SKS question.

[K191145]

I have one of the nicest SKS's in my possession, it's actually my brothers but I'm going to make him an offer on it. It's nice because I've never seen one with this smooth of a finish on it and some time ago I took an old stock I had and worked hours on it refinishing it and replaced the old stock. I also installed a factory Chinese 20 round mag with the commie star, which in the past I have found they worked better for me than the after market but this one didn't. It seems as though the mag doesn't allow the rounds to slide into the chamber high enough and the tip of the round sticks on the bottom of the chamber. I have had to adjust mags in the past to allow the rounds to point upwards a little more before feeding but I haven't done that to this one yet. There is also no angled feed ramp to the chamber at all.

My question is, is it safe and is there someone that could grind a minimal angle feed ramp on the bottom of the chamber? With the factory 10 round mag it works well but It seems to me a feed ramp would even make it more reliable.

Here's a pic.

Edited August 17, 2008 by K191145
Add Photo

[Westwindmike]

People have been trying to expand the ammo capacity of the SKS for a long time. It seems no one has done it and made it reliable. The stock 10 round factory fixed magazine is still the best way to use the SKS. Too many people try to make it into an AK.

[Mike.357]

When people want to add a hi-cap mag to an SKS I always wonder why.

Are you going into battle? Zombies coming? Or is it just to look cool?

I advise to keep the original mag and buy about 40 stripper clips. Fill them and fill a ammo box. You are good to go.

the ten round fixed mags work like they were made for the rifle. But then they were made for the rifle.

But then thats just me.

[mousegunner]

Ditto on the above. Put an original 10 round mag on it, and you are good to go. If you insist on hi cap, the Tapco 20 rounder is supposed to be the most reliable aftermarket magazine, but you may have to do a little wood carving to get it to fit. I still think the original 10 round mag is best.

[DWARREN123]

Modifing the chamber may cause problems and make it dangerous. Mod the magazine maybe but do not mod the chamber. Just my opinion.

[mrming]

Can it be done? yes, maybe.

Why don't the aftermarkets work? 7.62x39 case is tapered slightly. It is more so than 223. Thats why ak-47 mags have a much steeper curve to it than ar15.

So why does this matter? Well, it means your mag spring shape has to be diff. It also changes your feed angle. The sks is designed to feed the round straight from the mag in. Taller mag, different angle the round is presented. Diff enough angle, and the bolt won't reliably strip it off.

In short, it doesnt have a feed ramp nor space for one. Milling at it will just create the equivelant of a glock unsupported chamber, but in a rifle instead of pistol.

the taller mags changes the feed angle. You can get close, but the geometry and feeding force just arne't to the designed spec.

[K191145]

Well that answers the question about the feed ramp. I have made another 20 round mag work good in another SKS by opening slightly the the top of the mag a bit, I may try that again later.

To answer the question of why a 20 round mag instead of the 10, well why does anyone add to or modify a 10-22 or any other gun? Just for the heck of it I guess.

[mhm2a]

Keep it original......nice looking sks.

[K191145]

Keep it original......nice looking sks.

Thanks, I worked hard on the stock cleaning it up. I do have a MAK-90 for civil wars and charging Russians comming up the driveway, that will be my combat weapon if needed.

[Guest airbornefox]

Thanks, I worked hard on the stock cleaning it up. I do have a MAK-90 for civil wars and charging Russians comming up the driveway, that will be my combat weapon if needed.

At least you will never run out ammo with that SKS, 7.62x39 is the most commonly used round in the world. Ditto on keepin it original, get a cheap Chinese model to turn into your "fun gun". Tapco makes the best in my book for accessories and such.

[Guest tokarev]

I agree with everyone else. It's best to stick with the original ten round fixed magazine. Most folks have trouble with the after market mags for the SKS and they are hardly ever consistant if you do get one to work. I went the other way many years ago and tried a 5 round replacement and in the end, just went back to the original ten rounder.

If you really have to have a larger capasity, just get an AK clone with some 30 rounds mags.

[K191145]

I agree with everyone else. It's best to stick with the original ten round fixed magazine. Most folks have trouble with the after market mags for the SKS and they are hardly ever consistant if you do get one to work. I went the other way many years ago and tried a 5 round replacement and in the end, just went back to the original ten rounder.

If you really have to have a larger capasity, just get an AK clone with some 30 rounds mags.

Well I just enjoy taking an inexpensive gun and dressing them up. I'm better at refinishing old stocks. I'll probably just leave the 10 round mag but I do have a muzzle break that fits but I can't punch out the old pin to replace with a new one. If fits tight but I want it pinned before I fire it.

[Guest Triggerman]

What type of ammo are you using? Are you using FMJ's or HP's? If it's hollow points, the gun could have a problem feeding them, some do.