All this SKS talk has gotten to me...

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OldSchooler

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Where would you go to get a nice one? Say, a Yugo or Romanian with the milled receiver.
Maybe I better get my C&R license after all...
 
Just don't go to Big 5. The one I got didn't shoot well at all. jammed after chambering the second round. Sold it after I shot that second round. Never will buy another commie gun.
 
I got my yugo from inter ordnance at the Charlotte gunshow last year.It was in unissued condition and has been 100% reliable.It has surprised people with it's accuracy.The only thing I don't like is it's a little heavy with the grenade launcher,bayo.,etc..
 
My Yugo 59/66 was in mint condition with all matching s/n's when I bought it. Uber reliable and never a malf.

But it weighs as much as an M14 so it is not a light and handy rifle.

The Chinese and Russian versions are much lighter because of the wood used and less steel (no grenade launcher and ladder sight). But you will pay more. Look the Chinese versions over carefully to insure they have both the milled reciever and threaded barrel. Some were crush fit and stamped recievers, which is okay but they don't have as much residual value. Threaded barrels will exhibit a barrel base which will have two opposing flats for a wrench if it is threaded.

Yugos have excellent barrels but they are not chrome lined. With normal cleaning this is never an issue, unless you buy one used and it was maltreated. The stocks were denser and heavier but they have a longer length of pull than the Chinese, a trait that I desire. The thick rubber butt pad allows a more comfortable length (for me) than the (shorter) steel butt plate stocks from other countries.
 
I got mine the same place at Kart Racer at the Charlotte show. The Yugo ones are heavier but they are also alot thicker metal. If you even compared the barrels of a Russian, Romanian or Chinese against a Yugo its about twice as thick. They built them to last but the added weight and grenade launcher does make it a tad front heavy.

If you having problems with it not cycling it tends to be either dirt in the gas valve or a leaking valve. Its easy to get a replacement for under $20 made new from stainless steel. Its generally the very used SKS' which have problems. The unissued ones or the ones in very good to excellent status don't have these problems. You might want to check for a plain Yugo model 59 without the grenade launcher. They aren't in as good condition as the 59/66 but are less front heavy.

The others would cost you more money. Chinese ones go for around $250. Romanians ones are quite rare and cost even more. Russian ones I seen go to $450 in excellent condition and have become a bit of a collectors item.

I would check the triggers. Some are better than others and some have horrid creep. You can get these fixed though they are a pain to do but people out there for a little cash can give you a nice crisp two stage trigger. Its not the design's problem. More rushed put together of a good design.

You could also bed the rifle properly and that will help with your accuracy as would investing in the likes of a tech-sight.

My Yugo after I bedded it properly and with a tech-sight can do 1.5-2.0 moa which is pretty good. In default it can do about 3-4moa. In my opinion its a very underrated design and makes a great utilitarian rifle to throw in the back of the truck, on your atv or out in the field. They are typucally extremely simple to maintain and operate, reliable as can come and accurate enough for most purposes. Its no target rifle though.
 
Great guns, heavy as balls though. And the triggers are truly awful.

I kind of like the weight; recoil is best decribed as "drifty". My Yugo (59/66, of course :D) doesn't really kick at all, it just kind of floats up and pushes back a little—first time I tried rapid-firing, I found myself teetering over my rear foot by the fifth round, but I hadn't really noticed any kind of recoil. Lean in, and don't bother trying to flinch away for the first round.

50yd, bone stock, and I KNOW I threw a couple of shots:
50ydSKShead.jpg

That one (I sold it since, but I have another one) can do 2MOA, I'm sure of it.
 
+1 on what nitesite said. I've been shooting SKSs since the early 80s.
Prefer the Chinese if you're using corrosive ammo, but there are plenty of
mint jugos still out there.

Just be sure to keep the gas tube and both pistons clean no matter
which you use.
 
Definitely get the C&R. It pays for itself over time (well, it depends GREATLY on your self-control, and having guns shipped directly to you is really cool).

I would go with as good an example of the breed as you can get- don't skimp and buy a shooter model unless you are willing to accept a leaky gas valve (in case of the 59/66) and a corroded bore. An extra $50 will get you something that looks almost brand new (but covered in grease).

I bought my "new" condition 59/66 from Classic Arms. I have no complaints. I also bought a K31 from AIM, and they are also good to deal with.
 
All you guys with crummy triggers, here's the guy to fix that for you.
all you need to send him is the trigger group, so shipping is cheap, and your SKS trigger will be VERY nice when he is done.
http://www.kivaari.com/
 
Definitely get the C&R. It pays for itself over time (well, it depends GREATLY on your self-control, and having guns shipped directly to you is really cool).
I used to have an FFL, before they went thwarky with the regs. Ive already sent for a C&R application and may even consider an FFL. Self control is no issue - Im cleaning out the closet already!

I would go with as good an example of the breed as you can get- don't skimp and buy a shooter model unless you are willing to accept a leaky gas valve (in case of the 59/66) and a corroded bore. An extra $50 will get you something that looks almost brand new (but covered in grease).
Excellent advice, always.

I bought my "new" condition 59/66 from Classic Arms. I have no complaints. I also bought a K31 from AIM, and they are also good to deal with.
Ive checked them both out. Thanks to you and all for your info. THR is the best.
 
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