Of your two stated choices, lets look at reliability. Your 10/22 is lightweight, compact and has an excellent rotary magazine that seldom if ever jams. Added to that are the numerous choices for higher capacity magazines that will not add a great deal of cumbersone aspects to it.
The SKS, unless you got a really good copy that's been worked on by a gunsmith, the chances of having a jam are quite great, add to that the high cap magazines and you'll have a less reliable weapon that's harder to bring into use in a stressful situation.
Now, before the flame wars start, let's all agree that the AK/SK copies we see here in the US aren't the ones being built for foreign armies, and I know some of you have ones that shot great right out of the box without a jam in 10,000 rounds, but those are the exception to the rules gentleman.
Add a simple laser pointer (10-15 bucks?) to the Ruger, one that has a simple swtich that you can turn on and leave on, and you've got a fairly decent home protection rifle. Go to the range, see where the bullets hit compared to the laser dot and adjust the tape, homemade mount or whatever means you've got (read inexpensive). At 10 yards if the bullets are within two inches of the dot you are good to go for use in your home defending it with as many shots as it takes to stop the attack.
I can't quote the article or exactly when it occurred, but a little old lady successfully stopped and killed a man intent on invading her home with a 10-22.
Those are my choices right now due to finances. (Read: poor college student)
I know neither is ideal for the job but either one is better than nothing.
I am leaning towards the Ruger for the fact that it is a lightweight compact rifle. I'm not loading it with any "stingers" or other higher power rounds so it is *fairly* quiet and it won't have the penetration of the 7.62X39, obviously.
The SKS is a bit cumbersome with the grenade launcher and bayonet and it's harder to wield in a confined space.
How's my reasoning thus far?
-Griz
BTW I do keep them both next to my bed with a loaded 22 mag and a full stripper of 7.62 in case they're needed. Still trying to get the GF used to them.
__________________
FWIW- having the SKS at hand along with a full mag may give a prosecutor the means to accuse you of making a weapon available to a minor. Choose one or the other for liability sake.
The SKS, unless you got a really good copy that's been worked on by a gunsmith, the chances of having a jam are quite great, add to that the high cap magazines and you'll have a less reliable weapon that's harder to bring into use in a stressful situation.
Now, before the flame wars start, let's all agree that the AK/SK copies we see here in the US aren't the ones being built for foreign armies, and I know some of you have ones that shot great right out of the box without a jam in 10,000 rounds, but those are the exception to the rules gentleman.
Add a simple laser pointer (10-15 bucks?) to the Ruger, one that has a simple swtich that you can turn on and leave on, and you've got a fairly decent home protection rifle. Go to the range, see where the bullets hit compared to the laser dot and adjust the tape, homemade mount or whatever means you've got (read inexpensive). At 10 yards if the bullets are within two inches of the dot you are good to go for use in your home defending it with as many shots as it takes to stop the attack.
I can't quote the article or exactly when it occurred, but a little old lady successfully stopped and killed a man intent on invading her home with a 10-22.
Those are my choices right now due to finances. (Read: poor college student)
I know neither is ideal for the job but either one is better than nothing.
I am leaning towards the Ruger for the fact that it is a lightweight compact rifle. I'm not loading it with any "stingers" or other higher power rounds so it is *fairly* quiet and it won't have the penetration of the 7.62X39, obviously.
The SKS is a bit cumbersome with the grenade launcher and bayonet and it's harder to wield in a confined space.
How's my reasoning thus far?
-Griz
BTW I do keep them both next to my bed with a loaded 22 mag and a full stripper of 7.62 in case they're needed. Still trying to get the GF used to them.
__________________
FWIW- having the SKS at hand along with a full mag may give a prosecutor the means to accuse you of making a weapon available to a minor. Choose one or the other for liability sake.