Collecting and Shooting the SKS

Learn how to - here at Surplus Rifle with a hands-on, "step by step" article on how to scope the SKS Rifle.

Click on any of the small "Figure" images below to see a larger version of the image.

NOTE: Please Read Range Report Before Purchasing This Scope Mount!

I was surfing the web and saw a SKS Scope/Mount Combo Kit for only $49.97. The mount is the type that replaces the receiver's dust cover. I could not resist so I called up and ordered, not expecting much because of the price.

After a week or so I got a package in the mail. Like most males, I tried to install the mount without reading the instructions. How hard could it be? I had removed the covers on my SKS rifles many times and had also successfully reinstalled them.

1) After making sure the rifle was unloaded and setting the safety, I started to remove the cover.

2) I removed the cover and set it aside.

3) The mount looks just the like the original cover, plus scope rails. I tried to install it and reinsert the retaining pin and this is where I discovered that the pin would not go in. Again a typical male - I took it off and looked at it. I reinstalled it and got the same results. I did this two to three more times with exactly the same results.

Note: Isn't it a sign of insanity to try something repeatedly, even though you know that the outcome is going to be exactly the same every single time and somehow expecting something different? or is this just being a man?

5) Giving up on trying to reinstall the mount anymore - I decided to read the instructions and "surprise, surprise" the first statement at the top of the page read - "Please read these instructions before attempting to install the SKS scope mount."

The instructions said that the mount is purposefully oversized when new. This is done to ensure the tightest fit with the rifle. That you need to file the front trunnions of the cover until you can install the retaining pin.

Note: File away a little bit of metal and then try to reinstall. Repeat this while only removing a little bit of metal per time so as not to remove an excessive amount. Removing too much will cause the mount to wobble and the scope will not be very accurate.

6) Finally the mount fit snuggly into the rifle. I reinstalled the pin.

7) The scope came with the rings already attached, so I loosened them and then set the scope in the notches in the mount.

8) Tighten down the rings.

9) Tighten down the scope.

Figure 11 shows the assembled rifle ready to take to the range and sight in!

I do like this rifle project because I did not have to alter the rifle at all. Over all it looks pretty good and the mount seems pretty secure and does not seem to move. The scope for the price is pretty nice and easy to get a good picture no matter the magnification setting.

Shooting a Scoped SKS

Click on any of the images below to see a larger version of the image.

I am going to make this range report short and sweet. I recently purchased a scope mount and scope for the SKS. The type of scope mount was the kind that replaces the receiver dust cover as shown in figure 3.

I only have two good things to say about this project: 1) I did not have to modify my rifle to use the mount 2) I can use the scope on another rifle. I installed the scope mount following the instructions; removing only enough of the front rails to fit the mount snuggly into the receiver.

I believe this is inherently a bad design for a scope mount. The receiver cover is not a secure device to begin with and does not make a good base for a scope to be mounted on. It took me almost sixty rounds (sighting in) to even produce the grouping in figure 2. Every time I thought I had the scope set, I would spray the target like I had fired buck shot from a sawed off shotgun. My groupings were everywhere.

I finally was disgusted enough and took the scope off of the rifle. I fired forty rounds at the same distance and grouped as well (or better) with open sights as when shooting with the scope.

I do not recommend this scope mount for the SKS. I will look for a better mount that is somehow attached to the receiver or other sturdy mount and try again later. At least I did not spend very much for this project!

jlm ;)