AK or SKS

[MAKOwner]

I barely ever shoot my SKS anymore. The AK is just way handier, much shorter, etc.

But it depends alot on what you really want. If what you want is a "evil rifle" the AK is the way to go. If you just want a plinker for cheap the SKS is hard to beat due to the price. As far as accuracy goes mine both shoot basically identically (my 5.45 AK shoots slightly better than my 7.62 AK and SKS).

But if you think you want an AK, you probably won't be happy till you have one, the SKS is not a substitute IMO...

 

[SapperLeader]

I voted Ak, but I just got one. I have 4 sks before that. The ak design seems to be more tinkerable and robust, though i really like the simpleness of the sks. Neither is a bad gun, you will end up with both eventually.

 

[NMshooter]

Get a milled reciever Bulgarian AK. Best in my experience.

 

[Nitram68]

I bought an SKS-D with the montecarlo stock. As already mentioned, it takes the AK mags. I had to modify the stock a bit to get the AK drum mag in but not much. Very fun to shoot and very accurate.

 

[ksnecktieman]

Texan? I have a twin to yours, and I am very pleased with mine too. I have held a lot of thumbhole stocks that did not fit, but this one seems perfect to me. Is yours also blonde? Mine has a very light colored stock. I think I got mine in April of 95.

 

[Warner]

I voted AK.

I have to believe that those that degrade the "crummy stamped Romanian" AK's, with their shorter LOP and barrel somehow lost some perspective along the way. I personally value the lighter weight and overall shorter dimensions. For those who cannot drop $1500 on a DSA or M1A, these less expensive SAR/WASR guns give many a lot of performance and reliability.

The SKS is too long, heavy and slow in comparison.

 

[Kaylee]

As a rifle, I prefer the SKS, for all of the reasons Marko stated. So much the better stripped of the various grenade launching/bayonetting gewgaws and with the stock cleaned up or replaced with a lightweight polymer job.

As a tool to outfit a conscript third world army, or as an "evil black rifle" toy.. the AK.

I've owned both, I've sold both, and I don't have a burning desire to buy another of either. If I were to buy another... I'd go for the AK if I was after an example of Cold War/WoT history, or the SKS if I was looking for a beater truck gun.

Finally, I'd like to reiterate what was said above.. if what you really want is an AK, don't bother going the SKS route. No amount of fancy gewgwas will turn the SKS into an AK. It's a decent rifle in its own right, but it will never be the quintiessential "bad guy's gun" the AK is.

-K

 

[Warner]

Due to their cartridge, I've always put these two into the carbine class as far as performance goes. IMO, the rest is simply two different choices for getting their identical bullets downrange.

 

[landon74]

It's pretty hard to beat the SKS if you're on a budget. I got the rifle and 500 rounds of ammo for under $200. That being said, I'm trying to scrape together the funds to build an AK.....

 

[Justang]

Is a SKS a good AK alternative if you live in California?



and please don't say I should move... it's ignorant.

 

[Edmond]

Is a SKS a good AK alternative if you live in California?



and please don't say I should move... it's ignorant.

I would say an SKS is a good alternative. Before I got my Kalashnikov, I considered the SKS but knew deep down inside that I wouldn't be happy unless I got the AK. So I saved up for a few weeks and got the AK.

All I got to say about Southern Cal is that the folks here in Chicago are going to get 6" of snow!

 

[surfinUSA]

I had both, sold the AK and kept the SKS. Both are great guns. Well made relatively accurate and cheap to shoot.

But The one thing I really liked about the SKS is how quick it is to get into action. The gun carries easy with a round in the chamber and the safety on. Holding the rifle in its normal position I keep my trigger finger alongside the safety lever and just push down as my finger goes into the trigger guard. The AK on the other hand requires you to remove your hand from the pistol grip to disengage the safety. Not a big deal at the range, but it can be a big deal in the swamp when you stumble across that big hog you're after.

I didn't really notice a difference in accuracy between the two, at least not shooting from the shoulder.

 

[RTFM]

Week end check in, and all good points....
My dilemma continues....