thanks all, Wobbly Bob
next is the UTG tri-rail install...
Most especially, don't try to cobble a scope onto one.
They're simple, accurate, rugged, dependable instruments straight from the factory.
It doesn't make sense to mess with that equation.
And here is the official Tapco Fusion System assembly instruction video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ41BDO2NyU&feature=related
Of course, if you live in California this is very illegal as it converts your SKS hunting rifle into a deadly “assault weapon” capable of firing cop killer bullets from its high capacity magazine.
Ditto what E. Pluribus Unum said.
This is still a free country for a little while so go ahead and fix it up however it pleases you. But don’t be surprised if you put it all back together original someday. Scopes and big magazines will work OK if you are willing to tinker with them a little. - Usually at a cost of the ruggedness and quick field serviceability that was designed into the little rifle.
About the only mod that worked well enough for me to keep is a Williams rear peep sight. A lot of the front sights on the SKS need the post aligned out of center with the sight hood to get the rounds on target. Replacing the commie u-notch rear sight with a windage adjustable rear sight lets you center up the original front sight. This really helps accuracy, especially on moving targets. No, you won’t be able to show up the guys with $$$$ M1As and AR15s. But instead of hitting your occasional milk jug at 100 yards, you will be hitting Pepsi cans more often than not.
Survivor’s SKS forums have loads of info on that rifle and its many accessories. I believe, though, that adding the Tapco mag or collapsible buttstock renders the SKS subject to that 922(r) nonsense re: foreign vs. U.S.-made parts count. There sure must be a bunch of “illegal” SKS rifles out there by now.
You messed with SKS stuff, didn’t you HH? Mine is box-stock rusky and works fine that way.
http://www.tech-sights.com/sks.htm
Other than that, just leave it alone, buy lots of ammo (if you can find/afford it these days), and practice with it to master the trigger as best as possible.