Jan 30 2005
The practical “tactical” SKS…
I have owned an SKS since I got into shooting. My first was a Norinco SKS (only recently sold to my cousin) that provided the basis for any marksmanship skills I possess today. Since that first SKS I’ve owned a number of the different variants, and now only have my solitary SKS-D.
Like many SKS owners I was stunned by the vast array of aftermarket accessories available for the SKS, and after some experimentation I was not particularly impressed with most of them. I do believe the standard SKS is pretty much perfect (and cheap) in its “issue” configuration. That said I retained my SKS-D specifically as a “project” gun, and have been thinking long and hard about what MY perfect SKS would look like.
This is NOT my dream SKS. This rifle looks like almost every other “custom” SKS out there.
Lets have an honest assessment here, the SKS will never be a “sniper” rifle, and making it look like one really doesn’t accomplish anything. The goal here was to create a light, quick and dependable scout rifle. With this in mind I did a LOT of reading, and came up with a framework of how I would modify my SKS.
First on the hit parade was the scope mount. Most easily available for the SKS are the standard variety of receiver cover scope mounts (most reviews rate these fairly low, but they are an easy low-cost modification to make). There are two options for a scout mount for the SKS (or two I came across),
Gas Cylinder Scope Mount: - Hi-Tech Gas Tube Accessory Mount allows you to mount optics and so forth directly to their gas cylinder. My only concern was that a few of the SKSs I’ve owned have suffered from a little play in the gas cylinder, and I wondered if this makes for the most stable platform for optics (even low powered red dot scopes).
Rear Sight Scout Mount: - Millett makes a scope mount that replaces the rear leaf sight on the SKS. While this arrangement seems to make removal of the gas cylinder difficult, it seemed it would make a more stable platform. The down side is that should your optics become damaged, you no longer have a rear sight.
I decided to go with the Millett option, but wanted to ensure the optics had a back-up arrangement. As if on cue I came across a discussion about Tech Sights TS100 rear aperature sight for the SKS. The installation of one of these should eliminate that iron sight dilema (although I am concerned that the rear aperature may not be able to see “over” the scout mount itself - we’ll have to wait and see). As a compliment to the rear aperature sight I came across (and ordered) the Williams Firesight front post replacement (at a cost of $10 I could hardly refuse it).
The project is under way ….lets see how wrong it goes, shall we?
5 Responses to “The practical “tactical” SKS…”
I really can never totally understand the need to add optics to a SKS type rifle. Maybe it is my shooting but I can never get a close enough grouping to make me decide to add optics to the rifle. If I did I would most likely go for a close range combat sight such as a laser sight or such. What are you looking for in a “scout” rifle? I didn’t know cub scouts were allowed rifles. Just kidding. I guess it is hard finding out what works for you when you only can bring the rifle to the range. The only way I find what works for me is to go on a patrol. ( For all the people that think I’m a wacko at this point, I’m in the army) Of course, we use the C-7 or C-9 (thank god I don’t have to carry the C-6). I guess you could go on a hunting trip. That would kinda be similar. Carry about 300 rounds and go in the bush for a few days and then you would know how “light” the SKS is. Looking at the picture you have I would try to make a patrol sling first. It would pay in the long run.
My point exactly Dan, the optics I plan on mounting are 1x, either a red dot scope or reflex sight merely serving as a quick targeting aid, not so much an accuracy issue.
Other scopes seemed a waste of time, as the rifle is really only useful out to visual range anyway. Although the planned improvement in the installation of the rear aperature sight is bound to bring some improvement (thats a sight along the lines of the AR and M14).
The project is underway, and there’s a long blog entry in progress documenting the various modifications, and hopefully their effectiveness once I’ve given the rifle a try at the range.
The sling issue is one I’ve pondered for a little while, originally I had attached a standard C7 patrol sling, but its far from a comfortable arrangement with the SKS (especially as the barrel and the stock are then attached to each other, which will make cleaning a bit of a nuisance), instead I’m cludging together a single point sling attachment at the stock wrist, and looking to use the same sling as the one that resides on my AR15 (Maybe with a universal attachment).
The SKS pictured is not mine of course, merely an image I grabbed off the net showing what I see as the typical “custom” sks (ie wearing the usual assortment of aftermarket goodies, ATI stock, receiver cover scope etc). I’m hoping that my rifle is the antithesis of this, and we’ll see if it plays out.
I have recently cleaned up and added some parts to my Chinese SKS that I bought about ten years ago. It had the fiberglass stock that I sanded, painted OD green and covered in a spray varnish. This greatly improved the look and the finish is really durable. I also purchased a scope and mount off of ebay for about forty bucks. I removed the trigger group and using info pulled off the net, smoothed out the trigger pull. I have yet to shoot it but I dont shoot much anyway. I get as much pleasure working on them as I do shooting them. I have also read a ton of information from those who say the SKS is not a sniper rifle and articles bashing its accuracy. I think these people are missing the point. I believe those who are customizing their own SKS’s arent anticipating using it as a sniper or match rifle, but are merely deriving pleasure from creating their own inexpensive custom rifle.
Help
Need a rear sight spring for a SKS….any ideas where to get a spring???
Much thanks
Marty
Where are you located?