My head is about to explode!!

[Squidward]

I've been contemplating the purchase of an SKS, mostly because I hear they are inexpensive and reliable. I like the looks and and for what I paid for my mini 14 I could have gotten a couple SKSs.

Now I learn that the Swiss K31 is a reliable long distance shooter.

So, I'm looking for guidance: Keep the mini 14 and get an SKS or K31? Or sell the mini and get a couple of SKSs and a K31? Or??? Space in the safe is limited...

 

[VirgilCaine]

Sell the Mini 14, get and SKS for pacticality and a K31 for fun.

 

[Javelin Man]

which

I can't say much about the Mini-14, but I hustled to get to Dunham's yesterday to put an SKS AND a K31 on layaway for $180 total. I already have one of each and enjoy them immensely. I kind of think the SKS is for fun, and the K31 for practicality. Just my 50th of a dollar.

 

[jkswiss]

SKS is plenty practicle. Its cheap enough so you don't baby it. Tough enough for peasants to use, ammo's dirt cheap so you can stockpile. Makes a great SHTF rifle, fairly accurate to 100 yards. The K31, ammo costs an arm and a leg. It is one of the more accurate milsurp guns, and pretty hard hitting compared to the medium sized 7.62x39.

 

[smince]

Ammo for the K31 isn't as expensive at it once was. I bought a 480 round case of (near match grade) surplus for $150. And Hornady has soft points for about the same as commercial ammo for most rifle calibers. Compared to SKS and Moisin-Nagant ammo, it may be considered expensive. Also Wolf is starting to sell 7.5x55. Check out GRAF'S & SONS.

I've owned several Mini's and a few SKS's that weren't very acurate. I currently own a very accurate SKS and an INCREDIBLY accurate K31. I'll probably buy at least one more of each(maybe two more K31's).

 

[GlenJ]

I would go for the SKS. If you do, the Yugo M59 is a good one it's the one without the grenade launcher and will probably become collectable. You can also pick up Norincos for less than $200 at most pawn shops. I got one for $175 still in cosmoline with all matching #s. Just resist the temptation to add hi caps mags and after market stocks most people find out they suck. Here's a site with great info.

http://www.sksboards.com/forum/

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Others might disagree, but I'd sell that Mini in a heartbeat and buy both an SKS and K31.

 

[rustymaggot]

finally a thread that isnt bashing the sks! i love mine. i have a russian one and ive heard it called a "snipers edition" but im not sure exactly what that entails. ive heard that they have very good accuracy and the parts are all black to not reflect. im a poor shot with open sights so i cant do it, but i let a old guy at the local range shoot my sks and he hit 14 out of 15 shots on the gong at 350 yards. the gong is 2.5 feet diameter. personally i can hit it 1/3 the time.

but yes, sell the mini and get a sks. very reliable. parts are cheap. cleaning it is a snap. ammo is cheap.

i just wish they made a bullpup stock for sks's ive dreamed about that forever.

 

[longhorngunman]

Sell the mini 14 and get both. SKS's are practical, cheap, reliable and surprisingly more accurate than most people think. The K31's are drying up and will do nothing but go up in price when the importer's run out of them. Increbile engineering and very accurate, plus if you reload or learn to the K31 actually shoots .308 bullets.

 

[dfaugh]

Everyone should own at least one SKS

Fun, cheap and pretty practical. I have a "virgin" Yugo and an SKS-M (takes AK mags)...The SKS-M is my favorite gun.

i just wish they made a bullpup stock for sks's ive dreamed about that forever.

They do make one...can't find the link at the moment, but they are available (although they cost more than the gun!)

Personally I'd go for a Mauser over a K31, but that's just me....

 

[Cacique500]

I'd get the SKS. I've got several and they're very accurate (out on my 100 yard range). Ammo is very cheap compared to the K31 (like 1/2 price of k31 ammo).

I've been looking at the K31's and while they're interesting, I can't justify another caliber (especially an expensive caliber) while the 7.62x39 is so cheap.

 

[JMusic]

Several years ago I puchased a M1 Carbine and went to Eastern Kentucky where my brother-in-law I shot the hell out of it. A few weeks later he called to tell me there is a neat new milsurp out called an SKS. You could buy them then for $69. Next trip down I was impressed. They are a blast to shoot, what was better he had purchased one for me too. I have installed peep sights on mine and put a shotgun recoil pad on to give it some stock lengh. I also made a muzzel brake for it. I have shot thousands of rounds through it, killed deer with it and generaly have a ball with it. I have not had one failure with the gun. Buy one. Now I also own an Colt government model A2 that I use and frankly it is a better gun at distance. Bang for buck though you can't beat the SKS.