SKS Accessories: Tastefully Upgrading your Simonov

Many Simonov carbines have been damaged by power tools over the years. Here are some SKS accessories that can help you take your Simonov carbines to the next level. Patrick Sweeney tells a sad story about a man who let an elderly father borrow his rare and collectible SKS to go hunting. It was “fixed” beyond repair when it was returned. The fudd had modified the sights, ground off the bayonet and stockered the stock to suit his taste. All this for one hunting trip. It would have been funny, but it was so sad. This story happened back in the days when there were no Simonovs in America. And this one had papers to prove that. Although this would not be the first time that an SKS would be disfigured horribly in the future, it is a sign that the gunsmiths are less likely to be able to make them again. A very professionally “Bubba’d SKS being used by the Syrian government. Photo by Mitch Speth at SKS Files. If you own an SKS and want to make it more useful or functional, or just for fun, you can do so. There are many ways to do this, but they are not permanent. These accessories can enhance or complement your Simonov carbine without permanent modifications. Do you own a sling or a cleaning kit? A cleaning kit? A cleaning kit? These are just a few examples of original SKS accessories that every Simonov should have. Even though they may not be original, every SKS owner should at least have a sling for their rifle, a cleaning kit hidden under the buttstock, and stripper clips to speed up loading. After these basic items are acquired, you can begin to look into purchasing more non-permanent accessories for your SKS. A Simonov with original-issue SKS accessories. Optics. You don’t have to weld, there are many options available. There are scope rails from different manufacturers that can be attached without making any permanent modifications. They are usually mounted by replacing the rear sight and/or the takedown pin. There are many options, some better than others. However, it is important to know that there are ways to mount optics without damaging the SKS. It doesn’t matter if you add it for a hunting trip or for the future. The next owner or you will be able remove it. Some models are better suited to red dots than others, so make sure you choose the right model. It is as easy as threading out the old one and replacing it with a new aftermarket upgrade. For night use, they are available with embedded tritium or in other colors to improve visibility. You can also paint the sight with your choice of color, which is a quick and easy way to do this. There are models that include a crosshair to increase accuracy or a larger point for faster acquisition. There are many accessories for the SKS that increase or store ammo onboard. You can increase your capacity by replacing the factory-fixed magazine you have with an aftermarket model. These aftermarket SKS magazines have been around for a while. Although they may seem a bit shabby, these magazines are not permanent. To make it easier to use aftermarket magazines, one could remove the factory magazine and then reinstall the original when they are ready to go. These magazines come in many styles, but they all function the same. These are rare and collectible, though there are also factory-made 20-round extended mags made in China. No matter if you use a factory-made or aftermarket extended SKS Mag, they are not as reliable as the original 10-rounder. A 50-round drum from ProMag. A 30-round SKS Magazine from ProMag. An easy solution is to add a pouch to the stock for loaded stripper clips. Although this is not permanent, it allows you to carry up 30 spare rounds on the rifle. This can be faster than trying to reload with the aftermarket extended/detachable magazines. Although the capacity of the magazine is larger, it is more reliable than the original. They often added a folding or adjustable buttstock as well as pistol grips and accessory rails. Although the stock can be replaced, it is not a permanent change. However, I find them too inconsiderate to recommend in good conscience. You can do whatever you like with your rifle, but before you drop the action into a new one, think about what you want to accomplish. If you only need rails for mounting a weapon lamp, you can either replace the bayonet or the tube. The former uses the bayonet to mount a small section of Picatinny rail instead, while the latter replaces and adds a rail segment. These gas tube replacements are advertised as scope mounts. However, due to poor manufacturing QC and the loose-fitting nature SKS gas tubes, I wouldn’t recommend using them for any type of aiming device. They can be used as a flashlight. The SKS Scout Rail from TX Firearms. It is possible to add SKS accessories to your rifle without affecting its originality or resale value. This impressive target pack, created by Storm Tactical, contains 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range usage. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. Get Free Targets