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Posted: 3/3/2003 3:47:24 PM EDT
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We were talking about this last month. I wrote the ATF to get the official word. Here it is. Original post: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=83&t=54261&w=searchPop Dear Mr. Me: This is in reply to your letter of February 7, 2003, to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concerning altering your Yugoslavian SKS rifle with addition of a 30 or 40 round detachable magazine. As you know, a major mission of ATF is enforement of the provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), as amended, and other Federal firearms laws. A GCA provision in effect prior to the passage of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, specifically Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.) § 922 (r) provides that it "shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic rifle or shotgun which is identical to any rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation under § 925 (d) (3) of this chapter as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes." Yugoslavian Model SKS rifles in their original military configuration with folding bayonets, were previously approved for importation into the United States because they were classified as curios or relics (C&R) weapons. However, any assembly or modification performed on an imported SKS type rifle after the effective date of §922 (r) creating a semiautomatic rifle that wouuld be prohibited from importation is a violation of § 922 (r), irrespective of the date the firearm was imported or its C&R status. |
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Furthermore, Title 18 U.S.C. §922 (v), which incorporates the September 13, 1994, assault gun ban into the GCA, provides that it shall be unlawful for anyone to manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon that was not lawfully possessed on September 13, 1994. The term "semiautomatic assault weapon" is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a) (30) and includes a semiautomatic rifle with the ability to accept a detachable magazine and having at least two of the following features: 1. A folding or telescoping stock. 2. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon. 3. A bayonet mount. 4. A flahs suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor. 5. A grenade launcher. ATF has determined that any assembly or modification performed on a semiautomatic SKS type rifle after the effective date of § 922(v), which results in or creates a "semiautomatic assault weapon" as that term is defined in § 922(a)(30) would be subject to the restrictions in § 922(v). Therefore, you should be aware that modifications that alter the Yugoslavian Model SKS from its original military configuration would also void its C&R status. Since your rifle has a bayonet and a grenade launcher, the addition of a detachable magazine would place your weapon into the semiautomatic assault weapon ban category and thus would not be a lawful alteration. I trust this response will answer your questions. For additional information about the GCA and other Federal firearms laws, you may contact the Firearms Programs Division of ATF directly at 202-927-7770. Sincerely yours, John Spurgeon Deputy Chief, Firearms Programs Division |
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now for the AK to SKS mag conversion. If your talking about the small piece of metal you put in your sks then you can use "AK" style mags from DC Engineering Well they work but they are not ak mags. The only thing that's alike an ak mag is it doesn't have the duck bill as an sks does. DC Engineeing makes the mags. Ak mags WILL NOT FIT, there too wide and not enough of a tail to catch the mag catch. some more mag info: www.simonov.net/magazines.htm |
That sounds interesting, but I don't like having to buy special mags like that....just too proprietary... There is a version of a norinco SKS, for a short while, that they made at the factory, which takes AK mags! I've seen one at the funstore for 300, and tested several AK mags in it! Not sure how well it functions though... I have also seen "instructions" for this mod for sale before, but have also heard that this mod is illegal, but I am curious if it is illegla on a rifle that is already a preban??? hmmmm |
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besides being illegal i wouldn't screw up the gun (it takes a lot of grinding and welding.) It's not even worth it. The SKS that does take ak mags (factory made) is a paratroper (i think that's the one) www.simonov.net might have something on it. |
The difference is that the AR *is* pre-ban. If your SKS didn't have a detachable magazine before the ban took effect then it is not a pre-ban no matter when it was made or imported. |
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Well it had a 30 rder in it when I bought it.... Dos that not count??? I don't even know if I have a 10 rounder for it! MAN! I HATE these rediculous laws!!!! Let this peice of shit thign sunset!!! It's about time to call my senator and reps again...but they know better than to vote for this BS anyways... |
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In rtesponde to Bign's query; I have one of the Norinco SKS rifles that accepte AK mags. It's called the D model or M model depending on which refernce source you read. Mine functions great!! It has a very comfortable Monte Carlo stock with a rubber recoil pad which results in a slightly longer length of pull. 30 rnd AK mags lock up nicely and feed well. It was "sporterized" at the factory by removing the bayonet. It does have a handy 16" bbl. (this reply was not intended as a "for sale" ad but the gun is listed in the equipment exchange forum) |
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If you don't put a detachable magazine on you SKS can you go ahead and put the folding stock on? If you can't use the folding stock why do they sell them? If you can't use detachable mags why do they sell them. My friend just bought both for his SKS. Guess he's a felon. I just read the Columbus Ohio laws. You can't even have a rifle that will take over a 10 rnd. mag. You can't own a mag. of 20 or more rnds. Good thing I live in Hilliard. I couldn't own my AR-15. F*** them, this crap pisses me off.  |
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