SKS Rifle question?

Question

What is the difference of the SKS rifle now, and before the Pre-ban day's? I hear that if you modify your SKS in some states you can get in big trouble does anyone know what these moddification's are??

Answer 1

The bayonet lug on all models and the grenade launchers on Yugos were the offending parts.  Since the AWB is over the only ones banned  everywhere are Chinese/Norinco that were imported after Chinese guns were banned.

I think California has stupid laws saying you need to grind off they bayonet lug and stuff.  Maybe New York too.

Answer 2

Modifying an SKS runs afoul of federal law, not state

If you permanently change an SKS from it's original configuration you change it's C&R status which allows this "non-sporting" gun to be imported

By doing so you create a non importable imported gun

The ATF has decided that if you have less than ten foreign made parts then the gun is no longer considered imported

So changing about 8 or 9 parts for American made magically makes this an American made gun, even though the important parts are still foreign

It's weird, convoluted and stupid, but it is the law

Answer 3

The bayonet is all I know of.

Answer 4

Harry-

If you are living here in Kalifornia, you may not under any circumstances modify your SKS.

I have several of them in my collection.  

The new SKS's that are sold here will have the bayonette lug already removed, so this will not be an issue.

Here is what you cannot do.

If the SKS is a Curio & Relic, it may not be altered in any fashion.  Meaning if it came with the bayonette lug, and bayonette before the Assault Rifle Ban went into effect, you may not alter its original configuration.  This mainly applies to Russian SKS's as they can no longer be imported into California.

You cannot alter the stock configuration, to include changing to an alternate stock with out removal of the bayonette lug, then the wepon must be registered with the State of California Department of Justice as a Class 3 Assault Weapon.  The moment you do this you are left with two options.  Remove it from the state, or surrender it to Local Law Enforcement for destruction.

You may not alter the method in which cartridges are fed into the weapon.  Meaning after market magazine kits will get you a 10 to 15 year prison sentance, (felony), if you install them.

You may however, keep the rifle in its original factory configuration, bayonette included if the rifle was purchased before 1998.  Original configuration, does not mean purchased before that date, then altered before or after.

Now this is for The People's Demokratik Republik of Kalifornia.  So if you live in another state, please check with your Local Law Enforcement Agency before making any changes.  Basically, if you just purchase the gun, leave it alone and you will be fine.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Please contact your local authorities or State Police. They can best advise you on the laws in your jurisdiction.

That is unless your happy with guys and girls guessing at lawful firearms modifications four states over.

...What do you mean five years in the pen. But Judge, the people on Yahoo, answers said it was ok...

Answer 6

In my state its the bayonet. Some older SKS's were outfitted with a detachable box magazine. Over 10 rounds those are a no-no where I'm at.......