

I'll ask him general questions for you but if you can, could you tell me the price ranges you are looking for?

[n11pilot]

Dan, I talked to my friend and got a little info for you. I have to preface this by saying that my friend, Steve, hasn't been able to do anything firearm related in about two years since his unfortunate marriage so some of this may be a little dated.

First off he said that he tried three stock makers for a variety of styles and found the most consistent high quality with TAPCO. He also said that back in the day TAPCO dealers stood behind their products unlike some others but you should probably check to make sure they still do.

http://www.tapco.com/index.php


Steve asked about your overall modification direction and I told him that it was toward an M-4 type weapon most likely for CQB as opposed to long range. I hope I got that right.
Steve said that it is a very popular mod for the SKS and said that in addition to the vertical foregrip you may want to consider a muzzle break or compensator. Apparently the 7.62X39 has more muzzle climb than the 5.56 and the break makes rapid follow up shots easier. The only drawback to the compensator is that it precludes the use of the attached bayonet.

As far as red dot or holographic sights go he said that the Sightmark brand puts out some good units that don't cost an arm and a leg. Sightmark also makes a red dot sight with a laser designator attached.

Steve said to try these retailers for items you may need.

https://www.gandermountain.com/

http://www.opticsplanet.net/red-dot-sco ... 4AodGCXO8w

http://www.cabelas.com/home.jsp?WTz_l=Header

[Super Ordinary Guy]

For what it is worth I wholeheartedly agree with Tapco and again my info is outdated.

But when I was selling these they made the best mods and did indeed stand behind what they sold...

You said you have the replaced pieces and I hope you hang on to them.....

All the SKS from Russia were machined parts and if you check your rifle, if it is original , all the parts serial numbers will match up... If some other parts were put on the serials won't all match..

That said, when someday you decide to sell, putting it back into original condition with all pieces serialized matching the value used to go way above & beyond one that the parts don't match..

I am pretty sure that part hasn't changed since I had my business......

I used to be able to buy them for $70. I have no clue as to their cost now....

I got ammo from a wholesaler in Ohio and bought cases in bulk for a song...

You had to watch which country it came from as some of the primers would be corrosive..

I am sure Pilot could get better and more current info on the ammo if you are looking to pick some cases ( the prices were much better buying it by the case at that time )

Believe it or not, I sold carloads of Chinese and Russian to people who would head to Home Depot or Lowes and buy a piece of PCV Pipe, wrap the rifle in cosmoline grease , cap off the ends and bury them in their back yard...

The fear of losing their guns was running big at those times....

[DanielJones]

I came across this Russian beauty back in the early 90's when cash and cary was easy. Got it for around $90. Not much of a story really. It was back when I was purchasing antiques and curios and could get most of them really cheap. I just walked into the gun shop, saw it, liked it and bought it, then walked out the door with it. Back when I think anything older than 1956 was a cash and cary item. I still have all the original parts that came with it including the cleaning kit, sling and bayonet. I did put a compensator on it when I put the Draunov stock on years ago. All the parts are machined and still have some of the milling marks. I used to get my ammo a case at a time, and it was the old non corrosive Russian stuff. I think it was like Mac & Cheese, around 39 cents a metric ton. Cheap to shoot and easy to maintain. The one I got I don't think it ever saw combat. Had to steam the cosmoline out of it.

Thank you guys for all of the info. If Tapco still stands behind their product then they are worth it. Pilot, you got the direction right. This project will happen once I get employed. Should prove interesting. Now I have to decide whether I want to go all black or create something akin to the M-4 desert configuration in a tan and black. Something like this.


Cheers!

Dan

[AeroDillo]

Dumb question - do you intend to swap out the magazine, or are you sticking with the original?

[Doug Palumbo]

I have never owned one but I fell in love with it when I shot a friend's some years back.

[DanielJones]

Dumb question - do you intend to swap out the magazine, or are you sticking with the original?

Nah, not dumb at all. I was thinking of swapping it out for something that is a larger capacity. Either the removable kit option or a fixed mag & use stripper clips. Any suggestions?

Cheers!

Dan

[AeroDillo]

Not really, unfortunately. My SKS left the safe the same way it came in - bone stock.

My only advice is to be cautious in the conversion. The rifle was designed to work with that fixed 10-round, and while I've heard of upgrades to twenty and thirty that worked I've also heard more than a few about perfectly good shooters that suddenly developed feeding issues. Never had any personal experience in that department though, so...take that for what it's worth.

[DanielJones]

Not really, unfortunately. My SKS left the safe the same way it came in - bone stock.

My only advice is to be cautious in the conversion. The rifle was designed to work with that fixed 10-round, and while I've heard of upgrades to twenty and thirty that worked I've also heard more than a few about perfectly good shooters that suddenly developed feeding issues. Never had any personal experience in that department though, so...take that for what it's worth.

Yeah, I don't think that I would go with anything greater than twenty rounds, just for those same feeding issues. I've also heard that the plastic & fiberglass magazines are crap as well. So I was thinking of one that is a 20 round fixed magazine similar to the stock one in design, in how it attaches and feeds. Sort of a simple swap out. Now I just need to find a metal one that is respectable. The hard thing is to find one with a decent lift spring in it that can produce constant feeding pressure from 20 rounds down to 1.

Well, if you or anyone else comes up with a decent replacement magazine, post it here with maybe some results. I sure would be interested.

Cheers!

Dan