YUGO SKS 59/66

[Boogyman]

I'm thinking of getting a couple cheap SKS's and some spam-cans of ammo to pack in a crate and hide for SHTF. The cheapest I've seen is $89.95/each for M59/66's (with grenade launcher) or $139.95 for M59's (without). I had a Norinco years ago and liked it.
My question is what's up with the grenade launcher? I hear there's a switch that vents the gas tube to reduce bullet velocity or does it re-direct the gas to launch the grenade or what? Does anyone know exactly how it works?
Also does it affect the performance or reliability, and can it be removed easily? I'd rather not have the extra weight and moving parts on guns that I may be relying on for survival.
I wonder if I should spend the extra cash on the M59's without the launchers.
I'd appreciate any advice ya'll could share on this.

[Indyarms]

Yes, it works by re-directing the gas...

You have a small "button" that slides to the right or left on the gas tube...

In the one position, gas is fed thru the gas system, resulting in semi-auto fire.

In the other, the gas is all directed out the barrel, as you would want to launch a grenade... which I have DONE on my SKS... ( Well, launched the ADAPTER with a rock on board, not an actual grenade per-se...)
If the grenade sight is able to be raised, you have the button set for GRENADE FIRE, if you CANNOT raise the grenade sight, as the button locks it in place, you are set for SEMI-AUTO fire.

I wouldnt worry about it interfering with anything... keep it on the semi-auto selection, and you will be fine... chances of you "accidentally switching it over" really arent that great, unless you do it when cleaning... and really, all you need to do is *LOOK* to see which position its in... if its right, or wrong... would take all of .5 seconds to look-identify-fix if it were...


:lol:

[Boogyman]

ok great, thanks for the info.
I'm assuming that to launch grenades you use blank cartridges, correct? Otherwise where would the bullet go.... :rolleyes:

[NWO]

Yes, you would use a special 'blank' cartridge to launch the 22 MM NATO Spec grenade.

I just got one of these fine old weapons on Friday. See the pics of it in the gallery!

Good Shooting!

[Indyarms]

The USA made M1A2 grenade adapter will fit on this Yugo barrel PERFECTLY... and with the grenade blanks you can launch the empty adapter about 100 yards... its REALLY pretty cool shiznit...

You just want to paint it a bright color depending on what you are shooting it into.. as they are olive drab to begin with, if you are shooting them into tall grass or brush, could make them tough to see to reuse... I have shot one at least 8 times already... when it gets dinged up, I just re-tweak it by hand, and slip 'er on for another shot!!! :lol:

They had them here... but you had to buy NINE... as a minimum order is $25.00...


http://www.samcoglobal.com/access.html


scroll down about midway down the page... $3.00 each.. :up:


:lol:

[Jeep98]

Boogyman: Clean bright bores should be the determining factor after the style choice. Some (cheap) Yugo's show neglect in maintenance. jeep

[Boogyman]

Indyarms thanks for the tip, those grenade adaptors look like fun. Where do you get your 7.62X39 blanks?
Jeep I would check the bores but I usually order guns through the catalog, I have a freind here who is a FFL. The company (S.O.G. International) has always been true in their descriptions of other firearms I have ordered from them. Also J&G Sales is a reputable mail-order company I have dealt with.
Thanks all you guys for the help. I think I'll go ahead with the cheaper M59/66 then. I'll let you know how they turn out...

[Ghost]

There are special cartridges to shoot grenades, but I have used regular blanks successfully with tennis balls. I understand one has to be careful with the mass of the projectile vs blanks. Tennis balls are too light to cause problems. I had a friend build me a launcher using muffler pipe and conduit. It simply fits over the gun's launcher and screws into place. It is great fun with old tennis balls. Hint: Add a friend with a shotgun to hit the flying targets. :beer: :usa:

[Indyarms]

The launcher I have posted a link to, actually flies downrange, just so there is no confusion... like a little mini-missile... You can put things into the claw to give it weight... but by itself... 100 yard shots are no problem! I always shot mine just by itself... Too cool!!!

The blanks I got from a friend of mine. They are the TRUE grenade launching blanks, that come 10 to a blister pack.

Check the gun shows for the blanks. but yes, you can also use the regular blanks too... like the ones from Barnaul... or S&B...

:lol:

[Jeep98]

Boogyman: I had my dealer order a Yugo supposedly from S.O.G. and this is the bore I am talking about. Rifle exterior used, bore looked as if it had been fired with corrosive ammo, and no accessories. --It may be hit and miss OR you get what you pay for.-- I do recommend the "hand selected" at a little premium when you personally cannot inspect the firearm. jeep

[Boogyman]

Ok, so in this case the extra $10 bucks would be worth it. That is if they do inspect the bore carefully.
I'm getting ready to order next week, probably from S.O.G., since I'll be getting other stuff along with the SKS (saves on shipping). I got a Yugo Mauser M-48 from them a couple years ago, the bore was a little dark but it cleaned up really well, the accuracy is great.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't ALL pre-50's military ammo corrosive? I've seen a lot of surplus guns older than that which had pretty good bores despite having a lot of corrosive ammo shot through them.

[uzitiger]

AIM Surplus has shooter grade Yogu SKS rifles for $79. They are good rifles and have good bores. They need a couple hours to clean off the cosmoline but if you are buying it to store for SHTF situations then leave on the cosmoline and remove it when you are ready to use the rifle. It's not a bad idea to put one away especially after New Orleans' gun confiscation to leave decent citizens at the mercy of thugs and renegade police.

The Yugo SKS is well made and shoots well with good accuracy at 100 yds.

[Boogyman]

Thanks for the tip on AIM surplus,Uzi. I'll check it out.

Yeah that's a great idea just leaving the cosmoline on, but dang I gotta shoot it, don't I? :D

[uzitiger]

Thanks for the tip on AIM surplus,Uzi. I'll check it out.

Yeah that's a great idea just leaving the cosmoline on, but dang I gotta shoot it, don't I? :D

You clean off the cosmoline when you are ready to shoot the rifle. You can keep it preserved are saving it for SHTF then clean it when you are ready. Your Yugo SKS is reliable and WILL work when it's time to use it

[Boogyman]

You clean off the cosmoline when you are ready to shoot the rifle. You can keep it preserved are saving it for SHTF then clean it when you are ready. Your Yugo SKS is reliable and WILL work when it's time to use it

Yeah I know, you misunderstood me. What I meant was when I get the rifles I'll want to shoot them right away, like a kid at Xmas, ya know? Otherwise leaving the cosmoline on till SHTF is a great idea, if I can resist the urge to play with 'em!

[Boogyman]

Well shoot, I guess the SKS's will have to wait another month now, I came across an AK-47 for $300 and couldn't pass it up! :p
It's a WASR-10 w/threaded muzzle, double-stack 30-rnd mag and leather sling. Brand new never fired!
I know ya'll woulda done the same... :rolleyes:

[RJSIXGUN]

Personally I think the SKS is a great SHTF gun. But honestly you need to clean the gun and shoot it 1st!! reason is.....you need to sight'r in!! once its sight'd in wrap'r in a gun sock and give it an oil bath with the sock on and vaccum pack it in a plastic bag. I just opened one after 10 years and the sock was still full of oil.
Why I think the SKS is a great SHTF gun you ask??? well thats simple.....stripper clips! lets face it loaded mags tend to kill springs after years of being left loaded, but the SKS has its mag built in nothing extra to look for when the SHTF, grab your gun and shove a stripper clip in it, its loaded ready to rock..
I do love my Ak-47's and Rugers yes. Nothing Id rather have by my side when the SHTF than my AK and a load of clips, but the sks is always at the ready with 500 rounds on stripper clips.


But Please Please sight your gun in BEFORE the SHTF!!!!! then wrap-it up and store it.

[Boogyman]

Well it's been a month since I got the AK so now I'm back to looking at SKS's again. After thinking awhile on it I think I will stick with a regular M-59 without launcher, since I've found a few places to get them cheaper now. Plus I just applied for my C&R license so I will be able to order them direct at 2-for-1 discount! :D

The M-59 is a little older model, and I think probably a little better quality. I don't need the extra grenade launcher anyway, my philosophy is Keep It Simple, Stupid.... :lol: