Cabela's SKS on sale. Good First SKS??

**Fragger** · January 31st, 2012, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by father-of-three

it sounds like the general first choice quality-wise for an SKS is the

If by quality-wise you mean the workmanship originally put into the SKS that are available in a fair supply on the market my personal vote would be:
1. Russian
1a Romanian
3. Early Chinese (fact 26)
4. Yugo M59
5 Chinese SKS other then Fact 26
6. Yugo M59/66
7. Albanian

Note:
1. Where there is a sub "a" it is nearly if not equal to the above.
2. The M59/66 gets lower marks for the "overlooked" lack of design of the gas vent hole.
3. Russian refurbs range from light to heavy however most are dependable.
They were not included above as the title includes the word originally.
4. Most Yugo M59 models have been rebuilt and done so very well leaving the imagination for many to what they were like when new.

**father-of-five** · January 31st, 2012, 08:00 PM

[QUOTE=Fragger;1882034]If by quality-wise Note:

2. The M59/66 gets lower marks for the "overlooked" lack of design of the gas vent hole.

Thanks for the info. How do the details above from the Yugo affect the functioning of the weapon?

**Fragger** · January 31st, 2012, 08:10 PM

[QUOTE=father-of-three;1882045]

Originally Posted by Fragger

If by quality-wise Note:

2. The M59/66 gets lower marks for the "overlooked" lack of design of the gas vent hole.

Thanks for the info. How do the details above from the Yugo affect the functioning of the weapon?

When new and/or in pristine condition it doesn't.

With the addition of wear be it normal or attributed to the lack of or improper care of the weapon is when there could be functional problems.

The M59/66 was designed with the same diameter gas port hole as the Russian SKS for instance.
Given the M59/66 has an incorporated gas valve into it's system there is an additional place for gas to leak.

MHO would have been to take it a step farther with an adjustable gas system or a tad bit larger gas vent hole to offset the effects of future wear.

**father-of-five** · January 31st, 2012, 08:21 PM

If I am reading your stuff right, it sounds like it is a good idea to assume it would need a new gas valve. If so, are they hard to come by and do they cost a lot to install?

Is needing a new gas valve something that would be visibly obvious, even for a rifle novice like me?

**Fragger** · January 31st, 2012, 08:42 PM

Many have had their gas valves replaced due to short cycling.
Thats not to say that all M59/66 out there should have this done.

It's just a weak link. I would personally err on the side of reliability.

There are new gas valves available.
At least one is made of SS.
Ben Murray is a member of a forum I moderate and from what I've read he makes a decent replacement part and is good to deal with.
http://www.murraysguns.com/sks_gv.htm
I have no financial gains one way or the other BTW.