and I know only enough to pick one out of a crowd. He's looking for "hi capacity", of course, he mentioned 30 round. Are there any to avoid or acquire? Are there different types or one fits all?

Thank you!

It can be luck of the draw on extra SKS Magazines. A number of different ones are out there,some well made and worked well, others were flimsy and were problems. T
hey also had ones that were fixed in place once installed, a lot were 30 round type and some were less. The was some demand for 5 rounders as well for use in the field for hunting. I have been away from them for quite a while now and cannot remember who had the good ones. I think "Kengs" in Georgia were good, but can't be certain. I found the use of proper strippers and the conventional built in magazine on the SKS seems to be the best out there, reliable and easy to load and unload. Sorry can't be more help.

stripper clips and the wood stock, less so with after market folding stocks and hi cap mags...

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

Come out of the rifle. It is iffy each time you take a high cap. Magazine out as to whether you will get it back in "just right."

Each time so I left it in and fed with stripper clips. Unfortunately 30 round mags don't fit in the gunsafe very well. I bought a 20 round plastic Tapco but had to do some filing to get it to fit just right. Works well but stays in the gun. They just weren't designed for removable magazines. Unless they fit "just right" after about the second or third round they drop down slightly out of position and quit feeding.

Reloading with stripper clips is very fast and handy...

I prefer the SKS to be smooth and simple...

Byron

Of must have 10 (not sure of exact number) US made parts once you start modifying and when it is left stock there is no problem. You have to start changing out a bunch of parts even if you just wanted to change stock and magazine. I wouldn't go down that road if I had it to do over again.

As usual, a source of reasoned, experienced answers.

I'll advise him to spend his money on ammo and strippers (the 'clip' kind, of course).

Buy a Kalashnikov