The Rare Chinese Stamped Receiver SKS

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In 1970 and 1971, China experimented with a stamped-receiver version of the SKS. About 6,000 of these rifles were made each of the two years, and a number of them have come into the US as commercial exports.
We don't have any official records from China about this program, but it seems clear that this was an experiment to reduce the production cost of what was originally a relatively expensive, time consuming rifle to make. It's easy to think of the SKS as cheap because of the prices they Brough in the US for many years, but in truth the SKS was a very 1940s sort of design with all milled parts. It is only the massive economy of scale from Chinese production capacity that made them cheap on the American market.
Anyway, circe 1970 China experimented with this stamped design, as well as a cast receiver. The stamped guns are most easily distinguished by the two rivets connecting the front trunnion to the receiver, which are half visible above the line of the stock. This example was made by factory 0138, but examples are also documented form factories 0139, 0144, and 0145. The only dates known are 70 and 71. In addition to the stamped receiver, these guns use cast rear sight blocks and gas blocks.
Thanks to Christian for lending me this cool rare version of the SKS to film for you!
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
6281 N. Oracle 36270
Tucson, AZ 85740

[@Nathan-jh1ho]

The PLA had some weird love with the SKS. They claim it was more accurate than the AK. It remained the main infantry rifle while the AK was designated as a "submachine gun". When they went to war with Vietnam, getting out gunned by AKs (including their own), they figured out it wasn't a great idea, and created the Type 81 as the new standard rifle. Which is an upgraded AK with SKS characteristics

[@zchen27]

Granted, they used the SKS all the way until then because the replacement rifle, the Type 63, was mechanically so unreliable and maintenance heavy that people literally rioted to get the SKS back.

[@tomhenry897]

Had the factory set up to make China couldn’t afford to arm everyone with AKs

[@tricolorLViola]

@@tomhenry897 I have read a report that the Type 56 is cheaper than the SKS because it uses less wood

[@beargillium2369]

​@@greenglassrecycling is it?

[@poppyhaze6613]

its important to remember the doctrine of the Chinese Army and the historical circumstances. China had been stuck as a backwards creeping colony for a century. The country was badly underdeveloped, and they had just won a war with guerilla tactics and fought another to a stalemate with a superpower with 1930s-1940s surplus. Mao's doctrine of protracted people's war meant the idea of the Chinese infantryman would be someone fighting a defensive war, close to their home, and waiting in ambush. They don't need the suppressive power, they need slow, methodical, accurate fire. And this mindset lasted until, like you mentioned, the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979, when fusillades of Vietnamese AK fire showed the PLA just how much had changed from WWII.

[@DaremoKamen]

Imagine some country that fell in love with the M1 carbine and kept producing it as a service gun into the 70s and came up with a stamped receiver for it.

[@1lovesoni]

Plenty of minor groups developed a bizarre fascination with the M1/M2 Carbines. The Cuban guerrillas under Che, Black Panthers, and the SLA (who kidnapped Patty Hearst) being 3 quick examples. Though in the second case I suspect it had a lot to do with the M1 availability in the US and the third group likely appreciated the ease of full-auto conversion.

[@DaremoKamen]

@@1lovesoni Yes, but none of them actually manufactured carbines. I was having a little fun, I can't think of any country that manufactured carbines for their own military or police since they could get them so easily from the US govt. The Dominican Republic may have used the cartridge but had a completely different design. By the 70's those same countries would have getting more modern arms by purchase or as aid.

[@1lovesoni]

@@DaremoKamen They're still used/issued surprisingly often in the Philippines. Most nations got them from the US, but Japan actually produced many of their own M1 carbines after WW2.

[@1lovesoni]

@edgarburlyman738 Somalia tried to make a bizarre 7.62x39 M1 carbine in the for their military in the 80s. They got Gordon Ingram to build multiple protypes as the "Westarm" rifle. I'm pretty sure Ian has a video about them. They spent multiple millions on the project but it ultimately failed due to corruption.

[@Widembois]

@@1lovesoni I always thought the black panthers’ use of the M1 was a tribute to that famous picture of Malcolm X in Life magazine

[@DukeOnkled]

I have a Chinese SKS from the 60s and it runs like a dream. You want a no-frills gets-the-job-done rifle, you can't go wrong with an SKS.

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

We want the Type 63

[@buildingblocks51]

Can anyone else hear that? Its the sound of 1000's of SKS hitting Gun Broker with outrageous asking prices and headlined, "RARE! No Lowballers! I know what I got!"

[@tonytony3828]

I have one.. Got it for nearly nothing at all. I cannot say I could live with myself if I tried to sell it to someone! Haha. I would really rather stick with the milled variety.

[@texaspatriot9159]

​@@tonytony3828 Yes 1000% my milled sks is built like a tank

[@kantemirovskaya1lightninga30]

thinking I might have one... will need to check them all!

[@xpreame3406]

I had a 1965-ish SKS bought when they were initially imported and cheap. The only gun I regret selling...,

[@bickboose9364]

bot

[@d.thorpe2046]

i hear that from so many people

[@imk2007]

As an SKS enjoyer, this is really cool

[@robosoldier11]

funny enough I bought a type 56 simply out of kinda a fling when i visited a local pawn shop. Sold them for 300 bucks and was covered in cosmaline back in 2020. Really can't complain especially in how well made it actually is.

[@drewt1081]

I loved my SKS's. Thousands of steel core rounds through them(back in the '90's) $79 for rifle, and $79 for 1200 rounds of steel core, what a deal. I also used to be impressed by their accuracy, put every shot in an 8" circle at 265 yards w/iron sites. Used to joke with friends not to run from somebody with one, they'll hit you with every shot(almost no recoil).

[@Ni999]

Had a good one at the same time and can confirm, 8" steel target at 200 yards, Iron sights - was like ringing a bell. 👍

[@chevyvet69]

Absolutely I love my Chinaman I bought mine back in the day also for $80 it cleaned with a complete cleaning kit and like you say extra rounds of steel cord penetrators lol

[@somebrains5431]

The Big5 special.

[@mfreund15448]

It was a great time to be a teen! A friend and I would shoot 1200 rounds in a week back then.

[@DukeOnkled]

Lord almighty, 79 bucks for the rifle?! I had to shell out over 400 for mine! Times've gotten tough...

[@WastedTalent-]

My dad has one of these that he bought for $89 each back in the 80's. They were in plastic bags, packed in grease and new/unused. It's his favorite rifle for plinking.

[@warpig372]

I still have mine from also.

[@levinlevinallday]

Funny thing is those stamped receiver guns had milled top covers while the arsenal 974 guns had stamped top covers and milled receivers.

[@cokdnlokd1238]

I have a couple of SKS ( both for 78$ in early 80s) and they are an excellent coyote gun and a lot of fun to shoot.

[@Basedlocation]

Do you think the vietcong prefered the sks or ak ?

[@andrewpiegzik4121]

Love that the stock cracking was a known 'Feature'.

[@mk760fan3]

I have one of these stamped receiver SKS rifles. When I got it, it was in a plastic aftermarket stock. Your explanation gives me a pretty good idea why now. Also, the plastic ribbed handguard on that one is common to the M21 SKS rifle. It is probably the nicest SKS ever made by the Chinese, beautiful machining, fitting and bluing. It would rival the quality of the Russian SKS.

[@Toolness1]

The first couple year production Chinese SKS rifles were nicer than Russian SKS rifles IMO.

[@PaulTippit-kn1fj]

Dark red plastic stocks were made by the Chinese and sold as surplus.

[@The.Jordan]

love how you called the stock cracking a "feature"

[@grantmcdonald4657]

Yes, the type 56 - SKS. Not to be confused with the type 56 - AK, or the type 56 - RPD, or the type 56 morter

[@thomashastings5694]

Thanks so much for this review. I've had one of these stamped receiver SKS rifles for a long time now, always wondered about. Now I have some good information on it!!

[@mikecook317]

I bought my Chinese SKS in 1992 for$130. It came with a 440 round can of surplus, corrosive ammo and a gallon zip lock about half full of stripper clips. Super fun times. Mine was pretty heavily worn, with quite a bit of finish wear and lots of nicks and dings. Stupidly, I traded it away several years later. It wound up being one of those that I should have kept. Anyway, these are great rifles. I wonder how hard it would be to restart production? Basically not worth doing, right? Too bad, these are really fun and effective rifles.

[@_Admin_01.]

I know a Russian company is refurbishing old SKSs into a civilian model called the OP-SKS which adds a dovetail mount, I don't think any have made it into the US though.

[@mikecook317]

@@_Admin_01. I figured the capacity may still exist somewhere in the old comm bloc but I don't think they can be imported into the U.S.

[@TheFirstSword]

I still have the Russian-style Chinese SKS my grandfather brought back from Vietnam and it's still a joy to shoot. Restarting production on any out of production firearm is bound to be extremely expensive. What's worse is if it's anything like what happened to the factories that were making the high quality AKs for the US civilian market, those factories are pretty much abandoned.

[@omardevonlittle3817]

a modern sks would be 2k USD. look at the m14s

[@donovanchilton5817]

They’d be great hunting rifles in other calibers. Maybe 6.5G. They’d be too expensive to to be successful tho

[@Refr619]

This is one of my dream gun. I love this gun in any video game. I look at it like the Chinese version of a M1 Garand.

[@DtWolfwood]

I like that a cracking stock is a known "feature" lol

[@roryhennessey8836]

Go for the yugo. I can't imagine the beech wood stock will crack very easily

[@AutomaticHandguns]

$95 in the 90’s you say…

[@Amerus580]

Inflation

[@brettbaker5599]

Yep. FFLs could buy 20 for under $1200.

[@drewt1081]

I have 4 that I paid $79 each in '95. A lot of dealers had crates of them at gun shows.

[@Amerus580]

@@AKguru762 true this

[@rebelscumspeedshop8677]

6 years ago I sold my Norinco 93 in order to buy a new motor for my truck.. a decision that bugs me more and more.😢

[@HalfWarrior]

I have one of these Chinese copies with the same spike bayonet; and love it (cool part was I bought it for $115 bucks somewhere in the late 80s). Thanks Ian, great video!

[@UncleStevie8er]

I seem to remember the buzz at gun shows back in the '80's when SKS were $79-$99 (and cheaper by the case) was to stay away from the stamped rifles and to only buy an SKS with a screwed in barrel. Rumors were the rivets or pins broke in the trunnion and the receivers would crack and the stocks split.

[@robertdonnell8114]

Ian, Forgotten Weapons always has had a bunch of weird stuff that I enjoy learning about. The SKS I know a lot about as I have had many of them. Wish they were still $75.

[@awfultruth6216]

Thank you for sharing. To be honest, this is the first time I have seen a stamped receiver SKS. I have seen many mods on the platform (Detachable magazines/drums, tactical stocks, opticss, caliber change, selective fire mode, removal barrel, etc), but I have never seen a stamped one. Anyway: I think they switched back to the milled because it is just most solid. Simply put: The milled receiver transmits less force (shock) to the stock.

[@rainman2222]

They didn’t end up using stamped receivers because they’re a planned economy, and it doesn’t really matter if they save on costs/manpower. The only reason why they tried out cast and stamped receivers is to save on metal

[@awfultruth6216]

@@rainman2222 We, you don't really save much by casting. The real question is: How much do you really "save" if your products are less durable and end up cracking up? 🤷‍♂️ To be fair and honest: I'm not against using stamped metal, but milled is very often better in terms of durability, capacity to take abuse and shock.

[@rainman2222]

@@awfultruth6216 stamping a receiver, is no less durable than milling it. Anybody who claims that is an arsenal fan boy or just doesn’t understand tensile strength. If milling a receiver is inherently stronger, how come the Soviets didn’t do it? There are several examples of them refusing to cut costs during the production of AK‘s. Why would they decide to save costs on the receiver, one of the most crucial parts of the gun. I agree casting a receiver, especially using Chinese metals is probably not the best idea, however to say that a milled receiver is inherently stronger is flat out wrong

[@rainman2222]

@@awfultruth6216 also I don’t know where your point about a milled receiver transferring less force to the stock came from. Why would milling a receiver make it transfer less force. Maybe you could argue that a thinner receiver would cause more vibrations. however milling a receiver does not mean it will be inherently thicker.

[@awfultruth6216]

@@rainman2222 Factually wrong. Where can I start from? 1) The Soviets MADE milled receivers and they would have kept doing them that way. The switched to stamped mainly due to a matter of cost, then you have the weight of the weapon and the manufacturing skills required. 2) Before calling name and make totally wrong assumptions, I would invite you to tell me how many bent or broken MILLED receivers have you seen in your life. Then compare it to the number of the stamped ones. I have restored several firearms, have seen dozens stamped receivers badly damaged, but a MILLED one is kinda a rarity (In terms of statistics). Tell me about a single firearm available in both stamped and milled form that is more DURABLE and better withstanding shock in its stamped form - al other factors being equal. Just one.

[@apollorobb]

Ive got a 71 and it has a wooden upper hand guard . I believe it s original as the gun was covered in cosmoline when i got it a long time ago . They are def unique mine is a Plant code 144

[@geodkyt]

I didn't recall these rifles, but I've long thought the locking system of the SKS would make it infeasible to do a stamped gun - you'd either have to extend the trunnion *all* the way back to the locking shoulder (which would obviate most of the production advantage of stamping), or you'd have a Hell of a time ensuring headspace was dead on *and* that the locking shoulder was adequately supported so as not to shoot loose too quickly in too many guns. After all, unlike an AK, AR15, or AR18 pattern rifle, the locking surfaces aren't up by the barrel, making a barrel collar or trunnion a fairly easy solution. Now, the reduction in service life i would expect with these from the stampings done to typical Chinese small arms QC would not really be relevant to sales to US customers... but it would be a major issue for a military customer.

[@martinswiney2192]

I was looking at that also as Ian pointed out the extended barrel trunnion. It looks like it is all one piece just riveted in front and spot welded at the locking shoulder. I think thats one piece.

[@owllymannstein7113]

I think you're overestimating how concerned the Chinese are about quality manufacture

[@gnutzguy]

geodkyt: good point but Ian failed to mentioned that there is a small milled receiver within the stamp that ran from the trunnion to the locking shoulder. how do i know bcos im looking at it, lol.

[@xp0079]

@@owllymannstein7113 Anything military related in China was "no expense spared" back then.

[@4IN14094]

​@@xp0079 Well, no expenses spared but at a low budget, China was very poor at that period of time, industrial products usually were fine at the beginning of production but later production articles would suffer from low quality, still, they are dirt cheap at what they are offering.

[@MikeNepo]

Mine ain't stamped, but it is a first year production Jianshe Arsenal rifle. It is way more fun to shoot than I would have ever expected.

[@warlok363]

Part of the six digit /26\ club also.

[@MrBioniclefan1]

I kinda like the looks of the stamped sks rifle

[@risaldar6925]

Today I learned my SKS has a stamped receiver. I thought every other SKS was just like that.

[@michaelb02007]

I remember buying my first Chinese SKS around 1990, and being warned to watch out for stamped receivers.

[@MrBoywonder1985]

The plastic hand guard is called a "French tickler"; you'll find these on more modern versions of the rifle. It's possible that these are replacement parts, as the older SKSs have wooden hand guards.

[@tpumpiscmibicv]

I was about to say, that’s the French tickler hand guard which is not the standard hand guard for the early 70’s. That didn’t become a thing until the late 70’s, I have a 1979

[@marcusott2973]

When condom machines where still a thing I remember something also called a French Tickler. The texture to this handguard seems similar, any relation? 😉

[@huysmans71]

Fascinating, as always. As a bonus, this made me think of the difference between interpolation and extrapolation. 🙏🏻

[@tsuchinokoz5036]

Very cool to see and learn more, had no idea about the trunnion including the rail / ejector

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

I have a parts kit which is a famed stamped copy. It does things differently, not any better or worse.

[@g54b95]

Thanks, Ian! This is neat. I'll have to keep an eye out for one.

[@AshleyPomeroy]

My initial reaction was (a) that's an odd-looking bayonet (b) Steve1989 is back!

[@M14armorer]

I remember when Pawn World in Asheville NC had pallets of SKS rifles, the milled rifles were $99 & the stamped version was $79….

[@phosistkar6425]

that's kinda cool, they used 2 separate pieces of stamped sheet metal spot welded together to make the receiver. I can imagine that could really reduce production cost since you would only need to stamp and cut the segments which could be a single machine process compared to an AK where the receiver is stamped and cut then run through a separate press to bend it into shape.

[@stetonwalters574]

Second best thing to come out of China since Paper

[@TheStraycat74]

Silk... but someone stole it... and Tea!

[@jonseilim4321]

And gunpowder!

[@anduril328]

Do ALL the SKS variations!

[@captainbear6188]

So Ian, when are you going to cover the Norinco Sporter?

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian . 🐺

[@wildweasel8564]

I recently picked up a late production Norinco/Poly Cliton Era SKS for $600. When I got it home to clean it is was still packed with original factory cosmoline and had a pristine bore. At the range it shoots strait at 25 yard with the rear sight set to 200m.

[@Ostenjager]

The Chinese Type 56, not to be confused with the other Type 56 rifle, Type 56 tank, or Type 56 ship. Type 56 is the Chinese equivalent of the US designation M1.

[@sargentriley5091]

I love my sks great fun to shoot so learning more is always fun for me

[@notthistimenet]

I believe the milled receiver usually has a threaded bbl screwed in, rather than a pressed bbl into the receiver.

[@burnyburnoutze2nd]

I have one of these. Same factory code and year, 3000ish later serial number than this one. Has original matching stock and the upper handguard has wood. Only issue is some bubba drilled and tapped the original matching dust cover (albeit rather cleanly). Never seen one like it in Canada save for one other on gunpost, so it was a no brainer.

[@reloader7sixtwo]

The Chinese made a lot of different variation of SKS rifles, standard rifles, stamped receivers, SKS Hunter with flush floor plate a scoped version called the Farmer's Friend, and versions that took detachable box mags or AK mags. They also made a shorter version called the Paratrooper SKS. I was lucky to run across a 1965 Arsenal /26\ new in the box some years ago and it's a great shooting rifle.

[@getno9969]

SKS superiority

[@imk2007]

Based

[@jesscobb2279]

I got excited real quick watching this. However my Norinco SKS receiver is definitely milled. Oh well, very cool to find out they tried stamping and casting parts. Great video as always. BTW, I finished the restoration of the LE M16 8mm Lebel French 1917 trench rifle.

[@juliepura4976]

We have an SKS with no serial number on it !! Often have wondered as to how old it might be !

[@Banned_and_Redacted]

couldnt be part of the first batch of 1955s aka a ghost variant if its chinese

[@wilcoxtactical3716]

Very cool to see. I have a late production chinese Norinco sks that has a pressed in barrel instead of the typical threaded versions. Although not as strong its cool to see.

[@mikecook317]

I caught this one at 2 minutes old! Hi Ian!

[@CamoGuy76239]

Until today, I didn't even know there were stamped receiver SKS's... I know someone with an SKS and now I'm curious to know if it's a milled or stamped...

[@MM-cs5wf]

Ian, your videos are always excellent

[@benjaminphipps8325]

Aesthetically my fav gun

[@codymansfield7358]

We need more content on Chinese firearms. I understand it’s hard to get your hands on Chinese firearms in the states besides commercial SKS/AK.

[@drg5352]

I have a Chinese Mosin; an M1944 Carbine copy. T53? I think is the designation. It's much nicer looking than any Russian Mosin I've seen, probably never saw combat. I haven't had time to take it out though; time is something that is always in short supply. My Norinco SKS isn't a stamped one. I just checked after seeing part of the video.

[@Regulareverydaynormalguy1]

Another good video Ian!

[@thundercatt5265]

One of first rifles was a SKS

[@ziggyz2958]

Never seen one of these before. Very cool thanks for sharing.

[@ScottKenny1978]

I had no clue that the Chinese had made a stamped SKS! 🤯 I shouldn't be surprised that it exists, see also stamped AKM, but the small production runs confuse me. Stamping takes a lot of set up money to start, then you make that cost back by the greatly-reduced machining on the stamped parts. Only cranking out 10k a year isn't really enough to make the investment in the stamping dies pay off.

[@christinepearson5788]

I wish the importation of SKS's had not been curtailed. Very nice truck rifle

[@SW-ii5gg]

I know, and the manufacturers moving to China was the biggest threat to the US that would ever take place, along with the import of addictive substances that make their way in.

[@christinepearson5788]

@@SW-ii5gg ? Russia gave China the TDP for SKS prior to Sino-Chinese split (along with the rest of Warsaw-Pact). The Chinese manufacturers of SKS didn't move there: they were indigenous. Norinco is a Chinese manufacturering concern like DWM was prior to WWI

[@SW-ii5gg]

@@christinepearson5788 I'm talking about the import bans and the US manufacturing that hurt many of us along with CCP money gains.

[@crazyfvck]

Neat :) I had no idea that anyone ever produced a stamped SKS.

[@gamebriz4163]

Before gun control hit us in Australia in 1996 I owned several Norico SKS's an SKK's great semi auto rifles👌

[@johnschofield9496]

Thanks Ian, as always !

[@onmilo]

Back in the day, Dealers knew if we were ordering $79 wholesale "Commercial" SKS they were stamped guns and the $99-$119 rifles were going to be milled guns. It would not shock me if your speculated 15,000 gun, three year run were sent to the United States and Canada as "Commercial" Grade SKS rifles. HTH.

[@jcorbo7518]

THE rifle of Elbonia following their mausers with ridiculous recoil. Adopted in 1959

[@robertkalinic335]

I dont understand why some people think Elbonia joke is funny, just leave it die already please.

[@donovanchilton5817]

This rifle is far too good for the Elbonian military.

[@cvytnioy56dvfuj4g7]

Had a Russian SKS many years ago, thousands of rounds and zero malfunctions. A very handy rifle. I wish I still had it

[@kellykorte2981]

I remember bins of those selling for $50 back in the 90s, you could also buy a Russian Tula type 45 for $100.

[@deuscaffeum526]

I just checked my SKS for this. Nope its a milled receiver export model. No bayonet either. I think the mount was cut and ground smooth and the parkerising fixed. It has a chrome bore. Shoots great, its my go to for a medium knock around rifle. The first two of my SN is 10. So I wonder if the year is always the first two.

[@moehoward01]

I wonder if the leading "1" is a badly struck "7" or is simply a bit worn?

[@kirkmooneyham]

Just when you think you'd heard everything about the SKS, Ian finds something to surprise you with.

[@leepalmer1210]

Unpopular opinion, SKS is better rifle than AK. I like both platforms, however the SKS is more accurate, more resistant to mud and adverse conditions and it just seem more pleasant to shoot, which is odd since same caliber. My old complaint about SKS rifles are that now the cost to much and the stock is to short. But stock can be swapped.

[@donovanchilton5817]

Not only unpopular, but objectively wrong. Good on ye.

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

Stock might fit a short person, just fine. Or wear body armor? AK-47 is a different design concept to meet somewhat different criteria. Both have their uses.

[@leepalmer1210]

@@donovanchilton5817 care to elaborate?

[@leepalmer1210]

@@libraeotequever3pointoh95 I mentioned I like both. But in terms of lower recoil, more accuracy and netter ergonomics I think the SKS is superior. A better safety and a better charging handle being two examples

[@bruceinoz8002]

A few of these made it to Australia before the sky fell in. Most that I saw had "seen some use" and were almost devoid of "finish. The "better-looking" ones also appeared to have been blued, not phosphated. This may have been a "local" variation. As for the Type 63: We also saw a few of those in Oz, briefly. By their shape and size, it seemed that the 63 (wrongly identified as the "Type 68" in Small Arms of the world and other sources for YEARS) was intended as a replacement for the SKS in some applications. The provision of selective fire on them was a clue. The twenty-round mag with a hold-open setup was a step forward. These rifles also worked well; decent field maintenance / cleaning required as expected. An interesting hybrid: Rotating bolt, short-stroke piston, select-fire trigger pack, its own mag that had a wider rear lug and with a "tail" on the follower to operate the hold-open. Standard AK mags will not fit until a nit of blacksmithing produces a small notch to accommodate the tail of the follower. The wider rear lug on these 20 round mags may require a bit of file work to allow them to run in an AK or the later, commercial detachable-mag SKS variants. Type 63 mags also come in a variety of styles, just to make things interesting.

[@davidwatson2399]

There was shit load of SKS rifles were imported in Australia along with a lot of brand new SKK's with the detachable 30round mags.

[@Fast85FoxGT]

Those upper bakelite type handguards from what I've gathered were replacement handguards along the same lines as the "jungle stock" which I think was a fiberglass type of replacement stock during the Vietnam War years.

[@tt-ew7rx]

When both Type 56's were in production, the prices as accounted for the PLA units were different. The AK was significantly cheaper than the SKS.

[@kenibnanak5554]

The obvious question is do all SKS stocks split of just the stamped ones? If only the stamped ones, what is different about how they bear on the stock?

[@sealove79able]

A very interesting video and carbine GJ.

[@Moondog66602]

I'm sitting here looking at my 1963 factory 26 milled rifle... And my gas block is cast. Literally the only cast piece. Weird.

[@crabtrap]

Most of the US import Norincos were new 'unissued' as we dealers called them. They were ment for the US civilian sportsman market. I used to get them $50each in a case of 12! Best 12 pack i ever bought😂

[@bigchimptactical]

I picked up a 'paratrooper' type B a while back. It was marked at 850, when I went to pick it up at the pawn shop the guy told me that they messed up and it was worth twice that lol. They honored my original price though. ❤

[@Toolness1]

They are definitely not worth twice that, there are 2 buy it now's on GB right now for 800.

[@bigchimptactical]

@Toolness1 the last time I looked on there they were all $1600

[@bigchimptactical]

@Toolness1 also I'm in Oregon, seemed like they got a good price here.

[@bigchimptactical]

@Toolness1 when I looked just now they were 750 to 1300 depending on quality rarity and level of Bubba. Lol

[@sigma80]

I have the bunghole stock SKS M with the paratrooper length gas cylinder and the 16" barrel. I fired it inside at a range and the guy shooting a 12 Guage pump and the M1 Garand both left the area, the muzzle blast was so bad. Only thing I found out is I was using Chinese mildly corrosive (The primers are corrosive, not the powder.) that the very back of the receiver cover where the recoil spring fits in rusts a lot with that ammo. The Russian and other types of ammo isn't corrosive, so it is fine to use. The gun takes AK mags, but not easily. Getting them in and out is a pain, stripper clips into a fixed magazine is much faster with a little practice. For $179 in the 1990's it was an okay gun, but definitely a "range toy", not a serious gun. I could handload 10 rounds into a fixed magazine faster that getting that AK mag out of it most of the time. I still kick myself for not getting one of the SKS black polymer stocks for it with the large mag well. The stocks were actually very cheap, a fixed magazine doesn't work in that stock so they could hardly give them away.

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank you for your videos

[@Fooney1]

My dad has one of these. Bought it super cheap back in the day. Never shot the thing because the first time he loaded a round in the chamber the thing just went off and shot a hole right in the floor at 2am. Never loaded that thing again!

[@keithagn]

Needs the bolt/firing pin cleaned. The firing pin is "free floating", and not spring loaded. Regards

[@billcook7285]

SK's used to be so cool. You could get the guns and ammo for cheap. It ain't like that no more. SK's and even Nagant's have turned into collectibles and nothing's cheap no more. 😢

[@overthelimitp4275]

I had one all the numbers matched . But it had a big flat headed screw on the right instead of a rivet or pin

[@EliteManMonkey]

This would go on to inspire the Chinese type 81. Very popular in Canada

[@THEGIPPER34]

The judging the date by the serial number only works for certain plants and years. Factory 26 is the best known but mine for example is a factory 106 milled rifle which is offically unknown. Looking at the mix of feature from smaller facory codes 1969 is the best guess, but the serial isnt long enough to have a year like that.

[@owllymannstein7113]

I always thought the stamped reciever guns were done for late production commercial rifles, because they started cutting a lot of corners towards the early 90's

[@gnutzguy]

Owlly: no, stamped receivers wasnt to cut corners but to make them cheaper to meet the demand of the vietnam war

[@gnutzguy]

@@hvuu1628 lol. Hello? Did you not hear Ian say they were made in 1970 and 1971? There was no commercial exports during the Vietnam war.

[@gnutzguy]

@@hvuu1628 I'm sorry to inform you but you are wrong. Those factories Ian mentioned does stamp the date of production in the serial numbers.

[@gnutzguy]

@@hvuu1628 true, lol. Ian is the last person I would turn to about SKS but in this case he's right bcos I own two stamped SKS from factory 0145 and they are both dated 71. Like Ian said they only made several thousands. There are no reason to have serial numbers in 7 million range.

[@owllymannstein7113]

@@hvuu1628 Not all factories used the year of production as a prefix, some used a code where you had to add a certain number to figure out the date.

[@rfswitch4530]

Probably worth noting, the Russian and most other SKSs have threaded in barrels, not pressed, but the Chinese made both threaded and pressed in barrels.

[@ifyoudontfailyouarenoteven6210]

Quite an off-topic question - we've seen the guns of Chinese warlords already, (and man that was excellent). Is there any chance for a similar study regarding Chinese communists guns and Kuontaminang pieces?

[@dothwalrus370]

Would be cool, but getting this sort of information out of China from the CCP sounds hard.

[@jonathonmackey]

I'd love to see the type 63 soon!

[@CountryRock2k1]

I've known about the stamped SKS for quite a while. I was unaware there was a cast receiver version.

[@LtJackboot]

I had a milled one. The guy who taught me about weapons said ‘don’t bother with stamped construction, it’s inherently weaker than milled. If you’re going to be stuck in a survival situation you want the milled receiver because it’s indestructible whereas a stamped one can be ruined by a fat guy sitting on it.

[@Mobbs3006]

I may be wrong but a few gun stores here in Canada are selling these " last run " sks's here in Canada.

[@kevinsullivan3448]

My SKS is Hungarian and does not have a 'grenade launcher' block on the muzzle. I expect it was originally imported before that was a thing and sat around until the SKS craze was over. I paid $149 for it, still wrapped in wax paper and packed with cosmoline. My modifications were to remove the under-folding blade bayonet and replace the top cover with one that has a rail, I had to do some filing on the cover to make it fit correctly, though.

[@kdingo6596]

Classic Firearms has a new video on the history of Chinese firearms. Maybe Ian could offer a follow up video on the same topic covering anything missed or just as a compliment to that clip?

[@lukehouchin2887]

The sks when I bought it off auction had a messed up rino lined stock on it after sanding it down wasn't the original Thank God. So I found that stock and the French tickler handguard to spice it up, and that Crack on the side was my fault fitting that sks into that stock took alot of fitment. Overall I don't think it turned out too bad just wish the bayonet would have sit where it was supposed to.

[@sealove79able]

Did all SKSs have the buttstock cracking problem regardless of the country of origin and manufacturer?

[@thecanadianlanboy8132]

The wood the chinese used was just a bit better than garbage. Russian Birch and laminated stocks are all good. Chinese laminate stocks are really rare but also just fine

[@sealove79able]

@@thecanadianlanboy8132 Thank you.

[@RichardCranium321]

where can I find more info/documentation on stamped and cast receiver Chinese SKS? I think my grandpa has a crate with 3 or 4 in it tucked away somewhere, but he may have sold them in the 90's. will have to ask

[@lukehouchin2887]

What is really cool is that was my old rifle I can't believe that.. small world.

[@maxhoyle2134]

Hey Ian my sks has a aftermarket fiberglass stock on it bought out of Shotgun News 25 or so years ago , claimed to be for Veit Nam jungles, do you know anything about this?