question about an SKS, the AWB, and C&R

[IrishPirate]

My buddy was recently offered a Chinese SKS of unknown date in a trade. The guy said he thinks it's a 1966, but isn't sure. Obviously my friend would like to avoid an FFL if possible, so he wants to find out if it's C&R eligible before he pays a DROS fee. Any good links to help him find out based on serial numbers?

Also, i know the AWB on SKS's applies to "SKS with detachable magazine" and i know that not every SKS is a true SKS (ie: Yugo's). I'm not sure if this one has a detachable mag, but if it does, are the Chinese varients true SKS's?? If so, and if it does have a DM, and if it is C&R eligible, would that affect the deal if the guy never registered it as an AW? (I'm only assuming that he didn't register it since he's offering it to trade and never mentioned it being an RAW to my buddy) If the deal goes through and then my buddy finds out it's an AW, what legal obligations would he have? (I know, I know....great to to exercise your right to STFU....but still)

lots of "what if's", i know....hopefully you guys can help me find the final pieces to this puzzle so i can steer my buddy down the right track. The gun is apparently in excellent condition and he's really excited to get it, but he doesn't want to end up breaking any laws.

[0321jarhead]

Have you checked this out? http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf

[Bobby Ricigliano]

My buddy was recently offered a Chinese SKS of unknown date in a trade. The guy said he thinks it's a 1966, but isn't sure. Obviously my friend would like to avoid an FFL if possible, so he wants to find out if it's C&R eligible before he pays a DROS fee. Any good links to help him find out based on serial numbers?

Also, i know the AWB on SKS's applies to "SKS with detachable magazine" and i know that not every SKS is a true SKS (ie: Yugo's). I'm not sure if this one has a detachable mag, but if it does, are the Chinese varients true SKS's?? If so, and if it does have a DM, and if it is C&R eligible, would that affect the deal if the guy never registered it as an AW? (I'm only assuming that he didn't register it since he's offering it to trade and never mentioned it being an RAW to my buddy) If the deal goes through and then my buddy finds out it's an AW, what legal obligations would he have? (I know, I know....great to to exercise your right to STFU....but still)

lots of "what if's", i know....hopefully you guys can help me find the final pieces to this puzzle so i can steer my buddy down the right track. The gun is apparently in excellent condition and he's really excited to get it, but he doesn't want to end up breaking any laws.

A Chinese 1966 SKS would need to go through a FFL01 / 10 day wait if purchased inside CA.

An SKS with detachable magazine is banned by name in CA, therefore is either a RAW, or URAW.

[IrishPirate]

Have you checked this out? http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf

Yes...doesn't answer the questions I'm asking...

A Chinese 1966 SKS would need to go through a FFL01 / 10 day wait if purchased inside CA.

An SKS with detachable magazine is banned by name in CA, therefore is either a RAW, or URAW.

Not at all what I was asking...I addressed those concerns myself

[timdps]

Not at all what I was asking...I addressed those concerns myself

There is no way to legally verify the year of manufacture for any Chinese SKS by serial number or any other method.

Unless the Chinese SKS is from the very recent batch imported by Century, which have been sitting in a verifyable somewhere for 50+ years, the rifle will need to go through an FFL.

Tim

[IrishPirate]

There is no way to legally verify the year of manufacture for any Chinese SKS by serial number or any other method.

Unless the Chinese SKS is from the very recent batch imported by Century, which have been sitting in a verifyable somewhere for 50+ years, the rifle will need to go through an FFL.

Tim

ok, that's very interesting...strange, but interesting. so does that mean no Chinese SKS will be C&R eligible except the ones imported by Century??

[OniKoroshi]

Until ATF makes them C&R you are pretty much correct. Sino soviet ones like the recent imports are C&R

[Justin Case]

ok, that's very interesting...strange, but interesting. so does that mean no Chinese SKS will be C&R eligible except the ones imported by Century??

It's not strange. It is well known in the collector's community that Chinese SKSs later than circa 1957 are not C&R per ATF edict. The reason is that the Chinese did not follow any logical numbering/dating system with post Sino-Soviet models. Therefore date verification via serial number is not possible with most Chinese SKSs.

Separately, the current crop imported by Century were initially thought to be Sino-Soviet, but when examined they turned out to be Sino-Albanian. The ATF apparently judged this lot specifically and approved them for C&R.

That's the facts as I have discerned them currently. If anyone knows different, please feel free to weigh in.

[IrishPirate]

It's not strange. It is well known in the collector's community that Chinese SKSs later than circa 1957 are not C&R per ATF edict.

if i were part of the collector community, do you think I would ask the question?

Thank you for the rest of your response, it was helpful.

[ham]

if your not sure on the rifle's exact year, a $30 DROS saves $100's in legal fees JMO.

as far as IDing the serial, this may help:

http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=26665

[bohoki]

if it has the duck bull detachable just buy it without magazine if it uses ak mags run fast in opposite direction