SKS question?

[Cobrafreak]

Why replace that stock? The thing looks sweet! I swapped my wood stock out for a Tapco T6 and I want to switch it back now.

That is because T6 stocks are fugly! Just kidding lol. I used to run a T6 myself. Ram Line makes a sweet polymer stock that is a copy of the original wood stock but is lengthened about 2". Love mine. Here is a picture of my SKS "SOCOM": It is NOT an SKS, but rather a Zastiva M59/66, which is basically a "off list SKS". It is 922r compliant and I can run detachable magazines as it is featureless AND off list. BTW, this is a Tapco 10/20 magazine.

[The right]

My understanding from my buddy who is a criminal defense attorney and extensive weapon collector is that you can do whatever you want to an SKS in terms of accessories and replacement stocks as long as you keep the 10 round fixed magazine.

Stripper clips work pretty damn good too, infact I feel I can load those faster than I can the SKS mags. You just have to make sure that you put your finger at the base of the bullet.

[bigthaiboy]

That is because T6 stocks are fugly! Just kidding lol. I used to run a T6 myself. Ram Line makes a sweet polymer stock that is a copy of the original wood stock but is lengthened about 2". Love mine. Here is a picture of my SKS "SOCOM": It is NOT an SKS, but rather a Zastiva M59/66, which is basically a "off list SKS". It is 922r compliant and I can run detachable magazines as it is featureless AND off list. BTW, this is a Tapco 10/20 magazine.

It specifically mentions the following the following modifications of :

1. Replace the existing stock and handguard with a non-folding wooden or synthetic stock having either a Monte Carlo or thumbhole design.

2. Attach a muzzle mounted recoil compensator, provided that the device is not also designed as a flash suppressor.

As for the "Zastava M59/66 is not a SKS so can therefore have detachable magazines" argument, I am not prepared to spend my entire life's savings on lawyers trying to convince a DA and judge in court DURING my felony AW trial, that a Yugo M59/66 is NOT a SKS, just to set this as precedence. A SKS works perfectly well with stripper clips.

[Cobrafreak]

As for the "Zastava M59/66 is not a SKS so can therefore have detachable magazines" argument, I am not prepared to spend my entire life's savings on lawyers trying to convince a DA and judge in court DURING my felony AW trial, that a Yugo M59/66 is NOT a SKS, just to set this as precedence. A SKS works perfectly well with stripper clips.[/QUOTE]

I think the argument would hold up very well that a Zastiva M59/66 is not an SKS. SKS's have "SKS" on them. Zastiva M59/66's have "M59/66" on them. It is clearly an off list receiver as Zastiva M59/66 is not on any assault weapons ban list. They can't add anymore weapons to the list. The names of the weapons that are on the assault weapons ban lists need to match to the letter. This gun is as CA legal as anyone using an off list AR rifle of any kind in CA. End of story.

[bigthaiboy]

I think the argument would hold up very well that a Zastiva M59/66 is not an SKS. SKS's have "SKS" on them. Zastiva M59/66's have "M59/66" on them. It is clearly an off list receiver as Zastiva M59/66 is not on any assault weapons ban list. They can't add anymore weapons to the list. The names of the weapons that are on the assault weapons ban lists need to match to the letter. This gun is as CA legal as anyone using an off list AR rifle of any kind in CA. End of story.

Hardly. It is widely excepted that off-list AR and AKs are legal in CA, but if M59/66s are off-list, how come every M59 and M59/66 owner aren't using detachable mags?

Unless you can show me a letter from CA DoJ or BATF confirming this, or any other reliable source to confirm that a M59/66 is not an SKS, then I prefer to keep my magazine fixed, because having a detachable magazine on my SKS is not important to me. I would prefer not to have to waste my time and resources fighting this issue in court, and keep my gun ownership rights the next time I get pulled over on a routine traffic stop.

I'm not suggesting you are breaking the law, I would just prefer to see more clarification before determining whether this is the gospel truth as far as off-list and M59/66s are concerned. So far the only people I have heard say M59/66s are off-list are a small number of people on Calguns (of which I suspect, none of which are lawyers).

[Nick1236]

I think the argument would hold up very well that a Zastiva M59/66 is not an SKS. SKS's have "SKS" on them. Zastiva M59/66's have "M59/66" on them. It is clearly an off list receiver as Zastiva M59/66 is not on any assault weapons ban list. They can't add anymore weapons to the list. The names of the weapons that are on the assault weapons ban lists need to match to the letter. This gun is as CA legal as anyone using an off list AR rifle of any kind in CA. End of story.

So if I machine my own AR-15 lower and call it something else I can run detachable mags and have all the evil features I want simply because my gun isnt on the ban list by name? Be realistic here, your probably not gonna win that argument.

[twinjetguy]

So if I machine my own AR-15 lower and call it something else I can run detachable mags and have all the evil features I want simply because my gun isnt on the ban list by name? Be realistic here, your probably not gonna win that argument.

Someone needs to take a look at the flow chart and ban list

It clearly states that even if HAVE a off list lower, you are not allowed to run detachable mags if you have evil features. The only way you can run detachable mags is if your gun does not have evil features.

I own a Yugo M59 myself. I can see the argument that people are making because technically, it is not a SKS. At the same time, come on really? Is it worth the risk? I myself think not that is why my SKS, oooops I mean Yugo still has the fixed mag. You can say all you want how it is legal, or show me a letter from the DOJ...Do you think that will stop a police officer from confiscating your SKS...ooooops I mean Yugo if he believes it is illegal? Nope.

[Cobrafreak]

OK, I see your point on the almighty DOJ letter. I am fixing my magazine until this matter is finished. This will be a smart move, thank you. Is there a set format that I should frame the letter as? Would anyone here care to collaborate on a letter to the DOJ?

[bigthaiboy]

I'm guessing the DoJ probably wouldn't want to give an opinion, because it may undermine the enforcement of their ban. But how about a ruling from the BATF? They have replied to many enquiries and answered in writing several letters of clarification on the SKS, for members of the Survivors SKS Board.

Might also be worth starting a thread to ask Survivors members for an opinion on whether the M59/66 is an SKS or not. If they support the theory that a Yugo M59/66 is not an SKS, it may give you a lot of technical and historical information on the M59/66 which may prove useful in writing an argument on the status of the Zavasta M59 & M59/66.

[Full Clip]

Might also be worth starting a thread to ask Survivors members for an opinion on whether the M59/66 is an SKS or not. If they support the theory that a Yugo M59/66 is not an SKS, it may give you a lot of technical and historical information on the M59/66 which may prove useful in writing an argument on the status of the Zavasta M59 & M59/66.

(1) They will just laugh at you for being from CA and worrying about such things.
(2) Their opinion will mean squat when writing a legal argument.

[bigthaiboy]

(1) They will just laugh at you for being from CA and worrying about such things.

(2) Their opinion will mean squat when writing a legal argument.

1: I used to spend a lot of time at the Survivors forum. They are not as anti-CA as you seem to think they are. It's not ARF.com

2: I always think it does absolutely no harm in coming to a project armed with as much information as possible. There are some very knowledgeable SKS fanatics on that board.

Instead of being so negative, perhaps you could give some constructive advice.

[echo1]

The SKS guys aren't gun snobs. They've got solid data that they are more than willing to share, and by their own admittance, it's up to you to decide how to use the info. The "general" rules for Kali are that you can do what ever you want to a SKS family weapon but no deatachable mag or excess of 10 rds, no folding stock. 922r compliancy is up to you. Possesion of non 922r firearm is not the issue, whom ever did the modification is liable for compliance.