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! 👍🏼

Can't change mags with bolt closed *Laughing in Dremel*

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)

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!

I've played around with some aftermarket stuff with my SKS, and always come back to bone stock. It just works.

I have ZERO issues with my Tapco magazines, perhaps it's user error.

tapco mags work for me.

When the last round is fired the bolt carrier stays open. Insert mag, back to firing....

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!

my tapco mags worked perfectly

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.

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.

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…

Tapco magazines work perfect, time after time. As far as a reloading with a detachable magazine, alittle gunsmithing corrects the bolt locking issue.

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.

My 30 round promag is broke an still feeds EVERY ROUND! And has never fell out. Lol...

Too many ppl are confusing 'Bubba shoot'n beer cans, old cars and kicking up mud puddles ' with the actual practical application of this weapon being used properly while defending your life when it comes to using after market GARBAGE.. Best vid EVER.. well done Sir.

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.

Hello. What is your view on the new ProMag magazine with the release attached to the magazine? It was demonstrated on Classic Fire Arms this year, of 2017.

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've had a Chinese SKS paratrooper since the 80s and his thing is deadly accurate with the factory sites.

@ 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 recently come into a Chinese s.k.s rifle with fold out stalk and I found it on a construction job free but I need to get a few mag's should I go with a box mag and use a stripper clip or just use the magizine? I'm new to the 100 series s.ks and because I live in Canada ten rounds is max amount all you need in my opinion.

Thanks for this video, now I know why the BHO isn't working on mine. Mine is a modified Norinco I purchased for $150. It came with Chinese metal mags which are hard to get in. I have a Tapco 10 round and that works pretty good, but it doesn't look as good as the original stuff. But I'm wondering if I can switch back to the old system? Really the only modifications are a black polymer stock.

Archangel LVX magazine for SKS with Lever Release AALVX35. This is quite new from my understanding. I plan on buying at least one.

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.

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.

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 archangel 35 round detachable magazines with built-in thumb release. I've fired 1050 rounds flawlessly, love my norinco!

+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!

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.

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.

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.

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

a nice video! whats your opinion on dry firing an SKS? not often but i find my self locking the bolt back when cleaning or inspecting the gun. as far as i know there isnt a way to de-cock the gun, should i just buy snapcaps offline?

Buddy got one for a deal, but it came with a scope mount and the 30 round magazine. He got a standard receiver cover for it, but when it comes to the magazine, is there a way to restore them to original 10 shot?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great advice , The SKS in its original configuration is a very rugged, dependable Firearm.

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.

my second sks I bought the original mag kept jamming so I ended up switching to a tapco mag tho I also bought a top rail so I can't even use stripper clips with it if I wanted to.. plus I won't lie idk if I'm doing it wrong but I can reload a mag faster then using a stripper clip..

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.

mine works I modded mine. put a adaptor cut the duck bill off. works great. Good luck with yours.

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

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

I converted my SKS with a Tapco stock and clips and shot thousands of cartridges at the range and not one malfunction. When the magazine is emptied the action is open and ready for another magazine feed.

My 50 round, and 2, 30s, and 2, 40s mags works seamless, in my Norinco....Steel, and Zytel.

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.

I have the brass stacker and I love it. Holds zero no modifying the rifle and it even looks pretty cool.

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.

As a younger SKS owner i found this video very entertaining, and helpful.

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.

Does it existe the same kind of magazine than the original (with clips) but with 15 or 20 ammos ?

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

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 !

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.

Great video Boss. Definitely sharing this with friends that want to "modify" their SKS. Thanks for this information.

Honestly my favorite thing is loading it one bullet at a time. It's just so satisfying

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.

Well my bolt stays open when I drop my tapco mag so changing mags is no problem and have had no trouble with reliability

Thanks for the knowledge based on experience.

Thanks for confirming much of what I have heard about my SKS. There are certainly a lot of things that can be done to this platform but not too much to actually up its performance. I've not been able to understand the need to Bubba a given piece. OTOH I can appreciate shelling out to have the stock trigger assembly tuned, and probably have the bolt and carrier gone over to prevent slam-fires. The one bit I have not been able to determine is whether an extended flash-suppressor would be of help in addressing muzzle-rise. Thoughts? BTW I also liked the idea of keeping the bayonet if only for added weight to balance handling. No bi-pods here. :-)

my 30 round mags have never failed me. i do see what your saying about 3 hands but i got pretty good at it.

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.

NO BS...Answered questions I have had , THANKS

hey buddy I sighted my sks scope and I wanna change my stock on it will it affect the scope if I change it

I definitely agree with everything that you say here the SKS is what it is

Only takes two hands to load 30 round mag, give it a shot

good video. but...my tapco mags work quite well. and, when out shooting, i carry several, and i've never had a problem when changing mags. but thanks for the vid, i did enjoy it.

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.

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...

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

Hey, can you load stripper clips in those detachable mags?

hey, thanks for the insightful info as i'm planning on getting an SKS soon. don't know about the American market for them, but here in Canada a Russian surplus SKS is sold for around $200-250 CAD before tax(thats $150-190 USD) which makes them the cheapest centerfire rifle in the market here and surplus ammo are also readily available at reasonable prices too

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.

“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?

Good video. Completely agree the original parts on the gun are the best option for it. No need to modify it.

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

WOW that was a waste of time

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.

Thanks for the advice. I just bought one.

Just got my first SKS. Thanks for this video, man.

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.

my aftermarket mags work perfectly fine 20rd and 40rd

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.

After alot of research, I can see why you arrived at your conclusions. I have reached similar ones. Good video.

I have a 30rd mag that works well. USA brand they don't make any more

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'm glad I wasn't the only one having problems with detachable mags! Ordered a fixed mag online, so maybe that will solve my problems

I have three 30 round tapco's and they work great!

Tapco mags work great in my SKS (just sayin')-

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.

I love your videos. I watched a video about the 20 - 30 rnd mag. The guy took the mag apart and filed the inside because the bullets would get James up on the welds and over sprayed paints on the inside. It was done pretty easily. In time I believe it took him around 20 mins or so. It worked flawlessly. I’m not a big believer in needing 30 rounds but for some people it’s a necessary lol. Again love you vids

I never had a problem with the big mags. And I love this 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.

basically if it's not broke, don't fix it

Great video, I agree with you on everything, I have an SKS, in stock config, I removed the bayonet though because i have a bum shoulder and the little but of weight feels like a big difference when its at the front of the gun and you have a bum shoulder, The tapco mags are clumsy, mine worked well though but I would still prefer the stripper clips, cheaper to have a bunch of clips that to buy a bunch of mags, awesome vid brother

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.