The compliance kits I had seen for the SKS all included one mag and a new stock and ran around $150. I think Tapco makes one of the kits I was looking at. Do you have a source of where you were getting all of your US made parts for $80? The local price for an SKS is right around $200-$250 here. Even at $200 you then are at $350 to take US made mags which are mainly 20 rounders. The SKS-D or whatever model it is that takes AK mags are running more than base model AKs do around here. I would be seriously worried about buying a felony by buying an SKS from a store that takes mags for 3/5 the price of an AK. I highly doubt it is an SKS-D and if it is it is a good deal, at least with where prices are around here. As hard as it may be to believe a lot of shops don't realize that just because the mags are legal and the rifles are legal that you can't slap the two together with no other modifications legally. Even if you do get an SKS that takes hi caps, unless it is a model that takes AK mags there have been tons of problems with them feeding. I know the ones I have shot wouldn't feed if there were more than 20 rounds in the 30 round mag. If reliable 30 round mags are a need then I still don't see going away from the AK unless you get a good deal on an SKS-D
SKS vs AK47
- Thread starter Dr.Mall Ninja
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Dr.Mall Ninja
Member
elmerfud, i was just joking about fighting zombies with an sks or an ak, everybody knows thats unrealstic, anything below 30/06 is unpratical. Yes im still shoping
Phil DeGraves
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Russian SKS with 30 round detachable mag. $250. Yes or no? Reliable?
Matt-J2
Member
krochus, I mentioned J&G Sales and Centerfire Systems in my post. Only 1 shop I know of even semi-locally ever has SKS/AKs. They're up in Green Bay, and when they have either in stock it's only 1-2 of each. I know the SKS prices there have been going up. Used to be right under/about $200, now the ones I've seen have been up around $240.
I always use the online places to price compare, since it's a constant. Everything else is based on local/regional market conditions and isn't as relevant in a discussion where we're all in different locales.
I always use the online places to price compare, since it's a constant. Everything else is based on local/regional market conditions and isn't as relevant in a discussion where we're all in different locales.
Matt-J2
Member
Phil, you sure it's Russian? That seems a bit low for one of those, detchable mags or not. Also, anything else would require folks to know what mags(who made them), how much work was done the fit them properly, etc.
Any way you slice it, it's an aftermarket alteration, and can't be judged off the cuff. Not to mention potential legal ramifications. I'd stay far away from it, myself. If you're bent on an SKS with detachable mags, as it seems you are, then buy a stock SKS and do the work yourself, so you know it's done right.
Any way you slice it, it's an aftermarket alteration, and can't be judged off the cuff. Not to mention potential legal ramifications. I'd stay far away from it, myself. If you're bent on an SKS with detachable mags, as it seems you are, then buy a stock SKS and do the work yourself, so you know it's done right.
Phil DeGraves
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Yes, I'm sure it's Russian. I have seen many of these type of SKSs at gun shops and shows with these detachable mags. They don't look like "bubba'd" guns (especially since they are all identical). The magazine has a long piece on top so it will fit into the SKS mag well. I am not bent on an SKS, but it sure seemed like a good deal for $249.
Tarvis
Member
As far as I've seen, a Russian SKS with a red star stamped on the receiver is worth something like $450. If you aren't sure if it's legal or not, you can always buy the parts. I can't remember the exact number, but it's based on the mods you do to the rifle. Everything from the trigger to the pins can be changed to meet the parts requirements iirc.
Pins don't count for anything. The list of "bad" parts that you can only have 10 of are:
Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or stampings
Barrels
Barrel extensions
Mounting blocks (trunions)
Muzzle attachments
Bolts
Bolt carriers
Operating rods
Gas pistons
Trigger housings
Triggers
Hammers
Sears
Disconnectors
Butt stocks
Pistol grips
Forearms, hand guards
Magazine bodies
Followers
Floor plates
The SKS has 18 of those. The last three are covered with US made magazines such as the Tapco 20 rounder. If you replaced all the trigger parts with US made parts you would need one more item such as the operating rod or gas piston. Im not really sure where you can buy US made trigger parts or what they would run for. If you don't go with a new trigger group though I don't see how you can get around it without a new stock, which I already showed to run $150.
Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forgings or stampings
Barrels
Barrel extensions
Mounting blocks (trunions)
Muzzle attachments
Bolts
Bolt carriers
Operating rods
Gas pistons
Trigger housings
Triggers
Hammers
Sears
Disconnectors
Butt stocks
Pistol grips
Forearms, hand guards
Magazine bodies
Followers
Floor plates
The SKS has 18 of those. The last three are covered with US made magazines such as the Tapco 20 rounder. If you replaced all the trigger parts with US made parts you would need one more item such as the operating rod or gas piston. Im not really sure where you can buy US made trigger parts or what they would run for. If you don't go with a new trigger group though I don't see how you can get around it without a new stock, which I already showed to run $150.
ccsniper
member
i have had both, i got rid of the ak. now i have 3 sks. 1953 tula, chinese stamped, and a low serial # paratrooper. i love them. the ak felt funny, and im old fashioned so i like the full length wood stock.
Fleetwood_Captain
Member
The SKS is a cheaply made autoloading russian rifle.
The AK-47 is a cleverly designed piece of mechanical magic.
The SKS was reknowned for being the cheapest weapon to manufacture in its class.
The AK-47 is reknowed for being ubelievably reliable in comparison to much more expensive guns.
In my opinion, I'd say comparing an sks to an ak-47 is like comparing a hi-point to a glock. Of course, some people love their cheap guns. I have a buddy with a chinese SKS that loves it. He claims the only time he ever cleaned it was after the action became so fouled that he had to beat the bolt open with a hammer.
The AK-47 is a cleverly designed piece of mechanical magic.
The SKS was reknowned for being the cheapest weapon to manufacture in its class.
The AK-47 is reknowed for being ubelievably reliable in comparison to much more expensive guns.
In my opinion, I'd say comparing an sks to an ak-47 is like comparing a hi-point to a glock. Of course, some people love their cheap guns. I have a buddy with a chinese SKS that loves it. He claims the only time he ever cleaned it was after the action became so fouled that he had to beat the bolt open with a hammer.
KiltedClaymore
Member
the sks is much more expencive. the sks has a receiver machined out of a solid billet(spelling?) of steel. the ak, has a reciever made of stamped steel. as are most other parts of the ak. i think you have your "facts" backwards my friend. and the sks is much more clever(to me). both are equally reliable. in fact, i would wager that my sks could preform as well or better than any ak out there. in controled AND combat conditions.
.303
Member
both are great guns for the price. if you just want a fun gun to shoot, SKS. if you are driving back hordes of zombies, AK. Tapco sells plenty of goodies for both.
.303
Member
"the sks is much more expencive. the sks has a receiver machined out of a solid billet(spelling?) of steel. the ak, has a reciever made of stamped steel. as are most other parts of the ak. i think you have your "facts" backwards my friend"
every AK i have seen was more expensive than an SKS. (unmodified)
every AK i have seen was more expensive than an SKS. (unmodified)
KiltedClaymore
Member
because the ak has "legend" status. plus, there are more sks's (how the heck do you make that plural?!) out on the market (due to the fact that many armies still use/issue the ak-47). in the manufacturing process, it costs more to make an sks than a ak. thats what i was talking about. thats one reason the sks was replaced. it was too expencive and took too long to produce in mass numbers.
The bottom rung SKS originally for 79 bucks had a stamped soft metal trigger group and a pinned barrel. It was still a good shooter. Otherwise, Chinese are fine. Norinco is fine. Norinco made to higher standards is Polytech, which is great.
Attempts to improve mag cap in the SKS are mediocre at best. Some folks are successful at this, as they state, most are not, and both China and Russia tried to do this and dropped the project. Even the Chinese models that take AK mags often have jamming problems. The best SKS's keep to the fixed 10 round internal mag. As has been said, you can top this off pretty quick with readily available stripper clips. Attempts to turn the SKS into an AK are not happy ones. The SKS is best left as issued. I would not pay the money for a model which accepts AK mags.
The SKS is still at least a hundred fifty bucks cheaper than a AK, it's up to you what you want. The AK has mag cap, the SKS can double as a deer rifle.
The AK that can double as a deer rifle exists, but an accurate AK costs money. The Galil is a AK derived weapon and is accurate.
Both are very very reliable. There is no 'best'. You must decide what you want. Right now the SKS to get is the Yugo. Don't be afraid of chinese sks''s you might get secondhand if they're in good shape. Turners sold a bucketload in the 90's which were Polytech.
Repeat; China and Russia both tried hi cap mag versions of the SKs and both dropped the projects. I had a original Chinese model with the detachable AK mag- not the sporter later offered. If you ask around beyond this forum, you'll find a general concensus regarding SKS's is to leave the multi cap conversions alone, and to not waste money adding hi cap mags. I've tried it all and so has many of my gunny friends. If you read about this in various gun forums, you'll see those who've experienced the SKS do not reccomend attempting to add hi cap mags.
If you want more cap than a SKS can give get an AK- get a accurate AK.
munk
Attempts to improve mag cap in the SKS are mediocre at best. Some folks are successful at this, as they state, most are not, and both China and Russia tried to do this and dropped the project. Even the Chinese models that take AK mags often have jamming problems. The best SKS's keep to the fixed 10 round internal mag. As has been said, you can top this off pretty quick with readily available stripper clips. Attempts to turn the SKS into an AK are not happy ones. The SKS is best left as issued. I would not pay the money for a model which accepts AK mags.
The SKS is still at least a hundred fifty bucks cheaper than a AK, it's up to you what you want. The AK has mag cap, the SKS can double as a deer rifle.
The AK that can double as a deer rifle exists, but an accurate AK costs money. The Galil is a AK derived weapon and is accurate.
Both are very very reliable. There is no 'best'. You must decide what you want. Right now the SKS to get is the Yugo. Don't be afraid of chinese sks''s you might get secondhand if they're in good shape. Turners sold a bucketload in the 90's which were Polytech.
Repeat; China and Russia both tried hi cap mag versions of the SKs and both dropped the projects. I had a original Chinese model with the detachable AK mag- not the sporter later offered. If you ask around beyond this forum, you'll find a general concensus regarding SKS's is to leave the multi cap conversions alone, and to not waste money adding hi cap mags. I've tried it all and so has many of my gunny friends. If you read about this in various gun forums, you'll see those who've experienced the SKS do not reccomend attempting to add hi cap mags.
If you want more cap than a SKS can give get an AK- get a accurate AK.
munk
I figured your OP was a little bit tongue in cheek. That response on pg3 was in reference to the link above it to a similar thread on AR15.com, (Arfcom). I've got nothing against being prepared and think you'd be doing a wise thing by buying a few defensive firearms and the ammo to go with them. What I find over on Arfcom however is that people there just seem to be obsessed with SHTF scenarios and TEOTWAWKI. They remind me a little bit of goth kids living in their own fantasy world.
Dr.Mall Ninja
Member
aahh okay, yeah im kinda new to the gunboard thing, didnt know some people took that stuff really seriously,were in total agreement
Tacbandit
Member
Quote:Benzy2
"Even if you do get an SKS that takes hi caps, unless it is a model that takes AK mags there have been tons of problems with them feeding. I know the ones I have shot wouldn't feed if there were more than 20 rounds in the 30 round mag. If reliable 30 round mags are a need then I still don't see going away from the AK unless you get a good deal on an SKS-D"
Hey, a few years ago I bought a Norinco, (I believe it was) SKS...It was new, and was manufactured to take standard AK mags, not those "detachable" SKS swing out deals. Not a conversion...They sold for like $188.00 in the Atlanta area, where I lived then. It was awesome...shot great, functioned great w/the 30 rounders...I saw one the other day for over $300.00. Probably should have snatched it up and I will if it's still there. Anybody familiar with these? Great guns...Pretty accurate for an SKS...
"Even if you do get an SKS that takes hi caps, unless it is a model that takes AK mags there have been tons of problems with them feeding. I know the ones I have shot wouldn't feed if there were more than 20 rounds in the 30 round mag. If reliable 30 round mags are a need then I still don't see going away from the AK unless you get a good deal on an SKS-D"
Hey, a few years ago I bought a Norinco, (I believe it was) SKS...It was new, and was manufactured to take standard AK mags, not those "detachable" SKS swing out deals. Not a conversion...They sold for like $188.00 in the Atlanta area, where I lived then. It was awesome...shot great, functioned great w/the 30 rounders...I saw one the other day for over $300.00. Probably should have snatched it up and I will if it's still there. Anybody familiar with these? Great guns...Pretty accurate for an SKS...
Tacbandit
Member
Benzy, are you familiar with the model I was referring to? And what do you think I should pay for one in good condition?
Tacbandit
Member
Thanks, King...I know what you mean about people hearing something, and repeating it so much that they begin to believe it...Happens a lot...You had
mentioned about a piece being changed out, being made "legal"...When I got mine new, I never had to do anything to it...bought it from a legitimate dealer. I'm not up on SKS's and AK's...Did something change to make it illegal... Fill me in, please...
mentioned about a piece being changed out, being made "legal"...When I got mine new, I never had to do anything to it...bought it from a legitimate dealer. I'm not up on SKS's and AK's...Did something change to make it illegal... Fill me in, please...
KiltedClaymore
Member
/short thread veer/
hey now, some goths shoot (i know a couple, one can/does outshoot me every time). so play nice plaese. (besides, punk rockers like me are distant cousins of goths in the subculture family tree)
/thread veer over/
hey now, some goths shoot (i know a couple, one can/does outshoot me every time). so play nice plaese. (besides, punk rockers like me are distant cousins of goths in the subculture family tree)
/thread veer over/
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