Mounting a scope on an SKS.

[andyo5]

I have a Youg SKS that is a good shooter and the stock sights work well, but I am an old codger and my eyes are not as good as they used to be, so I am considering mounting a red dot or other visual aide. There are several methods that I have seen used: a rear dust cover with integral picatinny rail, handguard with integral picatinny rail, and a bolt on unit that replaces the rear sight and is held to the barrel with two screws. However, in each case the scope has to be removed for cleaning.
This makes me think that when replaced, the scope will no longer be zeroed.

I'm interested in hearing from folks who have scoped their SKS and how well they think it works for them.
Thanks!

 

[sheepdawg]

Avoid any mounts on the dust cover. The only thing that holds zero is a mount drilled into the receiver like the old cowboy companions. Check out Survivor's SKS Forum, they might know how.

 

[Arik]

Sorry to inform you but a scope on an SKS is an afterthought and a poor one at that (in the US). Yugoslavia scooped some of their SKSs using a method similar yo the AK, a side rail. Anything else is going to be a so-so.

Dust cover - Every time you take it off it will lose zero. It also moves around when shooting .....not a lot but it does. It was never ment to hold a scope, just keep dirt out. Your next problem will be the hight. By the time the rail, rings and scope are added you will need to raise your head off the stock to see through it. Also it does not allow for use of iron sights unless you add a see through rail, in which case the scope will sit even higher. Using that see through rail is a tacticool afterthought of the afterthought scope. When using it it severely limits your field of view and only good for shooting at paper targets that never move.

Rear sight replaced scope - The mount will jump up and down enough not to have a consistent zero. You loose your iron sights. If iron sights are built in they arent as good as original.

Railed handguard/upper- probably your best bet. If you use commercial ammo you dont really need to remove the gas tube for cleaning as you would with surplus corrosive ammo. It could be done every so often. You still loose zero though, when removed.

Only way to minimize zero loss is to buy a quality scope like Aim point. With a red dot you wont see as much of a loss as you would with a real scope.



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[relic]

Chk out Scout. Solid mount replaces OEM rear. Good for my red dot.
SKS Scope Mount ? Black Anodized $67.95

Here's Tech.Sights. This iron sight mounts solid and doubles your sight radius.
Tech-SIGHTS Precision Shooting Accessories


See this old thd for more info.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/282133-sks-upgrade-update.html

 

[desi2358]

I have played around with the SKS for years and have tried several kinds of mounts. A side rail mount is the best and doesn't have to be removed for cleaning. The rail mounts that replace the gas tube/handguard work well but require a long eye relief scope which some people have trouble getting used to.

The rear cover mounts vary from useable to junk. The best ones have brackets with tension screws to reduce wobble and a low rail type mount. Many do require a little handfitting with a file at the front which is easy and makes for a more secure mount. They will work but, like the gas tube mount, routine disassembly will lose your zero.

The question is how much cleaning do you need to do and how often? Modern commercial ammo is non corrosive and the SKS receiver is fairly open, most fouling will be on the bolt face and around the breech and can be cleaned fairly well without a total teardown. I had one I used quite a bit that only got taken completely down after about a thousand rounds and really didn't have that much crud in the back of the action then.

The SKS isn't a match rifle but it was a fun gun for 100 to 250 yard shooting and a deer rifle in the west Tennessee woodlands. For my uses the cover mount worked and by only loosening the lock screws on one side I found it only took a couple shots to rezero after I did tear it down. It really depends on what you're trying to do with the gun and what you think you'll need and be comfortable with.(and how much you want to spend!)

 

[Brian41]

I bought an AK and hated the sights and couldn't see them well as I'm older too. I bought Williams Gun Sight peep sight which was easy to install and helped with my sight picture a lot without having to go with a scope. You might check with them on their web site and see if they make them for the SKS too. Mine was about fifty dollars.
All my military and miltitary style rifes have peep sights and those I can still see pretty well but not so with ordinary open sights.

 

[Rule3]

Another option might be one of those stock replacement kits. Do not know if they work (for holding a scope at zero) or if you want the tacticool look

SKS | Gun Parts by Gun Make & Model | Gunsmithing & Gun Parts

 

[andyo5]

Thanks for your replies. Mine is a Yugo SKS. I have considered switching to the AR platform, but I have an investment in reloading equipment, cases, bullets, powder, etc. Plus I have over 200 rounds loaded at present. Plus money is a factor since I am retired. I'd need to sell my SKS and all the associated stuff that goes with it.
My SKS shoots well and I have a good reload formula. It's just the ergonomics of the SKS in its present stock configuration that don't appeal.
Addition of a Tapco stock/handguard with pistol grip and foregrip looks inviting and I could live without the optics, I guess.

Decisions, decisions!

 

[LVSteve]

If you do tacticool it keep the original stock. I will not touch an SKS in a plastic stock unless I am going the whole hog and making it a bullpup. If not, original wood, please.

 

[andyo5]

Hey Guys,
I have the gun now in a Tapco T6 stock, the one without a bayonet groove or lower rail. I also bought the Tapco gas tube/handguard assembly with molded in rail. The gas tube required some tedious hand fitting, but is now a perfect tight fit and doesn't budge. I bought three Tapco polymer magazines which all function flawlessly. They go in and come out easily and feed the rounds perfectly. I unscewed the grenade launcher, removed the bayonet and cleaning rod to reduce weight (I have no need to stab anyone or clean the gun in the field). The resulting package is noticeably lighter and performs as expected. Not an AR, but considerably cheaper and still good. I have stored all the original equipment and can reconfigure to original condition at any time. It is also 922R compliant.
I know some consider this a 'bubba'd' gun, but I am very impressed with the design and quality the Tapco conversion and I think I will enjoy the gun more now than before.
Thanks for your replies.