U.S.SFC_RET
Member
That SKS is very practical. You can never go wrong. The grass might be greener on the other side of the fence. Stay with the SKS.
Am I A Fool For Sticking With An SKS Only?? AR-15??
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twofourthree73
Member
As always with guns. Two is better than one.
My SKS is a solid useable unit but a AR is on a completly different level. Sights,trigger,magazines and the basic ability to be able to reconfigure things to whatever you want.
Now you can spend a small fortune on a new gun with all the wiz ban features but the reality is there are plenty of solid used brand name ARs in the 6-700 dollar range
Now you can spend a small fortune on a new gun with all the wiz ban features but the reality is there are plenty of solid used brand name ARs in the 6-700 dollar range
gidaeon
Member
I bought an sks and an ar this year - both far outshoot me.. I enjoy shooting them equally. I will say not all SKS are equal IMHO, my Yugo 59/66 is waaaay less ergonomically and with the extra stuff, weight, length up front really front heavy compared to other popular models in circulation. I didn't strip anything off as I still don't get 922r.
SKS is rugged and reliable and just works. Too bad prices are (still) jumping, if I found a real bargain someday I would like a chrome lined shorter sks. Personally, I like both, and we should be thankful we can have either (for now). Whatever you have, use it.
SKS is rugged and reliable and just works. Too bad prices are (still) jumping, if I found a real bargain someday I would like a chrome lined shorter sks. Personally, I like both, and we should be thankful we can have either (for now). Whatever you have, use it.
markk
Member
I love my SKS, even moreso because it's a sporter (16" barrel/AK mags). But if I had the money for a AR-15 platform, I'd buy it tomorrow...
Brother in Arms
Member
SKS rifles an Armorer point of view
While I can't comment on the idiosyncrasies of the AR-15. I feel that I can provide a good deal of information on the SKS. I have repaired over 500 SKS rifles this year so I can give you an idea of what can go wrong with them perhaps giving you a good idea of what spare parts you might need.
All of the rifles I have repaired have seen hard usage in foreign service much of which is due to neglect and or abuse despite that it has given me clues as to what parts are the most likely to fail.
While the the SKS is a fairly simple rifle and well made it has a few flaws. The first and foremost is the trigger group. The trigger group alone has 20 parts. And I have seen most of them damaged or broken in some way. Most common types of damage are broken off safety levers, weak safety springs, broken hammer springs, broken disconector bars, broken hammers, worn out trigger guard latch retaining holes in the trigger group or bent trigger guard latches.
So rule #1 for the SKS is buy a complete spare trigger group. The small parts in the SKS trigger group could easily be lost in the field so its unwise to attempt to disassemble it. Its much better to replace it completely. Also test it in your rifle to make sure it works properly before finding out when you really need it, that it doesn't work.
Another common broken part in the SKS is the wooden stock. I have seen all descriptions of cracks, breaks, splits, chips , fractures and holes in these relatively thin stocks and I would recommend replacing the original wood stock with a synthetic one. I cannot suggest a good commercial synthetic stock as I have no personal experience with them, but I know they will not break like the wood ones do.
As far as the bolt group is concerned I have occasionally seen broken firing pins . More often a firing pin will be found rusted or stuck in the forward position by crud, which is bad. Always check to see that the SKS's firing pin is free and moves easily in and out, check this by pressing on it with a small punch.
I have seen weak and broken recoil springs but not too commonly. Occasionally the recoil retainer will be broken or missing causing the recoil; spring assembly to fly apart when the receiver cover is removed.
The take down latch lever is far too often to be found broken off and can only be manipulated using pliers or vice grips. Be gentle with the take down latch.
Box magazine assembly's are found to be damaged from time to time but more often the follower or it lever are bent. Often the bolt hold open tab is broken off the follower and wont actuate it. I have found the very small spring in the bolt hold open to be weak, broken, missing or so completely full of cosmolene and grime that it won't work. Try using solvent on it first to see if its just gummed up, this often frees it but many times the spring is broken or missing and will have to be replaced. The bolt hold open spring is very small about the size of that found in a ball point pen and is easily lost.
As far as the gas system goes it is usually pretty good most of its parts are very stout. I have seen budged, cracked and rusted out gas piston tubes however and weak or missing tappet spring and tappets. Many times the piston will be frozen by rust or cosmolene and need to be cleaned so that it can move freely. Occasionally a piston will be so worn or pitted as well as its tube that it won't have sufficient pressure to work. The easiest way to check this is to place your thumb over the piston tube and let the piston fall downward if you feel suction on your thumb you probably have suffient gas pressure to cycle the action. On the Yugoslavian SKS there is an aditional gas cut off valve which can be turned on and off for grenade launching many times these are rusted or gas cut and must be replaced. Also the button and spring which actuates them can be broken off or missing.
Rifles without chrome lined bores are often very dark and or pitted. Front site hoods are often crushed or broken, rear sight springs are found broken from time to time but rarely.
Given what I have seen I would suggest an SKS with a chrome lined bore either Chinese, Russian, Romanian (being the easiest to find). A good synthetic stock. A Spare trigger group, firing pin, extractor, extractor spring, front site post, Recoil spring assembly.
Also a cleaning rod, complete SKS butt trap cleaning kit with the addition of an AK front site adjustment tool. And a good web or leather sling.
Brother in Arms
While I can't comment on the idiosyncrasies of the AR-15. I feel that I can provide a good deal of information on the SKS. I have repaired over 500 SKS rifles this year so I can give you an idea of what can go wrong with them perhaps giving you a good idea of what spare parts you might need.
All of the rifles I have repaired have seen hard usage in foreign service much of which is due to neglect and or abuse despite that it has given me clues as to what parts are the most likely to fail.
While the the SKS is a fairly simple rifle and well made it has a few flaws. The first and foremost is the trigger group. The trigger group alone has 20 parts. And I have seen most of them damaged or broken in some way. Most common types of damage are broken off safety levers, weak safety springs, broken hammer springs, broken disconector bars, broken hammers, worn out trigger guard latch retaining holes in the trigger group or bent trigger guard latches.
So rule #1 for the SKS is buy a complete spare trigger group. The small parts in the SKS trigger group could easily be lost in the field so its unwise to attempt to disassemble it. Its much better to replace it completely. Also test it in your rifle to make sure it works properly before finding out when you really need it, that it doesn't work.
Another common broken part in the SKS is the wooden stock. I have seen all descriptions of cracks, breaks, splits, chips , fractures and holes in these relatively thin stocks and I would recommend replacing the original wood stock with a synthetic one. I cannot suggest a good commercial synthetic stock as I have no personal experience with them, but I know they will not break like the wood ones do.
As far as the bolt group is concerned I have occasionally seen broken firing pins . More often a firing pin will be found rusted or stuck in the forward position by crud, which is bad. Always check to see that the SKS's firing pin is free and moves easily in and out, check this by pressing on it with a small punch.
I have seen weak and broken recoil springs but not too commonly. Occasionally the recoil retainer will be broken or missing causing the recoil; spring assembly to fly apart when the receiver cover is removed.
The take down latch lever is far too often to be found broken off and can only be manipulated using pliers or vice grips. Be gentle with the take down latch.
Box magazine assembly's are found to be damaged from time to time but more often the follower or it lever are bent. Often the bolt hold open tab is broken off the follower and wont actuate it. I have found the very small spring in the bolt hold open to be weak, broken, missing or so completely full of cosmolene and grime that it won't work. Try using solvent on it first to see if its just gummed up, this often frees it but many times the spring is broken or missing and will have to be replaced. The bolt hold open spring is very small about the size of that found in a ball point pen and is easily lost.
As far as the gas system goes it is usually pretty good most of its parts are very stout. I have seen budged, cracked and rusted out gas piston tubes however and weak or missing tappet spring and tappets. Many times the piston will be frozen by rust or cosmolene and need to be cleaned so that it can move freely. Occasionally a piston will be so worn or pitted as well as its tube that it won't have sufficient pressure to work. The easiest way to check this is to place your thumb over the piston tube and let the piston fall downward if you feel suction on your thumb you probably have suffient gas pressure to cycle the action. On the Yugoslavian SKS there is an aditional gas cut off valve which can be turned on and off for grenade launching many times these are rusted or gas cut and must be replaced. Also the button and spring which actuates them can be broken off or missing.
Rifles without chrome lined bores are often very dark and or pitted. Front site hoods are often crushed or broken, rear sight springs are found broken from time to time but rarely.
Given what I have seen I would suggest an SKS with a chrome lined bore either Chinese, Russian, Romanian (being the easiest to find). A good synthetic stock. A Spare trigger group, firing pin, extractor, extractor spring, front site post, Recoil spring assembly.
Also a cleaning rod, complete SKS butt trap cleaning kit with the addition of an AK front site adjustment tool. And a good web or leather sling.
Brother in Arms
Frankl03
Member
I have a Yugo SKS and love it. Solid shooter not a single miss-fire. I've put it in the center at 100 yards. Very dependable! I have also improved it with a Tech Sight and replaced the the grenade launcher with a threaded muzzlebreak.I also refinished the stock. I wouldn't hesitate to deer hunt with it. I like loading with stripper clips as its very fast.
I also own an AR and I feel much better about home protection with it around. I keep it handy. If I had to face someone coming into my home I would feel very safe with my AR. I have started to reload ammo for this rifle.
Why not have a couple of rifles for different uses, hunting, home defense, and target/plinking etc.
I also own an AR and I feel much better about home protection with it around. I keep it handy. If I had to face someone coming into my home I would feel very safe with my AR. I have started to reload ammo for this rifle.
Why not have a couple of rifles for different uses, hunting, home defense, and target/plinking etc.
Well said.
Exactly right.
I would not assume that. As you may know, in 1991 Canada banned all handgun magazines with >10 round capacity, and virtually all centerfire rifle magazines with >5 round capacity. No grandfathering.
Admittedly, Canada lacks the protection of the Second Amendment. But there is no guarantee of anything in life, and I for one would never feel confident predicting the content of possible future legislation with 99% certainty.
JImbothefiveth
Member
That's going to depend on the senate and house elections.
I think it's actually not about the second amendment, but because the government can't take property without just compensation(I think it's in the 4th amendment), and they don't want to pay that.
I am no expert but I doubt that would be much of a deterrent to a determined legislator. The amount of compensation would be relatively small compared to the many other crazy things the taxpayers are on the hook for.
Alternatively, the feds could argue that they're not seizing property, they're just prohibiting private ownership of dangerous weapons. Owners would retain the right to modify (or permanently deactivate) offending firearms to comply with the ban, within a certain grace period. Even if a complete ban was ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court, that would be cold comfort for owners who disposed of or destroyed their firearms in the interim, out of a fear of prosecution.
When there is sufficient government will, there is virtually always a way.
Wolfgang2000
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IF Obama gets elected and the Dem's have a majority in the house and the senate, they will do their best to pass a ban. There is no guarantee there will be a sun set OR a grandfather clause.
Did anyone else catch Obama bragging about his VP choice "voted for the historic Crime bill of 1994"? That is liberal speak for the assault weapon ban of 1994.
There is not guarantee that you will be able to keep what you have NOW!!
You can talk about burying them, but what good are they to you then??
Did anyone else catch Obama bragging about his VP choice "voted for the historic Crime bill of 1994"? That is liberal speak for the assault weapon ban of 1994.
There is not guarantee that you will be able to keep what you have NOW!!
You can talk about burying them, but what good are they to you then??
innerpiece
Member
Ive got 2 SKS's, have had them for years, they are great plain and simple!
but today I boutght my first AR, a DPMS Sportical. Im real excited about it. tomorrow Ill see how it feels and acts.
but if SHTF tomorrow, Id pick up an SKS, because I know it better..
If you have an SKS keep it! if you can afford an AR, buy one!
got mine with 3 30rd mags, cleaning kit, RedDot, and 80rds of .223 ammo for $795....
ip.
but today I boutght my first AR, a DPMS Sportical. Im real excited about it. tomorrow Ill see how it feels and acts.
but if SHTF tomorrow, Id pick up an SKS, because I know it better..
If you have an SKS keep it! if you can afford an AR, buy one!
got mine with 3 30rd mags, cleaning kit, RedDot, and 80rds of .223 ammo for $795....
ip.
I'll say it again: If you want one, get one now because of you wanting one, and in order to get it before prices go up. If you are buying one like the sky-is-falling group of buyers out there (and maybe in this thread), then you're wasting your money IMO
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
And as has been said before, this is not a political forum. 
So quit it.
So quit it.innerpiece
Member
no kidding. folks gettin all uppidy n silly... all puffed up, let that breath out..
grrrrr..lol
ip
grrrrr..lol
ip
Harold Krisna
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- 4
The AR is a fine tool,but the SKS is also,maybe just a tad less. I have just gotten back into shooting after taking about a decade off from it(my music consumed all my time......).My son gave me a Norinco SKS to get me back into shooting,and i was happily surprised to see how many more add ons are now available.I just put a ATI stike force stock on mine and 30 round mag,a for grip(cant remember the brand). and still have 2 rails for other gizmos. Yeah the price is approaching an AR now,but still a lot cheaper,to buy ammo with! this one shoots great and if anything lke the ones i've had in the past,and i qoute my dad"it'll feed and function anything you stick in it's throat".
Glockman17366
Member
I've got two AK's, one AR and two SKS rifles. All are great (and I want another AR), but the rifle that gets tossed into the truck is one of the SKS carbines (a close to 20 year old Paratrooper).
One, it's a cheap and fairly easily replaced rifle. Secondly, it doesn't look as aggressive as the AK or AR (for those low profile times).
Since you cannot carry a loaded rifle in a vehicle (in PA), I'll just have a couple of stripper clips ready to go in a pouch in the truck's console.
Another nice thing about the SKS...it's lower magazine capacity reduces the tendency (for me, anyway) to rapid fire dump the mag. That's wasteful of ammunition, IMHO.
You can "tacticoolize" an SKS, if you wish. I had a Tapco T-6 stock, but never installed it. Frankly, it felt cheap...but a lot of guys do like 'em. Reckon I just prefer the stock wooden furniture even though mine is a bit beat up now.
One, it's a cheap and fairly easily replaced rifle. Secondly, it doesn't look as aggressive as the AK or AR (for those low profile times).
Since you cannot carry a loaded rifle in a vehicle (in PA), I'll just have a couple of stripper clips ready to go in a pouch in the truck's console.
Another nice thing about the SKS...it's lower magazine capacity reduces the tendency (for me, anyway) to rapid fire dump the mag. That's wasteful of ammunition, IMHO.
You can "tacticoolize" an SKS, if you wish. I had a Tapco T-6 stock, but never installed it. Frankly, it felt cheap...but a lot of guys do like 'em. Reckon I just prefer the stock wooden furniture even though mine is a bit beat up now.
Holy thread resurrection Batman! Well, now that the Obama scare seems to be dying down, get that AR! I picked up my Sig 556 about 2 months ago for $700 less than the same store was selling it for back in April 09. Heck, the box was still market $200 higher than what I paid for it.
If you want an AR there is a glut on the market and now is the time. AR's and magazines may never be cheaper because every maker churned them out as fast as they could during the shortage.
If you do not want an AR do not bother, the SKS is great.
If you do not want an AR do not bother, the SKS is great.
Zombie thread, alright, but if it hadn't been resurrected I would not have learned from brother in arms' experience. Thanks, Bro!
It's that kind of information that really makes this place great. Opinions are a dime a dozen, but knowledge acquired the hard way is worth its weight in gold.
It's also kind of fun to contrast the late 08 mentality with how things have developed.
SKS? One of the last combat arms made with the old mill and drill methods of the last couple centuries. Solid and sweet to shoot, but heavier and more expensive to make than the alloy and polymer specials currently in vogue.
I don't think I'll live long enough to wear any of them out, but it's fun to try.
It's that kind of information that really makes this place great. Opinions are a dime a dozen, but knowledge acquired the hard way is worth its weight in gold.
It's also kind of fun to contrast the late 08 mentality with how things have developed.
SKS? One of the last combat arms made with the old mill and drill methods of the last couple centuries. Solid and sweet to shoot, but heavier and more expensive to make than the alloy and polymer specials currently in vogue.
I don't think I'll live long enough to wear any of them out, but it's fun to try.
7.62x54mmR
Member
No. SKS ammo is way cheaper than that of the .223
I down a Norinco SKS-D and a Colt AR-15
don't get me wrong i love them both. But according to my wallet, ehh my SKS is preferred.
I down a Norinco SKS-D and a Colt AR-15
don't get me wrong i love them both. But according to my wallet, ehh my SKS is preferred.
offthepaper
Member
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- Dec 5, 2005
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- 1,446
I have 2 AR's and a Yugo SKS. While I enjoy the AR's, I can honestly say that I equally enjoy shooting the SKS, only on a different way. When shooting both at a target, the expectations are a bit lower for the Yugo. This doesn't diminish the challenge or enjoyment of trying to get the best groups possible. The SKS is a rifle with a fine performce record behind it. If the mission were to be in a situation where there would be little or no time for weapon maint. the SKS will have a distinct advantage over the AR's. But if firepower, and acurracy are the primary factors, and time will be given for adequate cleaning/lube in the field , than the AR is the hands down winner.
It just depends on what sceanario you envision being in. The SKS will not leave you unprotected.
It just depends on what sceanario you envision being in. The SKS will not leave you unprotected.
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