SHTF with a SKS

Tapco

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Check out the Tapco 20 rounders, I have had outstanding luck with them and zero failures

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+1

I am in here with the Tapco 20's.

T-6 stock, 20's, and a red dot.

I'm on board with the stripper clip guys as well. I like them for all of the reasons stated above and the fact that I can use the same stripper clips I use for a Mauser to feed my O3-A3, FN49, or 1917 Enfield. In fact, I loaded over 500 rounds of '06 and 8mm onto stripper clips yesterday and 300 rounds of 7.62x39 a few weeks ago.

My "I learned something new" for the day. I didn't know that you could use the cheaper and easier to find Mauser strippers with the '03 and the 1917.

Thanks!

John

One more thing. Some of the Chinese SKSs, maybe the SKS-D? use AK mags.

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An SKS-D or SKS-M would be great. ...

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The SKS-D is awesome, but even then I still prefer the 20 round AK mags over the more common 30 rounders just for the sake of manuverability.

If you are going to use detachable magazines, then adapt it to use AK mags.
The SKS is just fine in it's original form. In a SHTF situation, things are a little different then normal warfare. You want to make every shot count in survival. Spending more then 10 rounds in a single fight sounds like a fast way to run out of ammo and be defenseless for a long time.
BTW.
I saw a some clips of the fighting in Georgia. One of the troops in the videos was using an SKS. Apparently even today they are finding use for it.

I hate to rain on anyone's parade, because the SKS is a neat rifle to own and plink with... but for SHTF?

Maybe a back-up, but it definitely is not a go-to rifle.

I like the SKScout setup for a bug out gun, a light weight SKS with a forward mounted low power scope and a bunch of stripper clips. I always figure if you are bugging out the last thing you want it a fire fight, you really just want to run away. Just my opinion.

welcome to thr.

First and foremost i woudl have it set up for stripper clips unless of course you had one of the sks model D'2 which are made from the factory to take ak mags. but you might as well just have an ak.

anyway there are lots of reliability concerns when folks take out the stock fixed box mag and start using detachable mags.

i would stay with the stripper clips.

I have to jump on the stripper clip wagon. Why? It works and works well.

Another thing to think about. The main advantage of the SKS is that it DOESN'T REQUIRE detachable magazines to work. That is one less thing to have to buy or worry about. Even without stripper clips you can hand feed it, AND IT WORKS!

Don't misunderstand. I like and own detachable mag weapons. And in some situations they have an advantage. BUT, magazines can be lost, damaged, etc.. Without magazines, AR's, AK's, FN's etc, are very awkward single shots. Magazine cost for $10.00 to $50.00 and upward. How much ammo could you buy for the cost of a magazine?

:banghead: AGAIN I'm not knocking the detachable mag feed systems. :banghead:

I'm just trying to point out some of the advantages of a non-detachable mag system.

I hate to rain on anyone's parade, because the SKS is a neat rifle to own and plink with... but for SHTF?

Maybe a back-up, but it definitely is not a go-to rifle.

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What makes you think a SKS isnt good for anything but a back up in a SHTF setting? Its reliable, decently accurate, shoots a good middle-of-the-road round, and doesnt have quite the same "commando" look that other weapons do. Most any long gun, bolt actions and shotguns included, would be an excellent choice for a SHTF emergency. A decked out AR15 with all the goodies is great, no doubt, but to say that something like the SKS is only good as a backup rifle is foolish. The Korean shopkeepers used the SKS to great effect during the LA riots, the Vietnamese used it in Nam, and is a staple of many people's collections across the country, and the world. I've owned many long guns, including AK's, AR's, etc, but I still see my SKS as a great go-to weapon if need be.

It's been said before, but your "primary" weapon, should the S hit the F, will probably be your handgun. It can go everywhere you can, and be hidden at the same time. Search for some Katrina-related posts by JWarren to understand why.

If you're trying to get out of town, you're not likely to run across a bunch of Marine Raiders trying to stop you. Most centerfire repeaters are going to work ok. If you're in your hidey hole out in the country some place the SKS is going to be plenty for a light patrol gun, even on horse back. You could have a couple of high powered longer range rifles stashed in a few places.

I think that for 99% of us, SHTF doesn't mean front line combat. It means defending ourselves, our homes or our families during a period of social breakdown. If it comes down to fighting house to house in some modern Battle of Stalingrad, then unless you're a soldier, you'll be screwed and probably then too.

In any event, having the latest greatest boomstick isn't going to make much difference if you're an individual up against organized troops and heavy weapons.

which do you have the most experiece with and which do you shoot better?

that'll be the answer to your question

I hate to rain on anyone's parade, because the SKS is a neat rifle to own and plink with... but for SHTF?

Maybe a back-up, but it definitely is not a go-to rifle.

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Korea, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and many places in Africa are just some hot-spots where it was used for a go-to rifle. If it works in war, it will work in a breakdown of social order.

Personally I think it you want a detachable magazine, then you should just buy a AK. A stripper clip is very fast, and 10 rounds of 7.62x39mm will solve nearly every problem on the planet.

definetly the stripper clips, why? one they work. two you cant lose the mag. even if you lose the stipper, you can still load them one at a time. IMHO its THE SHTF gun, your not likely to get in many firefights just like in katrina usually the notion of a gun made people second guess there intentions.

Wolfgang took the words right out of my mouth...or off my keyboard...whatever.
Anyhow, if your fancy detachable mag gets damaged, you have a really slow single shot. Plus, I hate a long magazine hanging out of the bottom of a rifle. They seem to always get in the way when one needs to rest his rifle over something for support while firing.

35W

I had a problem with the extended mag not working...went back to using the stripper clips and no problems at all...

stripper clip are the way to go, they work.

Stripper clips work, sure, but so do my 20-round Tapco mags. They feed flawlessly and fire as fast as I would want to. T6 stock with a pistol grip makes it a fun gun to shoot. I do plan on getting a Saiga in .223 eventually, but since I don't see the SHingTF in the near future, this lowly SKS will have to do.

I read once that the 20 round non detachable is a good way to go.

The reason given was you don't have wait till you are empty to put ten rounds from a clip in the rifle.

Been in a fight? Got five rounds left and wanna top off go ahead drop ten in for now

I liked the idea
Kid

It's a pain for me to try and top off the fixed mag.

If I want 30 round mags, I have an AK. IMO, the SKS is uniquely elegant with the strippers in a similar way to the Garand. Instead of carrying a mag pouch, you just carry a satchel full of strippers or one of those chest rigs. If you have a 20 rounder that works, okay, but I'll stick with the 10 round original.

2 SKS's, one 20rd tapco purchased really as a 'spare part' in the bizarre and unlikely event that a 10 rounder fails and can't be repaired.

Alot of people have alluded to it, but if there ever becomes a true SHTF/TEOTWAWKI, less rounds in the gun is a good thing.

If you are truly looking at this type of situation, there will not be functioning hospitals or 911. The more you stay in one place shooting, the more bullets people are shooting at you. Having a limited round count can temper many things.

If you are looking at a Katrina type event, 10 rounds is also fine. Most BG aren't going to spoil for a fight. As soon as you squeeze off a few, they'll probably reconsider coming into your home.

Besides, they don't know how rounds you have

If an SKS, I'd stick with the stock magazine for reliability reasons. 10 rounds that fire beat 30 rounds that won't feed properly.

I'd personally rather have an AK with detachable mags, though.

I'd have no reservations whatsoever about using my SKS in a SHTF scenario, its very reliable, I can shoot 4" groups at 100 yards, shoots a good short range combat round, and its very simple and robust.