It started out being a small project, but it has kind of snowballed and one thing leading to another.
Initially, when I picked up the SKS, I told myself that I wasn't going to do anything to it and just enjoy it for what it is.
It had a 20 round promag when I got it (which actually seemed like a nice magazine), but I kind of like the original setup better.
So, the promag got sent to a buddy of mine and I picked up an OEM box mag for it. At the same time, I also remembered the whole reason I got rid of my first one was because of the floating firing pin and unintentional slam fires, so I ordered a Murray's firing pin and spring to replace it with.
All went fine for a while and I thought I got it all out of my system, but the stock had several bad places in it that were bugging me.
And I never liked the lighter blonde color chinese stocks anyway, so I decided to replace it with a new wood stock because the one that was on it was just too ragged out and I'll refinish the new one in a slightly darker color when it gets here later this week.
I have already sanded down the forend and hand rubbed 3 coats of English Chestnut stain on it and I was happy with how it turned out. The new stock will get the same treatment.
But while I had the gun entirely tore down, I couldn't help but notice the light spots in the blueing from wear and tear and I thought to myself that if the wood stock and everything was going to look nice, why shouldn't the metal look good too?
So, I tore my shop apart until I found the last of the Norrels Moly bake on paint I had and refinished the barreled receiver with two coats, so essentially, I have almost entirely restored the gun with all the little projects and face lifts over a period of a couple of months.
Of course pics of the stock and finished gun will come later after I get the new stock and get a little while to sand it down and restain it, but I can show some before and after pics of the metal refinishing in the meantime if anyone wants to see it so far.
Initially, when I picked up the SKS, I told myself that I wasn't going to do anything to it and just enjoy it for what it is.
It had a 20 round promag when I got it (which actually seemed like a nice magazine), but I kind of like the original setup better.
So, the promag got sent to a buddy of mine and I picked up an OEM box mag for it. At the same time, I also remembered the whole reason I got rid of my first one was because of the floating firing pin and unintentional slam fires, so I ordered a Murray's firing pin and spring to replace it with.
All went fine for a while and I thought I got it all out of my system, but the stock had several bad places in it that were bugging me.
And I never liked the lighter blonde color chinese stocks anyway, so I decided to replace it with a new wood stock because the one that was on it was just too ragged out and I'll refinish the new one in a slightly darker color when it gets here later this week.
I have already sanded down the forend and hand rubbed 3 coats of English Chestnut stain on it and I was happy with how it turned out. The new stock will get the same treatment.
But while I had the gun entirely tore down, I couldn't help but notice the light spots in the blueing from wear and tear and I thought to myself that if the wood stock and everything was going to look nice, why shouldn't the metal look good too?
So, I tore my shop apart until I found the last of the Norrels Moly bake on paint I had and refinished the barreled receiver with two coats, so essentially, I have almost entirely restored the gun with all the little projects and face lifts over a period of a couple of months.
Of course pics of the stock and finished gun will come later after I get the new stock and get a little while to sand it down and restain it, but I can show some before and after pics of the metal refinishing in the meantime if anyone wants to see it so far.
