New Norinco SKS

Crocodile · 04-22-2003, 05:57 PM

First off, I'm new here and this is my first post, so I'd like to say hello to everyone. Now...

I walked into a local pawn shop today and saw an absolutely pristine pre-ban Norinco SKS is the rack for $150.00.

It literally looks like it just came off the boat!

This rifle is so pristine that it doesn't hardly even have scratches along the receiver cover that you get from operating the disassembly levers. There are no scratches on the bbl end from extending the bayonet and the cleaning kit/maintainance tool is in the buttstock. Needless to say, I didn't let it sit there. I put a deposit on it and will be picking it up very shortly. I've had a number of SKS rifles in the past and am very familiar with them. I gave it a thorough look-see and while it does have a very slight oder of burt powder, I couldn't see any wear on the follower at all. it appears to be completely unfired.

Normally, I haggle the price down and am good at it, but I was so excited that I just snatched it up fo the asking price. It does pay to wander into pawn shops on occassion I think.

I'm assuming that no one has any gripe about the price?

Smokin Guns · 04-22-2003, 06:46 PM

Ain't gunna gripe about the price your paying...Post a pic when ya get a chance...

Smokin Guns · 04-22-2003, 06:49 PM

Almost forgot...Welcome to ya!!!...Post any where in the forum ya like...some of these people are real shy! (like me)...so be patient...

Crocodile · 04-23-2003, 12:20 AM

Thanks for the welcome Smokin Guns. I will post a pic ASAP

CountryGunsmith · 04-23-2003, 08:30 AM

That is a really good price for an SKS regardless of manufacture.

A word of caution. Many people seek out so-called 'pre-ban' SKS rifles thinking they can modify them at will. This is not true.

An excellent SKS legality resource can be found at Simonov.net that I strongly recommend.

Crocodile · 04-23-2003, 10:31 AM

AntiqueDr - believe me, I have no desire to modify this rifle in the least. It is in such perfect condition that, heck, I may never fire it. There are plenty of SKS rifles of all sorts out there that I could shoot. This rifle is a collector or will be some day. That is why I am hoping it is legally pre-ban - so that I can keep the bayonet that is already on it when I bought it. The condition od the rifle makes me think that it must have been someone's closet queen and that the person who owned it before me never did anything of any sort to it, including mounting an illegal bayonet - heck I don't think he ever even fired it. Of course I am trying to verify this, since I do want to comply with th law. I've laready been to Simonov.net , but that has not been much help. According to him, no one really knows, including the BATF.

As I recall, there was a series of serial numbers that the BATF published that identified the pre bans, back when the law was passed. You know what I mean - all rifles of xxx manufacture with serial #s between xxxxxxxx - xxxxxxxxxx are legal. I even remember seening the list somewhere a while back. I went to the BATF web site but a serach for SKS didn't produce much of anything useful. I'm still looking elsewhere.

CountryGunsmith · 04-23-2003, 05:20 PM

Those lists are pretty much all AR-pattern rifles. To my knowledge, there is no such list for SKS's... too many importers.

1952Sniper · 04-24-2003, 09:14 AM

Welcome to TFF, Crocodile. There is no such list of serial numbers for pre-ban SKS's. The date of import is the important date, not the date of manufacture. And since Chinese SKS manufacture dates back to 1956, the imports are a jumble of all different types of serial numbers and dates. It would be possible to have a pre-ban 1989 model but a post-ban 1956 model. Unless they gave a list of every single serial number that was imported before November 1990, then the list would be worthless. A serial number range wouldn't help at all.

Sounds like you did very well on your purchase. So what do you have? What's the factory code? Pinned or threaded barrel? Stamped or milled trigger group? Blade or spike bayo?

I'm glad to see another person who loves the SKS and appreciates it in its original configuration. I'm an SKS collector myself.

Crocodile · 04-24-2003, 10:49 AM

1952Sniper - First off, tahnk you for the welcome.

I Haven't picked it up yet, and considering my schedule probably won't until the first week of next month. However, I can tell you that it has a spike bayonet. I didn't have a chance to dis-assemble the rifle so I can't say about how the bbl is mounted. This Norinco SKS is identical to the ones I owned back when Norinco began importing them into the country back in the eighties. I purchased my very first one from Potomac Arms in VA which I strongly suspect may have been an outlet store back then for Interarms - at least they were right next door to one another. Anyway, they had large wooden crates with a gun-rack configuration inside that must have held twenty or more SKS rifles. I bought the others, as well as a Norinco folding stock
AK, from another well known gun dealer in VA. This was all right around the same time - actually in the same year if memory serves. I am, of course, kicking myself constantly for trading them away. I had everything for the SKS' & AK - I mean everything . Oh well. Anyway, this SKS is a perfect example of those that I had purchased back then. Believe me when I say that I am going to research this one as best I can - cause I bought it with the bayonet and I want to keep it in that configuration. I'm, also kicking myself for not having picked up one of the Russian-built models when the were first imported. I've examined some and oh Lawdy, are they nice!I love the SKS - I think that it is an excellent rifle. I now plan on getting one of the current examples with a grenade launcher but I am either going to have the launcher removed or I will have it turned into a muzzel brake. Or maybe I'll get one of the Kalifornia models and not worry about the whole launcher deal. I plan to make it my MBR so I will spend some time configuring it to my specs. In any case, I have seen several examples and I like the fact that it is built so rock-solid. It's unfortunate that there are so many that are in really rough shape. This is not a rifle I would buy sight unseen by mail order, I will be going to gun stores and gun shows to find an example in excellent shape.

Again, thanks for the welcome - I think I'm going to like it here.

Crocodile · 04-24-2003, 10:55 AM

Oh yes, I almost forgot - I swear that a few years ago, I saw what claimed to be an official BATF doc - which showed the serial numbers, by Chinese manufacturer for pre-ban SKS rifles. There were not that many manufacturers shown. I remember Norinco and I believe two others. Both of the others were well known to me at the time, but I can't remember them now to save my life. Anyway, I'm not imagining this - there was such a list, though, of course, it could have been a forgery I suppose. I believe it was on the Internet, though I could be mistaken on that.

1952Sniper · 04-24-2003, 10:58 AM

In case you haven't found it yet, http://www.simonov.net is an excellent source of information for the SKS.

The type of barrel should be readily visible without any disassembly. You just have to look under the rear sight block. If the barrel has a "collar" where it meets the receiver, it's a threaded barrel. If it just goes straight into the receiver (and has a gap between the barrel and underside of the rear sight block), then it's pinned. Here's a good page that describes it: http://www.simonov.net/uberthread.htm

Again, welcome to the forums. Make sure you come back and post regularly. We could use more SKS discussions around here.

1952Sniper · 04-24-2003, 10:59 AM

Hey, I can tell from your signature that you're a fan of the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series. I love those books...

Crocodile · 04-24-2003, 12:29 PM

Congratulations 1952Sniper - after using that signature for many years, you are the first one to recognise it or comment on it!

HHGttG! You bet!

Smokin Guns · 04-24-2003, 08:01 PM

Rifles I have...My Russian...

SKS Rifles are owned by a lot of members on this forum...Ya'll post away about em, sniper ya got a good collection going...Keep it up!!!...

potato_sniper · 08-07-2003, 08:37 PM

Hey Smokin Guns,
I've got a couple of questions for you. What kind of scope do you have on your SKS there? How is it mounted? Is it a little shaky or is the mount pretty solid? Lastly, if you're happy with it, where did you get it and how much was it?

Thanks.
Later.

Hydra Shok · 08-31-2003, 12:32 PM

Hey potato shooter, Check out this site for a good scope mount.

www.rifletech.com

They have all kinds of stuff for AR's, AK's, and SKS's. I bought a scope mount that allowed me to mount a 3x9x40 on top. It's a dustcover that replaces the original and has a small square tubing that spits the empties to the side and allows you to look thru the tubing so you can use the iron sights as well.

04-22-2003, 05:57 PM	#1
Crocodile Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shenandoah Valley of VA Posts: 14	New Norinco SKS First off, I'm new here and this is my first post, so I'd like to say hello to everyone. Now... I walked into a local pawn shop today and saw an absolutely pristine pre-ban Norinco SKS is the rack for $150.00. It literally looks like it just came off the boat! This rifle is so pristine that it doesn't hardly even have scratches along the receiver cover that you get from operating the disassembly levers. There are no scratches on the bbl end from extending the bayonet and the cleaning kit/maintainance tool is in the buttstock. Needless to say, I didn't let it sit there. I put a deposit on it and will be picking it up very shortly. I've had a number of SKS rifles in the past and am very familiar with them. I gave it a thorough look-see and while it does have a very slight oder of burt powder, I couldn't see any wear on the follower at all. it appears to be completely unfired. Normally, I haggle the price down and am good at it, but I was so excited that I just snatched it up fo the asking price. It does pay to wander into pawn shops on occassion I think. I'm assuming that no one has any gripe about the price? __________________ So long, and thanks for the fish! -->

04-22-2003, 06:46 PM	#2
Smokin Guns Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: "Gun Culture Members Clubhouse"... Posts: 4,463	Nope! Ain't gunna gripe about the price your paying...Post a pic when ya get a chance... __________________

04-22-2003, 06:49 PM	#3
Smokin Guns Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: "Gun Culture Members Clubhouse"... Posts: 4,463	Dam! Almost forgot...Welcome to ya!!!...Post any where in the forum ya like...some of these people are real shy! (like me)...so be patient... __________________

04-23-2003, 12:20 AM	#4
Crocodile Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shenandoah Valley of VA Posts: 14	Thanks for the welcome Smokin Guns. I will post a pic ASAP __________________ So long, and thanks for the fish!

04-23-2003, 08:30 AM	#5
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	That is a really good price for an SKS regardless of manufacture. A word of caution. Many people seek out so-called 'pre-ban' SKS rifles thinking they can modify them at will. This is not true. An excellent SKS legality resource can be found at Simonov.net that I strongly recommend. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

04-23-2003, 10:31 AM	#6
Crocodile Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shenandoah Valley of VA Posts: 14	AntiqueDr - believe me, I have no desire to modify this rifle in the least. It is in such perfect condition that, heck, I may never fire it. There are plenty of SKS rifles of all sorts out there that I could shoot. This rifle is a collector or will be some day. That is why I am hoping it is legally pre-ban - so that I can keep the bayonet that is already on it when I bought it. The condition od the rifle makes me think that it must have been someone's closet queen and that the person who owned it before me never did anything of any sort to it, including mounting an illegal bayonet - heck I don't think he ever even fired it. Of course I am trying to verify this, since I do want to comply with th law. I've laready been to Simonov.net , but that has not been much help. According to him, no one really knows, including the BATF. As I recall, there was a series of serial numbers that the BATF published that identified the pre bans, back when the law was passed. You know what I mean - all rifles of xxx manufacture with serial #s between xxxxxxxx - xxxxxxxxxx are legal. I even remember seening the list somewhere a while back. I went to the BATF web site but a serach for SKS didn't produce much of anything useful. I'm still looking elsewhere. __________________ So long, and thanks for the fish!

04-23-2003, 05:20 PM	#7
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	Those lists are pretty much all AR-pattern rifles. To my knowledge, there is no such list for SKS's... too many importers. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

04-24-2003, 09:14 AM	#8
1952Sniper Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 5,138	Welcome to TFF, Crocodile. There is no such list of serial numbers for pre-ban SKS's. The date of import is the important date, not the date of manufacture. And since Chinese SKS manufacture dates back to 1956, the imports are a jumble of all different types of serial numbers and dates. It would be possible to have a pre-ban 1989 model but a post-ban 1956 model. Unless they gave a list of every single serial number that was imported before November 1990, then the list would be worthless. A serial number range wouldn't help at all. Sounds like you did very well on your purchase. So what do you have? What's the factory code? Pinned or threaded barrel? Stamped or milled trigger group? Blade or spike bayo? I'm glad to see another person who loves the SKS and appreciates it in its original configuration. I'm an SKS collector myself.

04-24-2003, 10:49 AM	#9
Crocodile Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shenandoah Valley of VA Posts: 14	1952Sniper - First off, tahnk you for the welcome. I Haven't picked it up yet, and considering my schedule probably won't until the first week of next month. However, I can tell you that it has a spike bayonet. I didn't have a chance to dis-assemble the rifle so I can't say about how the bbl is mounted. This Norinco SKS is identical to the ones I owned back when Norinco began importing them into the country back in the eighties. I purchased my very first one from Potomac Arms in VA which I strongly suspect may have been an outlet store back then for Interarms - at least they were right next door to one another. Anyway, they had large wooden crates with a gun-rack configuration inside that must have held twenty or more SKS rifles. I bought the others, as well as a Norinco folding stock AK, from another well known gun dealer in VA. This was all right around the same time - actually in the same year if memory serves. I am, of course, kicking myself constantly for trading them away. I had everything for the SKS' & AK - I mean everything . Oh well. Anyway, this SKS is a perfect example of those that I had purchased back then. Believe me when I say that I am going to research this one as best I can - cause I bought it with the bayonet and I want to keep it in that configuration. I'm, also kicking myself for not having picked up one of the Russian-built models when the were first imported. I've examined some and oh Lawdy, are they nice!I love the SKS - I think that it is an excellent rifle. I now plan on getting one of the current examples with a grenade launcher but I am either going to have the launcher removed or I will have it turned into a muzzel brake. Or maybe I'll get one of the Kalifornia models and not worry about the whole launcher deal. I plan to make it my MBR so I will spend some time configuring it to my specs. In any case, I have seen several examples and I like the fact that it is built so rock-solid. It's unfortunate that there are so many that are in really rough shape. This is not a rifle I would buy sight unseen by mail order, I will be going to gun stores and gun shows to find an example in excellent shape. Again, thanks for the welcome - I think I'm going to like it here. __________________ So long, and thanks for the fish!

04-24-2003, 10:55 AM	#10
Crocodile Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shenandoah Valley of VA Posts: 14	Oh yes, I almost forgot - I swear that a few years ago, I saw what claimed to be an official BATF doc - which showed the serial numbers, by Chinese manufacturer for pre-ban SKS rifles. There were not that many manufacturers shown. I remember Norinco and I believe two others. Both of the others were well known to me at the time, but I can't remember them now to save my life. Anyway, I'm not imagining this - there was such a list, though, of course, it could have been a forgery I suppose. I believe it was on the Internet, though I could be mistaken on that. __________________ So long, and thanks for the fish!

04-24-2003, 10:58 AM	#11
1952Sniper Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 5,138	In case you haven't found it yet, http://www.simonov.net is an excellent source of information for the SKS. The type of barrel should be readily visible without any disassembly. You just have to look under the rear sight block. If the barrel has a "collar" where it meets the receiver, it's a threaded barrel. If it just goes straight into the receiver (and has a gap between the barrel and underside of the rear sight block), then it's pinned. Here's a good page that describes it: http://www.simonov.net/uberthread.htm Again, welcome to the forums. Make sure you come back and post regularly. We could use more SKS discussions around here.

04-24-2003, 10:59 AM	#12
1952Sniper Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 5,138	Hey, I can tell from your signature that you're a fan of the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series. I love those books...

04-24-2003, 12:29 PM	#13
Crocodile Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Shenandoah Valley of VA Posts: 14	Congratulations 1952Sniper - after using that signature for many years, you are the first one to recognise it or comment on it! HHGttG! You bet! __________________ So long, and thanks for the fish! Last edited by Crocodile; 04-24-2003 at 01:09 PM..

04-24-2003, 08:01 PM	#14
Smokin Guns Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: "Gun Culture Members Clubhouse"... Posts: 4,463	One of the best... Rifles I have...My Russian... SKS Rifles are owned by a lot of members on this forum...Ya'll post away about em, sniper ya got a good collection going...Keep it up!!!... Attached Images __________________

08-07-2003, 08:37 PM	#15
potato_sniper V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Knoxville, Tn/ Vidalia, Ga Posts: 74	Hey Smokin' Hey Smokin Guns, I've got a couple of questions for you. What kind of scope do you have on your SKS there? How is it mounted? Is it a little shaky or is the mount pretty solid? Lastly, if you're happy with it, where did you get it and how much was it? Thanks. Later. __________________ Jon-Michael aka J-Money aka Skip/Skippy

08-31-2003, 12:32 PM	#16
Hydra Shok Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chasing my Seven Year Old Posts: 724	Hey potato shooter, Check out this site for a good scope mount. www.rifletech.com They have all kinds of stuff for AR's, AK's, and SKS's. I bought a scope mount that allowed me to mount a 3x9x40 on top. It's a dustcover that replaces the original and has a small square tubing that spits the empties to the side and allows you to look thru the tubing so you can use the iron sights as well. __________________ If you can't impress them with intelligence, baffle them with BS American by birth, Southern by the grace of God Do unto others before they do unto you "Most importantly, when the time comes to pull the trigger, shoot to kill." ~ Robert H. Boatman Glock 17, 19, 26 Kel Tec 3AT