[Incitatus1]

If you are looking to attach a scope to your SKS, there is only one way to do it properly: with a lateral drilled and tapped scope mount.
It is not the cheapest way to do it but it is the only way your scope will hold its zero. Trust me: I've tried both "economy mounts", the receiver cover mount and the scout mount and after firing 30-40 rounds, both will start making the scope zero wander all over the place. So don't waste your money and do it the right way with a drilled and tapped side mount.

The following is my response sent to a friend and a fellow FFF member who asked me how to scope an SKS the Russian way. The first pictures are from the supplier of the scope mounts, the last ones are taken this morning in my backyard:


What you need is this : SKS/SVD Mount w/ Side Plate, 1" Rings

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/detail.aspx?ID=267

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/graph/images/sighting_devices/accessories/mount_sks_1inch_plate_1_600.jpg

This is the setup I used. On this configuration you can use any scope you may have around. You don't need to modify the receiver, you just need to drill it an tap it. The side plate comes with screws but they are longer than the thickness of the receiver, so you will need to shave them down with a Dremel from inside the receiver after you tighten them up. Oh, and I almost forgot: use Loctite threadlock before you tighten the screws holding the side plate. And another thing: the screws are metric, so careful what you are using for tapping.

If you want to use a russian POSP scope wich is coming with an integrated scope mount, then you only need the side rail: SKS/SVD Thick Side Mounting Rail for SKS, Mauser and Other Rifles (http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/detail.aspx?ID=176) (not AK)...

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/graph/images/sighting_devices/accessories/vomz_sks_plate_600.jpg

...and any of the SKS/SVD style POSP scopes (not AK style) from here: POSP - Fixed Mag

This is a POSP SKS/SVD style scope:

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/graph/images/sighting_devices/posp_pso/posp_4x24_1_600.jpg



This is a POSP AK style (the locking lever is different- do not buy):

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/graph/images/sighting_devices/posp_pso/posp_4x24v_1_600.jpg

You will also need to make an inlet in the stock in order to acomodate the side rail.
Look for a piece of neoprene rubber to wrap around the scope where the ejected brass is hitting. I wasted a good scope this way, luckily it was still under waranty. Some people use shell deflectors attached to the rear sight leaf but I find them annoying when reloading.



Side rail attached to the receiver. You will need to inlet the stock in order to acomodate the rail.

http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/500/medium/PICT00024.JPG




Make sure you measure the distance between the end of the receiver and the side rail. This is the distance that acomodates my eyesight, yours may be different.

http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/500/medium/PICT00011.JPG





The inside of the receiver. Note the attaching screws were longer than the thickness of the receiver and I had to use a Dremel to cut them from inside

http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/500/PICT00093.JPG




This is how the mount attaches to the side rail:

http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/500/medium/PICT00037.JPG






This is the scoped rifle:

http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/500/PICT00056.JPG

http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/500/PICT00072.JPG


And this is Incitatus shooting his "bubbatized" SKS

http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/500/medium/PICT00112.JPG



This is Incitatus Jr. (Vlad) shooting his dad's Glock 21

http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/500/medium/PICT00063.JPG

[Redrum]

Good Job!!!! I already have to many projects that I am behind on...but I can see scoping one of my SKS's in the future!! :up::up:

[OFallon]

Inci... bravo to you and great thanks! :up:

By the way... is there such a thing as a Romanian without a moustache? :D

What brand of stock is that, Inci? Choate?

[Incitatus1]

Inci... bravo to you and great thanks! :up:

By the way... is there such a thing as a Romanian without a moustache? :D

What brand of stock is that, Inci? Choate?

You'll be surprised but most Romanian don't wear moustaches. I am different :D

The stock is Choate, the metallic handguard is from somewhere else...can't remember from where. The scope is a Rusky with illuminated reticle and rangefinder from Kalinka (kind of pricey $100), the muzzle brake is from Ebay. The best muzzle brake is pin-fixed, I tried a threaded one and after 10 rounds it flew down the range, never found it.

Good luck with the project and have fun!

[Saunders]

That is the first class way ofscoping an SKS and the way to go if you want the best accuracy possible out of that fine rifle.

I have 6 (I think, gotta count) and I keep 5 of them as C&R original condition including iron sights.

I have one shooter grade Yugo that I use for fun. Mostly plinking from 100 yards and in. Mostly use Wolf and the ammo is not going to set the world on fire for accuracy either.

I've installed one of the dust cover scope mounts on it. I will not win any competitions with it but it helps these old eyes have more fun. I've probably got close to 1000 rounds and it seems to hold zero pretty well.

I've found it you can avoid over filing the tangs, you get a tight fit and it holds up pretty well. I also used loctite to hold the mounting screws as they would vibrate loose after a few hundred rounds.

I save my money for better glass for my Bushy and am thinking of doing something for K-31 I refinished and would like to shoot longer distances as I do with my .223.

[OFallon]

Well, it's the Russian scope and mounts for me! I had pretty much ruled out the ATI stock, because of the little "lip" they put on it which gets in the way of the disassembly lever. Choate is the way I'll go. I was wondering whether to get it in black, sand or green... but, now that I've seen yours is black, it'll be green. I'm getting mine Duracoated by Rotty, but, first, Magnaport says that they can port the pice, strictly to control muzzle climb... by porting the grenade launcher muzzle, itself... and I'm gonna do that. The guy I know there will charge me $25 for the job. I'll take pics once it's done (which I hope is bloody soon).

Again, thanks for the good advice! :up:

[Rabbi]

I only have one SKS left and it is a nearly 100% specimen of Tula Arsenal's finest work. I've only ever seen two or three its equal since I've been into guns.

If I ever decide to scope it, that would be the way I'd go.

Thank you, Sir.

[Saunders]

Nothing like a Russian SKS especially with laminated furniture.

I'm in negotiations to buy one now. Hope to finally conclude the deal. My buddy is a tough bargainer.

[Rabbi]

Mr. Saunders,

Mine has the dark red laminated furniture and the whole rifle is simply beautiful in addition to functioning perfectly and being very accurate.

It is truly a GEM.

[OFallon]

It has always amazed me at how short the LOP is on the AK and SKS and, well, just about any of the former Warsaw Pact inventions. I've seen and mingled with old Sovient Naval Infantry and Spetznaz guys and believe me... they are not small. So what gives? Does anybody have a theory on why they were cut so short?

[Popeye]

Short trees?

[Incitatus1]

I only have one SKS left and it is a nearly 100% specimen of Tula Arsenal's finest work. I've only ever seen two or three its equal since I've been into guns.

If I ever decide to scope it, that would be the way I'd go.

Thank you, Sir.

Please Rabbi, do not alter the rifle. They are just perfect and beautiful the way they are, not mentioning a Tula in excellent condition with laminated stock has becomed a sought after collectible rifle and can bring you $400-$450 in unaltered condition.
If you want to scope an SKS get a Yugo in good or very good condition for $80-$90 and pimp it as much as you want, but don't touch the Rusky. The supply dried out years ago and they will continue to increase in value.

[shoey]

how easy is it to shoot, though? That scope seems awful high up off the reciever....

[OFallon]

Shoey, instead of welding to your cheek bone, you weld to your jaw area. ;)

[Rabbi]

Inci,

That's nice to know. If I remember correctly, I paid $109.00 for that rifle.

It is a shooter's dream and goes to my son-in-law and daughter with the AKs and ammo stash when it's time for me to pull the pin.

[Incitatus1]

how easy is it to shoot, though? That scope seems awful high up off the reciever....

Shoey,
You are not the first one to ask this question.
How easy it is to shoot with a scope this high? This easy:


http://www.gunco.net/gallery/data/613/medium/PICT0015.JPG (http://www.gunco.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/7829/size/big)

It actually feels easier and more natural than shooting a rifle with a low mounted scope. And if the high mount makes you concerned about accuracy, let's not forget we are talking about an SKS carbine not a sniper rifle. You can count on it to be accurate up to 100-150 yds.
It's not only the SKS but also the round; 7.62X39 was designed to be used as a short range round. Everything you hit over that distance is just luck. So low or high, it doesn't really matter.
There are two reasons I put the scope on this SKS: my eyes are not that young as my heart still is and second, I've seen one and it kind of looked cool.

[shoey]

Oh, I know all about the rounds limitations and such...I've just always subscribed to the mount the scope as low as possible theory...I have no objections, I was just wondering...

[dipodomys]

OFallon, Heavy coats!