[HoosierQ]

A local shop has two type of SKSs in stock for $289. Yugos (the ones with the grenade launching gear) and Norincos.

Given these two choices (they have no other) which is better?

The Yugos seem to have better wood. The Norinco has sort of a red wood that seems light. The metal is very good and the wood, despite it all, is in real good shape.

[clone]

Yugo for accuracy.

Norinco for light weight.

I voted Norinco because I am currently looking for one to go with my Yugo. ;)

[Ballistic Mule]

I've owned a Norinco since 1988 and it works flawlessly w/ all ammo. Can't speak for Yougos. Price sounds nice especially if you get three mags,sling,and beyonet as I did.

[snakeman]

i would get the norinco i have had both and the norinco was by far more accurate and much much lighter weight if you get a yugo have a gunsmith cut the barrel back almost to the front sight and target crown it. Your groups will shrink drastically.

[helz_mcfugly]

Ive got 2 norincos and they shoot great.

[bang_bang]

Ive got 2 norincos and they shoot great.

Me too.

Also...with the Yugo, you have to pay attention to the gas valve for the grenade launcher. If they are the least bit pitted, you'll have some issues to deal with.

Check both of them over, take them apart (only if you can get them back together), look for pitting in the bores and gas tubes.

[greenlion]

Accuracy is a roll of the dice.

Norinco is going to be lighter, shorter, better balanced. Don't let the odd color stock run you away, if the metal is in better condition. The Norinco is not going to have a bad gas valve needing replacement, and it has a chrome lined barrel.

[R.W.Dale]

it just depends on the exact rifles in question.

Pinned Norinco vs a decent Yugo------Winner Yugo

Threaded Norinco vs nice Yugo-------Winner Norinco

Pinned Norinco vs run over by a tracked vehicle Yugo--------Winner Marlin60 in the corner

[Quiet]

Norinco SKS = chrome lined barrel
Zasatava Model 59 and Model 59/66 = no chrome lined barrel

[chevyforlife21]

i like the yugo its accurate and made with better steel then the chinease norinco. the para trooper norinco however is fun to shoot and light

[Col. Plink]

Shop for the RIGHT Yugo: The M59. Made to be identical to the Russian, hardier parts than the other countries of origin and NO grenade launcher/gas tube cut-off crapola to clutter the looks and add more parts to worry about and imbalance the barrel. I found one, it's the bee's knees daddy-o!

[vit]

Pass on both at that price. Keep looking around.

[JHansenAK47]

If it was a threaded Norinco or unissued or absolutely perfect barrel yugo. You don't need a chrome lined barrel. However if it isn't chromelined you need to check the barrel to make sure it isn't pitted. Current wolf isn't corrosive. Surplus Yugo I believe is corrosive. So having a surplus Yugo with a plain barrel isn't a problem unless the barrel is already pitted by their service ammunition. The yugo I had shot quite nicely and had a beautiful barrel. If you look around you can find romanians which are nice also. I had a romanian sks but I traded it for a vz52/57.
The Yugos seem to have better wood.
They also have thicker stocks for launching grenades. If you look at them you will see they are noticeably thicker.

[Teppo Oni]

i have a milled norinco that i bought when i turned 18 for $100 it was brand new not military surplus
yugo's are all used and many have pitted barrels
chinese use cheap wood and i replaced mine with a plastic stock
but $289 is way to much for a SKS
you can buy a saiga for $350 they sold for $180 3years ago
i just bought 2 in .223 to convert and toy with for $700
even a shyty romanian AK for 350$ is a better buy centerfire systems has them
i paid 300$ for a SAR1

chinese is better than the yugo
but id shop around for better deals online

[Dr_2_B]

well don't I feel stupid! I voted for the Yugo.

[Matrix187]

The Norinco and Russian SKS's are my favorites. I dont like the added bulk on the Yugo's, as well as the gas valve.

[planetmobius]

I had two Norincos before getting a couple of Russians and one Yugo. It was obvious right away that the machining, fit and finish of either Russian or Yugo were head and shoulders above the Norinco. All three shoot better as well. The Norincos make great jack handles.

[DMK]

I've seen tests online comparing different SKS's and the one that shot the best was a Norinco. But there is a substantial difference between a milled Norinco and a stampted Norinco.

I also don't agree that any Romanian AK is better than an SKS. I've owned probably the best Romanian AK and it wasn't better than my SKS. It was worse.

It depends on the specific example.

I have a couple Norincos that shoot well. But my Romanians keep up with them no problem. One of my Romanians is like new, but the other looks like it was dragged behind a truck. The build quality is much better on the Romanians than the Chinese.


yugo's are all used and many have pitted barrels
Yugo 59/66 are built very nicely. I have one that is unissued and one that is slightly used. They both shoot well. Yugo's don't have chrome lined bores and the 59/66 is very awkward and heavy.

http://mysite.verizon.net/dmk0210/myarms/Yugos.JPG
Yugo 59/66 and two Yugo M59s

http://mysite.verizon.net/dmk0210/myarms/para.jpg
My favorite is my Norinco Para

[briansmithwins]

Where are all you guys finding ultra rare 'stamped Norinco' rifles? I thought the stamped receiver SKSs Norinco made were pretty much preproduction prototypes...

BSW

My 'sterile' early Norinco SKS with fiberglass stock.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/briansmithwins/IMG_1143.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/briansmithwins/IMG_1146.jpg

[Shear_stress]

Where are all you guys finding ultra rare 'stamped Norinco' rifles? I thought the stamped receiver SKSs Norinco made were pretty much preproduction prototypes...

Yeah, the "milled vs stamped" AK debate has a habit of finding its way into all sorts of nooks and crannies. By the way, I've never seen any evidence that pinned-barrel Norincos are any less accurate than the earlier threaded barrel versions. I've actually heard the opposite on the SKS forum. Probably doesn't make a dime's worth of difference.

[kis2]

that price nowadays isn't too bad, especially if you want one.

YOU'LL ENJOY EITHER!

i have a yugo, good shooter, never jams, and the grenade launching gear makes for a good conversation piece. mine also has the holes in it to act as a muzzle brake.

[NC-Mike]

IMHO, Yugo 59/66 is a horrid rifle, bejeweled with a bunch of useless crap that throws it into a disturbing unbalance.

And the triggers are usually wretched. :barf: I couldn't sell mine fast enough.



A nice clean Norinko makes for a handy carbine.

[SFilpansick]

I've had two Norincos, and I currently have a Yugo. I never had problems with any of them, and at 100 yards with iron sights there was no discernible difference in accuracy between any of them.

[MCgunner]

Ny 2 Norincos work great. I don't like that lump on the barrel of the Yugo.

[juk]

My yugo was easier handling and much more accurate than my WASR. Sold the WASR and will pick up another sks. I might pick up another distressed yugo and ditch the grenade launcher, bayo, and cut the barrel back and crown it. My Yugo is putting palm sized groups at POA at 100 btw. No way I am going to complain about that!

[Ignition Override]

If somebody has access to the proper grenades, then the regular Yugo's extra weight and forward center-of-gravity might be worth it.
Are they almost as long as a MN 91/30?

[greenlion]

Most of the 59/66 Yugos I have seen are in descent enough shape. Barrel bore conditions and gas valves are a different story. I have never seen any Yugo 59's in great condition, but some that are acceptable. Seen a LOT of Norincos in excellent condition.

[DMK]

Most of the 59/66 Yugos I have seen are in descent enough shape. Barrel bore conditions and gas valves are a different story.I have one that looks brand new. I even have the original log book for it. I can't read whatever language they speak over there, but it only has a few entries and it appears that it wasn't shot more than a couple times.

Unissued M59/66 used to be very common. I guess that isn't the case anymore from the comments on this thread.

[lobo9er]

i got a yugo. yugo's are built like the russians i believe cant go wrong with an sks battle tested and mother approved