Great information, much appreciated! She sure is a good old girl. I do have the original mag and if needed could pop it right back in but I like having the detachable mags for recreational use.

@@AmattEUR sweet. My bad. I thought you bought it like that with the duckbill detachable mag. I friggin hate those things personally. I’m kind of a purist when it comes to certain things.

@@Factory_Muff I totally understand which is why I didn't want to do any permanent alterations to it. I also still have the original gas tube as well. Thanks again for the info about the Albanian paramilitary, that gives the rifle a whole new story to me and that's what I love about surplus collecting, the story these old firearms tell. ✌️

@@AmattEUR You’re welcome man. Century Arms is kind of misleading the customer by saying they’re “Vietnam Era” just to make you think it might have been used in Vietnam, but nope. China was handing these things to allied communist states as aid packages and the logistics of actually having said country return the weapons To China after use would have made it a much more expensive endeavor. I learned most of what I know about our SKS (I have a 1965 Factory 26) from this guy. Perhaps the most knowledgeable person on the internet when it comes to surplus SKS especially Type 56 like ours which are his favorite. In fact, he just recently did a video on the Vietnam debate. I’m sure you will get along with him great. Enjoy. His channel is called Triangle 26. kzfaq.info/love/cz0bsW-QkNO8jSf8WqeJrg

@@Factory_Muff I'll definitely check him out. Thanks!

I gotta try some long range with my SKS, sounds awesome! Yeah 1200fps at 500yrds is nothing I'd want to be on the receiving end of

@Danila Makarov one day you will

@Danila Makarov i was lucky enough to grow up in the plains on a homestead ranch. You could see for about 1000yds within a 200° viewpoint from our front porch

@@89StarquestTSi sounds like heaven...or Iowa

@@AmattEUR it wasnt quite heaven... And it definitely wasnt Iowa lol but it was on the east side of the pecos river in New Mexico. Grew up hunting tahr/javalina boar and coyotes in my backyard. From the porch to the closest Reservoir was 900yds. To the well was 600yds. To the first fence line was 200yds.

Very nice! Great rifle to start with since there's so much history and fundamentals to be learned through the SKS. Not bad on recoil either

Hey Josiah! Great story and thanks for sharing. I think we were all a little recoil sensitive at some point so don't feel too bad. Plus it gave your dad a great excuse to get you an SKS! I love pulling out these old rifles from time to time, dusting them off and taking them shooting. Great piece of history!

it was still less than $100 at the time in '94 or '95. It was also related or a reaction to the 1994 Federal assault weapons ban. Bonus history context adding to sentimentality and early pro 2A activism.

@@Hcirteid if we learned anything from the assault weapons ban is that assault weapons bans do nothing to curtail crime. Glad you took advantage of the SKS market at that time

@@Hcirteid I bought one when I turned 18 in 1996 for $99. My dad threw a fit and I was then scared to shoot it because I didn't want to get into more trouble. I never shot it and sold it years later after marriage for $250. I have owned a few since and they are fun to shoot and I have also taken deer with them. Good luck to you with yours. Dust it off and keep having fun!

Thanks Robinson, I appreciate the info. It's good to know more about my rifle, when and where it came from. There aren't many decent resources to date SKS' especially since there's so many variations out there. This definitely helps! 👍

I'm confirming what @Robinson Mitchell said regarding the date of your SKS. This dating method is specific for Chinese SKS with the 26 in the Triangle, with the Chinese Characters to the Right of the Triangle and the Serial Number to the right of that.

@@loyal9patriots76 Thanks, really appreciate the info! The main reason for showing the markings was for help identifying it

Actually, no. Your math is off. Start with 1955 and add 11 = 1966.

Those are some great tips and sounds like you have a nice SKS collection. I totally agree, need more than one SKS but unfortunately just like the rest of the surplus market everything is drying up. I appreciate the comment!

@@AmattEUR Had two Russian SKS I bought close to 40 yrs. ago for 125.00 each. Gave one to my oldest son for a b-day present years ago. Only one left. Bought it in Chicago during the assault rifle ban, as it was exempt. When the ban was rescinded, expanded my collection of platforms to include, an AK, AR, HK G3, SMLE, MAC10 and a few others. Many classics, but still love that SKS. Love the classics! Back in 1976 bought a Colt Python for under 400.00. Still love that old school gun too! Carry that as a Sunday BBQ gun here in Tennessee. EDC can range from a 1911, CZ75, to a Taurus TCM in .380 most days, weather dependent. Tennessee is a gun owners paradise. 2nd. ammendent sanctuary state, with constitutional carry in state, although I still maintain a carry permit that grants reciprocity in over 40 other states. SKS is often my truck gun. Good deer, or wild boar rifle spur of the moment, as well as an improvised battle rifle for two legged predators. Understated firepower that attracts very lil attention even in plain sight with the bayonet. Doesn't look too threatening to the firearm ignorant, it passes just under the radar of alarm. Good choice, enjoy yours brother! :)

Thanks for watching man! I do appreciate it. Ya, those Chinese SKSs are outstanding pieces of history

That's so cool your dad passed it down to you! I love it too, almost more than any other rifle in my collection.

Thank you sir! Info is much appreciated 👍

Welcome to the club haha. 450 is a steal in this market! Congrats!

That's awesome! The sks is probably great for the cold temperatures of Alaska since the parts have low tolerances.

i believe your rifle did had American blood on it.

@@xuchun5371 thats fine. I also have a 30-06 that has lots of Vietnamese on it.

The honor guards of the Chinese People's Liberation Army are still using 56SKS

so itll be fine for my mule deer i guess eh?

Hey Floyd, thanks so much! Those Yugos look really fun and so cool you have a rubber grenade! There's so much variety and character with the SKS.

Yugos are cool but it would have been better if they made them chrome lined.

Definitely a fun plinker that also happens to be a cool piece of history. You're right, go the AR route first, you could always get/build one chambered in 7.62x39. And at half the price of most AKs I snatched this SKS before getting an AK.

Glad you snatched one up too! No regrets what so ever haha

Not being fugley but bought my '52 #s matching Tula in the early '80s in the box with all the acc. for....$39. Yep still have it. My buddy at the same time bought an AK for the same price.

@@u2mister17 those were the glory days of surplus firearms. Wish the surplus market wasn't so dried up

Awesome! Great fun at the range for sure

Thanks Jorge!

Hey thanks for the feedback. I could do a closer look at that NC star rail. It would be fun revisiting it

Hey Stephen, glad you picked one up. The Chinese made a great SKS. Model paint on the front sight is a good idea and probably makes a huge difference 👍

600 for the rifle and 2000rds ain't bad at all, especially since Russian ammo just got banned... 🙄 Thanks for the info on the year of manufacturing, I heard 1967 from others too so definitely sounds right. It's tough when you only have access to 25yd indoor ranges, does Houston not have any outdoor ranges outside the metro area? I grew up in Dallas and remember there being a few outdoor ranges less than an hour outside the city.

Hey are you trying to part ways with your sks

John?

Nice! One of my favorites as well 👍

Yep. At the end of times, there'll be cockroaches and Type 56 SKSs. Thanks for watching ✌️

Good points! I love that rifle more than most of my other more contemporary firearms. Some say you can reload the 10rd box mag with 3 consecutive stripper clips faster than reloading a 30rd AK mag making the SKS slightly better for certain applications.

Thanks and happy to oblige. Just curious what about this video were you looking for?

Good point. I do find, however, that the length of pull is pretty long compared to other rifles.

Nice! That's a great price. I got mine from CF when it was just a little more at $200, worth every penny. The wear and tear beats any aftermarket stock out there

@@AmattEUR Indeed, my friend. Something about that spike bayonet just makes me like it more. The bladed ones just have a toy-ish look to them in my opinion. But hey, to each their own.

For a while I wanted the blade bayonet more but when I saw it in person I had the same thought, looks like a cheap toy even though I'm sure it's plenty effective. But you're right the spike bayonets look much better to me as well.

That's so cool you used to be able to buy firearms from newspaper adds. People would flip out if they saw a gun add in their morning papers these days. Definitely a very reliable gun

Hey thanks man! Ncstar may be cheap but it gets the job done

@@AmattEUR hey if milsurp taught us anything it's that cheap doesn't necessarily mean bad haha btw what's the red dot you're using? I actually thought it was a scout scope till you said something.

@@jimkiernan3563 ain't that the truth. Unfortunately the red dot isn't available anymore but this is the link www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07GL7BKYX?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

@@AmattEUR ah damn. Thanks anyway, bro.

Very cool! The ol' Pig-Sticker makes it look awesome too. Recoil ain't bad at all however, it's not the lightest rifle especially with that dumb drum attached

I'm glad you got one too! They're drying up quick and the only ones left are way more expensive than only a couple years ago. Definitely a great all-purpose rifle that has stood the test of time

@@AmattEUR yes sir it has i don't know why a lot of people give the SKS shit but i know dam well for a fact that rifle will keep you alive

Haha, nothing wrong with going full buba! I love the bug buster scope, have one myself on another rifle

How does do? Do you think it was worth the trouble to upgrade? I like playing with my guns too

@@Rumpleskin with the gun's value in the current market I'd stay away from any permanent modifications. But otherwise have at it!

You're absolutely right in many ways. Very accurate and hard to beat! Even at the crazy prices they're going for these days it's hard to find an AK for less. And the "character" you get from these historic artifacts are so cool and fun to talk about. I think an SKS is a much better conversation starter than your typical run of the mill AK. Thanks for watching! ✌️

I like your Chinese SKS too!

And will probably continue to go up.in value due to their popularity in video games and gun culture. I hope to keep mine forever. The recoil pad to increase length of pull is a great idea

I have 3 of them. All are Russian: 1954, 56 and 57. The last year of production in USSR was 1958. I am 6 feet too, but looking for shorter length of pull for scout project SKS. Had to buy one Chinese fiberglass stock and working on it right now to feet my 1954 SKS. I am even thinking to shorten the butt of the stock, and change its angle for my frontal shooting posture. Fiberglass stock gives possibility for some modes, such as moulding semipistol grip into it.

@@azbogivediglagoli4759 sounds awesome! The fact that you have 3 Russian SKS' is amazing since they're almost impossible to find at a decent price these days. I'd definitely recommend getting the aftermarket stock for mods so you can keep the original one in tact. These little nuggets of history are becoming more and more scarce every year.

@@AmattEUR I think these carbines were underestimated in the past. Now the prices we face are way more realistic than 10-15-20 years ago.

@@azbogivediglagoli4759 totally agree, to manufacture a firearm like the SKS in today's market would easily be approaching $900-1000. Crazy to think 15-20 years ago they could be had for a 10th of that price.

Hey NOCT, thanks for the comments! The couple of modern parts gives it that post-apocalyptic look without overdoing it. Tula ammo works great but you're right, the SKS will (and should) chew up and spit out just about anything you put in it due to it's loose tolerances. I definitely agree with it being one of the best rifles ever made, it just had the unfortunate timing of coming out right at the end of WW2 and right before the AK47 so the rifle was pretty much glossed over by military history. It's a smooth shooting, accurate gun with tons of character and has been copied by many other gun designers for good reason. I'll have to try out your tip of stretching out the Tapco spring if it becomes an issue but for now the detachable magazines are working well enough for me.

Eh no but its a nice relic

What brand scope is that

Evike red dot but they don't make it anymore

I've heard about that. I just don't want to do any permanent modifications since the prices are so wacky right now. The good old days of finding a cheap SKS are long gone

Hey, thanks DJ! If you ever see them for around $300-350 don't hesitate to jump on it

@@AmattEUR I won’t I love reliable budget guns

Haha, I understand the pain! I wanna shoot my ARs but still trying to conserve my 556/223. And you're right, just saw a case of 762x39 for about $300. Still not pre-pandemic prices but getting there 🤞

@Gabe Shaw hell ya Gabe, 22 fun only lasts so long before you need a little more oomph in your life

Lol, Korean glock drums suck too

Very cool Jay! Getting more uncommon everyday. What used to be a plentiful are unfortunately becoming pretty rare

I recently went back to the stock mag. But it's easy to go back and forth. Thanks for watching ✌️

I want a mini thirty so bad but don't want to pay close to $1k for one. Maybe someday. But yes you're right the SKS is an awesome all around gun 👍

I love to hear about firearms being passed down through the generations because generally they're appreciated more by those receiving them. Sorry about your pops but glad to hear you were able to take it shooting ✌️

The optic is holding zero really well, I zeroed it a couple years ago when I first got it and haven't had to adjust it since. The gas tube mount took a little bit of fitting because not all SKS's are made the same but wasn't too difficult. Just make sure to use thread locker on the screws

Sounds good, thanks for watching ✌️

Technically with last shot hold open you just drop the mag and then insert a new one without having to hold the bolt back. Also you can manually lock the bolt back by pushing up on the bolt stop. But it's just a workaround for a much older design and about the best you can get with a detachable magazine for the SKS. Thanks for watching ✌️

I definitely recommend the 20 rounders

NC Star gets a lot of flack but that gas tube is a great product. Cool sounding set up!

@@AmattEUR what scope is that? do you have good eye relief, it looks way far from the shooter eye!

It's a red dot so it's basically unlimited eye relief

@@pdog109 I posted my comment about a yr ago.and I can without a doubt say that the red dot is the way to go for this setup.since I've done these mods I've popped a few thousand rounds and I've been very impressed with this setup

@@AmattEUR honestly I wouldn't buy any other NC star products.but the gas tube has been great.i think they put more effort into engineering that because it's a functional part of the weapon? Hard to say but it's been very durable

It sure is simple and easy to maintain. I found some good stripper clips years ago but who knows if they're still out there

I remember it taking a while to clean out the cosmoline. Fortunately it was during the hot summer days and I think I did the sun baking method to bleed out the cosmoline. That firing pin channel is very important like you said. Love shooting it though. Russian M4 is a good way of putting it. The optic mount is the cheap NC Star but works really well. Here's a link www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-sks-gas-tube-scope-mount-w-side-rails.html

That 20rd mag is made by Tapco which isn't around anymore, at least currently. But you can still find Tapco SKS mags in short supply by Googling them. Promag still makes a bunch of different ones too

That cosmoline can be yucky stuff. I pretty much drenched my rifle in mineral spirits when I first took it home. The optic unfortunately isn't made anymore but if you can find it it's called the Evike UFC HD25

Thanks for watching ✌️

Haha no problem, I appreciate that. Thanks for watching ✌️

I'm not exactly an expert on the SKS variants but I do know the Yugos have the grenade launcher attachment. So yours probably is a Yugo and highly sought after, not because it's usable in any way but because it's cool to own 😎

Haha ya, people are sad that their AR15 bayonet lugs are legally useless

@@AmattEUR FACTS! Ive been looking for a bayonet for the ar-15, and I can't find anything! Do you prefer the blade or spike?

Very cool! Did you have to mill down the rails the sear slides on? Chinese SKS sear rails are slightly longer and the manufacturer says you may have to mill them down a bit

@@AmattEUR For the mags? Just the bolt rail slightly so you can insert a mag while the bolt is closed.

Optics planet, they're not always in stock but looks like they are now. This the link www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-sks-gas-tube-scope-mount-w-side-rails.html

I wouldn't say the installation was difficult but it did require a little fitting.

Hello. I assume you're talking about the drum? Here's a link but you can usually find them on sale for less www.classicfirearms.com/75-rd-rear-loading-sks-drum-mag-korean/

Hey, thanks Lou. The red dot isn't being made anymore but the mount is great and holds zero really well as long as you tighten down the set screws. May require some fitting. Here's a link www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-sks-gas-tube-scope-mount-w-side-rails.html

@@AmattEUR Thanks for the info, did you have to modify the gas tube.

@@Lou8430 I did have to file off about a mm in front of the tube to get it to seat properly but it wasn't hard to do.

Thanks so much!

Totally agree! Many of these surplus firearms have quite a story to tell. Also a side charging AR in 7.62x39 sounds awesome!

Thanks, the rail is NC Star and the optic is Evike UFC HD25 but discontinued. This is the link to the rail www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-sks-gas-tube-scope-mount-w-side-rails.html

@@AmattEUR Thank you! I sported my SKS out at first, but eventually decided it should be more stock, but focused on accuracy, which means optics. Most options are rear mounted, but I like this forward option and it's been difficult to find the mounts for it. Thanks again!

@notrelevant3453 no problem! The best thing about these mods is that they're not permanent so returning it to stock is easy if you need to. Plus you won't upset all the purists haha

Amen to that

Unfortunately people who tend to make gun laws know very little about guns. You're right, it's hypocritical

Don't feel bad about it, I wish I could bury and destroy most things I did in high school 😉

What was it spike or blade Bayonet?

I hope it works too, those are my favorite mags for the SKS. It may require a little breaking in since all SKS's aren't made to exact tolerances

Archangels have worked well for me

Good times

Which rifle?

@@Dread_Pirate_Homesteader My guess is the SKS

You're cool

Hey thanks Ernie! I wish I could go back in time and snatch up every cheap surplus firearm I could find, especially the SKS! You're right, it only keeps increasing in value. The SKS would be a great end of the world rifle because it would outlast just about anything, even the cockroaches haha

@@AmattEUR haha. I agree 100%

Thanks for the feedback. I know I need to work on my audio

@@AmattEUR You don't need to "work" on it, just get a simple lapel mic & plug it in for instant perfect audio. Easy!

Sorry for sounding harsh. Many with hearing issues out here, echo kills. Great job making the videos, keep going! Love AK/SKS!!

It's all good. I was planning on upping my mic quality. Thanks for the comments!

Sure. Tapco mags or South Korean drum. NC Star gas tub/rail mount. Optic is an Evike red dot not made anymore. I think that's about it

@@AmattEUR much appreciated! Thank you and sweet Sks!

@@wizzle89 thanks for watching ✌️

Haha, exactly! 😆

Thanks! It's a cheap NC Star gas tube but works great. Here's a link www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-sks-gas-tube-scope-mount-w-side-rails.html

May require fitting

@@AmattEUR My arms are on the right place, it is not an issue for me to do some work to fit the part. Thanks!

Gracias mi amigo ✌️

You're right they have been known to slam-fire. Would be great to be able to insert the mag on a closed bolt but I don't want to do any permanent modifications since these rifles aren't as plentiful as they used to be. Thanks for the info though

They only slam fire from dirt firing pins stuck forward

@@Dread_Pirate_Homesteader that’s not true Russian primers are hard American primers are very soft sks will slam a lot with American bullets Also sks some have negative sear engagement and a hard bolt drop or rifle drop will allow the hammer to squirt the seat out from under it. Pls take this as the gospel I’ve experienced these things. U could buy a spring loaded FP kit. Ppl experience and learn different things from each other I’m telling u

Where can I learn about the issue you mentioned?

Hey Kelvera, thanks for the feedback! I 100% agree and coincidentally filmed a video yesterday using a new lapel mic. I think that'll make a huge improvement.

@@AmattEUR awesome! Looking forward to the new content.

Ncstar www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-sks-gas-tube-scope-mount-w-side-rails.html

@@AmattEUR Got one last weekend! Amazing stuff, well done, very solid, yet heavy. Much heavier than original one. Anyway, I am happy having it on my carbine. Now need to complete modifying my jungle fiberglass stock, and first step will be done. Have one more question. You have optics on gas tube. How good does it hold zero? I am planning to make a scout rifle out of this carbine. In your opinion, what would be better, low magnification optics or red dot optics.

@@alexeimagher9083 glad you got one, I think they're getting harder to find. Mine holds zero very well. I like the red dot but a scout scope would be really nice for reaching out further. All depends on what you want to do with it.

It's the NC Star SKS gas tube mount

www.opticsplanet.com/ncstar-sks-gas-tube-scope-mount-w-side-rails.html

Greetings from middle America. Thanks for stopping by ✌️ 🇰🇷 🇺🇸

The SKS is the best fortune cookie ever! Thanks Brendan 🥠

It's the evike ufc-hd25. But unfortunately they don't make it anymore

If I could go back 20 years I'd buy every surplus firearm I could find

To quote Borat - VERY NICE 👍👍

Very nice! If I could go back just 15 years I'd buy up every surplus gun I could find.

Nice! Those were well built

Considering they've made an AK 12ga, I don't see why it couldn't be done. And that would be awesome 🤘

Surplus market is rough these days. Give it some time and it'll get better but probably not to where it was before the pandemic

Thanks 😎

@@AmattEUR it's best work bro

Much appreciated

Nice. Though I do like the character of the beat-up looking ones. I ended up switching back to the fixed box mag but still would use the Tapcos if needed. Thanks for checking out the video ✌️

Interesting, thanks for the info 👍

Thank you sir, I appreciate it! I never understood why AKs, being one of the most mass produced rifles ever, is so expensive. At least here in the US. And even at current market prices the SKS is still considerably cheaper and very similar in most aspects to the AK47. I honestly don't even own an AK but love my SKS, if you see one at an affordable price don't hesitate 👍

@@AmattEUR I hate AKs. SKS is way better: solid milled receiver vs stamped in AK platform, longer barrel = better accuracy in SKS, almost twice less parts is SKS, Wich is a great pros in field cleaning. I love SKSes, and would never replace one with AK or any other , including AR platform.