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Re-barrel for an SKS??

Defecater

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 11, 2020
Member Number
2283
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91
Got an SKS-M several years ago. I really like the thumbhole stock and AK mag usage, but the accuracy is awful. Figured I was going to wait for the next panic to unload it, but maybe I should take a crack at fixing it instead. Where is a good place to get a replacement barrel, and will it require the services of a gunsmith to change it out??
 
TheRedHorseman said:
If you have to ask, you probably need a gunsmith. The SKS barrel isn't held in by a big nut like the AR, it is either threaded into the receiver or pinned like an AK (could be either on a norinco). Rebarreling one really isn't something your average Joe can take on with regular hand tools.

How bad is the accuracy? The SKS was never really known for amazing accuracy. Have you tried other ammo brands? Is the muzzle crown damaged?
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What he said. Check ammo and crown. If it wasn't an M model it probably wouldn't even be worth talking about fixing. Just replace with another rifle.

Are you shooting with the stock iron sights or is one of the many crappy optic mounts available for the SKS involved? Mine had a bunch of bolt on crap when I got it. Put it back to stock and it does pretty well.
 
I realize accuracy is not a strong point with an SKS. I will readily admit that I am not a great shooter either, but running through a 30 roung mag and getting maybe 2-3 hits on a paper plate at roughly 75 yards tells me that the problem is rifle and not me. Had a couple of friends over and had them take it for a spin. Same results for them as well. Crown looks good to me.
 
My M was a good shooter for an SKS. Would ring an 18" gong at 200 yards consistently without breaking a sweat. Groups under 3" at 100 yards.

You didn't say whether an optic and mount was involved. They are pretty much universally garbage at holding zero. Unless you drill and tap the receiver you will have issues. I would just leave any SKS with open sights.

Not sure where you would find a new type M specific barrel. These weren't military rifles so there's no surplus on the market

Standard SKS pinned on barrel:

https://www.sarcoinc.com/sks-barrel-stripped-pin-type/


I would run some copper and lead solvent through it and make sure it is clean as can be. Then inspect the rifling for wear or damage.
Have you done a bullet test on the muzzle to see how much of the bullet slips into the muzzle end?

If it's really worn out or damaged, then I would probably send it down the line.

FYI all 7.62 x 39 is not created equal some of the Russian surplus is worse than others. Wolf is usually not the best for accuracy, but it's pretty consistent.
 
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Iron sights. Had a cheap scope and mount on it when I bought it. Didnt take long to figure out that they were total crap, but taking them off made no difference that I could tell. Just a quick test of bullet in muzzle seems to be pretty tight. Got a local gun show coming up this weekend. I will see what I can find to give barrel a thourough cleaning. Any product to recommend??
 
IEATRKS84 said:
SKS's can have either a screw in barrel or a press in barrel. Pretty sure most Chinese SKSs came with screw in barrels. I tried putting a random screw in barrel into an SKS stripped receiver once and it did not go well. Could not get it to time right or head space correctly. Ive read somewhere you can use shims to do it. But i still have the receiver after a few years and it will probably stay stripped.
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It's super easy to time a screw in bbl. On my FAL the thread pitch is 1"-16, so 16 rotations per inch. 0.062 per 360 degrees. If the barrel times halfway off, either add .031 in shim or turn off .031 from the barrel flange face. McMaster has a 10 pack of .005 shims for $10, makes it easy. https://www.mcmaster.com/97022A341/
 
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