Is SKS inherently superior to AK or is it a cost issue?

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DefiantDad

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I see a lot of recommendations for the SKS when it comes to reliability + 7.62x39, but was wondering is it inherently more reliable than the AK, or is the primary consideration price/value? In other words, if you were given either an AK or SKS for free, which one would you pick (assuming you have no other guns).
 
No. It's not more reliable. Some people say it's more accurate, but a high-end AK is just as accurate as any SKS. I'd choose an AK over an SKS, though I currently own both. My SKS is a beautiful rifle, but the AK has more going for it, including the ability to easily accept scopes. The AK is just a much more versatile firearm.
 
Both are reliable, neither is highly accurate, but I give the edge in each to the AK over the SKS though I have seen accurized SKSs that shot really well for a semi auto.
 
I like the SKS a lot, but it's old technology. The AK beats it in every way and I wouldn't call the AK particularly modern either.

I'll take it one step further since you didn't specify, so if I had a choice in AKs I'd take a AK74 over an AK47 and a Saiga .308 over any of them.
 
is it inherently more reliable than the AK,
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NO.

The thing is though, the SKS's that have always been imported are military surplus mil-spec weapons.

The majority of AK's in this country were built with a hodge-podge of surplus parts and American made parts by a small U.S. arms manufacture.
Of which there have been half a gazillion come & go over the years.

A mil-spec AK-47 with all the original parts is no longer a possibility you can find or afford unless you are a west coast drug dealer.

So, there is a high likelihood of an AK-47 being a parts gun put together in somebody's garage.

And a high probably of an SKS still being a military grade weapon just like it was when it was built to some countries military specifications years ago.

rc
 
Main reasons I've got SKSs is, I like the ergos better, field carry is easier. Also, accuracy tends to be a little better. Besides, they were 75 bucks and 115 bucks when I bought 'em. :D Who could turn THAT down?

I have hunted with one of mine, killed a deer with it. It's accurate enough to make a 200 yards shot on a broad side deer. Not many AKs are. It's a good truck gun and general knock about rifle. I set my rifle up with a 5 round mag so that it carries better in the field, can grip it with one hand at the balance point no problem. I'm more of a traditional type of guy, don't have BOBs, don't worry too much about SHTFs, etc. I figure I can out shoot 99 percent of these young mall ninjas in to all that sort of thing, anyway, and I know firepower can't trump accuracy in any case unless you're talking platoon level assault and trained soldiers. I don't plan on going to war, though, just shooting the occasional hog or such.

Kinda depends on your requirements. If you're planning an assault in a revolution with your buddies, you have tac air and artillery support, you have one man with a SAW, maybe some mortars, maybe some Javelins .............whatever. :D For me, the SKS is a better gun. YMMV
 
Main reasons I've got SKSs is, I like the ergos better, field carry is easier. Also, accuracy tends to be a little better. I have hunted with one of mine, killed a deer with it. It's accurate enough to make a 200 yards shot on a broad side deer. Not many AKs are. I set my rifle up with a 5 round mag so that it carries better in the field, can grip it with one hand at the balance point no problem. I'm more of a traditional type of guy, don't have BOBs, don't worry too much about SHTFs, etc. I figure I can out shoot 99 percent of this young mall ninjas in to all that sort of thing, anyway, and I know firepower can't trump accuracy in any case unless you're talking platoon level assault and trained soldiers. I don't plan on going to war, though, just shooting the occasional hog or such.

Kinda depends on your requirements. If you're planning an assault in a revolution with your buddies, you have tac air and artillery support, you have one man with a SAW, maybe some mortars, maybe some Javelins .............whatever. For me, the SKS is a better gun. YMMV
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^yep^

Both my SKSs are reliable and accurate weapons. The AK is a great weapon also so IMO it depends on what you shoot best and are comfortable carrying.
 
Both have been made in so many countries in so many variations, it's hard to generalize. I'd say go with whichever has the threaded-in (not pinned) barrel and tightest chamber tolerance. On the surplus market, for the money that'll probably be an SKS. But cost being no consideration, i'd take a threaded-in AK over a cheaply pinned SKS. It's not the DESIGN, so much as the EXECUTION.

threaded > pinned, tight > sloppy, milled > stamped
 
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AK and SKS=made by peasants for peasants.

And yeah I have a bunch of both but they are pretty basic and crude in terms of function and design. Both work well and certainly are adequate for what they are intended.

If you want the conventional look with AK reliability and function look at a Saiga
 
I sold my Arsenal AK and kept my Russian built, refurbed SKSs. I don't need a 30 round mag to hit what I aim at. For ME, the Russian built SKS is better built and more accurate. I'm way to old to consider myself a door-kicker-downer. YMMV.
 
From my perspective the SKS has somewhat better ergonomics, and the "bolt hold open" (BHO) tells you Now that the last round is gone.

Even though the basic mag only holds ten rounds, this helps my ammo to last much longer, and can help to limit critical barrel heat, which can reduce the gun's accuracy and useful life.

Another possible benefit of the SKS: none were assembled by Century Arms' outsourced shops.
It's your hard-earned cash, but maybe you like to gamble...
 
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if you were given either an AK or SKS for free, which one would you pick (assuming you have no other guns).
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i would pick the ak because it's cheaper to get mags and parts if needed. plus it's a little lighter too and easier to mount a scope/reddot . but the sks is just as good, i recommend you hold them both and see what fit your style.

SKS with Tapco Stock


AK
 
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mebbe not MORE reliable, but will stand up to just as much as any Kalashnikov or Simonov...definitely the equal of any AK or SKS...


I'll take my FAL :)


But I've had a Norinco SKS and my CUR2...I still have my CUR2.

I will have a standard -47 to go with that -74 in a bit though.
 
I have owned both an Arsenal SAM-7 A1R and a Norinco SKS with the Chinese Characters marked on the reciever. Both are really good, reliable rifles. Paid around $900 for the Arsenal, paid $125 for the SKS.

Bought the Norinco in very early 90s. It was packed with a ton of cosmoline. Though it was brand new, no telling how old it really was. For all out "cool" factor, obviously the Arsenal. However, the Norinco is probably the much better rifle value wise.
 
Gunnerboy:
The VZ58 is reportedly a fine weapon. "Sturmgewehr" posted a pretty decent video of his on Youtube.

Do 58 owners feel that they are worth the approx. price of a 'SG' Garand from the CMP, or a Bulgarian AK, if at a similar price?
Despite already having such an M-1, I would like to to read various opinions.
 
The SKS used to be widely available for amazingly cheap prices. You still hear stories about the crates and crates of $60 Chinese SKS's, and that last wave of Yugos came in at around $100 within the last decade.

Even though the price is significantly higher these days, it's still a good rifle for the price.

Also, as already mentioned, the SKS's come in as issued. The AK's are mostly assembled from wide varieties of parts kits to varying degrees of competence.

There's also the idea that a rifle with a conventional stock and 10 round fixed magazine might be more conductive to developing marksmanship than an AK.
 
I prefer the SKS, especially the two Russian Tula Arsenals I have. They were available at great prices in the 90's. I paid about $100 each back then. They are great shooters, and never skip a beat. Offhand, I can easily shoot minute of pie plate at 100 yards with cheap ammo. Much better accuracy if bench rested with better ammo. While it is no target rifle, I believe the design is inherently more accurate than the AK.

With a rubber butt pad extension, they fit me great.
 
My vote would be for the SKS. The SKS is a rifle, the AK a carbine. Which would you shoot better with, that depends on if you are "spray and pray" or "snipering". Your shooting style will make the deciession for you.

Jim
 
Both are great weapons and much more capable than people give them credit for. People act like the are reliable but you can't hit anything with them but I can pop a 4 inch steel plate all day at 100 yards with my Saiga. I'm sure my SKS would do the same but my eyes aren't cutting it with those sights anymore.
 
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