This is yet another fine book from Mowbray Publishing. This title follows other similar soft cover gun books such as The UZI Submachine Gun Examined, The Italian Vetterli Rifle, The Complete Book of Tokarev Pistols, and Communist Bloc Handguns.

With many, many SKS rifles having been imported into the U.S. (the book says “over 4 million”) from various countries and factories in recent years, a well researched book is most welcomed.

This book was written by George Layman, in cooperation with Adrian Van Dyk. Many of the rifles shown in this book are from Van Dyk’s personal collection of SKS rifles. He owns examples from every country that ever made the SKS. Layman and Van Dyk also cooperated on the above-mentioned work, Communist Bloc Handguns. Many of Van Dyk’s Tokarevs also appeared in that book. (Reviewed by this reviewer several years ago.)

The “Acknowledgements” section names a large number of people that assisted Layman. He was part of the military intelligence machine for 21 years, and several of these individuals were from the “other side”.

A two-page “Foreword” by fellow ComBloc collector Cameron S. White follows, and then a “NOTE OF CAUTION” regarding the potential danger of a free-floating firing pin and old, crusty Cosmoline preservative. If the firing pin is stuck in the forward position, the gun can slam fire as soon as the bolt closes. Note that this occurs without squeezing the trigger or having the hammer drop. This could result in a very unexpected 10-round burst of full-auto fire.

The book is divided into 13 chapters, plus a “Conclusion” and a detailed “Serial Number Appendices”. The first chapter covers the development of the SKS. Following this is a country-by-country study of the many variants of the SKS. As might be expected, the first country profiled is the USSR.

With over 800 color photos contained within the 264 pages, it certainly is well illustrated. The majority of these photos are close-up, detail photos, noting crests, receiver markings, and serial numbers found on various parts. Also, many drawings and renderings of the various factory codes are illustrated. China has a huge number of such codes listed here.

Also covered are rifles similar to the SKS, but not actually so. Specifically, these are the Czech-made VZ-52 and VZ-52/57, the Egyptian Rashid, and the extremely rare and nearly unknown Iraqi built Baghdad rifle (a copy of the Rashid, built on surplus Egyptian machines and tooling.)

The final chapter, “XIII Collecting The SKS”, is a guide for the novice collector. With the fall of the Iron Curtain, the 1990s saw many previously rare variants of Soviet firearms available to the American collector. This chapter helps to sort it all out.

The Conclusion is an interesting bit about Layman’s time serving in military intelligence, and how sources he came in contact with then became friends and provided previously classified information for this book now.

The book ends with “SKS Serial Numbers”, a list of numbers compiled Howard A. Bearse. These systems were meant to confuse western militaries from learning how many firearms in total were produced, and in which factories. It seems to have worked, as there are still questions unanswered… This part mainly deals with Soviet USSR and Chinese numbers, but also touches on North Vietnam, North Korea, and East Germany.

Recommended.

By Christopher R. Bartocci

Last month we looked at Type’s A and B of Colt’s SCAR (Special operations forces Combat Assault Rifle) program. Both used the traditional gas impingement system as found in the M16/M4 family of weapons and fared very well in the trials. However, there was an unwritten requirement that SOCOM wanted a conventional piston operated weapon. They felt it would be more clean and reliable under the extreme circumstances that they operated under.

Colt set out to develop their own piston driven mechanism. Piston systems were nothing new to Colt as they had experimented with it many years ago. In the late 1960s to early 1970s, experimentation was going on at Colt, Rock Island and Winchester to develop a standard piston mechanism to deal with the problems the early rifles had with the switch-over to ball powder. This also was as a response to the publicity of the reliability of the AK47. In the end, a report in 1968 stated that the 10 prototype weapons performed about equal to the current M16A1 rifles. Colt developed the model 703 as a piston driven operating system. Although totally unlike the current SCAR design, it indicates that Colt had investigated this in the past. The 703 was a full-length rifle with a piston rod that was attached to the bolt carrier, much like the AK-type piston. By the time Colt had concluded the development of the 703, all the changes made to the M16A1 and ammunition made a piston-operated mechanism unnecessary.

The Colt 703 rifle when fired, the bullet would propel down the barrel, and gas was bled from the barrel into the gas cylinder created between the end of the piston rod and the front sight base. The piston rod, being attached to the bolt carrier group, would move rearward extracting and ejecting the fired cartridge case. When the bolt carrier group reaches it’s furthest rearward motion the buffer/buffer spring would drive the bolt carrier group forward stripping a round from the magazine, chambering it, and the bolt would lock into battery ready for the next shot.

Colt SCAR Type C

SOCOM’s unwritten requirement for a piston operated rifle was based upon their belief that this system kept the gun cleaner due to hot gasses not being blown into the bolt carrier causing fouling. This is especially true when being fired with a suppressor.

Colt began work to design their own piston system. With the requirement for a free-floated barrel, Colt opted to use their newly designed one-piece upper receiver. Keeping the legacy M4 platform was important as it was very user friendly. Once the shooter grasps the pistol grip, all manipulations of the selector and magazine catch can be made without manipulation of the shooters hand. The left hand will insert the loaded magazine a hit the bolt catch to reload. Due to the magazine dropping free and the bolt holding open on the last shot, reloading can be accomplished is seconds. An added benefit to keeping this platform was taking advantage of the existing familiarity of the operators’ use with the M4A1 carbine.

The SCAR Type C Upper Receiver

The upper receiver chosen was the Colt proprietary one-piece upper receiver. This allowed the barrel to be mounted to the receiver and permitted to free float; increasing accuracy as well as assist in cooling. The upper receiver utilizes a forward assist assembly, fired cartridge case deflector and an ejection port dust cover. There is a continuous Mil-Std 1913 rail that goes from the top of the charging handle area to the front sight base. This will allow the mounting of multiple optics including night vision, reflex sight as well as a laser. The side rails allow the operator to mount flashlights or other accessories. The bottom portion of the rail is removable allowing the mounting of a grenade launcher. When the standard cover with the rail is on, a vertical pistol grip may be installed. During testing, the newly designed Grip Pod Systems vertical pistol grip was used. This vertical pistol grip/bipod is made of 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum, the same as the Colt SCAR receivers. The bottom of the grip turns into a spring-loaded bipod with a push of a button. When the operator drops to the prone position and engages the bipod, the carbine has a stable base for aimed firing. When the bipod is engaged and the weapon shouldered, the magazine will not snag on the ground.

The carbine utilizes the same BUIS (Back Up Iron Sight) as the Colt Type A. The rear sight is a modified Colt carrying handle rear sight. Colt took a standard carrying handle and removed the handle just leaving a lightweight rear sight. There are no sharp edges to snag. It is adjustable for elevation out to 600 meters and has two sight apertures. A 0 to 200-meter close and a long-range aperture. However, any BUIS can be used whether it be an ARMS #40 L or a Knight Armament BUIS.

The front sight is a Colt designed foldable front sight assembly attached to the gas block. This same front sight assembly was used on all three of Colt’s entries and was activated and locked by a button on the left side. This utilized a square 4-notch front sight post and is adjustable for elevation only.

The Colt Piston Operating System

The piston system is very simple and very reliable. In firearms design there are two basic piston systems. The first is where the piston/operating rod is directly attached to the bolt carrier such as the AK47/AKM. The second is the short-stroke tappet where the operating rod strikes the face of the bolt carrier driving the carrier rearward while the piston rod reciprocates back to its rested position in front of the firearm such as the AR18, SKS and FN FAL.

The system chosen by Colt is the latter. By going with the two-piece operating rod the weight may be decreased. Colt has been working on their piston systems for a couple of years in their model shop. In 2003, a prototype was made showing an early attempt of their system. Over the next couple years their design would be modified and perfected to the final system they chose for their SCAR candidate

The final system begins with their proprietary one-piece upper receiver. The barrel is secured to the inside of the receiver and the barrel left free-floating. The system consists of the op rod and return spring. The front of the system consists of the gas cylinder and the mechanism is locked into the weapon by a large pin in the front sight/gas block. There is a gas relief vent in front of the gas cylinder that vents through the front of the front sight assembly. Colt has tested this operating mechanism with over 18,000 rounds without cleaning and without failure. This piston system does not require routine maintenance during cleaning.

As the bullet travels down the barrel upon firing, the bullet passes the gas port and gas is directed into the gas expansion chamber, driving the piston rearward. The rear of the piston impacts a modified carrier key on the bolt carrier group driving the carrier group rearward. While the carrier group continues rearward, the piston rod returns to its forward resting position. On the bolt carrier group’s rearward travel the bolt unlocks, extracting and ejecting the fired cartridge case from the carbine. Then the compressed heavy buffer and spring return the carrier group forward stripping an unfired cartridge from the magazine, feeding it into the chamber, and then the bolt locks into the barrel extension. The carbine is ready for the next shot to be fired. Another benefit of the piston-operated system is the ability to set the cyclic rate of the weapon. Colt chose to make the SCAR Type C fire at 800 rounds per minute comparable to that of the M4A1 with Mk 262 Mod 1 ammunition.

The Bolt Carrier

The bolt carrier group looks very similar to the standard M16/M4 family of firearms but with one major change: a new bolt carrier key. Also, there are no gas rings on the bolt due to the expansion chamber being in the front sight assembly instead of the back of the bolt carrier group. Another innovation that Colt has done is to change the finish of the bolt and carrier. It has a proprietary UCT Defense UltraChem (nickel boron) finish to eliminate the need for any lubricant whatsoever. This slippery finish needs merely a wipe with a rag to clean. This coating also improves corrosion resistance. The extractor utilizes the improved gold extractor spring with the stronger black extractor buffer.

The Barrel

As per specifications, the barrels come in two different lengths. The standard carbine barrel length is 14.5 inches and the CQC (Close Quarter Combat) barrel is 10.5 inches. Both barrels are heavy barrels to insure they can take the required heavy firing schedule demanded by SOCOM. The barrel utilizes the standard 1 turn in 7 inch rifling twist that is required to stabilize the Mk 262 Mod 1 ammunition currently in use by SOCOM. Additionally, as per requirements, a Knight’s Armament Quick Detach flash suppressor is installed for use with the silencer. The front sight base has a bayonet lug for mounting a bayonet on both barrels even though one cannot be mounted on the 10.5 inch barrel.

The chamber has been modified to comply with the “Over the Beach” requirement specified for the SEALS.

The Lower Receiver

The lower receiver is identical to the ones used on Type A and B. It is a standard M4A1 lower receiver with the modified selector lever. As per requirement, this ambidextrous selector operates over 90 degrees of travel (as opposed to the Colt standard of 180 degrees). After testing was completed, this change was not well received. The reasoning in unclear as to whether they were just too used to the standard or if it did not manipulate as fast as the original.

The magazine release is the patented Norgon ambidextrous version. The stock is the VLTOR stock with dual battery compartments for the optics. This is a standard four-position Colt buffer extension with a H2 buffer. Due to the carbine utilizing a heavy barrel, the buffer with 2 tungsten weights and 1 steel weight was necessary to prevent light strikes from bolt carrier bounce. Improved hammer/trigger pins are used that are manufactured of stainless steel. This increases service life especially with heavy volume of fire required of the SCAR weapon. The finish is done in the required flat earth finish (coyote brown) done by Kal-Guard.

Conclusions

The opportunity arose to test fire Colt’s Type C SCAR in their engineering range in the basement of the factory. There was little difference in the feel between the direct gas and the piston driven carbines and their cyclic rate was about the same. The carbine fired was quite worn and neglected from the SCAR trials. However, the carbine functioned flawlessly; firing nearly 500 rounds in 15 minutes. The bolt carrier group was completely dry without lubricant.

There seems to be little doubt that the next generations of M16/M4 carbines will be piston driven mechanisms. Colt plans to introduce a piston driven law enforcement carbine in early 2006.

With the SCAR program moving forward with procurement from FN Mfg. Inc., only time will tell how the new weapons will stack up compared to the M4A1 carbines currently in use. The SCAR trials were without a doubt the most grueling small arms testing in the world since the original Armalite AR-15 was pitted against the government designed M14. Lessons learned in this weapons development program will influence further research and development of further upgrades or new weapons designs of the future.

With the State of Hawaii being a major stop off and R&R hub for most of our U.S. Military heading “In Country”, and for those fortunate ones rotating back to the World, many captured War trophies found a permanent home right here in the Sandwich Isles. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to look over many legitimate, legally papered weapons and several not so legal. With the passage of time and our local humid environment, much of the original paperwork has been lost or simply disintegrated. Recently, I have seen a proliferation of fake captured paperwork being offered with period weapons, for sale on the Internet. I have been blessed with an old friend and decorated war hero who has his original paperwork with the weapon and he was willing to share it with the readers of SAR. He still possesses a crisp memory regarding the circumstances of its capture.

On August 27, 1972 SP4 Warren Baybado of 18th AVN Corps. Can Tho, RVN was engaged in aerial flight in connection with military operations against a hostile force. His Huey UH-1D was involved in the emergency resupply of a friendly outpost in Chuong Thien Province. Known enemy locations were plotted on three sides of the outpost. On the first entry into the LZ, the aircraft began to receive enemy fire. Because of the close proximity of friendly villagers the crew was directed not to return fire unless they could pin-point the position of the enemy fire. Specialist Baybado kept the aircraft Commander advised of general enemy location and returned fire while keeping his aircraft clear of obstacles along their low level route of flight. As the aircraft neared the outpost for the third time, it began to receive many hits from enemy fire. Controlled fire was returned causing a hasty retreat. After the area was reconned, specialist Baybado was presented with a captured Chicom Carbine Type 56, serial number 10147058. This is a Chinese copy of the Soviet Simonov SKS rifle with a folding spike bayonet in place of the normal sword bayonet.

This incredibly robust semi-automatic ten shot carbine, firing the 7.62X39MM Soviet M1943 cartridge, was used with deadly effect against our troops in Vietnam. In production since 1946, it is estimated that perhaps 15 million have been made. After securing the War Trophy Registrations/authorization DD form 603-1 and the Transportation of Firearms Form 9 required by the Chief of Vietnamese Customs, the only thing keeping this trophy from the land of the big PX was his DEROS date. On November 30, 1972 the proud owner and his captured trophy were on a commercial flight back to the world. Before boarding Warren disassembled the carbine, slipping the bolt in his pocket knowing the weapon would be locked in the cockpit with the pilots. After seemingly endless hours in the air the jet finally touched down at Honolulu International Airport. Patiently waiting at the gate for his beloved SKS to be turned over, he was stunned to see the aircraft taxing down the runway and take off into the wild blue yonder. After a tense phone call to the airport on the island of Kauai, the plane’s final destination, the pilot realized the mistake and dropped off the rifle on his return flight. Warren and his prize reside with his family in the old whaling town of Lahaina, on the Valley Isle, Maui.

The emergence of the 7.62x39mm broadened the development of new firearms. Reducing the rim to equal the diameter of the cartridge body simplified the construction of a feed mechanism. The lighter round also produced less recoil, thus improving accuracy and marksmanship. These benefits enabled S.G. Simonov to produce a carbine based on his 7.62 caliber semiautomatic rifle, the AVS-36. Upon meeting all requirements, the Soviet Army adopted the Simonov SKS. Other designs utilizing the 39mm appeared, most notably the Kalashnikov AK (avtomat Kalashnikova). The AK possessed similar ballistics, but had better battle qualities and soon replaced the SKS. Despite Simonov’s modifications, production of the SKS ceased. Stockpiled in warehouses, the mass-produced SKS slowly made its way onto the shelves of local gun shops and into the hands of Russian hunters. Eventually the Government interceded; passing a law that banned the military weapon from citizen possession. To meet the demand, the OP-SKS carbine was released for broad distribution.

Designated “OP” for the hunting trade, the semi-auto battle variant boasts minimal alterations. The bayonet and bracket hardware was removed. An identification “pin” was implanted in the barrel. Protruding above the grooves, this bit of metal scores a unique mark on every fired round. This notch is a specific identifier of each hunting carbine. The original “battle condition” SKS remains widely available on USA and foreign markets.

The uniform single-piece stock is constructed of birch or multi-layer plywood. The diminutive size of the carbine is designed for the average person, with an allowance for heavy outer winter wear. Installing a rubber shock absorber (recoil pad) can easily increase length of the butt stock. A removable bracket is required to mount optics.

Operating Principles of OP-SKS

The self-loading action operates on a gas system. Upon discharge, propellant gases are introduced into a gas tube through the barrel orifice. Pressure of gases sequentially drives back the gas piston, driving rod, and bolt assembly. Bolt carrier prongs engage the housing, travel rearward on longitudinal grooves, and overcome the recoil spring.

Housing contains firing pin, extractor, and cocks the hammer. Channels depress magazine lip for feeding of cartridges. The ejector is located on left side of receiver. Energy of gases is spent in operation of these mechanisms.

Trigger assembly is designed for semiautomatic only. On trigger pull, the hammer and spring are released by the sear. A supplemental disconnector prevents double firing.

In comparison with Saiga and Vepr receiver-mounted safeties, the flag-shaped trigger safety of OP-SKS is desirable for hunting purposes due to its smooth, quiet action.

Magazine is integral and holds 10 rounds. Ammunition is top loaded, utilizing stripper clips that are guided by the vertical notch located on the bolt carrier. When the magazine is emptied, both catch located in the receiver locks bolt assembly rearward, signaling need to reload.

Open sights allow for accurate fire up to 300 meters

For hunting with the OP-SKS carbine, 3 types of Russian production 7.62x39mm ammunition is available. The conventional ball (FMJ) round is comprised of steel and bimetal, generally lacquered for rust protection with a bullet weight of 7.9 grams (122 grains). Also 2 expanding semi-jacketed rounds with bullet weights of 8 grams (123 grains), 9.7 grams (150 grains) are available.

Typically, the non-deforming hardball ammunition cuts into animal flesh with minimal damage, yet does not over-penetrate. This round is preferable for hunting small sized game such as foxes and wolves. The heavy 9.7 gram semi-jacketed round deforms on impact. It is effective up to 100-150 meters on larger animals (weight of 100-150 kg) such as wild goat, small boar, deer and elk calves. Beyond this range, its effectiveness drops dramatically. The 8 gram hunting cartridge contains a distinct hollow point bullet, but the material composition is identical to the sample 1943 round. The mid-weight HP deforms and fragments, causing immediate incapacitation at distances of up to 300 meters. This round is suited for hunting large game at longer ranges.

Today, Russian manufacture of copper-jacketed ammunition is available for the 7.62 caliber. Hunting cartridges, as well as SKS carbines are mass exported from Russia into countries such as USA, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Yugoslavia. Accessories for the SKS are numerous and are listed in nearly every supply catalog. After market items include bipods that mount onto the bayonet bracket, various plastic and fiberglass stocks, flash hiders, high capacity magazines and integrated mount optics.

In summation, the SKS / OP-SKS boasts virtues of simplicity, and reliability under any conditions. Lightweight and good ballistic performance combined with a reasonable price, these firearms are attractive to both hunters and carbine fans alike.

By Bob Campbell

When I was a kid we all knew what an Army rifle was. It was an old Springfield ’03 or maybe an Enfield. Garands were few and far between and the occasional eccentric used a British .303. Today, the situation is much different.

A deer hunter on a budget just might have an Army rifle but it will be a Russian rifle. The SKS has become an important part of America’s firearms scene. The guns are inexpensive, rugged, durable, and fun to shoot. That is about all you can ask of any rifle. The SKS has earned it’s place in America’s heart due to it’s robustness and ease of handling. Dirt cheap ammunition and accessories have added to the gun’s popularity. There are things the SKS is and things it is not. It is a fine centerfire plinker, small game getter and an acceptable rifle for use on deer sized game at moderate range. It is not a target rifle by any stretch of the imagination. But, as one who is more likely to be firing off his hind legs that off the bench I find the SKS offers fine practical accuracy in the field.

The SKS may not be as popular as the 5.5 million Winchester .30-30 rifles in use across the world, but offers similar power and accuracy. The .30-30 is a stronger round but at the range at which we should take deer with either rifle the difference should be conversational.

Criticisms of the SKS are valid, but don’t bother me. It is called ugly, but it works. The gun has plenty of tool marks in the inner workings and some of the Chinese guns look as if they were beat out upon a rock in Pakistan. But they always work, an endearing quality in any rifle whether it is meant for hunting, plinking, or war. The SKS is a little short in the stock for some shooters but not too long for many adults. A thick recoil pad will make up for this deficit if you have long arm reach. If you are wearing padded clothes such as worn in winter hunting, the SKS rifle’s short stock will come out about right. It is a good, fast handling little rifle. The SKS is sometimes criticized as for accuracy but this is more ammunition choice than anything else.

The SKS is interesting in it’s own right but the history of Soviet self loading rifles is also interesting. These rifles are rare in America but manufactured in great number in Russia under several governments. A major problem in early self loading rifle development was the use of the antiquated 7.62 x 54mm cartridge. This cartridge is about in the .30-06 class and chambered in the Mosin Nagant bolt action rifles. It is a rimmed cartridge. Rimmed rounds do not feed well in semi auto rifles. In 1916, Russia fielded a light ‘assault rifle’ which chambered the intermediate 6.5 x 50mm Japanese cartridge. The gun is important technically but failed tactically. It did not prove robust in action and was sensitive to dirt. After the war, the Bolsheviks took control and could not afford to chamber a new gun for anything but the heavily stockpiled 7.62 x 54mm round. (This is much the same reason the Tokarev pistol was chambered for the available .30 Mauser round.) The direct ancestor of the SKS is the AVS36. Sergie Simonov was beginning to be recognized as a firearms designer. His new rifle could fire fully automatic and used a fifteen round magazine. A gas operated action used a vertical moving bolt to lock up, a different system than our own Garand. The AVS36 did not prove reliable in action. The 7.62 x 54 round battered this action, resulting in high parts breakage. The gun was also complex and difficult to manufacture.

Over a million of the competitive Tokarev rifles were produced. This rifle was a little better than the AVs, but war time demands did not allow new designs at first. The Soviets needed every rifle they could field in their struggle against the Nazis.

By 1943 the world’s powers realized that full power rifles and firing at masses of troops might not be the wave of the future. Less powerful cartridges and faster handling rifles with higher magazine capacities would be developed. The United States .30 caliber carbine was a step in this evolution. The carbine was criticized as not powerful enough, but it’s reliability, firepower, and fast handling were excellent qualities. I have read conflicting reports on this gun. Each report has been penned by men of great experience in the great war who saw the guns in action. For what it is worth, the gun seems to have found more respect in the Pacific jungles.

The intermediate power rifle would be between the submachinegun in power and the full power rifle. It would fire a true rifle cartridge, if a shorter, less powerful one. There were aberrations along the way. The Japanese loaded standard cases with lower powder charges in some instances, and other rounds were simply long case pistol cartridges. The 7.62 x 39mm Soviet is by far the most successful intermediate cartridge of all time. The German 7.92mm x 33mm cartridge was chambered in the MP43, a remarkably advanced weapon. These were the first true assault rifles.

The Soviet answer was the M1943 7.62 x 39mm cartridge. Range was less than that of the 7.62 x 54 mm but the round could be accurate to 400 yards and lethal somewhat beyond. Soviet engineers moved slow in comparison to what was expected in the West. With most production geared toward the Tokarev rifle a rifle was developed and certain prototypes tested by late 1944 in battle. The carbine was tweaked and improved in certain areas and adopted as the 7.62 Samozaryadnyi Karabin Sisyemi Somonova Obrazets 1945. In simple terms, it is designated the SKS 45.

The SKS was not in full production until 1949. It had a relatively short front line service life, being replaced by the AK47 in 1953. But the SKS was heavily produced in many Soviet satellite nations.

I have fired other early short rifles, from the M1 Carbine and the Enfield Jungle Carbine to the Tanker Garand. The SKS is easily the best of the early carbines. However, the SKS was dated even when it first appeared in 1945. It uses a non detachable ten round magazine which is loaded with stripper clips. It is a little heavy for the round it uses. But it works! The gun has been produced in many nations. Examples include the East German Karibener 5, the Chinese type 56 and the Yugoslav M59. I have been told the Yugoslav gun was produced in 7.62mm NATO. This would not be out of the question and would make a fine all around gun if the action held up to the increased power. But, the gun may not actually exist.

When looking at the SKS we have to ask where does it fit? What are it’s capabilities? Some of us simply enjoy firing rifles, any type, and this is a good thing. This is the best thing, in my opinion, and while hunting and self defense are valid reasons for owning a SKS the fun aspect cannot be discounted. It is light on the budget and has introduced many cash strapped Americans to low cost centerfire plinking.

As a hunting rifle, the SKS is OK for short range game. With good handloads the SKS will do the job. Depending upon the load, I might limit myself to broadside shots on larger deer species. The SKS is much better than the .30 caliber carbine but not quite up to the .30-30.

Against pest and varmints the SKS is great, with proper loads. Several of my friends consider the SKS their all around rifle. More than a few ride in the trunk of patrol cars as patrol carbines. They are superior to any pistol caliber carbine.

The limiting factor is ammunition. Frankly, much of the Chinese ball ammunition I have fired was of terrible quality. It was pow pow bam pow bam! You are lucky to see a five to six inch group at 100 yards with such poor quality ammunition. With American manufactured softpoint ammunition, my personal SKS has exhibited groups in the three inch class. Not match grade by any means but decent for the task at hand. The Black Hills 125 grain softpoint has proven especially accurate, but a number of loads have given good results. I have also used East European ball ammunition with good results. For strict defense use, the Russian hollowpoint ammunition would be good. It expands rapidly and completely, fragmenting in about nine inches of gelatin. This is not a good deer load by any means but an estimable defense load. Against light cover, it offers extremely good results.

My personal gun has been around for some time, and looks the worse for wear. I have fired about 2,500 rounds in this rifle with no malfunctions of any type and little cleaning. I have had good results with handloads and all factory ammunition. The sights could be better, but I have been able to sight the gun in perfectly. Kentucky windage works at 100 yards and the gun cannot be sighted in, at least this one cannot, at 25 yards. It shoots high. This is no drawback unless the rifle would be used for dedicated hostage rescue.

I have improved one of my rifles by adding a four power scope from Federal Arms. This little inexpensive scope does improve the guns utility. It is definitely in the best buy class. When carried for several months in the trunk of the patrol car, this scope proved robust, never losing it’s zero. When using the scoped rifle I found speed was at a premium when using the following drill;

I first took a hasty sight picture by sighting over the adjustment knob of the scope. I quickly lowered my eye to the scope and took aim. This resulted in a rapid hit at longer ranges. My patrol SKS does not wear a scope but I have to admit this is an excellent option. Federal Ordnance also offers useful bipods and other gear.

All of my rifles have original ten round magazines. This is for a simple and compelling reason. Aftermarket magazines don’t work. I have tried them all. Some are junk, others are better, but all destroy the balance of the gun. In many states we have to block the gun to five rounds for hunting in any case.

My gun is stock, simple, and reliable. I have made a slight addition. Near the handy safety lever I have painted a small red dot that is visible when the gun is off safe. Nine times out of ten the gun is at ready chamber empty but I like this touch.

I like this gun very much. It is one of those well worn and familiar guns in which I have a great deal of confidence. It is going to fire and it will hit where it looks if I do my part. That is worth a great deal.

The SKS is a good gun, and it is a lot of gun as well for the money. I will never give it the emotional attachment I give the ’03 Springfield and it is not in the league with a Garand. But it is too good a gun to own only one. And we free people, with a right to keep and bear arms protected by the Constitution, have wholeheartedly welcomed these refugees from the various People’s Republics.