just have to aggree with you Gary, just tore this sks apart, it is chinese,made at factory 26, in 1958, and is really in great condition. I got the book on this gun and went thru it page by page, and found many interesting things about this gun and the history. Made on Russianicon machines, and up to the Russian standards . Looks like I got a winner, and have to say, everyone who collects and shoots milsurps should have an SKS and get to know it as a great gun and very freindly to the user.