Question for the SKS experts

[Flyin Brian]

I'm not much of an SKS freak so I need some help figuring out what I've got here.

Today I was at a gun store and fondled what looked like an original unrefurbed Russian SKS. The confusing part was the import stamp said China! The receiver cover had a Tula star with a date of 1953. The metal finish was very worn, the receiver was probably 25% finish remaining. All the numbers matched, including the stock. Oh and it did not have the normal shellac I usually see on a Russian SKS. I took it apart and the firing pin was free floating and the extractor was electro pencil matched as was the gas tube. The entire bolt was completely packed with cosmolene... I'm talking filled! The bore is chrome and pretty!

So can anyone shed some light on this SKS? I've heard of Sino-Soviet but don't know what the features look like. This appears to me to be a Russian that ended up in China and got imported with the Norincos. Oh and the shop was asking $359 for it and said they had just got it from a distributer.

Also saw a Norinco at another shop for $259, only issue was a missing bayo.

[knucklehead0202]

china didn't make 'em that early, it's a 53 Tula that ended up in China, not the strangest thing to ever happen. if you can get it for 359 get it, or someone else will. some norincos were sold without bayonets. I think only 50-51 SKS's had spring-loaded firing pins, until later on that is. I have a 52, my brother has a 53, my dad has a 54 and all are floating. if you can get it, get it, they will be harder and harder to get good deals on.

[TRAP55]

The receiver cover had a Tula star with a date of 1953

Are you sure it isn't a Norinco with a Russian cover?
Was the import stamp from CAI?
And where's the pics?

[OniKoroshi]

I've seen a few Russian sks' marked china in the recent IO imports.

Side of frame has Russian serial number and one even had a Tula star.

[6mmintl]

What you have is a perfect specimen for the Sac Valley Mil-surp Silhouette rifle SKS team match.

Now load up some 150's and seat those bullets way out and see what it can do at 400 and 550 yards.

[NOTABIKER]

buy it

[Flyin Brian]

Are you sure it isn't a Norinco with a Russian cover?
Was the import stamp from CAI?
And where's the pics?

it was definitely Russian. it had the typical 2 letter/4 number serial like BP1234 stamped on the left side of the receiver and the same number on the trigger group, magazine, rear of the top cover, etc.

the one thing that threw me off was the stock. it didn't look like normal Russian, maybe due to the lack of shellac. IIRC, the stock did not have a Tula star. just the serial number but no line outs.

I may go back and grab it today. I don't really need another one but since it doesn't appear to be a refurb, maybe it's worth a kettle more than they're asking?

I also found a nice Marlin 336 in 30-30 with a decent bushnell scope for $290. that was hard to walk away from.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Kinsel83]

I agree with notabiker, buy it and post pics.

[knucklehead0202]

I can guarantee it won't last long at that price, get while the gettin's good.

[frahuang]

Go back and buy it today!!

[Dan_Eastvale]

Also very curious who the importer is.