Would adding a scope and mount to an SKS Carbine void its C&R status?
ATF has stated repeatedly that in order for a surplus military firearm to retain C&R status, it must be complete and in its “original military configuration”. This has lead many to conclude that adding a scope to an SKS Carbine would void the C&R status. However one member of the Survivor’s SKS Boards received correspondence from ATF containing the following: “The exchange of a broken or worn part for another would not remove a C&R forearm from the classification—nor would the attachment of a telescopic sight, provided that the firearm wasn’t significantly modified to accept a scope” Does this mean a scope mount does not void the C&R status? It all hinges on what “significantly modified” means. Shortly after writing for clarification, this author received a telephone call from Sterling Nixon, Chief of the BATF Firearms Technology Branch. He stated that adding a scope does not void the C&R status — which makes sense since in the SKS typically uses add-on receiver cover mounts that do no
