I got an SKS laying around that I don't use. I was thinking about either trading it or tricking it out. Does anyone have a good site to look at builds to get some ideas about accessories, parts, scopes, etc, etc, etc. I want to see what it would cost to get what I want then decide what to do with it from there.


Thanks,

What, particularly, would you like to change on your SKS? I'm assuming it is all original without any aftermarket add-ons currently. What is the country of origin?
SKS are old tech but make fine little beaters and if you spend the time to zero the sights and become accustomed to them, it can be a better-than-average shooter accuracy wise. I think the most common knocks against them from the American perspective is that the length of pull on the stock is too short and it is not compatible with most optics options.
There are several aftermarket stock options, Tapco being the latest with an AR-style adjustable length. Some of these come with handy picatinny rails up front that beg you to hang 5 pounds of crap off the front of the weapon. Don't do that.
You can add optics by drilling and tapping the reciever cover(probably shouldn't), get a aftermarket rec cover with a built in picatinny rail(these are notoriously sloppy on fit, replace the rear sight leaf with a scout mount(I did this on one of mine and went back to irons) or if you are really serious about scoping it, have a competent gunsmith with experience in this area add an AK side rail and utilize com-bloc optics calibrated to the 7.62x39 round.
Most SKSs are selling at around $350 these days, last I saw, in stock condition. Bubba'd SKSs all tacticaled out may also sell for about $350 if you haven't permanently altered the weapon itself and have the original parts.

I took my SKS to a Jasper gunsmith(name escapes me now) and he shortened the barrel/gas mechanism by 3-4 inches. No operating problems and looks better than original.

I wouldn't add much since it's always going to be a cheap gun no matter how much you spend on mods. I do not like the mod where you use high capacity mags. It takes too much finagling to replace a mag with the ones I've seen. I nearly needed 3 hands to do it.

I think a better route would be to get one of the Saiga (spelling?) rifles that will convert to AK form if you want to spend some money on something.

On the SKS I like them stock personally. I know they have a short length of pull but you can put a slip on recoil pad on them to give an extra inch or so. I've tricked out so many guns at some point you realize they are more functional in their original form. SKS being one of these. Use to have one I got for $89 Norinco with the spike Bayo on it.

TAPCO makes a 20 round detachable mag that works pretty well. They are easy to swap without any serious complications. Whatever you do, stay away from the USA 30 round metal mags. They totally suck!

I had a dozen of them and they were dead nuts reliable and mostly good shooters. Got rid of them because I made a tonne of money on them but I don't regret owning any of them for a second.

The worst shooter was just over an inch.

I will swear to you my Norinco SKS with the Norinco ammo they imported along with them would shoot real good. I could shoot groups touching at 50 with irons regularly.

That's what I have and that's what it does.

aint there some law about customizing them. And the parts have to be american and something about adding some numbers up to be in compliance. Dont think they enforce it, but i remember reading about it when i was considering customizing mine.

Yep... 922R

that may very well be the stupidest law I have ever read.