[NINEX19]

I am not too familier with SKS's or even rifles in general. However, yesterday I was at my local gun store and range and saw a Yugo in excellent shape (maybe even unissued) with launcher, sling and all bayonet for $160.00. I was debating on picking it up, but wanted to do some research first. I seem to remember reading on another thread that Yugo was not the best make of the SKS and people were having problems with them.

Does this sound like a good deal? What do I need to look for so I don't get taken. Should I just pass on the whole deal? It seems like a tempting offer (maybe even too good to be true).

Can anyone guide me to the federal regs reguarding any changes that can be made to this rifle.

[firestar]

I have not heard that the Yugo SKS was anything but good. It seems made very well and is probably much better than the Chinese SKSs. The Russian is considered the best and I want to pick one up some day but I have two Yugo SKSs that are accurate and reliable and will probably last my lifetime. The Yugos are the best deal right now. I would give $50 for the Chinese SKS.

[hansolo]

I have a Chicom SKS that will shoot 4-6" groups @ 200 yards until I run out of ammo. Yugos, et al are great, too, but where are you getting your info on Chinese SKS's?

[jrhead75]

I've got a Yugo, and love it. One thing to be aware of is that the bores of the Yugos aren't chrome lined like the others. No big deal, just means that you have to be scrupulous about cleaning them (as you should be anyway).

You also want to make very sure you clean all the cosmo and gunk out of the bolt so the firing pin slides freely.

$160 sounds like a good price.

[Tim Wilson]

Hansolo:

My Norinco SKS is maybe not as good as yours', but I can hold it to 4-5" @ 100yds.

(Unnecessary comment removed by Art.)

[Redlg155]

The Yugos are nice. I keep procrastinating about getting one. I've also had a couple Chinese. There are also great for shooting. I've not had any complaints with them.

My current SKS is a Russian. My primary reason for trading my Chinese for a Russian was that I wanted a weapon with a bit of history behind it that had been actually issued to troops and not a comercially produced weapon.

It's just something about having a rifle that you know a soldier used to carry that makes a difference to me.

But back to the Yugo..I've never really heard anything negative about them. Well, unless you try to remove the firing pin for cleaning! :D I've shot them and they handle very nicely and seem a bit more robust than its Chinese and Russian cousins.

Good Shooting
Red

[Joe Demko]

Functionally, all SKS's are about the same. Due to the peculiarities of the laws, there are differences in configuration. e.g. presence/absence of folding bayonet, grenade launcher spigot, etc. There are also a relative few Chinese SKS's out there factory equipped to use AK mags.
Construction-wise you have some that use relatively more milled parts or relatively more stamped parts. Never noted that one shot better than another.
Generally when people say "the Russian ones are best" they mean the same thing as when other people used to say "East German Makarovs are best." What these well-meaning souls are really trying to tell you is that they think the Russian SKS's are the prettiest.
The chrome bore is a plus if you are going to use corrosive ammo. Not much of an issue any more. Wolf and the other imports are so cheap that there is no real reason to use corrosive even if you can find it.
Most any SKS will work fine and shoot OK groups. If you think one particular rifle is too pretty to pass up, buy it. Otherwise, I'd go with price as the deciding factor.

[Texas Gunman]

Their a man at texasminutemen.org, in the for sale forum, that has one of those SKS rifles that excepts AK-47 mags, wouldnt mind having that one myself.

TG

[NINEX19]

Well, in doing a little bit more research, it appears that any modification to this gun will void its C&R status and therefore make it illegal according to ATF section 922.

My original thought was to make some changes to it, but if illegal, than I guess I am going to pass as I am not looking to collect it in its original form.

http://www.sksboards.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2763

[Dr.Rob]

Let's keep it civil and ON TOPIC folks.

A chrome lined barrel is preferable, and the Russian rifle features a screwed in, rather than pinned barrel.

Having shot a pinned barrel loose before, I'd prefer a screwed in barrel.

As far as getting a Chicom SKS for $50, good luck. The days of $100 sks rifles are long gone in most parts of the USA.

[firestar]

As far as getting a Chicom SKS for $50, good luck. The days of $100 sks rifles are long gone in most parts of the USA.

Unless you have a C&R like me.:D

[Sactown]

I have both a Russian and Norinco. I've had no problems with either rifle. Both do a pretty good job of throwing bullets downrange. I like my Russian because it has the evil bayonet that makes it so much more dangerous than the norinco without the bayonet.

[Dr.Rob]

Hey BTW I stand corrected!

SOG has Yugo SYS rifles for under a hundred bucks.

Who knew?

[Beetle Bailey]

NINEX19, are you sure that modifications to the SKS make it illegal? I read ATF section 922 and couldn't find anything that states that (although it is very long and I could have missed it). My understanding is that any permenant modifications to the SKS removes it from C&R status (i.e. you can no longer sell it as a Curio/Relic). If you are unsure of the legality of a modification, you can ask the ATF directly and I'm sure they'll let you know.

BTW, I have a Yugo SKS and I had my gunsmith weld a AK-74 style muzzle brake on it so I hope it's not illegal :uhoh: . I personally like it a lot.

Golgo-13, but the Russian ones ARE the prettiest :neener: !