Of all the firsts in my life, one in particular not only ignited a deep-seated passion but also would be the beginnings of my career.
I set out to purchase my first firearm years ago back home in the deep South. After weeks of scraping and saving at my summer job as a landscaper in the hot Alabama sun, I was determined to get my first rifle. I actually did not grow up with guns, as my mother did not want them in the house. But coming into manhood in the south, it was almost a rite of passage to get one’s first firearm.
So, there I am, a young man with his hard-earned money browsing around an old flea market. I had my heart set on an AK variant, but it was not to be. I stumbled across a Chinese Norinco SKS and almost instantly fell in love. It was one of those moments where you see something and instantly have to have it.
After some haggling, I secured my very own SKS for about $230. As soon as I left that flea market, I grabbed some ammo and went to a friend’s farm to test it out. If you’ve ever bought a used gun from a gun show or secondhand market, you know how incredibly nervous you can be that it will work properly.
(Photos: Alexander Reville/Guns.com)
Luckily, this old gal ran like a charm, and I was instantly hooked.
The Design of the SKS
Before I get any further into the story, I think it is worth briefly discussing the history and design of the SKS. This Russian-designed rifle came about at the end of World War II as a semi-automatic, short-stroke gas piston design chambered for the brand-new intermediate 7.62x39mm Soviet cartridge.
The rifle features a 20-inch barrel and originally fed from an internal 10-round fixed magazine. In fact, it was designed to be reloaded using stripper clips, as that was the common practice of the time. Unfortunately, it did not last long in service. Adopted in 1945, the SKS would be usurped by Mikhail Kalashnikov’s AK-47 in 1949.
However, the design remained in auxiliary service for many years and was used and manufactured by many communist countries during the 1950s and ’60s. Norinco was one of the larger SKS manufacturers.
Related Review: Norinco SKS – Cold War-era Chinese Military Rifle Still Performs
The SKS remains in limited service with the Chinese military, mainly as a drill rifle. The design is well traveled and flooded the U.S. domestic market in the ’90s and early 2000s. Often used for deer hunting, the design is the perfect sporting rifle, offering .30-caliber power with a long 20-inch barrel and easily mastered design.
Where it all Started
My newly purchased SKS quickly became one of my most prized possessions. Now, I did have my eye set on an AK, so I unfortunately removed and lost the 10-round internal magazine in favor of several 35-round removable box magazines made by Tapco. While they were not nearly as quick as AK magazines, in my mind it was a much-needed tactical upgrade.
That was the start of my passion for firearms. I loved shooting, and I so enjoyed taking my rifle out and showing it off. Eventually, that passion blossomed into an interest not only in firearms but in military surplus designs. I have spent years collecting, learning, and developing an appreciation for firearms.
Looking back, I can see the profound impact this one purchase had on my life. From going to gun shows with my brother, to helping him start and open a local gun shop, to now working at Guns.com, it was a launching point not only for a passion, but a career.
What a blessing it is to be in this nation whose founding fathers knew the importance of the right to bear arms. What an incredible experience it is to have and hold a piece of history, and what an exhilarating experience it is to purchase your first firearm.
Whether you're on your first or 500th gun, the most important thing to do is train. Dry fire, pick up some ammo, hit the range, and master the craft. Always remember to keep your powder dry.
