From: weed@sweetpea.jsc.nasa.gov (daniel weed 283-4162)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: SKS Legal and new buyer info
Date: 9 Sep 92 03:16:14 GMT



------------------
This is a summary of the responses I've received to the original posting from a few weeks back (titled SKS and Ammo Questions).  This deals with:

=>   Legal aspects of modifying the SKS.
=>   Buying an SKS

The original posting was short, so here it is:

*I have an SKS I enjoy shooting.  But the Gun laws applicable to it baffle me. 
*If I were to hunt with it, I would need a 5 round magazine, instead of the 10 
*rd. fixed magazine.  So this means I have to remove the magazine and install 
*a detachable 5 round magazine.  
*
*But then I've heard it's illegal to modify the SKS with a detachable magazine, 
*or is it just a high capacity detachable magizine?  And then, the law applies
*only if my SKS was imported beyond some arbitrary date.  Ditto for a folding 
*stock and probably other mods.

*Can someone more informed than I tell me what I can and cannot do to my SKS?
*How can I tell if my SKS was imported after the magical date?



Information on identifying and using corrosive ammo will be in a follow up 
posting.


------------Summary -------------

Texas does not require a 5 round magazine to hunt with, but just about
every other state does.
---
There are permanently attached five round magazines available for the SKS which
work the same way as the OEM 10 round magazine. They are quite legal to
install. 
   => These magazines fit flush with the underside of the stock.
---
Or just insert a "block" that reduces the magazine capacity to five.
---
Suggestion:
Buy a spare mag well; the entire unit snaps out of the stock with relative
ease. Epoxy a tapered wedge in the spare well under the mag follower. Make
the wedge large enough to limit to 5 rounds if that is the law. Use that
well for hunting.
---
In North Carolina, I'm allowed to stick 5 empty cartridges in the bottom of
the mag.  When friendly Mr. Warden drops by, I better still have them in there.
Winchester has a 125gr spire point in 7.62x39 that looks like (on Gellatin)
it could stop a whitetail safely and humanely.  Balistically, it's like a
lightweight but full-load 30-30.  I'm anxiously awaiting November, because
the SKS should make a great brush gun.
---
	OR, get a wedge of wood that's 5 rounds thick & put it
	under the magazine follower. You might want to check
	with your game & fish dept, but that should work.

	After all, shotguns with looong magazines have been
	around for years; during bird season, you put the plug
	back in so that only 2 rounds will fit in the magazine.

---
It is illegal to modify an SKS to use a *detachable* magazine.  This includes
the 30rd ones, as well as the converted AK drum mags.  But, if the magazine is
permanantly attached to the weapon, then that is OK.  For example, there is a
Chinese 20rd mag on the market that is the same as the 10 round standard mag
except for the capacity...its perfectly legal.  But if you can remove the mag
then its a no-no.  
---
I canot remember the date, but now folding stocks and detachable
mags are a no-no.  Any remaining in dealer stock prior to the date may be sold
off, but no more rifles may be adapted or imported.
---
You can...
o attach another 5, 10, 20, or 30 round mag to the weapon, as long as it is 
  permanantly mounted.
o attach a bayonet

You cannot...
o use *any* type detachable magazine
o use a folding-type stock
o hunt with more than a 5 round magazine
o modify the SKS to fire full auto (BIG no-no!)
o convert any magazine to fit an SKS (ie - AK47 mags, AK drums, etc)

==>  I didn't think it would be possible to modify the SKS to fire
     full auto, since it was never designed for selective fire in the
     first place.

Your humble author also adds:

For those of you not familiar with the SKS magazine, the OEM part holds 10
rounds and is not detachable.  Well, of course it can be detached, but only
after removing the trigger assembly - not a quick procedure.

"Detachable" magazines are available, in 5 and 30 rounds, and others.  These
are designed differently so that they can be detached quickly.  I understand
they normally require some fitting.  But thats a moot point since modifying
the SKS to use any detachable magazine is illegal.

The magic date is, I believe, 11/90.  The rule is based on when you purchased
the SKS, not when it was imported.  SKS'es owned prior to this date can be
modified.

While it is illegal for you to modify an SKS, it is NOT illegal for you to
buy an SKS with a detachable magazine or folding stock.  As best as I can
tell, its not illegal for a dealer to sell one so modified.  A dealer at
a local gun show offered to make one and sell it to me.

It is legal to buy folding stocks and detachable magazines.

If you really want a rifle with a legal detachable magazine, just spend a 
little more and get an AK-47.  Kind of makes the law sound silly doesn't it?

---
For those of you thinking of buying an SKS, I have this advice:

They are terrific $100 to $125 guns.  Don't pay more.  Dealer costs run in the
$70s to $90s.  The "Paratrooper" model, with a slightly shorter barrel, will
cost you a little more.  Buy them at gun shows if you can.

Inspect the gun before you buy it.  I've seen SKS'es for sale missing
cleaning kits or cleaning rods.  The cleaning rod mounts below the barrel;
the cleaning kit in a hole in the butt.  The SKS also comes with an "oiler".
Don't be too impressed, it's a cheap plastic or metal jar.  I would clean
it real well and use it for your favorite Scotch.  :-)

When you shoot the SKS for the first time, put only two (2) rounds in the
magazine.  (This is sound advice for any autoloader.)  I've
heard the SKS can slam fire through every round in the magazine.   This
is because the firing pin is not spring loaded, and it's inertia can 
be enough to fire the next round.  I've never had any trouble with mine --

NET question:  has anyone had this, or other problems with the SKS?

Information on identifying and using corrosive will be in a follow up 
posting.

Feel free to respond to me, or the Net, if you can clarify these legal 
matters.

Thanks to all who responded.

---Dan


------------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel Weed                             weed@sweetpea.jsc.nasa.gov
McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. - Houston
          "My comments are my own, not my employer's"