I SKSed today

[MitchellB]

Recently I been searching for an SKS after getting beat to the draw on a Norinco I saw in advertised local for $260 that I thought was a good deal. After a few phone calls to local dealers I found two (new surplus) at a great price ($235) near me. I drove out to look this morning and after checking out the two SKSs they had on the shelf, I brought one home this morning. The other SKS has a little nicer stock, but the metal work on the one I picked seems to have a smoother and flusher fitting appearance. The bores on both were dirty, but I could not see any rust or pits on either. It has a darker stock, not the light colored wood I’m used to seeing from China SKSs
One site I found dated it to late 1956 with the 6 digit serial number. It does have the 26 in a triangle on the left of the receiver. So I believe it was made at the Jianshe Arsenal in China. There is a C.A.I. Georgia, VT stamped on the barrel which I believe means it was imported by Century Arms International located in in Georgia Vermont. That is about all I have found out (or guessed at) so far. I need to clean it real good, oil the stock and buy some ammo to test it out next.
SKS reciever smaller.jpg

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[kapnketel]

Nice. I have a lot of friends in Wisconsin who have SKS's for deer hunting, great bargain rifle. Congrats!

[dukalmighty]

I remember when you could buy them all day long for $69 and 1000 rounds of ammo from $59 to $69,those days are gone

[accessbob]

I remember when you could buy them all day long for $69 and 1000 rounds of ammo from $59 to $69,those days are gone

As are the days of 69¢ per gallon gas.

[accessbob]

... (new surplus)...The bores on both were dirty, ...

Sure that isn't just Cosmoline? I made that mistake on a Mosin M44 I almost bought but didn't because the barrel looked dirty as all get out. And then I got home and realized it was Cosmoline as it was a "new" surplus and not a "used" gun where someone would have cleaned it out then. Turned out okay though as I recently got an M38 Carbine which I like better than the M44.

[Alex_C]

Dirty bores are common on surplus, especially com-bloc stuff. I've been collecting for almost a decade and don't think I've ever seen an import with a bright bore "out of the crate". No problem though, they shoot just as good as a shiney one.

Good deal on the SKS! I hope you keep it as-is and don't try to "tacticool" it...

[accessbob]

I hope you keep it as-is and don't try to "tacticool" it...

Why not? Then the ones that are not become rarer and are thus worth more. LOL

[MrBuckwheat]

I like shooting mine. Spend some time cleaning it up. Then it is range time. I tried the ak look a like detachable mags but the stipper clip system works best. There are some buys out there on the ammo if you shop hard!

[violinjim]

If I can find one in PA for a good price, that will be my Christmas gun. Nice score.

[peckman28]

Very nice. The SKS is hard to beat as far as fun for the money goes. Congratulations on a nice purchase!

[1 old 0311]

Why not? Then the ones that are not become rarer and are thus worth more. LOL

Amen. Bottom one has a serial number of 19XX. Now THAT is old

[BigJon10125]

I love mine. Accurate enough for a variety of purposes and so much fun and easy to shoot, clean and maintain. I am seriously considering getting another one as they are cheap in the gun spectrum and so is the ammo. Now a days I usually buy brown bear ammo for mine. The only ammo issues I have had was with Tula. Most people's will eat anything, but 500 rds for $110-120 isn't bad imo.