[bernie]

This is a question that is pretty specific. This is for my wife. We live in the country and this is something so she has something more substantial than a pistol with more range than a shotgun. Currently the rifle of choice is an HBAR. But I do not shoot it, and my wife does not more than once a year. This is not a rifle that will be carried around a lot, It is usually propped in the corner. Also, my wife is 5'2" and about 100 pounds.
The new Yugo SKS rifles look good, but I have zero experience with the SKS. Could my wife probably handle the rifle? I know the recoil would not be a problem as we used to have an AK, but I did not like the thought of ever being in court having used an AK in a defensive situation. How does the length of pull compare to an A2 AR?

[PATH]

I would go with the H bar. The SKS will save you on price and ammo but the 5.56 has less recoil and will be a lighter rifle.(Yes, I did see the comment on the previous AK). The HBAR will engage at a greater distance and can be used for plinking as well as target shooting.

If I had to stake my life on a rifle I would go with an AR.

[Shweboner]

I say go with the SKS. Its cheap, light enough, packs a punch, and its reliable as hell... you can treat it like crap (1. it can take it, 2. its $100) Not that the AR is a bad choice... just that I wouldn't make one my everyday truck/house rifle.

My Romainian is kick-***. Its gone 700 rounds w/o a cleaning once... without ANY problems....

oh yeah and its accurate enough. 1-200 yards.... okay maybe the 200 yards is a stretch... but you see where I am going.

Or, preferably, get both.:D


~Brian

[SodaPop]

Mini 14

[dude]

Mini 30 (or SKS)

..........did I mention cheap (bigger) ammo?

[bernie]

How does the length of pull compare between an A2 AR and an SKS?

[natedog]

Saiga or Mini 14

[454c]

My wife is 5 ft. and 95 lbs. and she shoots my SKS with no problems.The SKS is better fitted for smaller framed people.(IMO)

[Destructo6]

The SKS will probably be a bit shorter.

The SKS, with its integral bayonet, GL sight, etc might be a little heavier than need be. I have no trouble with it, but I'm not 5'2".

Recoil is similar to the AR, so that's something of a wash. My nefews (12 and 8) had no trouble with it, even commenting that the recoil was "not enough."

Have you considered a light barreled CAR-15 in place of the HBAR? A 6-position buttstock would guarantee a suitable LOP. That would be my choice for a small woman.

[Bostonterrier97]

Eh....neither. Get her an M1 Carbine.
For Defensive purposes, have one magazine loaded with hollow or soft points.

The M1 Carbine, while the ammo is more expensive, is light (about 6 lbs), has better sights than on the SKS. And less recoil.

[TimH]

Is "Hbar" a brand or a type of rifle?

[nsf003]

TimH,

HBAR stands for the heavy barrel AR

nsf

[Kharn]

Bushmaster has post and preban A2-profile barrels for $200, I bet you could find a gunsmith willing to swap the barrel for you for a small fee (its really easy if you have the action block and wrench) and then you could sell the original barrel on the net for $120ish if its in good shape. The A2 profile is pretty light, even lighter are the "pencil" barrels that are coming back into fashion.

Kharn

[Tropical Z]

The Yugo SKS's are a little front heavy.Id seriously consider a 16" Saiga in 7.62x39.CDNN has them for $159.99
In hand,after a backround check you should still be able to get it for about $200.00

[Redlg155]

An SKS will serve you just fine for a lot less. I got a very nice Norinco/Polytech not that long ago in a private sale for $125.00. The SKS will also double as a nice deer rifle if you are so inclined to do so.

Still, I'd be more inclined to just stick with a shotgun. Use slugs for longer range and buckshot for shorter ranges. The chances of her having to use a weapon at short ranges are much greater than her having to use one at long ranges. More than likely the bad guys will walk up under the guise of needing help rather than engaging you from a long distance. You state that neither of you practice much, so a rifle may be more of a handicap. A good shotgun spread will definitely increase your hits.

For anything under 100 yards the shotgun would be the choice for me. Bad guy over 100 yards? Once she starts slinging big ol pumpkin balls at them I gurantee you they will run! :D

Good Shooting
Red

[Pilot]

Interesting question since I shot both my Russian SKS and DPMS pre-ban AR-15 HBAR carbine.

I actually enjoyed the SKS a bit more. And I really don't know why. The recoil was very light and the LOP was fine as I installed a 1 inch rubber buttplate. The 7.62 round is great for defensive shooting ranges and bot my Russian SKS's are pretty darn accurate at 50 and 100 yards. The 20 round capacity doesn't bother me. If you want fast loading, get some stripper clips. Now don't get me wrong, next weekend I might shoot both and like the AR more. They are both great rifles in their own way.

[curt]

I'm not sure i understand, you have an AR and you want to know whether an SKS would be better? Why are you considering changing rifles, i mean what requirement has prompted this?

FWIW cost is not a factor here. You already have the AR, you'd have to spend money to buy the SKS and its accoutrements.

IMO there is no comparison between the AR and SKS. The AR wins for accuracy and ergonomics, terminal effects and a host of other factors such as reliable removable mags, weight and availability of parts and accesories. It's just flat a better rifle. My SKS is fun as is my K98, my M1 Garand etc but none would be my FIRST choice for defensive purposes.

[firestar]

My Yugo SKS weighs about 9lbs, too heavy for most women to handle easily, I really liked my Ruger Mini-14. I would get her a Mini-14, you get the same ammo as the AR-15 that you alreadly have but in a smaller more reliable and instinctive package.

[Gary H]

I find the Yugo SKS to be a great plinking gun. It seems to go bang every time and is plenty accurate out to 100 yards. I find it less tiring shooting my Yugo than either my AR, or Carbon 15. The recoil is pretty mild and the short stock will fit a woman. You can even shorten the stock without much effort. It is more front heavy than other SKS's, but you can remove the grenade launcher, launcher front sights and bayonet. It isn't much good for benchrest competition.

You might take a look at the new Keltec SU-16. The Carbon 15 is much easier to carry and the reduced weight makes it easier for a woman to lift, but the recoil is a bit much. Practice with a recoil pad and this might be an ideal choice. Mine has a nice Aimpoint red dot and can be pointed faster and with less effort than any rifle in my safe. It is sub-MOA and the new ones are suppose to be pretty reliable.

[355sigfan]

If money is no object get the AR. Its a much better firearm. But if money is an object the SKS can serve you well.
PAT

[bernie]

Curt, no flame here, but just because you own something already does not mean cost is not an option. I would be able to sell the AR and recoup my cost. Also, I am just not a fan of the AR platform in this role for many reasons. I am well familiar with arguments of caliber, reliability, etc. I have had M1 Carbines, and they were nice little rifles, but for various reasons, they were not as well taken by my wife and myself. But thanks for all the feedback everyone!

[Mannlicher]

No knowledgable person would recommend a SKS over an HBAR. This is particularly true if the HBAR is already owned,and not a pipe dream.

[355sigfan]

Mannlicher


I like your style strait to the point and you speak the truth.
PAT

[Pilot]

Mannlicher wrote:

"No knowledgable person would recommend a SKS over an HBAR. This is particularly true if the HBAR is already owned,and not a pipe dream."

Well I guess I'm not knowledgable. I am not saying the SKS is a better rifle, but for home defense it may be. I have three AR's. Two Bushmasters and a DPMS. All three have exhibited some type of failure and I clean and lube my AR's after each range session. I have two Russian SKS's. I have never had a failure of any type and I am not so picky about clenaing them as often because they never fail. Zero failures, ever. They always go bang and are combat accurate. We're not talking DCM matches here, but real world accuracy. I would trust my life to an SKS or AK more than any AR.

[355sigfan]

Pilot I am not insulting your knowledge as this is all opinion anyway. But how do you lube your AR and what ammo are you using. In general AR's do better with less lube rather than more. They run ok dry even. Also your SK will malfunction sooner or later all guns do. The AKs I owned malfunctioned from time to time even. You shoot enough and man made items will fail.
PAT

[cool45auto]

I don't own an AR but want one bad. I do have an SKS and think it is ridiculous the amount of fun you can have with such a cheap, reliable rifle like this. My fiance is 5'1'' and 105 pounds. She loves shooting my SKS and wants to take it every time we go to the range.

[Redlg155]

No knowledgable person would recommend a SKS over an HBAR. This is particularly true if the HBAR is already owned,and not a pipe dream.

I must not be very knowledgeable either. I guess Military time and taking one to war with me doesn't count for much, not to mention using one in my current civilian job and owning a couple. No pipe dreams here.

There are still times and conditions when an SKS may be preferable to an AR15.

Sounds almost like my HK is better than your Kahr arguement. :rolleyes: Just because a rifle is inexpensive does not mean that it isn't a good one.

Good Shooting
Red

[LiquidTension]

Bernie - your wife should be able to handle a Yugo SKS just fine, especially if she could handle the AK you used to have. The length of pull is a little shorter than the AR, but you can change that easily enough with either a butt pad or a new stock. New stocks for the SKS are cheap ($40) and usually about an inch longer than the original wood stocks. One big difference (obviously) is that the AR has a pistol grip so the angle of your grip will be different, thus affecting how comfortable it is. There are plenty of SKSs out there, I'm sure someone near you would be willing to let you and your wife handle one. Recoil is negligible on all of the SKSs that I've shot. I hope this is more relevant and helpful than some of the posts in this thread.

[BevrFevr]

Bernie,

more information would help. What does your wife not like about the hbar?

I love sks's but my woman prefers guns where the weight is closer in to her body. An sks is pretty heavy compared to alot of guns.

An m1 carbine, or an Ak, or a "spit" mini14 "Spit again", are all good choices for small framed men and women as is a shorty AR.

Are you primarily concerned with 2 legged varmits or 4 or both? If the answer is 4 then that opens things up quite a bit.

good luck -bevr

[Pilot]

355Sigfan wrote:

"Pilot I am not insulting your knowledge as this is all opinion anyway. But how do you lube your AR and what ammo are you using. "

No insult taken and yes we all have opinions. First let me say I love my AR's. Hey I have three, so that says it all. I lube mine with Break Free CLP and I don't leave a lot on the internal parts (bolt/bolt carrier, etc.). I am meticulous with them. I use S&B 55gr. .223 for plinking, which I have found to be very reliable and pretty accurate. I also use my own handloads which are more accurate and jsut as reliable. I had the most trouble with PMP ammo, but still occassionally get an FTE with other ammo. I only use GI mags in good shape. Again, the failures are very rare but do happen, which makes me a little less comfortable relying on the AR platform. I know there are many people that have never had a problem and I wish I were one of them.

I would like to get an AR-180 because it seems like the best of both worlds, but I've heard mixed reveiws on the new ones from Armalite.

Thanks for the follow-up Pat.

[bernie]

BevrFevr, it is not that she dislikes the HBAR, it is that she is ambivalent about it. Honestly, I am thinking more about things like coyotes than 2 legged predators, but they certainly fit into the equation. Thanks for all the feedback, my topics do not usually open these kinds of discussions!

[Ebbtide]

No knowledgable person would recommend a SKS over an HBAR. This is particularly true if the HBAR is already owned,and not a pipe dream.

Did you even read the original post?

[amprecon]

If not the SKS, than a Mini-14 or Mini-30. These are d*mn handy little rifles which I think would be just right for small statured people. I'm biased towards the 7.62X39 over the .223, but that's your call.

[BevrFevr]

Ambivalent huh, Have that prob with my woman too.

Well the m1 should do the trick for her except you are gonna lose alot of accuracy compared to the hbar.

I don't know if it's legal anymore but an m1 with a choate pistol grip stock is sexy as hell. Light, handy, short, cheap mags, accesories out the wazoo! Of course those things can be said about the minis as well.

I for one really like coyotes. It is unfortunate you are in a situation where they present a problem. Highly intelligent creatures. But on the flip side I'm not aware of any shortages of them.

good Luck -bevr

[Turk]

If you already have an AR stick with it. My opinion is anything an SKS or AK can do an AR will do better.

I've seen wounds from both and the M-193 ball most always made bigger exit holes.

Turk