So you want to contact SKSDave?  No problem, but before you do, please read this FAQ first and see if it answers your question.

Q:  How do I make my SKS full auto?  Do you know where I can get a kit or plans to make my SKS full auto?
A:  Not a chance.  Questions like these get deleted from my inbox immediately.  Ask someone else, I have better things to do with my time. 

Q:  I found a Simonov with the following traits [insert description here].  What is it worth?  Is it worth [insert dollar figure here]?
A:  Without seeing it, I have a very hard time giving my opinion on the subject.  Also, there are other factors such as geography, who’s selling it, what you intend to use it for, etc…  Lastly, if buyer’s remorse sets in after the sale, I’m not going to take the blame.  Sorry, you will just have to do your homework.  Find out what other SKS’s in your area are selling for and make a judgment call.

Q:  Which type of SKS should I buy?  I can’t decide if I should pay the extra money for a Russian or get a Chinese.
A:  This question isn’t really for me.  My opinion is irrelevant.  Isn’t it really your opinion that matters?  Which do you want the most? 

Also consider what you are going to use it for.  If you are going to collect just one, the Russian is the way to go as there are fewer in existence and they are the originals.  If you want a variety of SKS’s, get one of each country or go Chinese as they have as many different kinds as you can fit in your closet.  If you are going to shoot, then the Romanian will probably be best as they are inexpensive, super high quality, and most all are refurbished.  If you want something that looks wicked, the Yugo leads the pack.  If you are collecting many different types of firearms and simply want to add a SKS to the collection, buy the cheapest you can find and save the money toward your next firearm purchase!

Q:  My SKS was imported by [insert import company here].  Do you have any information as to when my SKS was imported?
A:  No.  Only two entities would have this information: the importer itself and the federal or state government (Customs, BATF, etc…).  Keep in mind that neither the importer nor the government has the resources to take the time to look up information that has no practical value to anybody.  Break a law with the firearm relevant to import dates and the practical value becomes getting you off the streets, so they will most likely find the resources to get this information if they needed it.

Q:  My serial number is [insert serial number here].  Can you tell me more about it?
A:  Legitimate questions about the serial number itself are fine, but don't send me a serial number and request information about the rifle. I consider emails like that rude as hell. I've spent hours researching and writing all I know about SKS's on this site. What I know about your rifle based off the serial number is here in the UBERFaq. The least you can do is read one or two articles and learn for yourself.

Q:  My SKS has the following markings: [insert description here].  Can you tell me more about it?
A:  I already did.  I wrote an entire section regarding identifying your SKS.  It's all in the UBERFaq.  Any information not covered is probably unknown to me.

Q:  Will you tell me what year my SKS was manufactured?
A:  I already did.  I wrote an entire section regarding identifying your SKS.  It's all in the UBERFaq.  Any information not covered is probably unknown to me. 

Q:  My SKS has inconsistent markings as to what you have on your site.  Why is that?  Is it a formerly unknown type of SKS?  Is it a Sino-Soviet?
A:  I don’t know.  If I get emails, read postings, or witness about 100 more situations exactly like yours, I’d be inclined to say yes, yours is rare.  Most rifles that have mismatched markings are rifles that have had missing parts replaced with either aftermarket or technically incorrect but working parts from other Simonov’s.  If it wasn’t “Sino-Soviet” before, it may be now!

Q:  Which Simonov variant do you recommend for hunting?
A:  Ok, nobody can question that I LOVE the SKS, but I have to be completely honest here.  Compared to rifles specifically made for hunting, I have to say none of them are good for hunting any animal.  Sure, you CAN use it for hunting, no problem.  You may even have good results.  They just aren't GOOD for hunting compared to a true, “designed-to-be-a” hunting rifle manufactured with modern materials, precision craftsmanship, shooting appropriate quality ammunition.

...however, real deer rifles are $expensive$ and aren’t as sexy to hang on the wall in the off season.  If you are a hunter on a tight budget and are willing to do a little work, then the SKS may not be so bad after all.  They are hard to mount a scope to, hard to stay zeroed if you do, and you have to experiment with lots of different types of ammo to find what works best for your specific SKS.  Be careful of the after market add-on’s.  For the price some pay to trick out their SKS for hunting, they could have purchased something that would have netted them much better results in the long run.  Really on a budget?  Get good at shooting iron sighted.

If I had to choose, I'd use a Romanian as they are both high quality and lighter than others.  Yugo's are high quality but front heavy, so you will need to be super quick with target acquisition, have huge arms, or use a bipod.  The Chinese aren't always the best quality, but some shoot well so it is a gamble.

Bottom line: if you can't shoot a group at or under 4 inches at 100 yards with any firearm, I wouldn't even attempt to hunt with it.  You're not going to bag anything and either scare off or wound your prey unnecessarily.

Still have questions?

Simonov.net is written and operated by David Sutherland. All contents are © Copyright 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005.
Because of the ever-changing nature of this site, please excuse any errors in content and function.
No part of this site may be used or sold without the express written permission of the site's owner, David Sutherland.