Garand vs SKS

[MosinT53Hunter]

 

[FL-NC]

M1

 

[Charlie98]

Once again, the varied experiences of those on THR does not disappoint! Clearly, the answer is, “get both.”

What’s a realistic, fun, workout for these guns -how many rounds should I plan to shoot through a Garand or an SKS on a given day? That might be the next question to narrow it down. I have 22s that I could shoot a thousand rounds in a day without trying too hard, and I have bolt guns that, after 10 rounds, my shoulder has had enough.

Last shooting session with my M1 was 200 rounds... the only reason I didn't shoot more was I was also working with my Savage bolt gun, and that sucked up too much time.

 

[chicharrones]

My experience has been that the Garand didn't kick much at all. The LOP and the fact that it weighs 10lbs empty helps. My brief experience with that one SKS was not pleasant. Mileage can, and often will, vary.

I haven't fired a Garand in a long time. My brother had one years ago and we fired that side by side with his Enfield SMLE MkIII and from what I remember, the Garand was a soft shooter in comparison. I'm sure the gas operation of the Garand helps a bit with spreading out the recoil impulse.

Then there is my Norinco SKS. I bought it on price and it is my first firearm. It cost 1/3rd of a run of the mill Garand back in the day, and 1/2 the price of an M1 Carbine. My SKS is probably still only worth 1/3rd of a run of the mill Garand now (and still 1/2 price of an M1 Carbine).

IMO, the SKS is what it is, which is a rough sorta equal to a Ruger Mini 30, of which I don't know which gun I'm insulting here. At least a Mini 30 can have optics easily installed.

The SKS isn't a bad looking milsurp, but it doesn't have the Garand's sights. While I installed two different aperture sight set ups on that SKS, they still weren't Garand sights. I went back to original sights on my SKS years ago.

The biggest reason I keep my SKS is it is my first firearm, and the fact that the occasional newbie likes shooting it. Too bad I never got a Garand for myself.

 

[Skeptic13]

Your question was which one was more fun to plink with. I think your answer is the SKS. It is softer shooting, less expensive to shoot and you can shoot a lot more rounds in one range session.

Now if I could only buy one it would be the Garand. Not even a question. To me it is far more historically significant and far more accurate especially at longer ranges. I normally don't shoot large amounts of .30 cal at any one range session. If I want to plink I will choose .22LR or .223.

 

[lysanderxiii]

That is what I would recommend. SKS's will only go up in price, and Garands were never, and will never, be cheap. Get them while the gettings good.

I beg to differ.

Back in the mid-1980's M1 Garands could be had for about $300 at the Woolsworth. Stripped receivers were going for around $25 each and a parts kit, under $200.

They will never be that cheap again, but they were relatively cheap once.

 

[Phil70]

I have two Garands, one is a 308 and the other is the 30-06. So if your worried about the expense of the 30-06 get the 308.
It’s an interesting rifle to shoot and guys around you will come over to see it.

 

[ford8nr]

Loading en-bloc clips kinda sucks, and topping off or loading partial loads are inhibited

They do make 2 and 5 round clips.

 

[ford8nr]

Back in the mid-1980's M1 Garands could be had for about $300 at the Woolsworth.

I remember the cardboard barrels of Garands and M1's at Woolworths in tbe mid 70's. Garands were like $150 and M1's were $100.
Now doubling every 10 years (7.6% growth) they'd be $2400 and $1600 today.
CMP's prices are still good at $1000 for a Garand.

 

[mustanger98]

Once again, the varied experiences of those on THR does not disappoint! Clearly, the answer is, “get both.”

What’s a realistic, fun, workout for these guns -how many rounds should I plan to shoot through a Garand or an SKS on a given day? That might be the next question to narrow it down. I have 22s that I could shoot a thousand rounds in a day without trying too hard, and I have bolt guns that, after 10 rounds, my shoulder has had enough.

I hear you can get 1000rd cases of 7.62x39 for just under $200. How many rounds do you feel like burning through? How many to learn the rifle? To maintain proficiency?

In absence of more affordable (7.62x63, we usually call it .30-06) M2 ball, from what I hear, I'd suggest...

1- Start reloading specifically for the Garand. Load a few rounds at a time and test them, keeping good records and shoot till you find the accuracy node. Then keep reloading that. How much time and money can you afford to spend over the course of this hobby? Or...

2- Get a ported gas plug and shoot whatever 150gr .30-06 ammo is affordable. From what I've read, the ported plug reduces a more modern hunting load's pressure so it won't goof up your op rod. Then it's back to the question of how much shooting do you feel like doing.

In either case, Garand or SKS, take your time. Pace yourself. Allow time between shots so the barrel doesn't heat up too bad. You'll extend barrel life and have better accuracy for longer. With that comes more enjoyment over a long time.

 

[rdnktrkr]

Everytime I take a Garand to the range it gets a lot of attention, I especially like when younger shooters who have never held one smiles when I let them shoot it. The other guns I have never get the big smiles like the Garands and they include a SKS.

 

[adcoch1]

For all the reasons the sks is cool, the garand is cooler. For most of the reasons the sks suck, the garand does too. Honestly the garand is just as much more gun than the sks as the costs differ. Sks's aren't disappointing as a milsurp goes, but a garand is a definite need in a fun semi auto milsurp collection. Buy both, it's only money... ( while I count change for reloading components)

 

[cfullgraf]

For plinking, I'd rather shoot a 300 Blackout AR-15 than an SKS. (I have three 300 BO guns and two 7-62x39 SKS guns)

For longer ranges, I'd rather shoot an M1 Garand.

I find it interesting that you do not see any SKS or AK-47's in longer range target competitions.

 

[dh1633pm]

I noted that most are about the same length. Otherwise why compare them?

 

[Mosin77]

Both sides made compelling arguments. So I went ahead and bought the SKS. You can’t beat $324 shipped. If I don’t like it I can always sell it for what I paid. (At least that’s what I’ll tell my wife... but who are we kidding? I’ve never actually sold a gun yet in my life.) I’ll pick up a Garand when I find the right one.

 

[Shootrj2003]

Well, I've shot the M-14, I have shot the SKS, I have shot the AK -47 ,and as a Marine and an ARMY brat I have M-1 genes in my blood and I even held my father's when I was 10 ,never shot one yet though,HOWEVER,lay an SKS on a blanket with 50 rds, and then lay an M-1 on the blanket next to it ,also with 50 rds and say choose,it would be the M-1 ,however, say pay for one of them and take it - the SKS I would have no choice ,it simply fits the family economics better. Times are changing however,it's not too hard to find M-1's for around a grand,however the JM Marlin 45-70 I am buying will cost me almost $600 after the taxes so the M-1 is looking viable and I reload 06 so who knows.

 

[Llama Bob]

2- Get a ported gas plug and shoot whatever 150gr .30-06 ammo is affordable. From what I've read, the ported plug reduces a more modern hunting load's pressure so it won't goof up your op rod. Then it's back to the question of how much shooting do you feel like doing.

Commercial 150gr loads won't damage your op rod. There's nothing wrong with a ported gas plug, but you don't need one unless you're running slower powders than those found in commercial 150gr stuff. Varget (or maybe IMR 4320) is the limit on the slow side.

 

[badkarmamib]

Commercial 150gr loads won't damage your op rod.

Do you have a source for this? This would actually free me up a bit, as I was thinking of getting the ported gas plug to save for a rainy day if I couldn't find the components I am using.

 

[Llama Bob]

Do you have a source for this? This would actually free me up a bit, as I was thinking of getting the ported gas plug to save for a rainy day if I couldn't find the components I am using.

My Garand like 150 Core Lokts and has fired many at this point.

I don't know about a "source" but if you run a propellant list for 150gr .30-06 you'll see that the top non-compressed performers are all faster than Varget. So you can shake the case, and if you can hear the powder, it's safe. No manufacturer is going to run an uncompressed charge of fast-magnum powder so they can get less velocity.

 

[1KPerDay]

So you can shake the case, and if you can hear the powder, it's safe.

Hmmmmmk.....

 

[Llama Bob]

You do you man. Contrary to paranoid clown belief a manufacturer isn't going to load a light bullet load with an uncompressed (in other words you can hear it when shaken) charge of magnum power so they can get laughably low velocity. The only powders that drive a 150gr decently fast with a load density of less than 100% are perfectly safe in the Garand.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I have never shot either one but Im a big fan of the 30-06 so if I had to choose I have to go with the Garand.

Besides I would very much enjoy raising that big boy to my shoulder and tell the bad guys; "Get off my lawn"

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Try borrowing and shooting both before deciding. For myself, I find the recoil impulse of the SKS a bit more abrupt and jarring to my aim, despite the much lighter recoiling cartridge. The heavy M1 has the most comfortable recoil impulse of any full-powered battle rifle I've shot to date.

You can fit aftermarket forward picrails on either platform, but since both rifles eject upwards you can't conventionally center-mount a scope over the action. That leaves you with either an inauthentic-looking bubbagun, or issue sights -- and the Garand's sights kick just about every other rifle's butt.

Once I stuck a short picrail on my M1 in place of the rear sight and mounted a red dot, but the whole look offended me and I took it right back off. I prefer my milsurps to look plausibly military.



I've owned 3 Chicom SKS carbines at one time or another and sold them all, while my Garand is a lifetime keeper. Even with more expensive 7.62x39 ammo from S&B and others, I could not get any of my SKS rifles to group well on target.

Your mileage may vary, so try both and see. Actually, buy one of each if you can afford both -- the values will appreciate enough in a couple years to more than recoup your costs, if you decide to keep just one.

And if you shoot a Garand, use M2 spec ball ammo. Some fellows here may have bought their M1's when they were still relatively cheap, but they cost north of a grand today -- replacement op rods are $200+, so I treat mine gently. Check out this video:

https://www.full30.com/watch/MDA0OTYz/the-m1-garand---is-commercial-ammo-safe

 

[WisBorn]

If it was my choice I would have to go with the Garand. SKS is cool and fun to shoot but so is the M1. The sks is an ammo eater the m1 a little less with the recoil you will pull the trigger a little slower

 

[zaitcev]

I thought about this question for a long time, and got a Luxembourg FN49. It's basically an SKS, only upsized to shoot Garand cartridge.