SKS Front Sight Ideas

westphoenix · May 22, 2007, 02:01 AM

OK I cut down the barrel on one of my Yugos.
As shown in the picture I had a scout mount setup, which is cool and I like it.
But I would also like a standard type fixed front sight (possibly removable, clamp-on or set screw).
I really like the look, size and feel of this rifle now that its cut down.

The Yugo front sight bases do not seem thick enough to drill out. On the Yugo The barrel steps up in size right before the sight base, which is where I cut it. Even if it was thick enough to drill out I couldnt use a set screw to hold it and I do not feel comfortable with trying to do the factory style pinning.

I have checked, AK and AR sights, but the are taller and the barrel diameters are larger.

Anyone have any ideas on what I could do?
Is there a different SKS I could get a sight from and get it to work?

- Click image to enlarge -

MAC114U · May 23, 2007, 03:50 PM

I’m in the same boat as you, and with the same mount. I have a Russian sks that I had the barrel shortened to 16.5”, and just like your yugo, the front sight seems too thin to drill out. My only option is to weld the sight base to the gas block, which just seem like too much trouble, especially since I don’t know anyone that has a welder.

westphoenix · May 23, 2007, 04:05 PM

Got this idea from an SKSboards.com member.
See thread here: http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=28062.0

Its a hi-point carbine front sight.
Here are his pictures, he did have to slightly modify the sight.

MAC114U · May 23, 2007, 06:35 PM

Hay, that’s perfect!

Thanks for the link.

Tom2 · May 23, 2007, 07:24 PM

Now just to put on a pistol grip and cut off the buttstock and you will be rockin'! Just don't get caught in daylight with the thing!

chris in va · May 24, 2007, 12:56 AM

Wow, I want to cut my barrel too! Jeez. All that grenade launcher crap really annoys me on the Yugo.

So did you have a gunsmith do it for you? If not how did you re-crown it?

MythBuster · May 24, 2007, 07:55 AM

Where did you get your scope mount?

FALshootist · May 24, 2007, 08:37 AM

Although his won't help if you have already cut your barrel, the best iron sights for an SKS are the williams firesight (front) and peep (rear) they are realatively cheap and easy to install. they wrk great.

westphoenix · May 24, 2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris in va

Wow, I want to cut my barrel too! Jeez. All that grenade launcher crap really annoys me on the Yugo.
So did you have a gunsmith do it for you? If not how did you re-crown it?

You can cut it yourself with a hacksaw or with an air body saw like I did. Use a file to make the end of the barrel square. You can buy a carbide ball mill to crown the inside of the barrel. If you want the inside and the outside done you will need a crowning tool and they are expensive (unless you plan on using it a lot). You might get lucky and have a smith in the area that has it and will do it cheap. Otherwise just use the ball mill and do it yourself. My camera doesn't take good close-ups so I can't get you a good pic of the crown right now.

Also note most people who cut their barrel down on an SKS have issues afterwards. My issue is some rounds will stovepipe. It appears the bolt is not traveling all the way back and stripping a new round before the empty is completely ejected. The problems are because the shorter distance between the gasport and end of the barrel does not allow enough pressure to build up to properly operate the gas system. The solution is to enlarge the gas porthole. Apparently it doesn't take much, I have not got to that yet. I have heard from 2-3 people that they had the same problem I did and they slightly drilled out the gas porthole and it solved it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MythBuster

Where did you get your scope mount?

Scope:
Simmons ProHunter Handgun Scope 2x 20mm Truplex Reticle Matte
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=780091

Mount:
Millett 1-Piece Angle-Loc Weaver-Style Base with 1" Angle-Loc Windage Adjustable Rings Medium SKS Matte
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=595160
I had to mill another slot in the base to allow the scope to mount that scope.

MAC114U:
Make sure you note in that link that you must modify hi-point sight to work, but it is easy (so they say, we'll see).

westphoenix · June 1, 2007, 12:52 AM

I must say Hi-Points customer service was very impressive. I called them and had the sight in my mailbox two days later. I cut it down, rounded some of the corners, drilled the sight and inserted a pin. Finished it with Hoppes 9 cold blue. My camera sucks and I had to lighten the picture up. Here are the pics:

May 22, 2007, 02:01 AM	#1
westphoenix Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 582	SKS Front Sight Ideas OK I cut down the barrel on one of my Yugos. As shown in the picture I had a scout mount setup, which is cool and I like it. But I would also like a standard type fixed front sight (possibly removable, clamp-on or set screw). I really like the look, size and feel of this rifle now that its cut down. The Yugo front sight bases do not seem thick enough to drill out. On the Yugo The barrel steps up in size right before the sight base, which is where I cut it. Even if it was thick enough to drill out I couldnt use a set screw to hold it and I do not feel comfortable with trying to do the factory style pinning. I have checked, AK and AR sights, but the are taller and the barrel diameters are larger. Anyone have any ideas on what I could do? Is there a different SKS I could get a sight from and get it to work? - Click image to enlarge -

May 24, 2007, 08:37 AM	#8
FALshootist Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2002 Posts: 295	Although his won't help if you have already cut your barrel, the best iron sights for an SKS are the williams firesight (front) and peep (rear) they are realatively cheap and easy to install. they wrk great. __________________ "Iwoke up this morning and got myself a beer. The future is uncertain and the end is always near."

May 23, 2007, 03:50 PM	#2
MAC114U Junior Member Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 5	I’m in the same boat as you, and with the same mount. I have a Russian sks that I had the barrel shortened to 16.5”, and just like your yugo, the front sight seems too thin to drill out. My only option is to weld the sight base to the gas block, which just seem like too much trouble, especially since I don’t know anyone that has a welder.

May 23, 2007, 04:05 PM	#3
westphoenix Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 582	Got this idea from an SKSboards.com member. See thread here: http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=28062.0 Its a hi-point carbine front sight. Here are his pictures, he did have to slightly modify the sight.

May 23, 2007, 06:35 PM	#4
MAC114U Junior Member Join Date: May 23, 2007 Posts: 5	Hay, that’s perfect! Thanks for the link.

May 23, 2007, 07:24 PM	#5
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,554	Now just to put on a pistol grip and cut off the buttstock and you will be rockin'! Just don't get caught in daylight with the thing!

May 24, 2007, 12:56 AM	#6
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 7,212	Wow, I want to cut my barrel too! Jeez. All that grenade launcher crap really annoys me on the Yugo. So did you have a gunsmith do it for you? If not how did you re-crown it?

May 24, 2007, 07:55 AM	#7
MythBuster Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2007 Posts: 264	Where did you get your scope mount?

June 1, 2007, 12:52 AM	#10
westphoenix Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 582	I must say Hi-Points customer service was very impressive. I called them and had the sight in my mailbox two days later. I cut it down, rounded some of the corners, drilled the sight and inserted a pin. Finished it with Hoppes 9 cold blue. My camera sucks and I had to lighten the picture up. Here are the pics: