First SKS; Chinese Type 56

[tjtM38]

I went gun shopping today and intended on picking through 5 hex receiver Mosin Nagants until I found one I wanted. I ended up with this little beauty instead. I have wanted a SKS for a long time, and was searching for a Russian in good shape. This one seemed so nice, I couldn't pass it up, even though I don't know much about them. Here are the particulars:

- Chinese factory 306
- Importer: Norinco, Poly USA
- Cleaning Rod and Kit
- No bayonet
- all matching numbers (even the gas piston)

I disassembled the gun and cleaned it. I believe it has never been fired. The bore is pristine and chrome-lined. There was still cosmoline in the gas tube and factory oil on the recoil spring. All the parts look factory new. I'm very pleased with it, but don't know much about Chinese imports. I know the import of these guns stopped long ago. Any assistance to a new SKS owner would be appreciated.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[OLD OUTLAW]

Now, that is a really fine Chinese. Yes, it does appear after cleaning to be new. That Arsenal #306 prevents us for guessing the date of mfg. Only can do it accurately with Arsenal26. A rifle in new condition as you just found is getting rare to find. Us SKS collectors would never have passed it up either. Better i nvestment by far than your Mosins would have been in my opinion. These just keep going up.

Now, beware! Disassemble the bolt and take that firing pin out if not already. Before you ever fire it. !100% of the grease MUST be removed fromthe firing pin and the channel inside that bolt. Put in boiling water works the best after disassembly for a couple of minutes.Then I give a quick spray of brake cleaner inside. Swab with say a pipe cleaner. Make sure clean inside. DO NOT heavily oil as you reassemble. Some will say no lube, but, I wipe with Rem oil. Lightly and then let it dry. The pin is intended to be free floating. If you rattle the bolt even lightly, the pin should move around freely and you will hear it.

Excellent, excellent purchase I must tell you!

Oh yes, since it has a bayonet lug, the previous owner MUST HAVE taken it off and accidentally lost it. Perhaps under his couch or work bench.
Since it must have had one from the dealer originally, it can legally be replaced. Right?

[tjtM38]

Now, that is a really fine Chinese. Yes, it does appear after cleaning to be new. That Arsenal #306 prevents us for guessing the date of mfg. Only can do it accurately with Arsenal26. A rifle in new condition as you just found is getting rare to find. Us SKS collectors would never have passed it up either. Better i nvestment by far than your Mosins would have been in my opinion. These just keep going up.

Now, beware! Disassemble the bolt and take that firing pin out if not already. Before you ever fire it. !100% of the grease MUST be removed fromthe firing pin and the channel inside that bolt. Put in boiling water works the best after disassembly for a couple of minutes.Then I give a quick spray of brake cleaner inside. Swab with say a pipe cleaner. Make sure clean inside. DO NOT heavily oil as you reassemble. Some will say no lube, but, I wipe with Rem oil. Lightly and then let it dry. The pin is intended to be free floating. If you rattle the bolt even lightly, the pin should move around freely and you will hear it.

Excellent, excellent purchase I must tell you!

Oh yes, since it has a bayonet lug, the previous owner MUST HAVE taken it off and accidentally lost it. Perhaps under his couch or work bench.
Since it must have had one from the dealer originally, it can legally be replaced. Right?

That's the way I see it on the bayonet. I need a bayonet with collet and screw. It is a spike bayonet and I have seen one from several sources. So you think I did OK for $325 out the door?

[Greasemonkey]

Very nice SKS

325 is a good price in my area for a Chinese. Most here are floating in the 375/400 range, once and while one pops for 325 but is gone quick.

[OLD OUTLAW]

That was a real low price for what you got! Congratulations.

[tjtM38]

Old Outlaw, I did everything you said about preparing the gun to fire efficiently and safely. It paid off. I put 60 rounds through it at 50, 75 and 100 yards. I'm still getting used to the trigger and sights, but shot respectable targets for my first time out. The one attached is from 100 yards and was the last 20 rounds, so I know I can do better with practice. No sight adjustments for windage were necessary. I had to make slight elevation corrections. My first impression is that the trigger is a little rough; two stage with about a 7lb pull I'm guessing. The recoil is noticeable as compared to my Arsenal AK with the AK-74 muzzle break. However, I figure you can't really compare the two, as they are totally different weapons. Function was flawless and clean up was easy (I was shooting Wolf Military Classic, non-corrosive). I had a heck of a lot of fun shooting it and plan to invest in a replacement bayo, a sling and some stripper clips.

[Jolly Green Chopper]

Yes ,that is one beautiful SKS Type 56 I'm glad you got lucky. What a good deal. You deserve it for your service to the country.One book you might like that has both AK's and SKS's that I got at the book store is The Gun Digest Book of the AK &SKS by Patrick Sweeney (a complete guide to guns,gear and ammunition) Good luck,JGC

[desdem12]

sweet

[sheepdog]

Look under your sofa, that's where you left the bayo THAT CAME WITH IT. Hint, Hint, Hint.

[tjtM38]

Look under your sofa, that's where you left the bayo THAT CAME WITH IT. Hint, Hint, Hint.

Oh yeah; thanks. I found it.

[tjtM38]

I just found another one of these almost as nice as this one. The guy wanted 339 for the gun. I offered him 300 plus MS tax and he took it. Picking it up on Saturday. Try to post some pics when I clean it up.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Rifle, your shotgun is a gun, nice deal, you are on a roll

[Koada]

[tjtM38]

I decided to pick the gun up today. It was $321.00 out the door. I have spent most of the late afternoon disassembling and cleaning. The gun is almost a carbon copy of the one I posted here except the stock is even nicer. It is from the 0138 factory and it is a Norinco import from the 90's. Unlike my first, this one was fired but probably not much. I'm guessing about 40 rounds at the most with non-corrosive ammo (thank God). Some idiot bought this gun, and fired it without ever cleaning the cosmoline out of the bolt or gas system. The firing pin was sticking, and I'm guessing the guy either experienced a failure to function because of all the grease in the gun or experienced a slam fire or both. He probably parked it for 20 years or so and decided to get rid of it at the pawn shop. I had to disassemble the bolt and clean the firing pin channel with kerosene and sturdy pipe cleaner. It now rattles when you shake it, just like it is supposed to. The gun came without a bayonet or sling. It does have a cleaning rod and kit. It cleaned up nicely and I'm hopeful it will be a good shooter. I plan to test fire this weekend and post some pics after that.

[Junk Yard Dog]