Need AK help please

[Matt_yz125]

I just picked up a AK, it's got a full syenthic stock on it. I want to go back to the wood pieces and the pistol grip. Also should this have the gas rod on the front? It has a hole for it but no rod? How do I remove the stock and I'll make my way to the market place to get the wood parts later. Are they all the same? Or is there something I should look for? Also where the mags should go this had a like "built in mag"? It's weird? Can I remove this and put a regular mag in it? I will attach photos. Is there any markings I should be looking for also?

[Matt_yz125]

I have added two photos

[304tmt]

Let's start with some pictures. It really depends on what you really have.

[joe_gman]

So you have an SKS with a synthetic stock. Not an AK.

Is this supposed to be a troll thread?

[Matt_yz125]

So you have an SKS with a synthetic stock. Not an AK.

Is this supposed to be a troll thread?

not at all. sorry for the ignorance but I just picked it up from a buddy. he told me he had a AK when I got there I was like this isnt a AK but I wasn't sure? but this answers my question

Thank you very much. just wondering how did you know that?

[ucsc slug]

not at all. sorry for the ignorance but I just picked it up from a buddy. he told me he had a AK when I got there I was like this isnt a AK but I wasn't sure? but this answers my question

Thank you very much. just wondering how did you know that?

my guess is that the guy who told you that it was an SKS has telepathic senses.

google images of the SKS and an AK and you'll see the differences.

[joe_gman]

I have both AK's and SKS's in my collection. The SKS is in my opinion one of the best inexpensive surplus rifles out there. First you need to see if it is a Russian or a Chinese SKS. Russians are generally more collectable. I recommend purchasing a wood SKS stock for it and put it back into its original non-bubba configuration. There is a small button behind the trigger that you use a bullet or screwdriver to release the trigger group and then you can remove the stock.

[Matt_yz125]

Thanks for the info. so is it still a good buy for 400?

[Quiet]

I just picked up a AK, it's got a full syenthic stock on it. I want to go back to the wood pieces and the pistol grip. Also should this have the gas rod on the front? It has a hole for it but no rod? How do I remove the stock and I'll make my way to the market place to get the wood parts later. Are they all the same? Or is there something I should look for? Also where the mags should go this had a like "built in mag"? It's weird? Can I remove this and put a regular mag in it? I will attach photos. Is there any markings I should be looking for also?

SKS in aftermarket synthetic stock.
The markings on it will tell you the manufacturer.
But since it's missing the bayonet, speculations run high that it's a Norinco (Chinese) SKS imported during the 1990s.
If it is a Norinco SKS; they sell in the $250-450, depending on condition/accessories, in the rest of the USA.

The fixed magazine is the stock magazine and needs to remain on there in order to be CA legal.
SKS that use detachable magazines are considered assault weapons under the Roberti-Roos AWB of 1989. [PC 30510(a)(11)]
So, don't replace it.


Penal Code 30510
As used in this chapter and in Sections 16780, 17000, and 27555, "assault weapon" means the following designated semiautomatic firearms:
(a) All of the following specified rifles:
(11) SKS with detachable magazine.

[ucsc slug]

SKS do not take standard AK magazines, they have what people call "duck bill" mags and are fixed into the rifle and cannot be removed without disassembly of the rifle. you can buy SKS stocks on eBay or other online retailers. SKS stocks and AK stocks are not interchangeable, they are completely different from each other. the SKS does NOT use a pistol grip like an AK

there should be a marking on the top of the receiver cover or along the receiver. if it has a /26\ it is a Chinese SKS but i think it might be Russian but it's too hard to tell.

hope this helps.

[Matt_yz125]

I added a photo of the markings on it

[Matt_yz125]

those look like Chinese markings

[Marquand]

I just picked up a AK, it's got a full syenthic stock on it. I want to go back to the wood pieces and the pistol grip. Also should this have the gas rod on the front? It has a hole for it but no rod? How do I remove the stock and I'll make my way to the market place to get the wood parts later. Are they all the same? Or is there something I should look for? Also where the mags should go this had a like "built in mag"? It's weird? Can I remove this and put a regular mag in it? I will attach photos. Is there any markings I should be looking for also?

As stated before, your rifle is an SKS, not an AK. It's currently in an aftermarket synthetic stock.

Yes, you can put a wood stock similar to the original back onto it but the original stock did not have a pistol grip. I'm not sure what "hole" you are referring to regarding the gas rod but from the pics your rifle looks complete to me, short of the folding bayonet that it may or may not have originally had.

Your rifle's current fixed magazine is correct and I recommend you leave it as is. Detachable magazine SKS rifles or fixed magazine rifles altered to take detachable magazines are not legal in CA as they are specifically named as Assault Weapons.

Not sure what you intend to discover with markings as you obviously didn't buy this rifle as a collector but as a shooter. It might be helpful to know what country made your rifle but other than that, it's doubtful that it's rare or highly valuable as millions of these were made by several Eastern bloc countries, China, and Russia.

Don't be disheartened that your new acquisition isn't an AK. The SKS is a rock solid, reliable, and fun rifle to own and shoot. Just double check that you took possession of it legally and that it's functional before you take it to the range.

[Marquand]

Just saw your pic of the markings...definitely Chinese.

Be sure to check that the free floating firing pin is actually free floating and not stuck forward with cosmoline or crud...I've witnessed an SKS go into slamfire mode and dump it's mag into the ceiling of a gun store back in the 90's. Not a good time.

[joe_gman]

I added a photo of the markings on it

Definitely Chinese. I would say that $400 is a bit high for that rifle. If the bore is shiny and clean, enjoy it as a shooter. They are fun rifles.