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

[CountryUgly]

I've got a Norinco sks and a WASR 10/63 AK. Both have been nothing but fine, reliable and yes accurate rifles for me. Both group inside 3 -4 inches while shooting prone off hand at 100 yards which I consider accurate for an old military rifle. When I was zeroing the scope on the AK I was getting sub 2inch groups using a vise and 154gr sp ammo. I like the AK just a bit better because I like to tinker with guns and the AK is tad bit more customizable. The AK is also my wife's favorite deer rifle. She is a tiny thing and it's small size and lack of recoil suit her well.

 

[AABEN]

I like the meld better than the stamp ones.

 

[valnar]

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.

Yes, but I am not a fan of the .30-06, so I'm biased. I think the Vz.58 is one of the best practical assault rifles ever made. The only thing against it is ubiquity.

So lets take parts availability off the table - If I could have either 10 Vz.58's, 10 SKS's or 10 AK-47's to live out my days and forgo the rest, I'd take the Vz.58 every time.

(Disclaimer: I own a Vz.58 and SKS. No longer own an AK-47)

 

[hang fire]

In 1988 paid 89 bucks for my Norinco SKS and got two 1200 round wooden crates of ammo for 100 bucks each. Have shot a few hundred out of one crate and the other one remains unopened.

It has never hiccupped and wouldn't feel underarmed with it in a SHTF moment.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

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.

Old technology? The SKS is only 4 years older then the AK 47.

 

[Trent]

With SKS's skyrocketing in price in recent years, I think an AK pattern build would be a better 'bang for your buck'.

This being said, I agree with rcmodel; FAR too many AK47's are garage-built these days. And I've see my share of CAI import / rebuilds that were BROKE from the factory. From 2006-2009 I sold about 200 AK's, and I had to fix about 10% of them. Everything from gas-tube lever being impossible to lift, to rear sights being maladjusted, to incorrectly fitting gas pistons (which I didn't even know was POSSIBLE until I saw it).

The worst offenders on CAI was the all-too-frigging-common problem of magazine catch being welded in the wrong spot. this resulted in an overly-tight to overly-loose magazine fit, and in the worst case I saw, the rifle *would not even strip the top round from the magazine that shipped with the firearm - or ANY magazine I had in the shop*. (That one, along with many others, went back to the factory as defective.. but I'm sure they just turned around and re-sold the damn thing again to someone else).

Anyway.... if you get an AK-47, ESPECIALLY TODAY...

BUY FROM A TRUSTED BUILDER!

 

[mr.trooper]

There is NOTHING inherent in firearms. Nothing. Ever.

 

[foghornl]

I have shot both, and I prefer the SKS. Nothing wrong with either Comrade Simonov's or Comrade Kalishnikov's arms, the AK just feels a bit ahhhh "odd" to me.

I have a Yugo 59/66 SKS....yeah the one with all the grenade launcher stuff. Now, when I get some launcher blanks, and dummy grenades...well anyone up for some 200+ meter "Yard Darts"?

 

[jrdolall]

I like my Russian SKS better than my WASR. I like my Romanian AK74 better than either.

 

[MCgunner]

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.

'Bout 30 bucks for the mount IIRC and came with a drill and tap, tapping was easy. You'll note the vented hand guard and attached shell deflector. That was 18 bucks IIRC. Bought all this 15 or 20 years ago so don't ask from where. I don't have it on the gun, anymore. I have better hunting rifles, use this thing for a truck gun. I prefer my Remingtons in .257 Roberts and .308 Winchester for serious uses.

You'll note the recoil pad. That's because I couldn't mount the scope far enough forward, not the best deal there. Red dot wouldn't have that problem, but like I say, it makes a better truck gun without the scope.

 

[wrs840]

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

So does that hold true for my FEG AMD-65 sidefolder? Just curious.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I don't think that would even hold true for most.