[WonderNine]

I'm thinking of picking up a Yugo SKS as a backup home defense rifle when my C&R license comes and I was wondering if anybody else uses an SKS as their home defense rifle? I would prefer an FAL, but really can't afford a good one right now.

I was thinking of possibly putting a synthetic stock on it to lighten it up abit, take off the nade launcher, nade sights, bayo, keep the fixed mag, ect.

Now my question is this:

Does anybody store their SKS with ten rounds in the mag? I would like to keep it loaded with the bolt closed on an empty chamber (ten rounds in the mag). Does anybody think that would put to much pressure on the mag spring or were they designed for that?

[SodaPop]

I would like to keep it loaded with the bolt closed on an empty chamber (ten rounds in the mag).

Just load the thing and put the safety on.

If you don't have time to disengage the safety, use the bayonet on the intruder.:D


My SKS is my #1 camping and HD gun. I can slap 10rds in an SKS as fast as I can pull up my shorts.:uhoh:

[Redlg155]

Since it is your backup gun and not your primary, I'd consider just having some stripper clips on hand. It only takes half a second to zip in ten rounds. It's also a handy way to have extra ammo ready.

Your Yugo is at least a 50 year old weapon with springs the same age. I personally wouldn't want to leave it loaded for long periods of time. I'm sure many will say it won't hurt, but If the least little thing bugs me I try to pay heed to it. :D


Good Shooting
Red

[cool45auto]

I would like to keep it loaded with the bolt closed on an empty chamber
That's exactly how mine's stored. The safety is on also but a simple sweep of the trigger finger after racking the bolt is easy.

[WonderNine]

@SodaPop

I really don't like the idea of chambering an SKS in my apartment. Where do I point it when I close the bolt, at floor and hope for no slamfires? :uhoh: :)
Also, I plan on removing the bayo to lighten it up more (I think).


@Redlg155

It may end up being my primary (stowed under my bed) as my 30/30 is usually in a zippered soft rifle case in the closet behind a bunch of stuff and I don't have any ammo for it right now anyways! :D

"Zipping in" stripper clips in the dark while somebody is in your house doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Most of the Yugo's 59/66's are not even close to 50 years old. And they're built alot more solid with better quality parts than any Mini-14 clunker.

Leaving a magazine loaded does not weaken it in of itself. It's the action of compressing and expanding the spring through its range of motion that eventually cause them to wear out. I'm simply concerned that closing the bolt on a fully loaded 10 round mag will strain the spring beyond its specs and whether or not the SKS's mag spring specs include leeway for a closed bolt and full ten round mag. I really think it does, but I just want to make sure with some other SKS owners here before I attempt it.


@cool9mm

We think alot the same don't we?! :D

You know what they say, great minds think alike. :)

Empty chamber though I would probably leave the safety off although the safety isn't exactly difficult to manipulate or find. I really like the SKS safety.

[Daedalus]

Aa long as you are not pulling the bolt back and letting fly home you shouldnt have problems with slamfires...just pull it back and ease it slowly forward until it locks forward. I have used both these methods (letting it fly home only at the range of course) and have never had a slamfire in my norinco sks.

[tiberius]

Load it a few short if you're worried about the springs. But you've gotta keep the bayonet just for the "cool factor" :)

[makarov]

There have been some other posts regarding modifying a Yugo. Since it is C&R apparently any changes that make it *not* a C&R are questionable. I would be tempted to leave it completely stock for this reason. Also, a nylon stock is not necessarily going to be lighter, though the wood on the Yugos does seem to be pretty dense stuff. I've thought of getting one, but already have 3 Norincos. 1 completely stock, one with Monte Carlo stock and one Sporter (short barrel, takes AK mags) that is also all stock.

I keep the one with the Monte Carlo stock empty, but with a couple of full stripper clips within reach.

[BamBam-31]

Rifle for HD in an apartment? :confused:

Why are you afraid of a slamfire? Because of neighbors, right?

[tiberius]

Why are you afraid of a slamfire? Because of neighbors, right?

One slamfire might very well lead to 9 more. I wouildn't want that in my house, neighbors be damned.

[BamBam-31]

Okay, then, TEN slamfires. In an apartment building. Hmmm. Good point.

I love my Yugo SKS, but just out of curiosity, why not a shotty w/ birdshot? Less over-penetration, and prolly nastier against goblins than 7.62x39 at apartment unit distances.

Just my .02, if that.

[Badger Arms]

Just load the thing and put the safety on. Sodapop:

You overlooked the point of a home defense weapon, to stop an intruder. What better way to stop him than to make the very loud and distinctive sound that let's him know you've just chambered a round. Follow this up with an authoratative shouted threat to shoot. He might leave you a yellow puddle as a present, but I doubt seriously the threat would continue in most situations. A deranged, drugged, or otherwise stupid intruder will then be fased with 10 rounds of German-inspired firepower. That should stop him.

Frankly, I don't want to shoot anybody or anything. Anything I can do to keep from getting into a firefight myself is going to be in my best interest. That having been said, I'm PREPARED to shoot in defense of my life and the lives of my family and I've already made the decision to use deadly force if the situation provides Jeopard, ability, and means on the part of the bad guy to cause grievous bodily harm or death to me and mine.

[TallPine]

my 30/30 is usually in a zippered soft rifle case in the closet behind a bunch of stuff
You forgot your address .... ;)

[PYurek]

In an apartment, or in a single family home, I have to say I disagree with a rifle being primary, or even seconday for that matter.

Rifles go through people, walls, more walls, and maybe even more walls.

The intruder's noise may have awoken a child, wife, or neighbor.

Gimme a good ol' scattergun - Mossberg and Winchester make an excellent pistol grip, high ca model for this express purpose.

A 12 ga don't need to be "aimed" down the hall, and shot generally won't penetrate 2 layers of sheetrock/drywall.

As far as "deterance", the mag is loaded, the chamber open. Slide the pump forward, and anyone who has ever watched TV would recognize the sound. If that doesn't deter them, nothing will.

[MeatWagon]

You overlooked the point of a home defense weapon, to stop an intruder. What better way to stop him than to make the very loud and distinctive sound that let's him know you've just chambered a round.


Badger I respect you and this isnt a flame but I hear this statement often.



If an Intruder (at this point we dont know if its a Burglar or an Assassin) enters my house, the last thing I am going to do is give away my position and let him know that I am armed. If I am in fear for my life to the point where weilding a Shotgun is my only option/ intervention, there will be no other sound but "Boom".

[Redlg155]

Most of the Yugo's 59/66's are not even close to 50 years old.

I might be wrong, but I believe a weapon must be at least 50 years old to qualify for C&R status.


Good Shooting
Red

[tiberius]

A 12 ga don't need to be "aimed" down the hall

I don't know how long your halls are, but if it is a conventional house, you do indeed need to aim.......just not as precisly because the shot will be a few inches in diameter instead of a few millimeters :)

[eatatjoes]

"I might be wrong, but I believe a weapon must be at least 50 years old to qualify for C&R status."

Some firearms are also C&R eligible, not because of their age, but because of some unique aspect and are specifically approved by the ATF.

[PYurek]

So as not to provide apparently inaccurate advice, opinons, etc, I have edited the content of my post.

While I stand by my statements for me personally, I realize they probably don't apply to others.

I apologize for contributing erroneous info.

Patrick

[Atlas Shrug]

PYurek,

I must humbly but strongly disagree with your comments on pointing a shotgun.

First:
As in, I wouldn't raise it to my shoulder, look down the barrel, align the sights, and then shoot
If you don't aim a shotgun, you will most likely miss. Also, forget the pistol grip only shotguns for home defense. They are not easy to control and have other shortcomings.

Second:
First off, I would imagine that a great number of home intrusions occur during the nighttime when sight acquisition would be difficult at best (unless of course you got those neat little "eyes" that glow in the dark ... he he he).
Uh, that's why any serious defensive shotgunner puts a light on his gun. You MUST be able to see your target, else you should not be shooting at it (or even pointing at it).

Third:

A shotgun is more or less point and shoot, as opposed to aim and shoot.
I disagree 100%. This is true only for wing shooting. In home defense situations, a shotgun is merely used like a specialized rifle. Your comment is unfortunately a very well spread myth.

Fourth:

I'm a firm believer that before ANYONE picks up a gun, they should be proficient enough with it to ba able to get the first round in a "stopping zone". With a scattergun, this is pretty easy (even my wife can do it, and she's not what most would call a "shooter").
If you have not trained with such a gun under "combat" type conditions that simulate a home defense situation, I would not be so bold as to make the above comment. If the shooter is using the techniques that your talk about before, I can just about guarantee that he/she WON'T make the shot. It is simply not "pretty easy" and in fact is pretty hard.


Fifth:

Combine the less accuracy-restictive properties of the typical 12 ga with a open choke such as on the Winchester Home Defender model, and you'll find that you get almost 12 inches at 30 feet .....
Balderdash. While each shotgun is individual in it's pattern, at 30 feet it is much more likely that you pattern is less than six inches, not anywhere near 12 inches. Also, darn few homes have anywhere that you'll find a 30 foot shot. Most will be more like 10-12 feet max. Think about it.

Finally:

A 12 ga beats four aces every time .....
Now THAT I agree with. :)

I'm not trying to start an argument either, but I have studied, trained, restudied, retrained, and trained others on defensive shotgun use. Consequently, I have seen that what you state is very, very dangerous information. LOTS of folks think it's true, and that's the dangerous part.

Please go read a book by Jim Crews, Louis Awerbuck, or Gabe Suarez on combat shotgunning. Then take a class with Louis, Jim, Randy Cain, etc. on the shotgun. I'm pretty sure then you'll agree with me 100%.

Stay safe out there. Learn what works. Avoid what doesn't.

[CWL]

Gimme a good ol' scattergun - Mossberg and Winchester make an excellent pistol grip, high ca model for this express purpose.
A 12 ga don't need to be "aimed" down the hall, and shot generally won't penetrate 2 layers of sheetrock/drywall.


I see three fatally incorrect assumptions as well as one fatal attitude in this type of posting about shotguns.

PYurek, I suggest you spend some time on this site, then spend some $$ in professional shotgun training before you make these dangerous suggestions.

[Redlg155]

Some firearms are also C&R eligible, not because of their age, but because of some unique aspect and are specifically approved by the ATF.

But does the Yugo SKS fall into this category?

Also..do you have a link or reference to the ATF site on this?

Good Shooting
Red

[BamBam-31]

Don't have the link, but AFAIK the Yugo SKS (unmodified from its original military configuration) is definitely a C&R. I think even the CA legal model is still C&R, but don't quote me on that one.

Eatatjoes is definitely correct in his statement. I am currently looking into buying an Enfield No.4 Mk. 2 made by Fazakerly in 1955. Does not fulfill the 50 year requirement, but the ATF nevertheless catagorizes it as a C&R by virtue of its design. Even a 1957 No. 4 qualifies. Thank God for that modicum of common sense.

Also agree with Atlas Shrug about shotguns. They DO need to be aimed like rifles, they are NOT point and shoot. And a 12" spread at 30' is incredible. I have firsthand knowledge (don't ask) that my Rem 870, when firing Winchester Super X Low Recoil 00 Buck, shoots a spread of 5-6" at approx. 20'. Of the nine pellets, only two managed to penetrate two rows of paperback novels, the thin backboard behind my bookshelf, and one layer of drywall. One was actually caught by one of the novels ("The pen is mightier than the Rem!"). The rest were embedded in the drywall behind the shelf.

I said don't ask.... :banghead: Huh? Did you say something?

Hence, boomstick is better for ND...er, AD (that's apartment defense).

[Molly]

You should consider something other than a high-powered centerfire rifle as HD in an apartment. That is unless your apartment is older and made of cinderblock, one story only, etc. If you are worried about slam fires in an apartment, then what about the case where you actually might use it for defense? That round, like most other MIL rounds was designed to defeat barriers including jeep doors, helicopter floors, and walls.

Also, I have had several SKSs with plastic stocks, and all of them were heavier with the plastic than with the original wood. In fact, once I decided to have a lighter-weight SKS, and the first thing I did was to put the old wooden stock back on it.

[Redlg155]

Ok..did a little peeking around and found the list, but I didn't find any dates on the Yugo SKSs.

Still...you guys are correct. There are some out there that aren't 50 years old, but many are close.:D

Still, I'm surprised at a few of the C&R entries, especially this one.

Colt AR-15 Sporter "The Viet Nam Tribute Colt Special Edition" .223 cal. semiautomatic rifle, bearing the American Historical Foundation registry numbers of VT0001 through VT1500.

Who would have thought!

Good Shooting
Red

[benEzra]

If a rifle is to be used for home defense, you really need to use frangible loads for it (or at least relatively fragile HP's). With a .223 that's easy--40-gr and 55-gr JHP's penetrate far less in building materials than even 9mm JHP out of a handgun--but it's a little tougher with the heavier, slower bullet of the 7.62x39. Cor-Bon's 125-gr JHP might be a good start; Glasers/Magsafes would be even better if you can afford them.

[benEzra]

..

[jercamp45]

So, using Corbons or magsafes, if you can find them and test them for reliability, is a great idea.
The shotgun one is better. You can get some short pumps fairly inexpensively, or buy a combo gun with two barrels to fulfill 'other' requirements.
That said...my home defense gun for a while was an AK loaded with corbons...I could not afford a shotgun, not had a lot of use for one. And lived in a less population dense area. Still do not really have alot of need for a shotgun other than HD , which can be serve fairly well by what I do have at the moment.
Mainly I rely on a 1911 .45(or several actually...the AK is stashed in a safe in another state) and a recent addition of a mechtech carbine conversion unit for one of the 1911's in my collection.
Not a perfect 'battery' but my apartment is real small and ranges will be real close. I have .45 mags stashed in all sorts of places...so it keeps it simple for me...same ammo, same mags...45 caliber thump.
Mainly I use 230 gr jhps, but the first 2 HD mags are 185 gr silver tips, cause they tend to penetrate less.
But ya never know what might appear in the domicile after I get back from the gunshow on Saturday?:D
Jercamp45

[Mannlicher]

I always chuckle when I read about shotguns not having to be aimed, and how bad rifles are.

I keep a Russian SKS loaded at all times, as well as a shotgun, handun, and blowgun.:D

[355sigfan]

Aa long as you are not pulling the bolt back and letting fly home you shouldnt have problems with slamfires...
END

The proper way to load a semi auto rifle or pistol is to pull the slide or bolt back and let it fly home. Easying it forwad can cause malfunctions and creates bad muscle memory.


SNIP
You overlooked the point of a home defense weapon, to stop an intruder. What better way to stop him than to make the very loud and distinctive sound that let's him know you've just chambered a round. Follow this up with an authoratative shouted threat to shoot. He might leave you a yellow puddle as a present,
END

While I disagree with leaving longguns in condition 1 for safety reasons. They are not like handguns and don't have things like drop safety's. However the deterance factor of racking a shotgun or closing the bolt on a rifle or racking the slide of a handgun is grossly overated. If they can't tell your serious from your demeanor and command presence then your done. A frightened wimp racking the gun over and over will not get respect. A confident man or woman holding the gun pointed at you without so much as blinking will cause far more respect.

Pat

[Art Eatman]

"A confident man or woman holding the gun pointed at you without so much as blinking will cause far more respect."

:D I think I'd worry more if that gun-pointer said, "I'm scared!" My uh-oh meter would be off the scale.

Art