Aiming range: 0.621 mile or 1 kilometer, The SKS rifle consists of 11 8. cartridge. The inexpensive and robust carbine, chambered for the ubiquitous 7.6239 cartridge, is reliable, accurate enough, and easy to maintain. Have a norinco SKS Poly Atl Ga ser # 12 03300E , no other markings spike bayonet striper clip feed Clean gun looks unfired an looks to be machined reciever , can you give me some idea of date mfg. But always exceptons as some early rifoes came to the US late. The third SKS we got is in really pretty impressive condition considering it came from the same source. PROCESS. SKS Collecting And Identification: A Buyers Guide, Blade Show Texas And Texas Gun Experience Team Up, Usurping The King: .224 Valkyrie Vs 5.56 NATO, 5 Best AR-10 Options You Can Actually Afford (2023), SHOT Show 2023 Day 2: Zastava M70 ZPAP Underfolder, 8 On-Target Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2022), 10 Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun Options (2022), Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyers Guide (2022), Best Concealed Carry Handguns For Women (2022). The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character. Cover latch Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>. today it remains wildly popular with collectors and recreational shooters, among others. Gotta love the SKS, great little rifles. Safety catch In recent years, the PRC has been producing the 7.62x39mm Type 68, the 7.62x 39mm Type 67, the 7.62x25mm Type 64, and the SKS Type 56 with the distinguishing folding bayonet. Why a $500 pistol really costs you $1,000 or more! 54. Turn the tool counter clockwise to lower the Why? This means well have to turn down the barrel and drill two new holes. 6. standardizing production of these Soviet-type small arms. It is a quality built Rifle. Trigger bar Oval Bores and the Col What are the differences between AK-47, AKM, AK-56, AK-74 and AK-101. Starting in the 1980s, SKS rifles were imported to North America, but in 1993 the Bill Clinton administration banned the import of Chinese . var a=new Image(); a.src=img; return a; 2. 58,260 dead Vs 2.5 million dinks. RELATED: 40 Best Rifles Perfect For Hunting Season | Gun Carrier. Inspect the rifle for any Cyrillic or Asian language characters that could help you determine its country of origin. (approx.) began making this equipment, and by wars end were well on their way to Later, during World War I, Vladimir Federov Many Russian SKSs underwent factory refurbishment before being imported as well, and it results in some examples having non-original features like a blued bolt and/or bayonet which were originally left in the white. Slam fire. Click below for a FREE LESSON! The Norinco SKS price can remain the same as long as the gun is in stock. Its bone stock except for a removable buttstock extension to improve length of pull. Im wanting to buy replacement parts but Im looking to get a better idea at the root cause before I start messing with things. Differences between factory markings, years of production and the manufacturing methods of specific individual components can all result in an SKS being worth more than average, but those details are only important to serious collectors. 19. Look here for info and feartures: Celebrating 20 years of AK ownership: 1992-2012. 46. 53. When it comes to 20th century Soviet-era small arms, the 7.62x39mm AK-47 may be the weapon that first comes to mind. Ergonomics wise, the first thing youre going to likely notice when handling an SKS for the first time is just how dated the design feels. While expensive for their condition, in todays surplus market that seems to be as low as any dealer is willing to sell them for. Ever wondered what it's like to get your hands on a vintage commie gun? Latch pin On a Russian SKS, the factory stamp can be located on the top of the dust cover, but Romanians instead put theirs on the left side of the receiver. Required fields are marked *. ((navigator.appName == "Microsoft Internet Explorer") && Trigger pin view of SKS 56 While the optimized length of pull is obviously supremely subjective and varies person to person, having a whole 3 feet of gun hanging off the front while youve got the stock crammed in real close like a weird rat person just feels funky as hell. 2. 3. scaled down version of the 14.5x111.8mm PRTS anti- tank rifle. I do have russian model sks 1954 edition. Well used and will show their history but highly functional and very cool! at 100-300 dollars I'd recommend them as the perfect place to start learning about classic rifles. The Type 56 Carbine (not to be confused with the Type 56 Assault Rifle) was nothing more than a local Chinese copy of the Soviet-era Simonov SKS Carbine self-loading rifle and, as such, shared many similarities with the original design including both form and function. 4. Bayonet assembly Cleaning rod Couple of the Russian models, and a Yugoslavian [one that didnt get fitted for a grenade launcher]. Now the screw can be removed and the bayonet can be taken off and reinstalled later. If all the serial numbers match the engravings on the lower assembly, shoulder stock, and barrel, then the value of that SKS should hold. Type 56: So while PSA isnt offering hand select, you still have the chance of getting a great wall hanger. THE ABOVE STEPS IN REVERSE ORDER. While it may be possible to tap it off with a hammer, pressing it off works far better. These two numbers indicate the date of manufacture. I found the conversion to be a lot of fun. The other was for civilian purchase. 4. I added a steady rest to the lathe to further support the barrel and machined the tenon to .548. Admiittedly the early models were the most likely to be considered "military" vs the later imports in the late 1980's and 90's. Note after the serial number there is a dash and then the last two digits of the year. Your email address will not be published. Hey, good article. The CIA reported on the gun's existence in 1955 while the first real-live versions . apply a light coat of oil. (figure15) Drift Hinge pin Of the 15 million plus SKS rifles produced, the Chinese made over 10 million of them. When the gun is fired, gas If a more reapid reload, and higher capacity are the main priorities, then an AK is the better tool for the job. the trigger. for 300 meters(330 yards). While these were also very affordable at the time, they never reached the same levels of abundance or inexpensiveness as the Chinese guns. Hold open latch spring Some SKS variants are easier to tell apart than others, and even some minor differences between models and years can have a big impact on their value. I mean, whatever, if they can keep making new Spider-Man movies every three months then I can review an SKS in 2020. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He was successful, and developed one of the best known military The three beats of war, peace, and revolution continue on forever. To do this, I installed the bayonet and marked it with a sharpie. 17. gear. If you can do that, youre doing well for 2022. rapid firing rifles. But the classic Samozaryadnyi Karabin . My rabbi taught me suicide is a sin, although helping a Nazi pos like you die would be a mitzvah. For example, to move the group on the target to the left, drift the front If you own a Norinco SKS, maintaining it in its original condition will guarantee you can hold its real value in the market. A few even feature personalized artwork carved into the wood by their previous ownersso each purchase is basically like gambling for Fortnite skins in real life or whatever. These are all reasonably easy fixes if youre so inclined to go hunting for that information, but we, unfortunately, didnt troubleshoot-flowchart ours beforehand. Tula produced far more over the years, making them the more common and less desirable of the two factories. bayonet outward from the muzzle of the rifle and remove the cleaning rod. 1. A forum community dedicated to AK rifle and AK variant rifle owners and enthusiasts. The side Mount looks like a kochetov mount for a Russian PU scope. Piston extension 6. Many of these rifles have a variety of symbols that all lead back to the same factory. Add the first digit in a Chinese serial number to 1956 to determine the manufacturing date. You insert the rounds one by one into the fixed 10-round magazine while the bolt is locked open. SKS Disassembly and Assembly I paid a wholesale price nearly five times what my original SKS cost! Cleaning Rod, The Basic SKS Accessories. indiscriminately. towards your level. During the Chinese civil war, the PRC I believe the SKS may be one of the most under appreciated rifles of the modern era. sight seat to the right. Takeawaybe careful when handling these old MILSURP SKS's. cartridge. main parts. Select what level shooter you are! These are the rarest and therefore most collectible SKS variants, at least when it comes to what can be found in the States. The acronym in English reads as Samozaryadny Karabin sistemy Simonova, 1945, or Self-loading Carbine of Simonov, 1945. Of course, considering the rifles have been in storage for a few decades, this means theyre going to be absolutely oozing with nasty ass cosmoline that youll need to remove before theyre safe to fire again, and you can check out our experience in doing just that here. We were primarily focused on functionand we were stoked when both rifles we took with us to the desert fed and fired just fine, stripper clip struggles aside. here to go back to the top of the page. 1. Bill Marr As a military weapon, the SKS rifle is Begin by sliding the bayonet handle and the 20. Apparently directly traceable to Chinas Jianshe 26 small arms factory and quote, stored in a neutral country which allows them to be imported, PSA themselves have stated that the guns run the gamut condition-wise. The original Russian SKS was developed by Sergei Simonov and was designed to take advantage of the Soviets adoption of the M43 7.62X39 intermediate cartridge. 5. For that, we need to know what "CJASFLD.ML" means. Firing pin retainer In over 30 years as a professional gunsmith I never once got up in the morning and didn't want to go to work. Made by the millions, Type 56s served in numerous conflicts across the world. Safety catch pin The Albanians extended the handguard area to cover the full length of the gas tube, providing more real estate for the shooters hand but also increasing the rifles weight. Their SKS was banned from import in 1993. We'll only use the information provided according to our privacy policy. But if you have deep pockets and an interest in collecting some of the rarer examples out there, the skys the limit. Specific historical provenance such as a Vietnam bringback with papers or an extremely rare variation of a model can cause them to be worth far more than normal. Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. These four numbers indicate the date of manufacture. With left hand, lift The first type of testing we will study is the Proof Test . Now, lock the magazine cover back in Very few were ever imported into the U.S. and most examples are Vietnam bringbacks. 2.410 f.p.s. Regardless of the specific make or model, the sheer abundance of . We snagged some new SKS stripper clips and encountered the usual issues that SKS owners have been maneuvering around for years. Firing pin { corrosive residue from the barrel of your rifle. mechanism retaining button at the rear of trigger bow. firing (ALWAYS REMAIN CONSCIOUS OF MUZZLE POSITION!!) Most were then refurbished using Polish-made stocks, their one distinctive Polish element. An SKS is a self-loading carbine assault rifle used by East European and Asian troops in Russia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Vietnam, East Germany, China, Korea and Albania through the late 1980s. I read the reviews on PSA, and most were satisfied with what they recieved, but there were a few people that got a bucket full of rusted & broken parts on guns they received. 7.62 x 39mm These include the wood, bayonet, and internal components. Look at an Albanian rifle's serial number. SKS stands for Samozaryadny Karabin Sistemy Simonova. or a mint yugo (and thats op for a hugo imo) I found one for about $400 in pretty good condition. Stripper clips are as fun to use as you described. Happy hunting. Type 56 SKS rifles seem to be split into three groups: sino-soviet ones with an arsenal stamp and cyrillic prefix, later ones that have an arsenal stamp and numeric serial numbers, and these so-called "ghost" ones that have no arsenal stamp, no cyrillic prefix, and 5-digit serial numbers. Much less powerful than the 54R fielded by infantryman and machine gunners, but a significant step up from the pistol calibers found in Soviet submachine guns. Magazine: 10-round fixed Sight Adjustment: Has this ever happened to any of you? SKS Review: The SKS is an economical and relatively reliable 7.62 x 39 rifle. if the factory code is in a square or oval it is commercial. Out to the range! Coming to America. So far, two general types of Norinco SKS rifles came from China. Hammer spring Shooting Larry Vickers The Test, Rebarrel a Remington 700 without a lathe: McGowens Remage barrel conversion, Chambering a rifle for an Ackley Improved Cartridge, Building a custom 7mm Rem Mag Hunting Rifle-PART 1, Remington Arms One at a time 1969 Manufacturing Video, Glock firing pin channel removal and replacement. 18. 7. When a blank round is loaded and the gas cut-off lever is lifted, a Yugo SKS can be used to launch 22mm rifle grenades of several different varieties. The SKS-45 was Hello. Some of you already probably know that Im a bit of a nerd when it comes to milsurp stuff, and Im always stoked anytime the chance to cover guns with a little bit of character and patina crops up. during the Vietnam war. thumb on the rear of the receiver cover The SKS-56 was encountered frequently during the Vietnam war. The only issue I've ever had was with the Yugo it had some cycling issues with Wolf steel case ammo, other brands or handloads cycled just fine. It pays to have them thoroughly checked out by a qualified gunsmith before hitting the range. To do this I used a small level and then swept along the flat part of the front sight with the indicator. The Chinese clearly had an affinity for this design, not only producing it in the largest numbers of any nation but for the longest duration and with the most amount of experimentation and development. Before we get to work, lets take a look at the following disclaimer. For this reason, it is still popular among hunters, and even is employed in many militaries today. Trigger guard spring Exploded The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. with the muzzle ring facing the muzzle of the rifle and insert the bayonet pin (figure13) CAUTION: Further movement will allow operating rod and spring to By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. if(MSFPhover) { MSFPnav2n=MSFPpreload("../_derived/up_cmp_sandston110_hbtn.gif"); MSFPnav2h=MSFPpreload("../_derived/up_cmp_sandston110_hbtn_a.gif"); } No problem, So CT's banned List says this abour Norincos. I also found that I wanted to punch my support hand out real far forward and C-clamp over the top handguard to add a bit of stability considering the real short length of pull, but doing so actually blocks your iron sights entirely, so RIP. finger, press in on the cover of the accessory chamber on the butt plate and 21. That distinction is fuzzy unless you get a bringback specimen. Forum. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. rear and extract and eject the live round in the chamber. Remove all carbon fouling, Dry with a clean rag, then 12. A Russian weapons designer, Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov, invented it. China was the only nation to ever produce an SKS with a stamped receiver, and they also experimented with things like different stock materials, shorter barrel lengths and the ability to feed from AK mags. SKS Quick Facts: First Year of Manufacture: 1945 . 7. From the perspective of a sight picture, move Wild_Philosopher1222 3 days ago. Note the full length rifle to the left, my conversion to the right, and the pieces of barrel, cleaning rod and bayonet that I removed. unloaded. Always exercise due diligence before purchasing any product or service. enthusiasts. Havent shot it much. 6. (((navigator.appName == "Netscape") && In order to turn down the barrel, it needs to be mounted in the lathe. (figure18) So, lets take a look at the different kinds of SKS that youre likely to encounter on the American second-hand gun market, how to identify them, and what theyre generally worth. Very early Russian examples didnt have chrome-lining either, but it was quickly added and copied by every other nation to produce the design. Type your email address and well send We already have an account registered for email address They tend to provide adequate documentation of their production facilities during trade agreements. Doug (he runs the store) and I lamented on how we should have purchased some Chinese paratrooper SKS carbines back when they were in plentiful supply. Large spring guide Hey John, I have the Yugo version, Cal-qualified (muzzle device welded on at three points around the clock, sorta kinda looks a bit like original - at a distance, at high speed). Its bad enough to clean the cosmoline off, but to find gun totally rusted out under wood, with very bad pitting in 4 places on reciever. Front sight You do not pay // -->. With relatively few remaining SKSs around the globe that can legally be brought into the U.S., prices began rising as soon as availability went down. Thanks, The Spike Bayonet on one that a friend of mine has is not dulled, and it came out of the Cosmoline and paper wrap like that. With so many different kinds imported over the years, it can be difficult to know what kind of SKS you're looking at, this guide will help you identify all manner of Simonov carbines and roughly estimate their value. To further increase its worth, ensure you know the provenance of your SKS rifles. Starting a serious SKS collection obviously isnt for everyone, but that doesnt mean you still wont be able to pay a decent price for a good shooter. position where the camming surface located at the front is completely vertical. Use a pin punch to strike the trigger how to tell if your chinese sks is a military type 56 or one just made for export. SKS RIFLES SHOULD BE CLEANED THOROUGHLY It's kind of like they threw this gun together with spare parts. MSFPhover = Do you have your own collection of the Norinco SKS? You should not rely solely on information contained in this email to evaluate the product or service being endorsed. I do this by grabbing the bayonet shank with a pair of locking pliers. The three characters after it say "Type 56". For the money love these guns. I asked the wife of a friend of mine. Sourcing a rifles production time includes researching the monetary value of that rifle. 5. I have a 1954 Tula in great shape paid around 100 dollars back in 1991. Thought it might have been the old "firing pin taper gets the thing stuck in the bolt" issue, so I sent the bolt assembly to Murray's Gunsmithing in Bowie, Texas, for their bolt/firing pin magic. Use the same technique with NOTE: Crossbolt removal is not required or from the muzzle end. Use a cleaning jag or slotted To raise the point of impact turn the tool A quick trip to the bandsaw (these arent made of hardened steel) and belt grinder to shorten then copy the profile of the original bayonet. Early models, Izhevsk-produced models and very nice condition examples easily sell for a grand or more these days. Like the AK47, the SKS remained something of a mystery in the West for an extended period. There were only about 24 million SKS rifles produced throughout China. I mean yeah, no kidding right? 23. It should be noted that given the state of the rifles, we didnt bother shooting groups as thats probably not why anyones bothering to snag an ancient commie gun. This website will detail all aspects of the Chinese Type56 SKS carbine from original military examples to commercial models including important data, research, descriptions, pictures, and more. Trigger spring The SKS made by them tended to have light blonde stocks, and a rivet rather than a bolt on the bayonet. A Russian weapons designer, Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov, invented it. Assembly From the Stock: A toothbrush can be used effectively for cleaning BTW The SKS is a great Communist rifle that the Viet Cong used with great effect in killing American Imperialist scum while liberating their country from our puppet in Hanoi. I bought one of these rifles from PSA in July 2021 for $499. Carbines for Collectors: Simonov System Self Loading Carbine, Yooper John's SKS -- Battle Rifle of Many Nations. The Factory code tells all. 1. The original Russian SKS was developed by Sergei Simonov and was designed to take advantage of the Soviet's adoption of the M43 7.62X39 intermediate cartridge. Look at the two numbers at the beginning of a German SKS serial number to determine its date of manufacture. Remove the gas piston from the handguard and gas cylinder assembly, and clean The AK-47 was the prototype for many Front sight seat Click My first centerfire rifle was a Chinese Type 56 SKS in a synthetic stock that my father bought me for $80 in 1992. For an introduction to more surface-level SKS analysis, however, read on. Load with either single rounds or stripper It is a semi-automatic weapon that fires rounds that measure 7.62x39mm. (figure11) receiver cover to move backward 1/2" and remove by sliding to rear. Get the latest news and reviews from Gundigest.com. Again The challengeis this: the countries that received these rifles from China didnt have most of the documents with the production details. There is also an all purpose "battle" setting on the sight ladder, set Also had rusted out bayonet 1" from tip, and broken upper handguard. As the condition PSA is selling them in puts most of them firmly in the Hey, this things pretty neat! category. The Soviet Union designed the SKS near the end of WWII and either sold them to favored nations or assisted countries in setting up domestic manufacturing for the rifle. (ALWAYS BE CONSCIOUS OF MUZZLE POSITION!!) Allegedly, the SKS saw some very limited or experimental use with Russian frontline units near the end of the war in 1945, but not in any kind of significant numbers. This number indicates the year of manufacture. To remove Gas tube/Handguard Assembly: Use We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared 26. Recoil is obviously a bit sharper than a standard AR-15 thanks to that chunky ass 7.6239 cartridge, and the lack of a muzzle device means that most of the impulse is going to be upwards. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. position. Paid almost $300.00 back then. Learn all the important stuff about handgunswith none of the attitude. Removing the trigger 45. If you want to know the production information of a Chinese SKS rifle, the following may come in handy. Check out our review of the Chinese Type 56 SKS and see how to get one! To put that into perspective, the AK47 was designed in 1945 and finished in 1947 - hence, the '47. Spring retainer recoil spring and receiver. Any unexpended rounds will now be freed JavaScript is disabled. Latch stop pin Japanese (The Japanese had seized them in Manchuria.). The symbol indicates which factory the rifle came from and an estimate of the production date. Saturate the bore brush with gun solvent fold the bayonet back down to a "march position". This is not always the case. Remove the recoil spring from the rear of the bolt carrier. Disconnector hinge assembly The most common Yugo SKS pattern is the Zastava M59/66 PAP which was built under license from the USSR. Never attempt to use ammunition of any other caliber in your gun. REMAIN CONSCIOUS OF MUZZLE POSITION!!) The Chinese stocks are shaped for a triangular spike bayonet. Do not pour oil into the receiver :-) Blade bayonet was never used for going-to-ground. In very good condition, lots of blue on the metal, wood not chopped up. the safety in the "ON" position. My first one was a Chinese SKS. The gun is rust free and seems to be functional. I wanted one. Aim to do At least One thing to support the Second Amendment every week. I have a few Yugo models that I love shooting. subsequent versions, and the Chinese manufactured SKS Type 56 rifle is a direct Drilling Guns, Is it a shotgun or a rifle? 2. Yugoslavian SKSs are typically the most affordable kind after Chinese examples, and they will usually be in better condition than what you would pay for a Type 56 of the same price. 3. - YouTube 0:00 / 2:51 how to tell if your chinese sks is a military type 56 or one just made. The Chinese SKS rifle began in Russian factories during the fifties and sixties. needed for the "Avtomat" increased, and they adopted use of a Make at least 10 passes though the barrel Exploded A far cry from the prices of the 90s, but there is a finite supply of Russian SKS carbines in the country and their collectability has driven up both their demand and value. Instructions for Loading Any info on that? Id even go as far as to say theyre great project guns if youre looking for a way to learn the ins and outs of cleaning disgusting grease from every conceivable nook of a rifleeven if your overall plan is to sacrifice the remains to the Tapco god when it is all said and done. Ther Firearms History, Technology & Development, Is it a shotgun or a rifle? The SKS, or Samozaryadny Karabin Sistemy Simonova, is one of the most famous and influential rifles ever produced. 10. The rifle feeds from ten-round stripper clips inserted through the top. But most if not all of the pinned barrel ones are commercial, they did that to speed up production. Like all things Yugoslavian, they did their SKS just a bit different than everyone else. To remove the cleaning rod: Swing the For example, most of the Chinese SKS for sale may come from Factory 26. Piston return spring East German models are distinctive due to their K98-style sling slot in the stock, and they were only produced for two or three years. 39. Bayonet screw To remove a bayonet from an SKS, the base of the bayonet needs to be slid and held back. This video is about SKS 7.62. Small spring guide This guide will show the easiest ways to determine an SKS country of origin and what you should generally expect to pay for one in the current market. 6. pulled back from the stock assembly. 5. Flush out your headgearand SNAP OUT OF IT ! Note, though, these symbols will only a give you a rough estimate of the production decade. Literally, millions of SKSs (along with plenty of cheap 7.6239 to feed them) were imported from China between the mid to late 80s and 1994 when President Clinton signed the Norinco Ban, making them the most abundant SKS variant in the United States by far. Also, the blonde stocks are supposedly for export. The day some shit-bag set foot in-country, they willingly joined a war crime. 4. The most notable change they made to the design was the addition of rifle grenade-launching capabilities, resulting in a distinct grenade launcher spigot added to the end of the barrel and a gas cut-off lever/grenade sight to the gas tube. The bottom of the magazine can be opened to release any rounds which may remain in the weapon. Due to the odd shape and size of the receiver, it wouldnt pass through the headstock of my lathe; however, I was able to grab the rear of the action in the four-jaw chuck so I could machine the muzzle end. and push though the length of barrel. assembly tightly against table with screwdriver or punch. Bought it for my wife for deer hunting about 25 years ago. Great video on the type 56 SKS. If your feet smell and your nose runs, your upside down. remain conscious of muzzle position. Dry the bore with a clean patch, and then -- Golda Meir. Elevation: Your Republicans have been in power since January, and I notice they have done squat about repealing the import ban. 49. Take out all the accessories. Diagnosis: Worn parts compounded by what appeared to be an attempt by some Chicom or NVA to modify the FCG to make it go faster. As relations between the U.S. and China improved they began to take advantage of Americans love of cheap, reliable firearms. -And yes, I have looked at the "UBERFAQ" site that follows and it left with some more questions. Magazine follower 38. (figure1) If you wanna hear God laugh, tell Him your plans. (figure19) He said that it fell off after ten shots. 11. all rounds are gone, or the shooter stops firing. In military terms thats a massacre. Chinese SKSs are the most common kind in the U.S. by far, but identifying the exact model can be challenging with so many slight variations. Will be the last time I buy anything from PSA. It explains why they are quickly becoming collectible classics. While not nearly as abundant as Chinese models, a healthy number of Russian guns were brought in as well. and the SKS Type 56 with the distinguishing folding bayonet. Any logo like this on the left side of the receiver means that its Chinese, but identification is often made easier by the inclusion of Chinese characters or Norinco printed in English as well. Designated as the M56, Romanian SKSs can be some of the hardest to identify due to how similar they are to the Russian SKS it was directly copied from. These days, doing a Norinco SKS serial number lookup is easy online. So it worked out perfectly that Palmetto State Armory appears to have imported what I imagine is a shipping container full of Chinese Type 56 carbineswhich are essentially a Chicom clone of Siemonovs well-known SKS.