Yugo SKS 59 or Yugo 59/66

I really like my 59

I don't need a non-working grenade launcher. I got mine from Southern Ohio Gun for 149.95 plus 10.00 for a hand pick. A great weapon in great shape.

Prior to having a C&R, my local dealer seemed to always have the 59/66, and I didn't care for the extra hardware, so when a 59 showed up, that's what I grabbed. It's really just a personal preference thing in my mind...

Grab a good condition 59 if possible. I have looked at the 59/66 models several times and just can't buy one even though they are at a low price. All of the greanade launching crap and potential C&R issues just aren't worth it for me. If I were to buy an SKS, it would be a never issued model 59. Aim surplus had them for $160 in the past.

I agree. The "grenade launcher" adds nothing to the rifle but weight and one more thing that could go wrong. Still, if you could get a better 59/66 at a better price, it would probably be worth it. IMHO.

I prefer the M59. I wouldn't mind having night sights, but the sights can be changed.

The unissued 59/66 I picked up for the wife was pratically perfect, and the $161 delivered was a real plus. The extra stuff forward does nothing but help hold down recoil, not much to begin with, and is kinda neat, as a historical oddity. It is a great shooter, accurate and reliable. Whichever you get will probably be a good rifle, but to buck the trend here, the 59/66 we have is just fine.

I don't need a non-working grenade launcher.

Click to expand...

Works fine for me

Either are good. The 59's that I have personally seen have been a bit rougher than the 59/66's., seems they got used a bit more.

No potential C&R issues with the 66, unless you decide you need a new stock, scope and whatever else. Then, you could quite possibly run into the same problem with a 59.

The unissued 66's are just that, truly unissued. They are factory new rifles, quite beautiful. Probably the best $180 I have spent.

it would be a never issued model 59

Click to expand...

You sure it wasn't a 66? I have never seen an unissued 59.

FWIW the grenade launchers do work. M1A2 adapter, tennis ball, and 7.62x39 blanks = much fun in an open area!

As to the original question I went with the 59/66 because I was interested in being able to get an unissued rifle. The M59s are nice too though if you can find one in good condition.

Save the M59s for us Californians. The grenade launcher is considered a destructive device here, so no 59/66s for us (unless they're chopped, and that tends to cost a lot more). It's a good thing, too, because everyone knows how easy it it for street thugs get rifle grenades.

the American Rifleman did an article on the model 59s a few months ago. they said that they are more expensive because they are alot rarer. if you can ever get an unissued 59 (ive never even heard of them) it will be significantly more then an unissued 59/66
i look at the working grenade launcher on the battle rifle as a plus.
in a shtf situation it couldnt hurt could it?

The "grenade launcher" adds nothing to the rifle but weight and one more thing that could go wrong.

Click to expand...

I dont see how the grenade launcher could "go wrong" unless you were firing grenades out of it. Don't touch it and it wont effect the rifle.

I do agree though that from a civilian standpoint it's a lot of deadweight.

It's a good thing, too, because everyone knows how easy it it for street thugs get rifle grenades.

Click to expand...

it's the roving gangs of drive-by grenadiers.

I just like the looks of the 59/66. Who cares that you can't fire "real" grenades with the launcher? Just the knowledge that I could (if I could afford any) is fun enough .

It's personal taste, whichever you like best. I don't own a '59, but have two 59/66's. The 59/66's can be found in much better shape. You won't find a '59 in "unissued" condition.

That said, I'd like to get a '59 to add to the collection, as they handle a little better without the grenade launcher and sight.

One other thing the '59 may have over the 59/66 is that it doesn't have a gas shutoff valve to corrode, break, or wear out, so technically it *may* be a little more durable in the long long run.

However, if I was going to get a '59, I'd probably just spend another $50 bucks and find a nice Russian instead.

The "grenade launcher" adds nothing to the rifle but weight and one more thing that could go wrong.

Click to expand...

Yes! Darn those pesky SKS grenade launchers... all those moving parts and whatnot...?

Who cares that you can't fire "real" grenades with the launcher?

Click to expand...

But you CAN!

I like the 59/66- its a model59 +extra evil features.

Yes! Darn those pesky SKS grenade launchers...

Click to expand...

I do believe tehy are refering to the gas cutoof, which can have some problems, but not on an unissued gun.

You can do what I did, make your 59/66 look like a 59. Mark
http://img355.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mod59105cs.jpg

Looks nice. Did you shorten the barrel, or just take off the attachments? Does that still fall under C&R?

I cut the barrel and recrowned it . Then I put on a standard sks sight assembly which I think is russian. Last I used the yugo bayo with a chinese handle. It was a california rifle that was altered in the 1st place so no it isn't C&R. Mark

I may do that someday

or not

it is kinda neat having a gun with a grenade launcher on it- even if I'll probably never use it.

If I want a regular SKS i'll get one (someday i'll get a ruskie )

My 59/66 is in perfect shape and was a geat bargain. The the launcher seems to dampen recoil aiding quick follow up shots. I have a C&R lic. so no mods to the rifle. I may pick up a 59 since they are more compact. Overall I am very satisfied with the 59/66 liking it much better than a previously own SAR1.

tjg

ummmmmm.........

maybe I do need one with a (sort of) non working grenade launcher. Now where do you suppose I could find a grenade?

pinetree64 said:

I have a C&R lic. so no mods to the rifle.

Click to expand...

Whats having a C&R license got to do with if you mod it or not?