SKS stock question?

[Sentryduty]

The impression that I got of my Chinese SKS is that it is surprisingly well made. However, whatever wood was chosen for the stock seemed, in my opinion, a little on the soft side.

Both of those impressions match my own. About a decade ago we had an absolute glut of new production "Norinco" civilian SKS's, they were identical to the military production guns aside from date of mfg, and sold for $130. I handled a number and shot a few, and they worked just as well as any other SKS produced. The stocks are of a softer type wood than one is usually accustomed to, since I am no international arbourist I can't guess, however an internet search for the topic reveals lots of speculation. The wood in most Norinco products are a little on the soft side in my experience and remind me of working with Poplar, the "soft" hardwood.