Dumb SKS question

jimbobborg · Feb 9, 2011

What's the deal with loading SKS rifles? Not the AK mag converted ones, the ones with the internal magazines? Do they have to be loaded via clips or can you load them up one round at a time? In case you're wondering, I've been reading a book where the protagonist is using an SKS and keeps dumping rounds and then loading with clips. And I'm at work, so I can't just randomly go looking at gun sites. Thanks.

Jim

eddiek2000 · Feb 9, 2011

Don't need the clips. But if you have good clips and know how to use them, they speed up the loading process.

fivepointstar · Feb 9, 2011

jimbobborg said:
What's the deal with loading SKS rifles? Not the AK mag converted ones, the ones with the internal magazines? Do they have to be loaded via clips or can you load them up one round at a time? In case you're wondering, I've been reading a book where the protagonist is using an SKS and keeps dumping rounds and then loading with clips. And I'm at work, so I can't just randomly go looking at gun sites. Thanks.

Jim

they can be loaded one at a time OR

10rd stripper clips.

Dan44 · Feb 9, 2011

One or the other work. Strippers more for combat situations.

sandbanger · Feb 9, 2011

i prefer the stripper clips. But make sure you practice, practice, practice. You will be able to load the sks quickly enough, they do make magazines for the sks, i dont know whats involved, but they make them

jimbobborg · Feb 9, 2011

So basically, you can top off the internal magazine with loose rounds, right? Thanks! It's nice to know inside of five minutes that I can get four answers!

Jim

Half-cocked · Feb 9, 2011

jimbobborg said:
So basically, you can top off the internal magazine with loose rounds, right? Thanks! It's nice to know inside of five minutes that I can get four answers!

Jim

You can reload the SKS with loose rounds, after the last shot has been fired and the bolt is held back...

But, you can't "top off" the internal magazine, because there's no provision to lock the bolt back manually.

jimbobborg · Feb 9, 2011

Half-cocked said:
You can reload the SKS with loose rounds, after the last shot has been fired and the bolt is held back...

But, you can't "top off" the internal magazine, because there's no provision to lock the bolt back manually.

That's really silly. Why would someone design it to do that? Looks like I'm scratching that off the list. Thanks!

Jim

LostSoul · Feb 9, 2011

You COULD hold back the bolt with one hand and top off with the other... Watch your thumbs!! Although that would be a clumsy process anywhere other than a shooting bench.

wilcam47 · Feb 9, 2011

redacted said:
i prefer the stripper clips. But make sure you practice, practice, practice. You will be able to load the sks quickly enough, they do make magazines for the sks, i dont know whats involved, but they make them

actually its not really that bad to convert to detachable mags...you just dissasemble the gun all the way to separate the wood from the receiver and pop out the old one and assemble it back together...then you have the detachable mag capability...no big deal...

Doc TH · Feb 9, 2011

You can top off the magazine by releasing the internal mag and loading through the bottom. It is easier to do if the rifle is inverted.

Oldcarjunkie · Feb 9, 2011

Here is a pic of someone loading one with a stripper clip just to give to a little better idea, but as all said you can load one by one if you like.

ThumperIII · Feb 10, 2011

Now you can get back to reading at work, even if you are net limited.

K31 · Feb 10, 2011

jimbobborg said:
That's really silly. Why would someone design it to do that?

Why would someone design a military rifle with extra parts (hold open and release catch) that adds more to the build time and more to go wrong in combat? Especially when it's faster and more efficient (way more when wearing gloves) to use stripper clips.

Looks like I'm scratching that off the list. Thanks!

Jim

Why? It's not like stripper clips are hard to find or expensive or that you can't load less than ten with them or that it adds time or effort.

Tconfo · Feb 10, 2011

I dont like the detachable mags personally. Might as well get an ak if you want that.

Maryland_Shooter · Feb 10, 2011

Tconfo said:
I dont like the detachable mags personally. Might as well get an ak if you want that.

never had one work right myself

jimbobborg · Feb 10, 2011

K31 said:
Why would someone design a military rifle with extra parts (hold open and release catch) that adds more to the build time and more to go wrong in combat? Especially when it's faster and more efficient (way more when wearing gloves) to use stripper clips.

I guess I'm just used to having that option. And 10 rounds is not something I want in a semi-auto.

K31 said:
Why? It's not like stripper clips are hard to find or expensive or that you can't load less than ten with them or that it adds time or effort.

I have about 10 stripper clips for .223. My perspective is they're flimsy and easily damaged. And they're harder to reload.

Tconfo said:
Might as well get an ak if you want that.

Exactly! Hence my "I'll be passing on this" comment.

Jim

Hopalong · Feb 10, 2011

jimbobborg said:
That's really silly. Why would someone design it to do that? Looks like I'm scratching that off the list. Thanks!

Jim

Keep in mind how old this rifle is. When it was designed, things like detachable magazines, bolt hold opens, etc. were still largely experimental. Many of the troops who were issued these weapons were still using Mosin Nagants, and to them this was a huge upgrade. Experimental rarely makes it into front-line production weapons, which is why these things appear on later rifles after the bugs have been worked out.

If you're looking for something more modern with that kind of functionality, you're right that the SKS isn't for you. But don't call it silly.

Markp · Feb 10, 2011

jimbobborg said:
I guess I'm just used to having that option. And 10 rounds is not something I want in a semi-auto.

Skipping the SKS for that reason is pretty silly, but to each's own. You can get 75 round drum mags for the non-converted SKS.

I have about 10 stripper clips for .223. My perspective is they're flimsy and easily damaged. And they're harder to reload.

I can load a stripper clip in an SKS faster than I can pack a magazine by hand.

Exactly! Hence my "I'll be passing on this" comment.

Jim

That's too bad, the little SKS is a solid rifle.

Mark

wilcam47 · Feb 10, 2011

Maryland_Shooter said:
never had one work right myself

depends which mags you get i bought one 75 rd drum for the sks never got it to work right....some of the cheap ass ones dont work...the polymer ones have to be fit/sanded slightly at the magazine feed lips but they run good once they are adjusted....they also have some 20 round fixed mags...they are rare but i have seen them...this one sold but they are out there

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=202760773

Dumb SKS question

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