AK47 or SKS?

[lostone1413]

Going to the gun show this weekend. Before they get the AWB back I was wanting to get a high cap. rifle. I was wondering what one is the best the AK47 or SKS?? What country makes the best of these two and what should I expect to pay? Thanks

 

[kfranz]

SKS isn't a high cap rifle. Guess that leaves the AK. Define best, and what you are willing to pay, then we can narrow down the field.

 

[DT Guy]

#1-"They" only bring back the AWB if WE let them-don't focus on defeat!

Now-

AKs are all generally reliable. I have a Romanian, and it works, although the furniture looked like it was made by a blind monkey in a hailstorm-at night. The trigger 'slaps' hard, and it's not pretty, but it works. I'd pay more for an Arsenal if I were 'into' AKs, but I'm really not.

SKSs are great guns, especially for younger shooters and ladies. The Yugo ones that you'll see the most of are generally in very good shooting condition, and shoot pretty well. MUCH less recoil than the AK, although they fire the same round, because of the weight and stock design.

Depends what you want the rifle for-both make nice range toys. I'd rather have the AK if/when the zombies finally come for me....


Larry

 

[TechBrute]

If you really want a "hi-cap" (I hate that term; I prefer standard-cap) rifle, the AK is the only one of those two that will qualify. The SKS has 10-round non-removable mags, and the removable mag mods are unreliable, at best.

If you want an AK, get a VEPR.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

There really is no comparison between these two rifles, except that right now you can get both of them for under $500 right now (as far as AK's go, you can get a standard AK-47 for under $500, but if you want a nicer AK, you might pay a bit more).

An SKS is a nice rifle to shoot around just for cheap fun, but with an AK, you can shoot it for a relatively low price, but you can do *far* more than the conventional wisdom believes thinks an AK can do.

If you went with a standard Bulgarian AK-74 in 5.45x39 you can expect 2-3 MOA with good care and adjustment and good accuracy out to 350-400 yards. Go to Kvar.com or South Ohio Gun for damned good quality AK's or Akfiles.com for a GREAT AK message board.

 

[TechBrute]

Kvar.com

is that right? I can't get the site.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

K-Var

Hopefully that works. There is a hyphen in 'k-var'.

 

[vanfunk]

It's www.k-var.com

Lotsa AK furniture and parts for sale there. I've had great success with them in the past.

HTH,
vanfunk

 

[babyeagle40]

I own a 16 inch and a 20 inch sks(so does a friend) never had a problem with any of 'em. as noted above, the removable box magazines are hit and miss in the quality control dept. NO problems feeding, only fitting in the gun but nothing that couldn't be solved with a file(on the mag). The carbine when equipped with a folding stock makes for a short, handy little rifle. And I love the triangular spike bayonet that comes on the chinese version. For a short person like me the original stock has a great feel to it. My buddy doesn't like it but he's abouta foot taller than me. Great rifle, durable.
armadilla killa.

 

[TearsOfRage]

Besides the obvious ergonomic differences, the trigger mechanisms are vastly different.

They are both going to be long and heavy, of course, but its extemely easy for anyone to do a good trigger job themselves on an AK and make it nice and smooth, with no slap. If an SKS trigger is rough - as most of them are - you'd probably have to pay someone experienced to fix it.

 

[walking arsenal]

DT guy

You can take care of the trigger slap on your romanian AK with five minutes a 5 dollar US made fire control group and the walk through from red star arms.

i did it to mine and the slap is gone, lots nicer.

The problem comes from the romanian manufacturer leaving a bur on the back of the trigger sear thats meant for full auto guns (wouldnt that be nice).
you can either mill that off or replace the trigger.


Trust me its really easy and well worth it.

 

[walking arsenal]

Double post

 

[Redneck Revolver]

the sks is more accurate (btw all of what i say is based on my limited dealings with both guns) but botha re pretty good. recoil isnt an issue to me in either gun. both are reliable and in my opinion russian guns are the best for both the ak and the sks.

 

[benEzra]

Be aware that if you want to customize the rifle to any significant extent (folding or adjustable-length stock, fore-end rails, etc.) the SKS is pretty much out of the question. A folding stock on most SKS's would put you in serious violation of 18 USC 922(r).

 

[clange]

If you've got the money, the AK is worth it. IMO the only upside to the SKS is cost. The AK beats it in about every category other than sight radius. The SKS may actually be more accurate, it may not. I cant shoot either gun well with irons, and my SAR-1 with a red dot did a group under an inch at 60 yards the other day. Better than i could ever do with an sks.

Now, I cant part with my SKS, its a great rifle, but if i could only have one for the rest of my life it wouldnt even be a question.

Edit: And you asked what you'd be expected to pay. You should be able to find no-ban WASRs for $350-$400 (i saw one at a gunshow for $355, but since then they've all been over $400). Or you could order one online for low $300s + shipping + transfer. The post-bans are a bit less. SAR-1s run mid to high $300s probably. They are all in post ban configurations, unless modified. May be important to you depending upon what you want. Quality on the SARs is usually higher, but some of them have had cant problems as well. If cant and the like would bother you, try and check them out in person first. My SAR was ~$350 after tax (so $400 with the folder, $510 with the optic).