One of our local gun shops had a sale a few weeks ago, and they had the M59/66 Yugo SKS on sale for $99.00. Scraping up some extra cash, I bought four of them.
Getting them home and out of the box was like Christmas in September! Taking a look at them I noticed a few things. Three of them had been used, really used. Stocks were rough, finish was really rough. The fourth, while obviously an issue rifle, looked pretty good. The next thing I noticed is cosmoline. They look like they had been submerged in it. Parts would not work because there was so much of it. So I set them out and started cleaning. After spending an hour on the first one, I said the heck with it and went out for some brake cleaner. That did a really good job of removing the cosmoline, but it also pulls oils out of the metal and I had to use liberal amounts of gun oil afterwards. 2 Hours later all rifles are clean, parts are working as they should, and I am happier. Looking down the barrels, they look clean and bright. There is no pitting or rust and the rifling looks great.
I take the best looking one and set it aside. I like keeping one "as is" and take the best looking one for that.
The next best, so to speak, received a synthetic stock and a scope. That was fun. Simple swap my rear! The new cover/scope mount assembly had to have a LOT of fitting to seat properly. But finally, I have a scope on my rifle. Nothing fancy, but it looks cool and it works. Put it in a case and its ready for my next trip to the range to sight in. I am also thinking of having this one rebarreled. The idea of a 7.62x39 shrunk down to 6.5mm, 6mm or .257 really piques my curiosity. Not to mention that I don't think I would meet many others with that setup. I plan on removing the grenade sight, and the thought ran through my head to have the grenade launcher drilled out as recoil reducer. This one is "the lets see how much we can mess with it rifle."
The worst looking pair got sent to Salbo arms, here in North Carolina (
www.salboarms.com ). Each rifle will have the metal refinished, and the furniture as well. It's the first time I have ever sent anything to them and when I get them back I will post pictures. They will be parkerized and receive a flat black gunkote. The bayonette will also be flat black, instead of silver. The wood will be refinished in a dark walnut with a satin finish. It costs $200.00 a rifle for this. So I am getting a pair of $90.00 rfiles refinished, no big deal right? Heck the case I sent them off in costs more than they did put together! You would think so, but I am as anxious as an expectant father to get them back! I should have them before Thanksgiving, I am heading south with the boys for a family gathering, which includes a trip to the range. It will be a blast.
Now, I want another surplus rifle. I am not sure what I will get yet. But I am looking around. Anyone have ideas for my next ex-miltary rifle?
David