My SKS overhaul project is almost complete.

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - My SKS overhaul project is almost complete.

Posted: 3/24/2014 10:13:14 AM EDT

I bought this SKS about three weeks ago. First one I've ever owned. Reciever cover has the only non-matching #.

It is a 1980 Norinco type 56 from /26\.

It took two coats of the spray stripper/easy off to get the finish off. Then I lightly sanded with a medium sanding pad, then fine, then super fine. Careful not to alter the shape of the stock. Applied a coat of wiping stain and then three coats of Formby's "Tung oil Finish". Lightly using bronze wool in between each coat and then again after the final coat to knock the gloss down to a satin finish.

Before:

After:

Posted: 3/24/2014 10:43:14 AM EDT

[#1]

Looks good!

Posted: 3/25/2014 11:54:17 AM EDT

[#2]

Looks pretty good. What made you go with the TRS? Have you considered a rear aperture? Have you shot it yet? Im interested to know how you like the micro dot on an SKS.

Posted: 3/25/2014 12:54:16 PM EDT

[#3]

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Quoted:
Looks pretty good. What made you go with the TRS? Have you considered a rear aperture? Have you shot it yet? Im interested to know how you like the micro dot on an SKS.

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I put 40 rounds through it in it's "before" condition just to make sure everything worked ok. I haven't been able to shoot it in its "after" condition due to the weather. I'm looking forward to sighting it in though.

Rear aperture being "Iron Sights"? I did look into the Tech Sight for a good rear iron sight but decided to go with a red dot.

The Scout Mount has a built in iron sight incase the red dot malfunctions.

I went with the TRS because of it's really good reviews, for the money.

The Scout Scope Scout Mount holds the best reviews as far as a mounting optics to an SKS. I didn't want to have anything to do with a receiver cover mount or a piston guard mount.

I thought it would be good for anything 100 yards or less. Which is really all I have planned for it anyway.

Posted: 3/25/2014 10:43:22 PM EDT

[#4]

I wholeheartedly approve. Looks good!

Posted: 3/26/2014 3:58:03 AM EDT

[#5]

Looks great and I like the idea of a microdot on there. Simple and useful without killing the aesthetics of the SKS.

Posted: 3/26/2014 4:41:45 AM EDT

[#6]

Who makes the scout scope mount?
Nice job on the stock BTW...

Posted: 3/26/2014 8:32:35 AM EDT

[#7]

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Who makes the scout scope mount?
Nice job on the stock BTW...

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Thanks for the compliments everyone. It was a fun project.

The mount comes from http://scoutscopes.com/sks-scope-mounts/sks-scope-mount-black-anodized-7895/

Posted: 3/26/2014 8:29:44 PM EDT

[#8]

Thanks for posting that link.
Based on looking at the website, it appears the mount screws onto the factory rear sight, and the rail has "posts" that drop into the mount?
Could you post pictures of the mount and how it attaches?

I could completely understand why this is a good set up for an optic on an SKS.

How is the cheek weld with this set up?

Posted: 3/27/2014 9:48:25 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for posting that link.
Based on looking at the website, it appears the mount screws onto the factory rear sight, and the rail has "posts" that drop into the mount?
Could you post pictures of the mount and how it attaches?

I could completely understand why this is a good set up for an optic on an SKS.

How is the cheek weld with this set up?

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Here is a link with detailed step by step instructions and pictures on how to install. It explains everything.

http://scoutscopes.com/sks-scope-mounts-surplusrifle-review/

The cheek weld seems nice. I haven't shot it yet though. It's been too cold. Hopefully today I will be able to take it out and try it.

Posted: 4/5/2014 8:16:42 AM EDT

[#10]

I like everything you did except the microdot, I think if you wanted a rear sight upgrade without making too much noise you coulda went the Williams Firesight direction, I've used just about every combo you can think of on a SKS and scout red dots just don't work out well. The Techsights are good but the best bang for buck upgrade is a new front site post and williams fire sight. Overall I think you did great with the rifle but the optic isn't my cup of tea, but to each his own.

Posted: 4/5/2014 7:09:44 PM EDT

[#11]

Looks really good, a nice balance of old school and modern. I'm really liking the color of the stock.

Posted: 4/8/2014 9:28:33 AM EDT

[#12]

I finally got everything put back together including a new sling and sling mount. I also got it sighted in from a bench at 50 yards.

This has really been a fun project.

I did a lot of measuring and testing to make sure this mount wasn't going to interfere with my cheek-weld. I am very happy with it. The rifle carries perfect, for me, now.

Posted: 4/8/2014 10:14:35 AM EDT

[#13]

Thats an odd spot to mount the qd swivel. Not saying its wrong, but what made you put it there rather than the left lower quarter similar to the '74?

Posted: 4/8/2014 11:14:59 AM EDT

[#14]

Very nice job OP.

Love the color of the stain.

Posted: 4/8/2014 11:33:07 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thats an odd spot to mount the qd swivel. Not saying its wrong, but what made you put it there rather than the left lower quarter similar to the '74?

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Agreed, my .02 cents is it kills the lines of the rifle. Looks like it has cancer growing on its backside.

Other than that its a nice looking project with a good look and glad you didn't go to far with it.. its just right.

Posted: 4/8/2014 12:51:01 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thats an odd spot to mount the qd swivel. Not saying its wrong, but what made you put it there rather than the left lower quarter similar to the '74?

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I wrestled a little with the "way it would look" thought myself before committing to it. I decided to go with function over form. It definitely works out best for the way I like to carry a rifle. It hangs perfectly at the ready whether walking or standing still.

Posted: 4/11/2014 12:39:13 AM EDT

[#17]

Wow, that looks great. Now I want to do one like that.

Posted: 4/12/2014 11:52:22 AM EDT

[#18]

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Quoted:
Wow, that looks great. Now I want to do one like that.

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Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

Posted: 4/12/2014 2:29:06 PM EDT

[#19]

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Quoted:

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

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Quoted:

Quoted:
Wow, that looks great. Now I want to do one like that.

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

I am all about doing what you want to your own property but I also tried to find one that I could "re-do" without messing up a part of history.

This one was sold to me as a 1958 model and It was a bitter-sweet kind of deal because it would have had some history but because of that I wouldn't be able to do what I wanted to to it.

It was the same type of feeling when I found out that the seller didn't have his info right because that meant it didn't have the history but I was going to be able to do what I wanted.

Posted: 4/13/2014 1:39:42 AM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

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Quoted:

Quoted:
Wow, that looks great. Now I want to do one like that.

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

Don't worry, there is no way in hell I would ever put that kind of money in a regular SKS (One that doesn't take AK mags) to buy a Russian, Albanian, or any of the other so called "Valuable" SKSs.

Its only a cheap Chinese SKS for me...That is when I can find a cheap one again

Posted: 4/14/2014 11:37:41 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:

Don't worry, there is no way in hell I would ever put that kind of money in a regular SKS (One that doesn't take AK mags) to buy a Russian, Albanian, or any of the other so called "Valuable" SKSs.

Its only a cheap Chinese SKS for me...That is when I can find a cheap one again

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Wow, that looks great. Now I want to do one like that.

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

Don't worry, there is no way in hell I would ever put that kind of money in a regular SKS (One that doesn't take AK mags) to buy a Russian, Albanian, or any of the other so called "Valuable" SKSs.

Its only a cheap Chinese SKS for me...That is when I can find a cheap one again

Good to hear.

Posted: 4/14/2014 2:22:24 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

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Quoted:

Quoted:
Wow, that looks great. Now I want to do one like that.

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

From having read the review, it looks like it could be easily reversed. Are you thinking the set screws would mar the finish? I'd be interested in hearing the op weigh in on that.

Posted: 4/14/2014 9:29:02 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

Don't worry, there is no way in hell I would ever put that kind of money in a regular SKS (One that doesn't take AK mags) to buy a Russian, Albanian, or any of the other so called "Valuable" SKSs.

Its only a cheap Chinese SKS for me...That is when I can find a cheap one again

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Wow, that looks great. Now I want to do one like that.

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

Don't worry, there is no way in hell I would ever put that kind of money in a regular SKS (One that doesn't take AK mags) to buy a Russian, Albanian, or any of the other so called "Valuable" SKSs.

Its only a cheap Chinese SKS for me...That is when I can find a cheap one again

Do not confuse "low price because of abundance of supply" with "low price because of low quality".

The only reason the SKS ever had a low price was because the market was flooded with them. The market is no longer flooded with them and the prices are reflecting that.

Posted: 4/14/2014 10:39:29 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:

Do not confuse "low price because of abundance of supply" with "low price because of low quality".

The only reason the SKS ever had a low price was because the market was flooded with them. The market is no longer flooded with them and the prices are reflecting that.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Wow, that looks great. Now I want to do one like that.

Just please do not do it to anything Russian, Albanian

Don't worry, there is no way in hell I would ever put that kind of money in a regular SKS (One that doesn't take AK mags) to buy a Russian, Albanian, or any of the other so called "Valuable" SKSs.

Its only a cheap Chinese SKS for me...That is when I can find a cheap one again

Do not confuse "low price because of abundance of supply" with "low price because of low quality".

The only reason the SKS ever had a low price was because the market was flooded with them. The market is no longer flooded with them and the prices are reflecting that.

Absolutely, The market has dried up. BUT, there are also people out there that bought their SKS for $60 bucks that are not really keeping up with current prices. I am willing to wait for the right SKS at the right price. If I never find it, I am fine with that too. But I will never pay more than $150 -200 for a regular SKS. I will just have to be happy with my 2 AK mag SKSs...

Posted: 4/14/2014 11:06:44 PM EDT

[#25]

Ought to have been left alone. That was a nice 'french tickler" arsenal 26, only certain years were the french tickler. Of course that is just my opinion.