Howdy - first post

[timfromohio]

Hi there,

This is a great forum - have been reading for a week or so - lots of good information and nice folks.

Anyway, I thought I'd post a question and solicit some opinions. I have no rifles and would like to start a collection. I know that I'd like a Ruger 10/22 for plinkin and practicing - cheap to shoot and it seems to be a very standard, good performing 22. I'd also like something in 7.62x39. It seems that an SKS in good condition is a safe bet, however, I'm concerned over magazine capacity so I've been reading threads on AK's and their variants. Problem is cost - I could get an SKS and 1000 rounds for the cost of a good AK. Then I read about the Saiga. Seems like a good rifle and high capacity mags are available but then I guess you have to change out some other parts to meet requirments for number of US made parts. If it were not for the upcoming election I'd go for the SKS and 1000 rounds, but I'm worried that depending on who gets in office the possibility of an AK-type rifle might go away, or becoming prohibitively expensive.

What does everybody think? Thanks for opinions.

 

[TheLaxPlayer]

I have an SKS and it's alright I suppose but if I've learned anything it's that you should buy what you want. If you really want an AK and you buy an SKS, you're still going to want an AK. Worse yet, you might dump some money into the SKS trying to make it more "tactical" and end up liking it less than stock... ask me how I know.

If you want an AK, get an AK. Dunhams has them for $300 (WASR) every third or fourth week it seems if there are Dunhams stores in Ohio.

 

[Magnuumpwr]

I'm with Lax, like my wife always tells me, get the one you want and never settle. Chances are you will never be satisfied with whatever you settle for. Also, I own an AK and have field stripped a friends' SKS. Just about anyone should be able to field strip an AK, but the SKS does require a little more time and attention. These are just my opinions.

 

[Deer Hunter]

The saiga can be "converted" very easily. It's the best quality AK out there right now, not to mention the cheapest. My .223 Saiga is extremely accurate.

 

[Logan 5]

Ak Tim

Tim

I used to live in Ohio and remember the $300 sales for AK's as well. I checked them out a couple of times. They were Hungarian and Yugoslav (Serbian) issue and the craftsmanship was poor. (unfinished wood) That being said the mechanical aspects of the rifles were solid. If you wanted to get in before a possible ban, buying one of these with a bunch of high cap mags would work.

Also be sure that you want an AK and you know why you want it. Many folks (myself included) find them innacurate past 70 yards. They would be ideal in closer quarters and they are proven to be both mechanically reliable and extremely tough.

There are a ton of choices out there. Good luck!!

 

[Logan 5]

Ak Tim

Tim

I used to live in Ohio and remember the $300 sales for AK's as well. I checked them out a couple of times. They were Hungarian and Yugoslav (Serbian) issue and the craftsmanship was poor. (unfinished wood) That being said the mechanical aspects of the rifles were solid. If you wanted to get in before a possible ban, buying one of these with a bunch of high cap mags would work.

Also be sure that you want an AK and you know why you want it. Many folks (myself included) find them innacurate past 70 yards. They would be ideal in closer quarters and they are proven to be both mechanically reliable and extremely tough.

There are a ton of choices out there. Good luck!!

 

[dmazur]

Check out the CMP site at www.odcmp.com. You can get a Garand for around $600 or so.

I know this seems like a lot, but it's a forged receiver piece of history and has some of the best iron sights ever made.

10 years from now, this price may seem like a bargain...

No guarantees, but the Garand wasn't considered an EBR last time around. If "they" go after all semiautos, watch out. Then even the 10/22 won't be safe!

 

[Wedge]

Welcome to the forum.

A lot of great choices out there.

I am planning on going a little different route and getting a Marlin 60 hopefully followed by a Marlin 39A and maybe a Saiga 7.62x39, which is easy enough to legally convert and make into a great AK.

 

[timfromohio]

I'm leaning towards the SKS right now. I like the idea of a milled receiver and the lower price tag. Will get 10/22 along with it for practice. I had thought of the Garand, but 7.62x39 is cheaper to shoot.

 

[rangerruck]

go with the saiga, you will be much happier than with the sks, I promise you. And they are easy to get any extra parts you may want. I'll say it before, and i'll say it again; the 10.22 is not a beginner's rifle, unless you have an understanding of semi auto's, and are good with your hands, and tools.
the best entry 22 out there is any 80 or81 series marlin, bolt action- it has been made continuously for 70 years now, it is cheaper than the 10.22 and it is way more accurate. even if you get one of these that are used, and 50 years old, it will be way better than a 10.22. if you want a first semiauto, get a marlin mod 60 , or a Savage 64. These also are cheaper, way better, and way more accurate, than a 10.22.

 

[timfromohio]

rangerruck,

so you recommend the Saiga over the SKS? What about the stamped vs. milled aspect? I do like the idea of high cap mags, but did not want to mess around with changing out parts.

regarding the 10/22, I want semiauto and considered the 60, but like the detachable, high cap mags you can get for the 10/22

what makes the 10/22 less accurate - honest question, while I have a few pistols and feel comfortable shooting them, I have next to no experience shooting long guns

Thanks for opinions

 

[foghornl]

The Yugoslavian SKS's are still under $200 most places, plus they have the grenade launcher/gl sights/big blade bayonet. I got the Yugo 59/66model a couple of years back for $150, IIRC.


Now, if I could get some of those inert 'dummy' grenades and the gl blanks...well anyone for Industrial Strength "Yard Darts" ? ? ?

A lot of folks like the AK-xx variants, but the controls just didn't "fit" me well.

One caveat with the Yugo SKS models...the normal use/grenade launcher use gas valve sometimes is corroded and leaks. Also, all models of the SKS use a free-float (AKA inertia) type firing pin. You MUST keep the firing pin channel in the bolt clean and dry, lest the SKS go into Slam Fire mode.