[blue86buick]

I want to buy another gun. However, I'm not sure which gun to buy...I want one that's cheap to shoot, fairly inexpensive, and which I'll have fun with. Currently, I have a 30-30, .50 cal ML, .22 rifle's and pistol, and a .380 bersa. The .22's are fun, and cheap. The .50 cal is fun, but slow to shoot rapid fire. The 30-30 is fun, but a bit expensive w/o a reloading press, and not that fun. And, the .380, sure it's fun, but it's more of a carry gun than a "go dump lead downrange and leave with a smile" kind of gun. :)

So, I'm thinking, for ~200 dollars, an SKS with a handfull of stripper clips (~$0.10/round here), a Hi-Point 995 carbine with a spare mag (~$0.11/round with bulk packs or wolf), or something like a Star Super B 9mm handgun. If the gun I buy ends up getting used for HD/SD, it'll be a cold day in a hot place...it's primarly for plinking. So, for the best fun factor, what should I get?

BTW, no matter what I get, it wouldn't be the last one in that caliber. I WILL be getting a good 9mm handgun and a SAR-1 and/or saiga in 7.62x39.

[Redlg155]

Definitely the SKS.

9mm guns are great fun, but they don't quite measure up to the fun you can have with a higher powered SKS. Ammo is also readily available at most places for about $3.00 or less a box.

Set up some "reactive" targets and you will definitely leave with a smile. My mom wants her pear tree picked clean. Hmmmmmm...:D

Good Shooting
Red

[BryanP]

I voted for the SKS, but having fired a Hi Point carbine I have to say it wouldn't be a bad choice either. It was a lot of fun. If they'd come out with one in .45ACP I'd buy it (I'm not supporting any more calibres ...)

[4v50 Gary]

SKS. Despite what Clint Eastwood proved otherwise in a Fistful of Dollars (or was it A Few Dollars More), a rifle is better than a handgun. Besides, cold steel may just make them flee.

[blue86buick]

Well, a Hi-Point 995 carbine ain't a pistol, unless you shorten the barrel and cut off the stock. :D But, yeah, a rifle is better than a handgun. BUT, better for what? Unlike in Full Metal Jacket, "This is my rifle, this is my gun, this isn't for fight, they're both for fun!" :D

One nice thing about the SKS, is carrying multiple reloads is cheap...how much are stripper clips again? Whereas with the 995 (or Star), multiple mags can add up quick. :(

[Hawkeye755]

Just given the choices that you have listed above I would pick the SKS. The ammo is dirt cheap and it would be a ton of fun to go shoot. On the other hand for roughly $100-150 more you could get an SAR-1 or variation.

Everyone that I know that has a SKS has wanted to upgrade soon after, plus you can bump fire an AK, not as much fun with an SKS.

Magazines are relatively cheap too. You don't need to buy a bunch right away. What I did was buy 1 magazine every time or every other time I got ammo. They can add up in a hurry.

just my $0.02. FWIW.

[DMK]

These are some of the cheapest and most fun guns to shoot regularly. Since you plan on an AK later anyway, the two rifles can share ammo.

[Combat-wombat]

spend $170 more and get the SAR-1 first.

[Parker Dean]

SKS all the way!

Last year a friend came into a little bit of money and we went to a gun show. He saw a Hi-Point and just HAD to have it based on looks alone. It was the chrome version. While we were there he ran into an acquaintance who was selling a Russian SKS. My friend had wanted one for some time and so he bought it too.

On to the range. The SKS proved to be the more fun one to shoot. It saw several boxes of ammo. The Hi Point OTOH only got one mag of use from each person. No one liked it. It had a sharp recoil that actually stung the shoulder. We found it best to shoot from the hip but we eventually just avoided the unpleasantness completely by choosing the SKS. FWIW there was a recommendation on another site to use some of the expanding foam insulation inside the stock which is supposed to change the percieved recoil. I doubt it'll get tried one my friends as he lost all interest in the thing after the SKS.

As always YMMV

[Ian]

Definitely the SKS. I think (could be wrong) that 7.62x39 can is usually cheaper than even 9mm.

[Preacherman]

Instead of the SKS, why not look at a Saiga 7.62x39 carbine?


http://www.eaacorp.com/firearms/saiga/rifles/images/saigasynthetic.jpg


They cost less than $200 retail ($169 from CDNN), take a ten-round magazine, and are basically a sporterized AK-47. They can be converted relatively easily to take 30-round mags, if you're so inclined in future. To my mind, they have significant advantages over the SKS.

[Geech]

What's CDNN?

[blue86buick]

Because an SKS looks more evil! :D It has a grenade launcher, and a nice silver, bayonet strapped to the bottom!

Plus, the Saiga's are new manufactured, and, as someone else suggested, why not just get a SAR-1? Well, I WILL get a SAR 1, so why get a saiga in 7.62x39? They're just variations on the same design, whereas the SKS is a lot different. However, I will get a Saiga in .223 (later), to fulfill my .223 semi-auto needs, until I get an AR.

edit: FYI, CDNN is www.cdnninvestments.com, a good site for accessories and guns.

[Ian]

One problem (for me, at least) with the Saigas is that the AK was not designed with a traditional buttstock in mind. If find the trigger uncomfortably far forward on guns like the Saigas.

[Skibane]

Either a Yugo M59/66 SKS or Saiga Sporter would be excellent choices. The SKS is more attractive (milled metalwork, teak wood stock, nifty bayonette and grenade launcher), but the Saiga is considerably lighter and leaves open the prospect of converting to a "traditional" pistol-gripped AK at a later date.

BTW, the Saiga is also available in .223 and .308 calibers at some additional cost.

[Matt1911]

Don't get the SKS!!!It's a "gateway" gun,leading to more powerful,more addictive guns!:evil:
Seriously though,NOBODY i know has ever regretted getting thier SKS:D

[DWS1117]

SKS all the way. Good friend has four. Two Russian and two Chineese. WE have blown through cases of dirt cheap ammo. Heck the ammo is so cheap that if you do shoot up a case in one day you don't feel guilty because it was so cheap. Lots of fun. So much fun that I am getting my SKS with the next pay check.

[tac17]

No question about it, get the SKS.

[Dorrin79]

I just put 100 rounds through mine yesterday at the range.

Cost of ammo? @ $7.00

It's the most fun gun I have, apart from my Ruger MkII Target.

[Kaylee]

Seriously though,NOBODY i know has ever regretted getting thier SKS

well, mine sucked hard.... traded it happily for a much prettier, better functioning, better put together Marlin. While I dont want it back, I guess I dont regret the experience though.. :)

actually.... I'm going to make an out of character recommendation... go for the 9mm. :) Of all the options you listed, it's the only that fills a niche you don't already have something for-- reasonably powerful handgun.


Hrmm... for just plain fun though.. the Saiga looks interesting.. and it is real russian, right? How well are those put together, and what's involved in making 'em traditional AK-like? (legally, mechanically). The one I looked at it seemed had a reeeeeeal long trigger, which maybe could be replaced with a standard trigger and guard, moving the grip forward.. how does the grip and stock attatch then?

-K

[blue86buick]

No question about it, get the SKS.
There sure doesn't SEEM to be any question about it....42 votes for the SKS, and 1 each for 3 of the other 4 options. :p

Guess I know what I'm gonna be buying in 45 mins! :D (as long as it's still in stock...PLEEEEASE, PLEASE PLEASE!)

[blue86buick]

I figured it'd be safe to vote now, as I picked up my own cosmoline covered, Yugo SKS tonight. :) It ain't purdy, but it's mine! I got the nice scary version, with the big ole silver bayonet, and the oh so useful grenade launcher, and a bag of strippers for it. I also picked up 10 boxes of ammo to get started with.

Gosh these things are nasty! I finished off a 3/4 full can of brake cleaner cleaning the cosmo out/off it, and there's still some left in there. Oh well, just gotta get the bore, then oil it back up a bit. I'll be taking her out tomorrow to have some fun...with any luck, all that ammo will be gone when I leave! :)

And now, my new baby.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=442033

[Hawkeye755]

Looks real good. you should be a proud papa.All :D

If you don't mind me being nosey where did you get it at. I am from the area and am always looking for a new place to get my toys. It seems like all of the gun shops around here are closing up.:( . Pretty soon all we will have is fin and feather and one or two more. No dedicated gun store though.

[Skibane]

the Saiga looks interesting.. and it is real russian, right?

Yep, still made in the original Russian Izmash (sp?) arsenal.

How well are those put together, and what's involved in making 'em traditional AK-like?

Since they are imported possessing none of the items on the prohibited "evil black rifle" list, they are not classified as "assault rifles". However, adding any of the "evil" features (pistol grip, hi-cap magazine, etc.) yourself changes that classification, requiring you to add at least 5 of the American-made items required on all "assault rifles" currently imported. Quite a few folks are going ahead and performing the conversion (including modifying the feed ramp to accept standard AK hi-cap magazines), since it still ends up costing less than most entry-level AKs.

OTOH, the rifle is pretty nice for the money as-is –_better construction quality than the SAR-1's or Romaks, albeit not as nicely- finished as the VEPRs, SA M-7s, SSR-85's etc. Makes a great truck gun!

[blue86buick]

??? damn cat...she loves to lay on the keyboard. I had a nice long reply typed, but she somehow made it all disappear! :cuss:

Anyway, again, but short and sweet this time. I paid 199+tax at Cedar Valley Outfitters in Marion. I've always gotten good service there, even when I show up 10 mins before closing time. So far, my count is 3 guns from them (5 if you count the two I got from Tom (at Gander Mountain) who works at CVO and GM). There are a couple other stores in the area, but I like CVO for their service, staff, and selection. I've gotten 1 gun at Wal Mart, but I think everything else will continue to be at CVO. If you haven't yet, I'd check them out.

BTW, any other SKS owners out there notice that you can actually load 11 rounds in the magazine? Well, on mine you can. :cool: