SKS barrel pitting question

[u/Bobba_cs]

Is this safe to shoot long term? I dont want the pitting to lead to a larger failure down the line. I’d like to use this rifle long term as it is my go to semi right now.

Also, would normal cleaning and oiling prevent it from worsening?

Thanks!

[u/Wilsonjet2017]

Only way it can get like that is if it was actually used in the field, that's cool! It's authentic! Ask yourself this - would Ivan have continued shooting this in the field with this oxidation hiding under the mud, certainly. Would he continue putting thousands of rounds of practice through it, absolutely. It looks like it's been re-blued so that must have been done arsenally before being sold as surplus, and they have minimum standards to protect themselves so it doesn't come back to them. And who knows it may have been refurbished when the iron curtain was still up, so a rifle unfit for duty may mean serious consequences. Do rifles have pitting? Many do. Do they still shoot? Of course. Is the pitting less than 10% of the total wall thickness? Looks about that in the photo. Honestly if you're worried, put some rounds through it on a sled with a string. I bet it'll be absolutely fine. Many surplus rifles have worse and are fine. It comes with the territory.