Lol! I shot my SKS two days ago after two years or so of not shooting it. Tossed in my 30 rd steel mag and once again it ran like a charm, no malfunction.
I hear this so many times, "the bolt has to be locked open to insert a mag". Well guess what, try using a stripper clip if the bolt is not locked open!
Actually...if you drill off the bolt carrier a little bit on both sides, where magazine top locks in, you can put the mag in with the bolt closed and also do a tactical reload ;-) There is even a guide on YT how to do that.
I've never tried using an after-market magazine for my SKS, but I can say that it feels like it would be a *lot* easier to hold the bold open manually and feed a stripper clip in if, for whatever reason, the bolt was not locking open compared to trying to open up the bottom of the magazine well, change a mag, and hold the bolt open all at once... as the dude in the video mentions, that seems like a "three hand" task compared to strippers
My norinco paratrooper takes AK mags standard. It feeds fine but I don't get the lock to the rear. I also don't have a bayonet. It's still a great rifle.
I bought my Norinco Chinese SKS unissued with matching numbers (minus a spike bayonet) about 20 years ago for $150 and Wolf ammo was $75 for 1000 rounds… I did buy an aftermarket bolt cover with scope mount and made a tight fit with a small scope and it works well and doesn’t move…
1990 ish ... just after some guy shot at the 'Slick Willy Clinton' Whitehouse with one. I payed $79 for a Chinese long barreled version + $30 for a choate folding stock + 3 metal detachable mags for around $60. 7.62x39 was $89 for 1000 rounds back then also. Still have that rig set up in my collection.
@@rotorheadv8 they did its called an ak,little known fact the sks was originally designed with a detachable mag but stallin said no,because he thought the mags would be easily lost,Simonovs original design had detachable mags,and it's unfortunate for him because kalishnikov was right behind him with his ak and the rest is history,nothing wrong with the box mag but after doing a five minute modification I have made my sks more true to its original design and Its flawless,as far as operations go.plus it's completely reversible ,kinda like having two dresses for the one bitch
I got so frustrated trying to find descent ammo pouches for the stripper clips that I finally just designed and made my own. Each pouch holds 3 clips and they are designed to go on a regular belt or they can attach to and ALICE belt of MOLLE system using the ALICE style belt clips. I also made a small dump pouch for the empty clips that holds 20+ clips. It attaches just like the ammo pouches.
I did the bolt mod on a replacement spare bolt and kept the matching one stock. That allows you to insert a duckbill mag on a closed bolt. I also installed an extended mag release lever. I kept all the stock parts in case I want to go back - but did have to slightly Dremel out the mag cavity. No big deal as this was a run of the mill Chinese SKS. I have no feeding issues with the Tapco 20-round duckbills. My ‘54 Russian will be kept all stock.
I have four 20's and five 30's all Norinko manufactured, plus one 40. And the only mag that has given me problems is the Tapco 40. I've owned these two SKS rifles since 1984. . .
@ 2:00 was going to ask about leaving the detachable box mag in and loading with stripper clips... If you can at least load 10 rounds in from the top with a stipper clip, then it wouldn't hurt to carry it with a full 20 or 30, then reload 10 at a time. If your gun fight goes past 30 rounds, you're having a bad day anyway.
I have several SKSs, I use Tapco 20rd mags & had zero problems with feeding, ejection or mag changes. I've also reloaded the Tapcos from 10rd stripper clips, initially being unable to load 20rds. What I found was that as I pressed the ammo down the clip rocked forward slightly causing a jam. When I made sure the stripper clip stayed at the correct angle (not letting it flop forward when I press down) I could load 20rds easily.
I don't look at the 30 rd mags as something I would swap out. I only need one and I would run the 3o rd mag with strippers just like the ten round standard mag it comes with.
I just bought a mint Russian SKS, and it came with a BSquare mount that is VERY secure , so I'm not sure why he advises on no optic mount... makes me doubt his other "don'ts"
Some great info. I just converted mine back to the fixed mag for reasons you stated. I've also been interested in a scope, but I now tend to agree with you and have changed my mind. Thanks!
They have adapters now that allow you to moddify the duck bill mags if you get the straig fal looking ones or the ar looking ones they run perfectly one of the adapters works so you can even go syraight in and out like an ar instead of the rock and lock
I have 3 of these Norinco sks's, all use 20rd tapco detachable magazines. I have modified the bolts, and all 3 rifles accept the detachable magazines, with the bolt close.
Only reason I've had feeding issues was HP rounds. I've used mags and not worried . Also your 20rd mag scan be loaded by stripper clips so you almost never gotta take out your mag
My SKS seems more robust than my AKM. Maybe it's the milled receiver or the deep blued finish, it just feels like a more substantial weapon. Eh..., I don't know? Anyone else feel the same? Just curious.
@Samsung McKone my 2 Norinco rifles are just as sturdy as my Russian. The Chu wood of the Norinco is better quality, too. Not all Chinese rifles are the same.
Had my best luck using a "USA" 30 round steel mag with the feed lips tweaked a little. It stays in the rifle and gets loaded by 10 round strippers. Most of the time I only load 20 in it at a time. Optics on mine is a long eye relief pistol scope, 3 power fixed, mounted on a gas tube rail.
I use a 20-round Tapco magazine (pinned at 5-shots due to Canadian gun laws), and it works perfectly. I filed the edges where necessary (not too much) and it fits in perfectly snug to my new stock. I have used it for over a year, and I NEVER had a single problem. No word of lie, I did not have a single negative incident with it. Every shot went smoothly.
My first encounter with the ChiCom SKS was 1971 in Vietnam 🇻🇳 if you think the SKS isn’t accurate you were never shot at with one,also the VC were excellent with reloading with stripper clips.So as Prepper says keep the rifle as is practice reloading from stripper clips and you have a more than adequate battle rifle.If it worked in combat 48 yes ago it will work now
strange my ati 20 round duckbill magazine works charms on my sks. i also took my sks and filed down the bolts bottom lips. now it fits magazine sim to a ak 47. took it off the reg wood stock and put a tactical folding stock with tri rail system on it with a scope mount dust cover. threw a tommy gun forehand bi pod grip. and soon be getting a flashlight. and then paint job.
The tapco’s and archangel 35 round mags work well in tapco or ATI stocks but not original stocks. I got a first run norinco all matching numbers from my uncle that I’m not modifying but had the aftermarket tapco and ATI stocks and there is 2 optic mounts that work as well as hold zero although are prohibitively expensive
I own 7 SKS's ranging from Russian to Chinese and have never had any issues with any of them. Some I have kept in their original stock configuration and others I have modified using the mentioned Tapco stocks and mags. All have run flawlessly with no problems encountered. I will even put them up against an AKM or AR-15 in terms of reliability, accuracy and speed. I have shot over 70,000 rounds through them and am confident in their performance. If you know the weapon, and I mean intimately, it will not fail you. And yes, I sleep with them. 2" groupings at 700 yards consistently.
I dont care who you are, you can not out do me with my 35 round archangel mags!!! I will one handed pop one out and pop one in and firing, as you are still trying to push down your 10rds and struggling. I did the bolt mod and grinded it(theres videos for that), super easy and it operates flawlessly. Mag goes in and out regardless the position bolt. I had to sandpaper down the inside of the wood stock where it was a little tight for the mags, but not much. Just a few rubs and it works like it was manufactured for those mags. Countless rounds, no feed failure or anything. Im so glad it did it.
Norinco SKS (what it looks like you are holding) are more difficult to add accessories too. After-market parts tend to not fit quite right into the Norinco set up. You stick that Tapco up in a Yugoslav SKS and you are less likely to have any problem. Also, does the bolt not hold open when the last round is discharged? I think: yes. For a magazine change, you probably won't need that third hand.
The only rear housing optic mount that works is the 1960’s norinco rear housing optic mount that has the tightening screw on the back that wrenches down on the pin that holds the rear housing in place. You won’t lose zero unless you break it down to clean which then you have to re zero it. That being said it will hold zero when you shoot. Problem is, they are super rare and hard to find and barley can find any info on the 1960’s version. They were one solid piece, not like the newer ones. If you try to find one, only the ones with the back side tightening part is the one I’m talking about.
@@larrymetzler4425 it does it with detachable magazines too. The bolt hold open slide is in in the receiver, not the magazine. The follower in the magazine trips the slide after last round is fired.
I like your advice, keep it stock and keep it simple. Since your video is now 8 years old, I bought my first SKS Chinese rifle last week and although the price was $599, the dealer came down to $499 as it had set on his shelf for awhile. Meant a savings to me of around 20%, which I appreciated! It came with stock sling, sticker bayonet and butt stock cleaning kit, so I only need to buy off of eBay, the stock cleaning rod, which I will do today. Its my 2024 Christmas gift to ME! HA HA
The bolt can be milled and then the magazine will go in with the bolt open or closed. Archangel makes a quick release Magazine that can be put in or removed with one hand.
I have the Norinco Type 56 and the 10 round magazine is the only thing that will work on it. I tried the 30 round aftermarket and the rounds would not feed. I then found a 20 round factory style magazine for it, and it mounts just like the 10 round but adds 10 more rounds. That one didn't work either. I put the factory 10 round back on and never looked back.
Thank you, good advice. I have a few and they are fine as they are. A stock change, spring firing pin and a recoil buffer is about it for me. They work the ammo is cheep and just fine as a medium hunting rig or for a good blaze at the range. Would never be without one. Still great value for money, we still get boxes of them turning up here in NZ, they go for NZ $400. Every one needs at least one :) Cheers.
Owning a gun twenty years means nothing...if you've only shot it once or twice without any FTF's or FTE's. (If you've shot thousands of times and are claiming not one hiccup with it...I'm finding that hard to believe.) Not every gun operates picture perfect every round spanning twenty years and shooting thousands of rounds, especially such is the case with an SKS.
Got mine in the early 90s have 2 20 and 2 30 rd clips. never had a fail, clips go in secure and easily and always hod open when empty. Clips have to have the hold open tab in them to work. I have run thousands of rounds thru mine no problem at all.
You can get factory 20 round mags and factory 5 round mags. They aren't cheap though. Also can get AK mag bolts that lets you drop the mag with the bolt closed.
+d for stripper clip loading and original fixed mag configuration. Utterly reliable and easy compared to duckbill after-market mags. Design was approved and manufactured because it worked well!
I went back to the stripper clip because they are faster even after I sanded the mag down to slide in and out effortlessly. Stripper clips are faster and easier to carry with less space taken up in your kit; the duck-bill mag doesn't fit easily into any mag pouch. Also, in a pinch, you can turn the weapon over, open the well, and drop loose rounds in, then close the well.
The SKS is an all around good gun. Not my first choice for some things but not my last choice for anything. Really useful little rifle. Practice with the stripper clips until they are second nature muscle memory and you will be able to reload at least as fast as an AK. This rifle is easy to learn, use and maintain. Nothing cheesy or weak about it. Not high tech at all. If you really want an optic , use a red dot, mount it at the front of the barrel co-witnessed with the front sight. Insane Accuracy has a video on how to do this in a very strong, inexpensive, effective manner. This is a truly Great Hog Gun. Self defense, hunting, plinking or as a general go to utility rifle, the SKS is fun to shoot.
Hmmm... House clearing. Long range precision, DMR. That doesn't mean you can't try to alter the SKS to do these things but you can buy the right rifle for the job. The SKS is too useful right the way it is. Accurate and reliable, no mags to deal with, easily load single rounds. The perfect Florida Hog Gun, the rifle I hang around with every day and shoot for fun. And, for the fact that the basic rifle fights well in an emergency. I own ARs AKs and other quality firearms. I enjoy the SKS as much as any of them.
@@daleeasternbrat816 Still wasn't inpioneering my desired answer on my question, Sir. Why ain't the SKS rifle not be your primary choice, regardless of all the countless positive and beneficial attributes, for which this rifle is celebrated around the Globe (exept for perhaply the States) ?
Thank you for the info. I inherited one from my father and have yet to take it to the range. Partly because I was fumbling with the big banana clip it came with I was like how the heck to if the bolt doesn't lock to the rear without a magazine in it. I'm going to see if there's a 10 Rd clip in the bag and just stick to that
I bought a used Norelco Chicom sks from a pawn shop. It had the folding Tapco plastic stock, no magazine, and the wooden upper handguard. Afterward, I bought a 20 rd plastic magazine. I took it to the range and had various problems. I ended up getting a used original wooden stock and original 10 rd magazine on ebay. I striped the wood stock and refinished it in Dark Walnut stain, looks real nice. Once the refinished stock and magazine were reattached to the rifle, I took it back to the range. It fires the way it is supposed too, it looks and feels good. I personally like rifles in original stock condition. I will get off my soapbox now.
My tapco 20 round always worked fine and reloading off the clips works fine. I have had some 30 round mags that wouldn't hold the bolt open but they weren't Tapco.
I want to get an SKS and re-barrel it for 9x39mm loaded with 150gr. bullets. I think it will be ballistically identical to .35-30 or .35 Remington, but in an SKS.
In Canada, SKS's are still available for around $200 CDN. I bought two, Tapco sporterized one and left the second one original. You're definitely right about the Tapco mags sucking. Of course here in the Canadian Soviet Socialist Republic, we're restricted to 5 rounds, so even the 10 round internal mag is pinned at 5. The only reason why someone uses the Tapco 20 or Chinese 30 round mags is for the looks. They are all still pinned at 5 rounds which totally sucks. I bought a 20 rounder pinned at 5, and ended up putting the original 10 rounder back on. It doesn't look as tacti-cool, but at least it works flawlessly.
Price update, in 2021 I saw one for sale at $520 CDN in my local shop. It was a 1951 Tula, refurbished and in pretty good condition. Can’t say I’d be willing to part with that much coin today but the ones I have are great shooters. Guess I’ll hold on to them.
@@Zacharoni4085 unfortunately they are on Trudeau’s latest amendment G4 to Bill C-21 to render them “prohibited” firearms. Should that bill pass the Senate and receive Royal Assent, SKSs will no longer be legal to own in Canada, even with only a 5 round capacity.
@@Basedlocation I could, but that would render the SKS as a “prohibited” firearm. If caught, it would be go directly to jail, do nor pass GO, do not collect $200. Sounds strange, but unfortunately true.
my second sks I bought the original mag kept jamming so I ended up switching to a tapco mag tho I also bought a top rail so I can't even use stripper clips with it if I wanted to.. plus I won't lie idk if I'm doing it wrong but I can reload a mag faster then using a stripper clip..
All my tapco mags fit in my Chinese sks. 30 round and 20 round mags. I don’t need 3 hands to reload a mag. The bolt stays back when rounds are complete.
@@darrellbeard2799 the bolt always locks open on a properly working SKS. Not always so on aftermarket detachable magazines. People have very different experiences with them.
I converted my SKS with a Tapco stock and clips and shot thousands of cartridges at the range and not one malfunction. When the magazine is emptied the action is open and ready for another magazine feed.
i got a regular Chinese sks unfortunately it already had been modified to take AK mags...but for some reason only ak pmags...doing my best to convert it back to internal mag
I agree 100%... I own the type 56, Russian, Yugoslavian and Norinco. I've played with the type 56 and the Norincos. Anytime I've modified these with the magazines it is never as good as the magazine it comes with. I've had 0 issues with these stock. SKSs aren't cheap anymore. Keep it as is in my opinion.
They make AK version as hunter rifles. I have a Saiga "M" in 7.62x39 and a Vepr in 7.62x54 in a hunter configuration. They both take standard AK style mags. Now they are kind of hard to come by and getting very expensive.
Good video! My SKS is Russian- doing nothing but gain value, so I don't do any permanent alterations! I choose to leave the bayonet on as a monopod potential. Yes, I have detachable mags but leave the 10 rnd box in. Living in a deep rural area 10 rounds serves the purpose. The SKS remains an utterly reliable carbine with similar ballistics to a 30-30 Win.
all the aftermarket mags work great after you put a little work into them. little bit of filing here and there and they work smooth. after you do the bolt mod and work the mags it's nice.
here in Canada I got my Russian all matching numbers 1950, polished bold and bayonet SKS, with two pouches 80 rounds of hunting ammo and 100 rounds of non corrosive FMJ for 200 Canadian.
I grinded down the stock grip so that it angles downwards like the monte carlo stock because the original sks stock didnt feel natural to the grip. Little things you can modify and it doesn't hurt to modify it if you're confident in your skills.
I got my paratrooper modified already. It has an ATI pinned folding stock, but nothing that can't be reversed. I've been looking at the Sabertooth set up and full length optics rail. I really don't give one bit of thought as to whether or not someone's feelings are hurt because I have an aftermarket stock. I have two 30rd AK duck bills that have never given me trouble, and one 20rd Tapco that hasn't either. I'll probably buy a wooden stock and clean it up and have both styles for whatever my mood may be.
respect your view but battle rifles have been modified for years...I did a basic mod on mine to readily except the duck bill. i can drop my mag, lock my bolt to the rear, insert a fresh mag and chamber a round in half the time as my brother with a stripper clip and the stock internal mag...my SKS strips the rounds like butter off of even the cheapest of mags...of my 40 sumthin rifles my SKS is #2 on my go to gun for overall "utility" rifle...
I modified my Chinese mag well for the duckbill mags. Use Tapco 20 round and have no problems. I bought a spare bolt and modified it to insert a mag on a closed bolt. (Kept the original numbers bolt unmodified) ... that works great. I also added an extended mag release that makes removing the mags easier.
+drfye Unless my facts are wrong they are no longer allowed to be imported. Same with Mosin Nagants. They used to be $79-$99. Now it's hard to find a decent one under $150.
Plains Prepper that is odd. So if someone wanted to cross the border to go go to a firing range they could not do it with an SKS or buy one then cross the border with it.
I’ve got a 30 rd Steel mag for my SKS it work perfect no malfunctions you need to modify your bolt no problem. Mine shoot Pretty accurately. Tn Prepper . + I shoot left-handed.
I have ZERO issues with my Tapco magazines, perhaps it's user error.
I don’t have any problem with my tapco 20 round or 40 round mags
Zero issues with my Tapco magazines as well.
the tab that holds the mag in, broke off of my tapcrap mag
I love tapco magazines...Stock mag in SKS is great in that it cannot really be lost. He should have just left it at that.
Only problem I had was I had to modify the rear tab, after that I can change mags load with clips and function the gun perfectly, no issue
I got my SKS around 1987 or so, for $60.00. It’s always worked perfectly & I’ve still got it. I can hit a CD at 100 yds, that’s good enough for me! 👍🏼
He got alot of things wrong in the video. Ur sks is fine no matter what.
He probably bought a shitty one and is ranting on it
Good for u boomer, y’all the reason the world shit right now
I paid 135 in 96
This is a accurate reliable rugged gun !!!! And they make 30 40 rd and drums conversation for it trick is getting right one
I've had one 30 rd steel mag for my SKS since 1995, and have never had a malfunction with feeding or ejecting. (knock on wood)
same
Same.
Same
Lol! I shot my SKS two days ago after two years or so of not shooting it. Tossed in my 30 rd steel mag and once again it ran like a charm, no malfunction.
Bryan Baker this dude doesn’t know what he’s talking bout
I have a sks that the longer magazines didn't work well. So went back to the 10 round factory.
I hear this so many times, "the bolt has to be locked open to insert a mag". Well guess what, try using a stripper clip if the bolt is not locked open!
Actually...if you drill off the bolt carrier a little bit on both sides, where magazine top locks in, you can put the mag in with the bolt closed and also do a tactical reload ;-) There is even a guide on YT how to do that.
I've never tried using an after-market magazine for my SKS, but I can say that it feels like it would be a *lot* easier to hold the bold open manually and feed a stripper clip in if, for whatever reason, the bolt was not locking open compared to trying to open up the bottom of the magazine well, change a mag, and hold the bolt open all at once... as the dude in the video mentions, that seems like a "three hand" task compared to strippers
Rayseg
Hands down best mod I’ve done to my SKS. Here’s the video I used 4 years ago to do mine.
ua-cam.com/video/MV1QR6bRdUc/v-deo.html
Yeah but you CAN hold the rifle upside down and open the box release to drop more rounds in if need be. Can't do that with a detachable
Tyler Bowser Can you please elaborate more? I’m not sure what point you’ve made.
My norinco paratrooper takes AK mags standard. It feeds fine but I don't get the lock to the rear. I also don't have a bayonet. It's still a great rifle.
I bought my Norinco Chinese SKS unissued with matching numbers (minus a spike bayonet) about 20 years ago for $150 and Wolf ammo was $75 for 1000 rounds… I did buy an aftermarket bolt cover with scope mount and made a tight fit with a small scope and it works well and doesn’t move…
1990 ish ... just after some guy shot at the 'Slick Willy Clinton' Whitehouse with one. I payed $79 for a Chinese long barreled version + $30 for a choate folding stock + 3 metal detachable mags for around $60. 7.62x39 was $89 for 1000 rounds back then also. Still have that rig set up in my collection.
When the last round is fired the bolt carrier stays open. Insert mag, back to firing....
You mean stripper clips and.
I heard even the ones that take regular AK mags jam sometimes, I’ll stick with the 10 rounder
I've played around with some aftermarket stuff with my SKS, and always come back to bone stock. It just works.
I upgraded to a Murray firing pin and that's it. I have some Archangel mags but I've never used them.
@@Threetails well those archangel mags are the best on the market IMO, but guys don't do the bolt mod and blame the mag
If it was worth the trouble to modify the SKS to take higher capacity mags, a military somewhere would have done it.
They have not.
@@rotorheadv8 they did its called an ak,little known fact the sks was originally designed with a detachable mag but stallin said no,because he thought the mags would be easily lost,Simonovs original design had detachable mags,and it's unfortunate for him because kalishnikov was right behind him with his ak and the rest is history,nothing wrong with the box mag but after doing a five minute modification I have made my sks more true to its original design and Its flawless,as far as operations go.plus it's completely reversible ,kinda like having two dresses for the one bitch
I got so frustrated trying to find descent ammo pouches for the stripper clips that I finally just designed and made my own. Each pouch holds 3 clips and they are designed to go on a regular belt or they can attach to and ALICE belt of MOLLE system using the ALICE style belt clips. I also made a small dump pouch for the empty clips that holds 20+ clips. It attaches just like the ammo pouches.
Strike hard makes a nice butt pouch
I did the bolt mod on a replacement spare bolt and kept the matching one stock. That allows you to insert a duckbill mag on a closed bolt. I also installed an extended mag release lever. I kept all the stock parts in case I want to go back - but did have to slightly Dremel out the mag cavity. No big deal as this was a run of the mill Chinese SKS. I have no feeding issues with the Tapco 20-round duckbills.
My ‘54 Russian will be kept all stock.
I have four 20's and five 30's all Norinko manufactured, plus one 40. And the only mag that has given me problems is the Tapco 40. I've owned these two SKS rifles since 1984. . .
@ 2:00 was going to ask about leaving the detachable box mag in and loading with stripper clips... If you can at least load 10 rounds in from the top with a stipper clip, then it wouldn't hurt to carry it with a full 20 or 30, then reload 10 at a time. If your gun fight goes past 30 rounds, you're having a bad day anyway.
MrAdvantage1 Never been in a firefight that only lasted a mag.
I have several SKSs, I use Tapco 20rd mags & had zero problems with feeding, ejection or mag changes. I've also reloaded the Tapcos from 10rd stripper clips, initially being unable to load 20rds. What I found was that as I pressed the ammo down the clip rocked forward slightly causing a jam. When I made sure the stripper clip stayed at the correct angle (not letting it flop forward when I press down) I could load 20rds easily.
Can't change mags with bolt closed
*Laughing in Dremel*
There’s a fix for that problem. You have to shave off the bolt’s top edge. There’s a U tube video on it
You can fix that. You have to file the bolt a little. There is a youtube video on how to do it.
😂
“There’s a fix”
I don't look at the 30 rd mags as something I would swap out. I only need one and I would run the 3o rd mag with strippers just like the ten round standard mag it comes with.
Tapco magazines work perfect, time after time. As far as a reloading with a detachable magazine, alittle gunsmithing corrects the bolt locking issue.
thats what i was trying to say. In my Yugo its fine!!
I just bought a mint Russian SKS, and it came with a BSquare mount that is VERY secure , so I'm not sure why he advises on no optic mount... makes me doubt his other "don'ts"
Some great info. I just converted mine back to the fixed mag for reasons you stated. I've also been interested in a scope, but I now tend to agree with you and have changed my mind. Thanks!
They have adapters now that allow you to moddify the duck bill mags if you get the straig fal looking ones or the ar looking ones they run perfectly one of the adapters works so you can even go syraight in and out like an ar instead of the rock and lock
sks is incredibly reliable. Once you ve learned how to strip it down and take care of it, even with cheap ammo, it s the gun you take with you
I have 3 of these Norinco sks's, all use 20rd tapco detachable magazines. I have modified the bolts, and all 3 rifles accept the detachable magazines, with the bolt close.
My 30 round promag is broke an still feeds EVERY ROUND! And has never fell out. Lol...
You can mod the bolt to freely change mags. I also never had issues with 20 or 30 round mags
tapco mags work for me.
how often do you use them?
Only reason I've had feeding issues was HP rounds. I've used mags and not worried . Also your 20rd mag scan be loaded by stripper clips so you almost never gotta take out your mag
My SKS seems more robust than my AKM. Maybe it's the milled receiver or the deep blued finish, it just feels like a more substantial weapon. Eh..., I don't know? Anyone else feel the same? Just curious.
*TheVoxOfReason* Much better than AK.
I feel the same way
The receiver is a tank
@Samsung McKone my 2 Norinco rifles are just as sturdy as my Russian. The Chu wood of the Norinco is better quality, too. Not all Chinese rifles are the same.
Don't like the stamped sheet metal receiver
That is because these are true War Rifles, not some knock off of a real war rifle. You run out of ammo and you can just crank someone with it!
Had my best luck using a "USA" 30 round steel mag with the feed lips tweaked a little. It stays in the rifle and gets loaded by 10 round strippers. Most of the time I only load 20 in it at a time.
Optics on mine is a long eye relief pistol scope, 3 power fixed, mounted on a gas tube rail.
I use a 20-round Tapco magazine (pinned at 5-shots due to Canadian gun laws), and it works perfectly. I filed the edges where necessary (not too much) and it fits in perfectly snug to my new stock. I have used it for over a year, and I NEVER had a single problem. No word of lie, I did not have a single negative incident with it. Every shot went smoothly.
My first encounter with the ChiCom SKS was 1971 in Vietnam 🇻🇳 if you think the SKS isn’t accurate you were never shot at with one,also the VC were excellent with reloading with stripper clips.So as Prepper says keep the rifle as is practice reloading from stripper clips and you have a more than adequate battle rifle.If it worked in combat 48 yes ago it will work now
strange my ati 20 round duckbill magazine works charms on my sks. i also took my sks and filed down the bolts bottom lips. now it fits magazine sim to a ak 47. took it off the reg wood stock and put a tactical folding stock with tri rail system on it with a scope mount dust cover. threw a tommy gun forehand bi pod grip. and soon be getting a flashlight. and then paint job.
I use archangel 35 round detachable magazines with built-in thumb release. I've fired 1050 rounds flawlessly, love my norinco!
The tapco’s and archangel 35 round mags work well in tapco or ATI stocks but not original stocks. I got a first run norinco all matching numbers from my uncle that I’m not modifying but had the aftermarket tapco and ATI stocks and there is 2 optic mounts that work as well as hold zero although are prohibitively expensive
I own 7 SKS's ranging from Russian to Chinese and have never had any issues with any of them. Some I have kept in their original stock configuration and others I have modified using the mentioned Tapco stocks and mags. All have run flawlessly with no problems encountered. I will even put them up against an AKM or AR-15 in terms of reliability, accuracy and speed. I have shot over 70,000 rounds through them and am confident in their performance. If you know the weapon, and I mean intimately, it will not fail you. And yes, I sleep with them. 2" groupings at 700 yards consistently.
Im with this guy. I have both tapco and promag, both work great. Also get a spare bolt and do a bolt mod.
Oh yeah well I can do 2 inch groups at 1500 yards with mine. 😊
2" groupings at 700 yards? LOL. That's just not true man. 7.62x39 just doesn't perform that well. Absolutely ridiculous claim to make.
2" at 700yds
(Samuel Jackson voice) nigga please
7.62x39 is only rated for 300 meters, & I think even thats a stretch.....
I dont care who you are, you can not out do me with my 35 round archangel mags!!! I will one handed pop one out and pop one in and firing, as you are still trying to push down your 10rds and struggling. I did the bolt mod and grinded it(theres videos for that), super easy and it operates flawlessly. Mag goes in and out regardless the position bolt. I had to sandpaper down the inside of the wood stock where it was a little tight for the mags, but not much. Just a few rubs and it works like it was manufactured for those mags. Countless rounds, no feed failure or anything. Im so glad it did it.
my tapco mags worked perfectly
Mine too
For now ...
I have an SKS with 40 round detachable Clips you have to oil up the insides of them and stretch the Springs out and they work perfectly
Norinco SKS (what it looks like you are holding) are more difficult to add accessories too. After-market parts tend to not fit quite right into the Norinco set up. You stick that Tapco up in a Yugoslav SKS and you are less likely to have any problem. Also, does the bolt not hold open when the last round is discharged? I think: yes. For a magazine change, you probably won't need that third hand.
The only rear housing optic mount that works is the 1960’s norinco rear housing optic mount that has the tightening screw on the back that wrenches down on the pin that holds the rear housing in place. You won’t lose zero unless you break it down to clean which then you have to re zero it. That being said it will hold zero when you shoot. Problem is, they are super rare and hard to find and barley can find any info on the 1960’s version. They were one solid piece, not like the newer ones. If you try to find one, only the ones with the back side tightening part is the one I’m talking about.
“Cant insert any magazine when bolt is not locked to the rear”. Doesn’t the SKS stay locked open when the last round is fired?
With the stock 10 round magazine in use yes. Without a magazine in use no.
Larry Metzler thanks for the clarification
Or you could mod the bolt so it doesn't matter if its open or closed. Bunk video
@@larrymetzler4425 it does it with detachable magazines too. The bolt hold open slide is in in the receiver, not the magazine. The follower in the magazine trips the slide after last round is fired.
I like your advice, keep it stock and keep it simple. Since your video is now 8 years old, I bought my first SKS Chinese rifle last week and although the price was $599, the dealer came down to $499 as it had set on his shelf for awhile. Meant a savings to me of around 20%, which I appreciated! It came with stock sling, sticker bayonet and butt stock cleaning kit, so I only need to buy off of eBay, the stock cleaning rod, which I will do today. Its my 2024 Christmas gift to ME! HA HA
i have two sks rifles, one kept original, the other in an ati strikeforce stock. i never had any problems with any of my rifles/tapco mags
The bolt can be milled and then the magazine will go in with the bolt open or closed. Archangel makes a quick release Magazine that can be put in or removed with one hand.
My 50 round, and 2, 30s, and 2, 40s mags works seamless, in my Norinco....Steel, and Zytel.
same
same here also
Ditto and i still have yet to run into a jam also. The mags feed just fine and locking them in has never been an issue.
kyle wolfe same have 5 pro mags and they work great and by the way my brother name is Kyle Wolfe very funny love from canada
YES ....REMOVING THE FIXED BOX MAG
I have the Norinco Type 56 and the 10 round magazine is the only thing that will work on it. I tried the 30 round aftermarket and the rounds would not feed. I then found a 20 round factory style magazine for it, and it mounts just like the 10 round but adds 10 more rounds. That one didn't work either. I put the factory 10 round back on and never looked back.
Thank you, good advice. I have a few and they are fine as they are. A stock change, spring firing pin and a recoil buffer is about it for me. They work the ammo is cheep and just fine as a medium hunting rig or for a good blaze at the range. Would never be without one. Still great value for money, we still get boxes of them turning up here in NZ, they go for NZ $400. Every one needs at least one :) Cheers.
In the twenty plus years i have had my SKS i have never had a fail to feed and fire from my twenty round magazine
That makes one person.....
Where did you buy your mag from
Whete did you buy your mag from
Owning a gun twenty years means nothing...if you've only shot it once or twice without any FTF's or FTE's. (If you've shot thousands of times and are claiming not one hiccup with it...I'm finding that hard to believe.) Not every gun operates picture perfect every round spanning twenty years and shooting thousands of rounds, especially such is the case with an SKS.
Me either
Got mine in the early 90s have 2 20 and 2 30 rd clips. never had a fail, clips go in secure and easily and always hod open when empty. Clips have to have the hold open tab in them to work. I have run thousands of rounds thru mine no problem at all.
I think if u want to mod the sks, do it on the aftermarket tactical lower. That way u can swap ur barrel back and forth and still keep it original.
You can get factory 20 round mags and factory 5 round mags. They aren't cheap though. Also can get AK mag bolts that lets you drop the mag with the bolt closed.
Great advice , The SKS in its original configuration is a very rugged, dependable Firearm.
I use strip clips on the field. Illegal for a high capacity mag for hunting here
+d for stripper clip loading and original fixed mag configuration. Utterly reliable and easy compared to duckbill after-market mags. Design was approved and manufactured because it worked well!
...the scope mount was perfected by Magwedge here in Canada....rock solid mount to the reciever...
I've had a Chinese SKS paratrooper since the 80s and his thing is deadly accurate with the factory sites.
I went back to the stripper clip because they are faster even after I sanded the mag down to slide in and out effortlessly.
Stripper clips are faster and easier to carry with less space taken up in your kit; the duck-bill mag doesn't fit easily into any mag pouch.
Also, in a pinch, you can turn the weapon over, open the well, and drop loose rounds in, then close the well.
The SKS is an all around good gun. Not my first choice for some things but not my last choice for anything. Really useful little rifle. Practice with the stripper clips until they are second nature muscle memory and you will be able to reload at least as fast as an AK. This rifle is easy to learn, use and maintain. Nothing cheesy or weak about it. Not high tech at all. If you really want an optic , use a red dot, mount it at the front of the barrel co-witnessed with the front sight. Insane Accuracy has a video on how to do this in a very strong, inexpensive, effective manner. This is a truly Great Hog Gun. Self defense, hunting, plinking or as a general go to utility rifle, the SKS is fun to shoot.
Why not your first choice ?
Hmmm... House clearing. Long range precision, DMR. That doesn't mean you can't try to alter the SKS to do these things but you can buy the right rifle for the job. The SKS is too useful right the way it is. Accurate and reliable, no mags to deal with, easily load single rounds.
The perfect Florida Hog Gun, the rifle I hang around with every day and shoot for fun. And, for the fact that the basic rifle fights well in an emergency. I own ARs AKs and other quality firearms. I enjoy the SKS as much as any of them.
@@daleeasternbrat816 Still wasn't inpioneering my desired answer on my question, Sir. Why ain't the SKS rifle not be your primary choice, regardless of all the countless positive and beneficial attributes, for which this rifle is celebrated around the Globe (exept for perhaply the States) ?
Thank you for the info. I inherited one from my father and have yet to take it to the range. Partly because I was fumbling with the big banana clip it came with I was like how the heck to if the bolt doesn't lock to the rear without a magazine in it. I'm going to see if there's a 10 Rd clip in the bag and just stick to that
I have Promags for my SKS and not a single malfunction. For a scope mount, UTG makes a very nice one for Yugo SKS. Yes you can modify your SKS.
There's a simple modification to the bolt with a grinder you can do so it holds the bolt open on an empty magazine and enables quick magazine changes
mine works I modded mine. put a adaptor cut the duck bill off. works great. Good luck with yours.
I bought a used Norelco Chicom sks from a pawn shop. It had the folding Tapco plastic stock, no magazine, and the wooden upper handguard. Afterward, I bought a 20 rd plastic magazine. I took it to the range and had various problems. I ended up getting a used original wooden stock and original 10 rd magazine on ebay. I striped the wood stock and refinished it in Dark Walnut stain, looks real nice. Once the refinished stock and magazine were reattached to the rifle, I took it back to the range. It fires the way it is supposed too, it looks and feels good. I personally like rifles in original stock condition. I will get off my soapbox now.
My tapco 20 round always worked fine and reloading off the clips works fine. I have had some 30 round mags that wouldn't hold the bolt open but they weren't Tapco.
I bought mine in the early 90s and got it for $134.00, I love this rifle. Absolutely one of the best shooting rifles I've ever owned.
Mykoe9 I paid $80 and it came with 80 rnds
Now it goes around 300 dollar here where I am, in Canadian dollar tho
$134 US dollars from 1990 = $257 US in 2018... SKS isn't THAT overpriced nowadays.
$120 for mine in 92'
$100.00 for mine in 94
I want to get an SKS and re-barrel it for 9x39mm loaded with 150gr. bullets. I think it will be ballistically identical to .35-30 or .35 Remington, but in an SKS.
In Canada, SKS's are still available for around $200 CDN. I bought two, Tapco sporterized one and left the second one original. You're definitely right about the Tapco mags sucking. Of course here in the Canadian Soviet Socialist Republic, we're restricted to 5 rounds, so even the 10 round internal mag is pinned at 5. The only reason why someone uses the Tapco 20 or Chinese 30 round mags is for the looks. They are all still pinned at 5 rounds which totally sucks. I bought a 20 rounder pinned at 5, and ended up putting the original 10 rounder back on. It doesn't look as tacti-cool, but at least it works flawlessly.
Price update, in 2021 I saw one for sale at $520 CDN in my local shop. It was a 1951 Tula, refurbished and in pretty good condition. Can’t say I’d be willing to part with that much coin today but the ones I have are great shooters. Guess I’ll hold on to them.
@@piobmhor8529 They’ll be declared weapons of mass destruction soon.
@@Zacharoni4085 unfortunately they are on Trudeau’s latest amendment G4 to Bill C-21 to render them “prohibited” firearms. Should that bill pass the Senate and receive Royal Assent, SKSs will no longer be legal to own in Canada, even with only a 5 round capacity.
@@piobmhor8529Cant you just grind down the internal pin for the mag ?
@@Basedlocation I could, but that would render the SKS as a “prohibited” firearm. If caught, it would be go directly to jail, do nor pass GO, do not collect $200. Sounds strange, but unfortunately true.
my second sks I bought the original mag kept jamming so I ended up switching to a tapco mag tho I also bought a top rail so I can't even use stripper clips with it if I wanted to.. plus I won't lie idk if I'm doing it wrong but I can reload a mag faster then using a stripper clip..
All my tapco mags fit in my Chinese sks. 30 round and 20 round mags. I don’t need 3 hands to reload a mag. The bolt stays back when rounds are complete.
He made a big deal of the bolt having to be open to load the after market magazine. Try loading a stripper clip with the bolt not open!
@@darrellbeard2799 the bolt always locks open on a properly working SKS. Not always so on aftermarket detachable magazines. People have very different experiences with them.
Molded my sks with Tapco parts years ago (stock, extended mag release, us made piston, & detachable mags) have never had any issues with the rifle.
As a younger SKS owner i found this video very entertaining, and helpful.
Seen many comments about how the larger mags work just fine. Seen plenty of vids showing it too.
Great video on a sum up, just a plain good ole rifle... AS IS!
Got my Yugo back in early 2000s in GD condition for $89 plus shipping.
I converted my SKS with a Tapco stock and clips and shot thousands of cartridges at the range and not one malfunction. When the magazine is emptied the action is open and ready for another magazine feed.
Well my bolt stays open when I drop my tapco mag so changing mags is no problem and have had no trouble with reliability
my tapco 5/20 mag fits in the tula 54 but feeding it with the stripper clips is hit and miss...
Yes, I like your video, I am one that bought these for $97. So, I know ALL that you have said is correct. After 20 years, You Are Right !
i got a regular Chinese sks unfortunately it already had been modified to take AK mags...but for some reason only ak pmags...doing my best to convert it back to internal mag
I agree 100%... I own the type 56, Russian, Yugoslavian and Norinco. I've played with the type 56 and the Norincos. Anytime I've modified these with the magazines it is never as good as the magazine it comes with. I've had 0 issues with these stock. SKSs aren't cheap anymore. Keep it as is in my opinion.
THANK GOD YOUR OPINION DOESN'T MATTER MUCH. 🙏
They make AK version as hunter rifles. I have a Saiga "M" in 7.62x39 and a Vepr in 7.62x54 in a hunter configuration. They both take standard AK style mags. Now they are kind of hard to come by and getting very expensive.
Good video! My SKS is Russian- doing nothing but gain value, so I don't do any permanent alterations! I choose to leave the bayonet on as a monopod potential. Yes, I have detachable mags but leave the 10 rnd box in. Living in a deep rural area 10 rounds serves the purpose. The SKS remains an utterly reliable carbine with similar ballistics to a 30-30 Win.
Has a M Sporter SKS is paratrooper length but uses ak mags. Got it last month a SCGUNCO in greer SC for $499 they had 2 of them
my 30 round mags have never failed me. i do see what your saying about 3 hands but i got pretty good at it.
Same, i find it easier to turn the rifle over, *magazine feed up facing up, makes it easier to hold things in place for me.
all the aftermarket mags work great after you put a little work into them. little bit of filing here and there and they work smooth. after you do the bolt mod and work the mags it's nice.
here in Canada I got my Russian all matching numbers 1950, polished bold and bayonet SKS, with two pouches 80 rounds of hunting ammo and 100 rounds of non corrosive FMJ for 200 Canadian.
wow deal u lucky man
I grinded down the stock grip so that it angles downwards like the monte carlo stock because the original sks stock didnt feel natural to the grip. Little things you can modify and it doesn't hurt to modify it if you're confident in your skills.
I definitely agree with everything that you say here the SKS is what it is
I got my paratrooper modified already. It has an ATI pinned folding stock, but nothing that can't be reversed. I've been looking at the Sabertooth set up and full length optics rail. I really don't give one bit of thought as to whether or not someone's feelings are hurt because I have an aftermarket stock. I have two 30rd AK duck bills that have never given me trouble, and one 20rd Tapco that hasn't either. I'll probably buy a wooden stock and clean it up and have both styles for whatever my mood may be.
Only takes two hands to load 30 round mag, give it a shot
and you have to hold the bolt back to load the mag
Ralph ditore That’s with the two hands mean one to hold bolt the other to load the mag
InConvenient Maybe necessary definitely
Tapcos work for mine and with a little bolt mod they can be swapped on a closed bolt.
respect your view but battle rifles have been modified for years...I did a basic mod on mine to readily except the duck bill. i can drop my mag, lock my bolt to the rear, insert a fresh mag and chamber a round in half the time as my brother with a stripper clip and the stock internal mag...my SKS strips the rounds like butter off of even the cheapest of mags...of my 40 sumthin rifles my SKS is #2 on my go to gun for overall "utility" rifle...
archangel 35 round mags are top when it comes to the fast reload and with a quick bolt mod can and will preform right up there with AKs
I swap it with my right hand thumb holding the bolt carrier in the rear position while using my other four fingers to grab mag as I hit release lever.
WOW that was a waste of time
he has no knowledge of a sks
I modified my Chinese mag well for the duckbill mags. Use Tapco 20 round and have no problems. I bought a spare bolt and modified it to insert a mag on a closed bolt. (Kept the original numbers bolt unmodified) ... that works great. I also added an extended mag release that makes removing the mags easier.
my aftermarket mags work perfectly fine 20rd and 40rd
junk... except rifltech
Yeah I wish I could even get one to shoot. Every one I get has either a headspacing issue of light primer strikes.
$400 ?
I bought one at Canadian tire for $190, they had even cleaned off the cosmoline before selling.
drfye They're much more expensive in the states.
Plains Prepper
why?
+drfye Unless my facts are wrong they are no longer allowed to be imported. Same with Mosin Nagants. They used to be $79-$99. Now it's hard to find a decent one under $150.
Plains Prepper
that is odd. So if someone wanted to cross the border to go go to a firing range they could not do it with an SKS or buy one then cross the border with it.
+drfye I'm not 100% sure how it would work crossing the border with any firearm. I'm sure it's possible but don't know what regulations are involved.
The mags. Work you just have to grind the sides down to fit
The three hands things is only if you dont use the whole clip
I’ve got a 30 rd Steel mag for my SKS it work perfect no malfunctions you need to modify your bolt no problem. Mine shoot Pretty accurately. Tn Prepper . + I shoot left-handed.