the age old question, which is better, the Sks or the Ar? I would like to state some facts about both and get some replies. SKS wins on price, sks wins on dependability, sks wins on durability [take punnishment], sks wins on shooting any dirty surplus round [dependably] that it is fed. Sks wins on less routine maintenance needed, sks wins on more knock down power and kill rate. [once hit] AR wins on lightness. Ar wins on ease of handling, Ar wins on accuracy, Ar wins on better standard optics, Ar wins on bigger mags. Ar wins on more rounds carried because of smaller size, lighter weight rounds. Ar wins faster loading. Most of these thoughts have been discussed many times. How about these? The sks round is designed to tumble to inflict more damage, not accuracy, the ar is designed to stay straight for greated distance, each pay a price for the design of their rounds. The sks is heavy [wood and steel] carry it aeound all day sometime. The Ar is light, aluminum and durable plastics. Aluminum is app. 1/4 as heavy as steel, it is also app 1/4 as strong or wear resistent. Thats why you never see an aluminum file or drill bit. In my humble opinion I think it is fair to say that each have some advantages over the other. Neither is perfect in all situations. In an open grass plain 1000 yards line of sight, Ar all the way. Muddy snowy conditions, Sks better suited. Ok, please no comments like, i can shoot the eye out of a chipmonk with my sks at 400 yards, or my Ar was run over by a tank and still worked perfectly. lying only makes you look foolish, so be fair minded, i have. certainly tried to be. Oh, the Ar is cooler looking.