SKS or AK?

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spikehunter

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I am thinking about getting a military autoloader but not sure which? Mostly to just shoot at the range but possibly some deer hunting. Help me make up my mind (Ak or SKS)

ps. want to keep this a fairly cheap purchase but is the ak worth the extra 200
 
same price... I would opt for the AK... but for 300.00 cheaper... i would have no issue with going for the SKS.... I just dont see a 300.00 difference..

locally 250 vs 550....
 
In my humble opinion, the sks will work just fine........BUT, the detachable magazines for the AK make it better. Overall however the sks and ak shoot very similar.

How about both! ;)

My vote would go for AK, assuming you find it for about 500 +/-
 
the kinks have been worked out of the detachable mag kits for sks's and they are readily available with these kits installed now.
 
If you need to be more PC where you live the SKS may be what you need, if not then I'd prefer the AK, especially one of the milled receiver variants, but either one will serve your purpose. I like the dual role an AK serves for hunting and shtf, a role which the SKS will also serve in fine, but the SKS was made with a fixed 10-round mag however detachable hi-caps are available for it. The AK was made for detachable mags and they're easier to use, easier to find and slightly more reliable. The SKS is longer with a 20" barrel where the AK has a 16" barrel and is more compact. I'm not sure if there is a significant velocity increase with the longer barrel and accuracy is hit or miss with the SKS's I've owned.
 
For general use the AK will do anything the SKS will, the reverse isn't true.

I've got both and shoot both at our local rifle match. The SKS is a handy rifle but the AK beats it hands down. Reloads faster, simpler design, easier to strip and clean. Lighter too.

BSW
 
The AK series handles a lot better and just feels more natural, IMO.
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That's funny. I have both and I prefer the SKS. I think it's a personal preference thing. My Romanian and Russian SKS handle and shoot great. The Yugo SKS is a bit unwieldy though.

The OP doesn't indicate whether a 10 round mag is sufficient. For range use and hunting it should be. But if you'd rather have 30 round mags or 90 round drums then the AK is the way to go.

Both have sucky sights and www.Tech-Sights.com has the solution for both rifles.
 
I like the SKS-- BUT I am one of the few who never bought one-- I do own an AK and comparing both, the AK works better for me, its lighter and shorter-- more of a carbine to me than the SKS-- and mine is as accurate as my friends SKS (ROmanian)...
 
Either one would work, but I think we need more criteria.

With that said, I think that the SKS would be the way to go if all that is required of the rifle is target work and hunting. The SKS's longer barrel and sight radius is much better for precision(ish) shooting. Another bonus is that the SKS's magazine is highly unlikely to be cumbersome on the shooting bench, in the blind, or in the woods.

However, if you want >10 magazine capacity and/or intend to use the weapon for defense as well, go with the AK.
 
for me the sks would be the choice, especially if i could find one that accepts the ak mags (we have one of these, a norinco paratrooper i think they are commonly called.)

pretty much a push in accuracy.
the same ammo of course.
hundreds less.
very dependable.
almost a pound lighter (comparing similar length model).
not as many aftermarket goodies, but enough to really customize if you wanted.

they are both really fun rifles, but the extra $$$ and lbs would have me choosing the sks (again)
 
I love my Norinco SKS, no complaints at all, but I'm looking for an AK too. Looks like you are getting some good feedback. Yes...the AK is worth it and if I really had to choose between the two (not already owning one) I would go with the AK.
 
Take a look at the Russian Saiga. It's a sporterized semi-auto only version of the AK47 and comes in .223, .308 and a number of shotgun gauges as well as 7.62x39. It's more PC than the AK, if that's important. Kinda looks like an updated SKS. With a few mods, it can be converted to AK configuration and made to use Russian milsurp magazines (in 7.62x39 anyway). A virtual cottage industry has grown up to support the conversions and there are forums dedicated to it.

The only somewhat bad thing about an unconverted Saiga is that the trigger is heavy. Conversion corrects that issue. But my unconverted Saigas aren't bad and I've no plan to convert any of them.

One nice thing about the Saiga is that it is built to higher fit/finish standards than most AKs....though still a bit short of what we're used to in the U.S. Once you get the sights sorted out, they can be quite accurate as well. Best online prices for .223 and x39 Saigas are now hovering around $370....the .308s and shotguns are more.
Bob
 
also.... which one makes liberals wet their pants?
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both do, since the AK-47 is the bullet hose that they fear and loath, and the SKS is the gun that they THINK is also an AK-47/bullet hose that they fear and loath.
 
Shot both...own 2 SKS rifles.

For some reason, I like the SKS better. Sure, the AK is a great platform and was designed WAY before it's time, but the SKS is just a jewel.

If you're worried about fecal matter smacking the osculating rotor, get the AK or an AR. If you're looking to do some hunting/plinking with the rifle, I would say get the SKS. A 30 round mag doesn't make you shoot better, and if you can't hit it within the first 2 shots, you will probably miss a few more to boot.
 
Mostly to just shoot at the range but possibly some deer hunting.
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If you can find an AK that is at least as accurate as an SKS (4 MOA) for your short range hunting needs, and the 2-300 bucks difference in price is not a deal breaker, then by all means buy an AK.

For us here in Canada, AK as prohibited so we do not feel your pain.
 
my unconverted Saigas aren't bad and I've no plan to convert any of them.
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I second that. I was going to recommend a Saiga. Honestly, to me it seems like the best of both worlds. A more traditional, less scary looking stock, and an easier to clean, detachable mag taking receiver. I've got the .223 and it's a great gun.
 
I haven't noticed a significant gap between AK and SKS prices in my local shops only ~$100. Well worth it for for a detachable mag and a rifle that isn't pig ugly (well...less pig ugly: it is a commie gun after all).
 
Frankly, you need both.
Get the AK first. The Romanian WASR's are just fine, and the cheapest of the lot. Put some time into refinishing the furniture, upgrading to a Tapco trigger, and shooting it.
Later on, get the SKS.
Think: AK for defense of your home and family, SKS to outfit family members with a defensive rifle, and for hunting if the SHTF.
I appreciate that $$ is an issue, but ask yourself this: Can you afford not to? What will you do if there is a ban, or, more likely, a shutdown of law and order for a period of time? Remember the Vietnamese store owners in LA, during the OJ riots, standing by their property, AK's in hand? Those guys are still in business.
 
ive seen several people refer to the ak as lighter.

isnt it about a pound heavier?

our sks with an empty 30 mag is 8lb2oz.

i think an ak is right at 10 lbs
 
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