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
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…
@@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
@ 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 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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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. . .
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.
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.
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.
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.
+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 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) ?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
TAPCO magazines work great. I have them in both a Norinco and a Yugo that have been sporterized. It is true that mag changes are slow, but if you use the gun for a sporter they are great.
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.
I actually had really good luck with promag polymer 30 round mags. Never had a jam and I've probably put around 500 rounds through them. I also tried stripper clips and could never get them to load easily enough to be of any use.
@@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've had very few issues with the tapco 20 and 30s. I did have one where a piece of the top curved area that holds in the top round broke off, however. And they're really easy to change. And they'll change quickly by banging the spent mag on the back with the new mag. Stripper clips are a mess (at least the ones I have) -- you hold them wrong and the ammo spills all over the ground or in the pouch.
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...
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
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 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 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.
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
The detachable 35 round archangel mags are excellent. Takes 3 1/2 stripper clips smooth as butter. Mag changes are also easy, does take a lil practice to get really fast but certainly even an armature can get off 70 rounds with one mag change quicker than an expert with 7 stripper clip reloads. To address the issue of the mags not going in on a closed bolt. There is a bolt mod you can do to preform mag changes on a closed bolt. Another great thing about the archangel mag is they have a release tab on the mag it’s self
TAPCO mags tend to work pretty well. I got a mount for my SKS to mount a red dot to use with nightvision. Leapers UTG seems like a sturdy enough mount for a red dot. It was a perfect fit out of the box took 1 min to install.
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.
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"
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.
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 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 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
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.
20 round tapco mags run fine in my Yugo. As far as mag changes go I say practice practice practice. Being talented with stripper clips is a cool skill but they are dead tech for a reason.
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 100% agree. I learned the hard way to keep my Russian SKS in its original configuration. I've come to appreciate the thing with its matching serials, original iron sites, and fixed mag. The upgrade parts? They're crap, and they're rotting in some landfill somewhere.
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 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.
+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.
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.
Lee Griffith it's not a modular system like an AR. If you fuck with it... its value will be lowered. Case in point all of the sporterized ww2 rifles that are worth nothing basically after some jack ass thought it was a good idea to modify them. It's an investment. Leave it stock and enjoy
So I guess hot rods are bubba'd crap cars with less value than classics, right? Or home improvements are bubba'ing your home because that "classic" 1960's ranch is going to be worth more with old plumbing and shag carpet? It's an investment, leave them stock and enjoy! Stop trying to make that ignorant argument, you won't ever force your opinion on people who don't care what you think. And by the way, look at some of those sporterized ww2 rifles and see what good ones go for.
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.
My Tapco 20 rounders work flawlessly. As a matter of fact, they work far better than the stripper clips. As for the bolt needing to be locked open, that is easily remedied by modifying the bolt (particularly if you buy a spare bolt to modify). My mags go in with the bolt closed.
5 minute grinding to 2 spots on the bolt and it magically becomes a closed bolt system. I can cycle and mag change all my SKSs just as fast as any of my ARs
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 had one since around 1989 and have used nothing but 30 round plastic mags and have not had even one problem with them .I did the bolt mod so I can load with the bolt closed. gun has at least 15000-20000 rounds through it in the 30 years I've owned it . the rifle$49.00, folding stock $29.00 and a 30 round mag $15.00 was just under $100when I bought them new . great gun
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 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
tapco mags work for me.
how often do you use them?
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.
th-cam.com/video/MV1QR6bRdUc/w-d-xo.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.
When the last round is fired the bolt carrier stays open. Insert mag, back to firing....
my tapco mags worked perfectly
Mine too
For now ...
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…
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
My 30 round promag is broke an still feeds EVERY ROUND! And has never fell out. Lol...
@ 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.
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
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!!
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 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.
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!
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
I have a sks that the longer magazines didn't work well. So went back to the 10 round factory.
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!
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.
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.
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
I use archangel 35 round detachable magazines with built-in thumb release. I've fired 1050 rounds flawlessly, love my norinco!
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 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 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. . .
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.
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.
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 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 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.
I heard even the ones that take regular AK mags jam sometimes, I’ll stick with the 10 rounder
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.
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.
+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 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) ?
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.
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
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.
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
You can mod the bolt to freely change mags. I also never had issues with 20 or 30 round mags
I've had a Chinese SKS paratrooper since the 80s and his thing is deadly accurate with the factory sites.
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.
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.
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
mine works I modded mine. put a adaptor cut the duck bill off. works great. Good luck with yours.
TAPCO magazines work great. I have them in both a Norinco and a Yugo that have been sporterized. It is true that mag changes are slow, but if you use the gun for a sporter they are great.
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. 🙏
I actually had really good luck with promag polymer 30 round mags. Never had a jam and I've probably put around 500 rounds through them. I also tried stripper clips and could never get them to load easily enough to be of any use.
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
The changeable mags work pretty well if you use a Tapco stock also. If you use them with the original stock they permanently jam
“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've had very few issues with the tapco 20 and 30s. I did have one where a piece of the top curved area that holds in the top round broke off, however. And they're really easy to change. And they'll change quickly by banging the spent mag on the back with the new mag. Stripper clips are a mess (at least the ones I have) -- you hold them wrong and the ammo spills all over the ground or in the pouch.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
The detachable 35 round archangel mags are excellent. Takes 3 1/2 stripper clips smooth as butter. Mag changes are also easy, does take a lil practice to get really fast but certainly even an armature can get off 70 rounds with one mag change quicker than an expert with 7 stripper clip reloads. To address the issue of the mags not going in on a closed bolt. There is a bolt mod you can do to preform mag changes on a closed bolt. Another great thing about the archangel mag is they have a release tab on the mag it’s self
Well my bolt stays open when I drop my tapco mag so changing mags is no problem and have had no trouble with reliability
TAPCO mags tend to work pretty well. I got a mount for my SKS to mount a red dot to use with nightvision. Leapers UTG seems like a sturdy enough mount for a red dot. It was a perfect fit out of the box took 1 min to install.
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.
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"
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 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.
Great advice , The SKS in its original configuration is a very rugged, dependable Firearm.
I have the brass stacker and I love it. Holds zero no modifying the rifle and it even looks pretty cool.
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 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.
As a younger SKS owner i found this video very entertaining, and helpful.
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
my aftermarket mags work perfectly fine 20rd and 40rd
junk... except rifltech
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.
20 round tapco mags run fine in my Yugo. As far as mag changes go I say practice practice practice. Being talented with stripper clips is a cool skill but they are dead tech for a reason.
Dead tech? You realize the US Army still gets it's 5.56 ammo in stripper clips, right?
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 have a 30rd mag that works well. USA brand they don't make any more
Yep, from 1990's :)
@@infowarguy That's what's on mine. Although I do wish the stock magazine came with it when I got it...
by the way....call the "Arms Room" in Orlando Fl for a shooter ready SKS for 325.00 to 375.00...tell em Chef Mitch sent ya.
Just got my first SKS. Thanks for this video, man.
Tapco mags work great in my SKS (just sayin')-
I 100% agree. I learned the hard way to keep my Russian SKS in its original configuration. I've come to appreciate the thing with its matching serials, original iron sites, and fixed mag. The upgrade parts? They're crap, and they're rotting in some landfill somewhere.
WOW that was a waste of time
he has no knowledge of a sks
I use strip clips on the field. Illegal for a high capacity mag for hunting here
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 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.
$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 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.
You are not qualified for a dos or don't s video. Leave your biased opinions off of the subject of guns. The SKS is a great platform for modification.
Id just stick to not making firearm videos if i were him, i dont think my 8 year old nephew would have even learned anything from this schlock.
Lee Griffith it's not a modular system like an AR. If you fuck with it... its value will be lowered. Case in point all of the sporterized ww2 rifles that are worth nothing basically after some jack ass thought it was a good idea to modify them. It's an investment. Leave it stock and enjoy
So I guess hot rods are bubba'd crap cars with less value than classics, right? Or home improvements are bubba'ing your home because that "classic" 1960's ranch is going to be worth more with old plumbing and shag carpet? It's an investment, leave them stock and enjoy! Stop trying to make that ignorant argument, you won't ever force your opinion on people who don't care what you think. And by the way, look at some of those sporterized ww2 rifles and see what good ones go for.
Josh Sheets - Youre shit at baiting, that will never get him.
Crockagater in case you have not noticed... norinco guns are not coming into the US anymore .
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.
basically if it's not broke, don't fix it
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.
My Tapco 20 rounders work flawlessly. As a matter of fact, they work far better than the stripper clips. As for the bolt needing to be locked open, that is easily remedied by modifying the bolt (particularly if you buy a spare bolt to modify). My mags go in with the bolt closed.
The sks with the paratrooper case with the folding stock is my favorite.
5 minute grinding to 2 spots on the bolt and it magically becomes a closed bolt system.
I can cycle and mag change all my SKSs just as fast as any of my ARs
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 had one since around 1989 and have used nothing but 30 round plastic mags and have not had even one problem with them .I did the bolt mod so I can load with the bolt closed. gun has at least 15000-20000 rounds through it in the 30 years I've owned it . the rifle$49.00, folding stock $29.00 and a 30 round mag $15.00 was just under $100when I bought them new . great gun
Stripper clips are great, but my ammo falls off them.
I seen some people open the magazine from the bottom and just throw in about 8 rounds too