1963 Chinese SKS vs AR15 , M16, M4
in IPSC / USPSA / 3 GUN Rifle Competition
By: ACEeyeED A43209 August 15, 2007
Revisions 10/14/2007, 09/25/2008, 6/22/2009, 5/14/2013 , 8/05/2013, 04/01/2016
Copyright (c) 2007-2016 all rights reserved
Summary: This SKS has the following MODS
Original SKS 1963 Wood Stock and Bayonet
1- 922r compliant parts
2- Tapco Interfusion Stock
3- Tapco 20 rd Magazines
4-Williams Peep and Firesight Fiber Irons
5-Bolt cut to handle mag insert and remove with bolt closed
6-Trigger Job, Sear positive engagement
7-Shock Buffer (removed, stove pipes once and a while)
8-Choate Drill/Tap Scope receiver mount
9-CenterPoint Illum. Mil Dot 2 x 7 Scope
10- A2 BUIS 45 degree offset
~ 300$ in add on listed. (Stock and mag and the Scope were 2/3 rds of the upgrade cost.
Thoughts and Observations:
A labor of love with lots of help. 
Now if you do the work yourself, here is what I spent. 100$ for the SKS early 1990 purchased. Mods, Scope mount, 923r compliance parts, Spring kit, Stock, Scope, Bolt mod, Sear tune…..added 300$ more. So for 400$ it is sweet. Still cheaper than the 550$ in the gun shop without the mods.
I have shot the SKS in IPSC/USPSA, 3-Gun and rifle matches, for 15 matches.
Some with open iron sights , then switching to tactical with the addition of the scope.
– Centerpoint 2×7 32 scope with red / green illuminated mil dot reticule.
Added CHOATE Drill and TAP Scope Mount
The SKS shooting the same round as the AK47 is a bit more accurate because of the longer barrel.
SKS vs AR15 in IPSC – factors and value rating
All things perfect and the M16/AR15/M4 will beat the SKS every time mainly due to faster mag changes and a lot less recoil allowing the second shot to be completed faster than the SKS. see Orange shade in table above. IPSC is points / time. It is the time factor here. I have completed the SKS mods to help it compete against the AR, Still not bad for a 1943’s design. Again the recoil time on the SKS is the deciding factor against the M4/AR15. By adding the Tapco Interfusion stock, and the Choate drill/tap scope mount, it really is close to perfect. It is running 100% clean in 2 matches so far this year.
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NEW BOLT for tactical reload with bolt closed
The SKS has to have the bolt back to load a new mag. I have a Bolt that can 
allow the change out of the mag with bolt closed. This will help make tactical mag change outs faster. Mag changes will still be slower on the SKS due to the Duck bill connector. More info on bolt. Captain of a Crew of One: Evolution of a Homeland Defense Weapon 3 Duckbill see the You Tube links below. The Captain was nice enough to produce a 5 part video about an hour that goes over the Trigger and sear work. At best 25% of the population are handy. This means most of you should never try any mods.
The machinist and will have 2 bolts modified to accept mags when the bolt closed. Should be finished by end of sept 07. I will be testing the bolts and their new ‘ H ‘ Buffer for the SKS.
Contact: Mark Holloway, 25thCTC 25thCTC
The Bolts I bought were a bit long on the bottom, which gave inconsistent results. Sometimes the disconnect would not work causing trigger lockup. Eureka. It worked, I ran 150 rds of wolf FMJ and HP with no jams, lockup etc.
Results of the testing after the changes:
Quick test after the trigger tuning of Sear above, last 3 shots come in at 1.4 inches (2013)
Golden Tiger at 100 yds.
200 YARDS
Using the bench, can hit a Clay Bird which is 4 inches. Usual target at 200 yards is a 6 inch round plate.
Latest Summer 2015:
I had to change out the ammo brand and guess what… Found better ammo. I think I know why.
My Range for 3 Gun uses a lot of steel. Rules are Rules and my range disallowed any steel coated bi metal ammo or core penetrators. Even if the bimetal do not hurt the steel I did not argue. it is range property and I am privileged to be a member.
That means 2 new amm choices, more tests and then a final new range card for all positions and scope settings. Took 40 hours of work.
REWARD. Best MOA before was 1.4 inches, now .6 inches. That is impressive.
The ammo is copper no bi metal and I think the base has more weight than the golden tiger a 45% accuracy change.
rifle-range-card has the new info and pictures to prove the result.
I did clear more hits at the 200 yard range and did not hit any no shoots on the 3×3 inch shot arrays.
Why do I use the SKS in competition ?
FUN, Ammo cost half as much, I only compete 3 times a year in rifle, and at least I do not come in last.
I recommend the TAPCO 20 rd.
The RIFLE is now running 100% Clean in matches no issues!
To have the magazine changes as fast as possible, I developed my own SKS plastic magazine Holders. This version showing dual holder.
Chinese SKS 7.62 x 39 TUNEUP – ACCURIZING
Reading Materials:
Jamie Mangrum did a world of work on his www.surplusrifle.com . Has detailed procedures for the SKS and Enfield SMLE helped me a great deal.
His site was shut down a few years back and the only way to find the articles is to look on the wayback archive.
Choate Scope Mount tapped to receiver
These are the names of the articles
Collecting and Shooting the SKS Carbine – Lightening the SKS Trigger (Trigger Job)
Collecting and Shooting the SKS carbine Lil-Miss part 2
In Depth Trigger Work Info
Video on SKS Trigger Job
Purchased Products:
Wolffe Spring – SKS Performance pack $10
Initial results from the bench using Winchester White Box 7.62 x 39, at 50 yards, open site , groups were 1 3/8 inches smaller after the trigger job.
SKS 7.62 x 39 AMMO:
Wolf HP, FMJ, & 154g SP
I use Wolf and Winchester white box. Now testing out GOLDEN TIGER (The Best) in the projects section
Wolf 7.62 x 39 – 154 sp Aug 2007 – preferred for IPSC Major
Chrono tests 10 rds avg 2136 fps
makes 328 major ipsc / 325 floor
Stock test – 2104 fps
Chinese SKS 1963 20 inch barrel
temp – 95 f Hum 75% Alt 850 bar
Sunny, no wind
SKS Owners – Murrays Gunsmithing makes a firing pin and prevents slam fires.
SKS OWNERS You NEED THIS! ++ 2007, Old version recall. New version available!
This “New For 2007” replacement firing pin is designed after the original Russian design. And, it will fit all SKS’s. Even pre-51 versions. But, with pre-51 versions you’ll need a different spring. This is due to the hole in the bolt being drilled deeper in “later” versions. This new firing pin will eliminate slam-fire and uncontrollable full-auto incidents! And, it will allow the use of “soft primered “American” ammo, or reloads.
Seen below are Murray’s NEW SS SKS Firing Pins, Firing Pin with spring for pre-’51 Russians – (center) Firing pin with spring for EVERYTHING else (top).
Ben was on Discovery Channel MythBusters.
I have experienced a slam fire from the red sealer used on some rounds at the primer. It gets gummed up and makes the firing pin not retract.