SKS or M1A: SKS might be better

[Mosin Bubba]

I had an SKS back in the day and didn't care for it at all. Now that the cheap steel Russian ammo is going away I can't imagine much point the SKS anymore.

Yup. An SKS at $1/round is a Cold War curio and not much else.

 

[Derek Wildstar]

Yup. An SKS at $1/round is a Cold War curio and not much else.

You'd almost think that American gun owning public forgot entirely about a little thing called capitalism.

 

[adcoch1]

This is like comparing a early 1970's Honda XL 250 vs a Harley-Davidson ROAD KING.
Both are motorcycles, both do what they are designed to do, both classics in their respective fields.
But to compare them? Crazy!

Winner! And absolutely true. Just don't discount the sks because the M1a is awesome. But an sks can be a lot of fun and very useful once you figure them out.

 

[marksman13]

The SKS is completely outclassed by the M1A in every possible way. Detachable magazines are better on the battlefield. Period. Bayonets are a non-factor in modern combat. Period. The M1A is more accurate, fires a more lethal round and reliability between the two is a toss up. The SKS has all the ergonomics and class of an untreated pine 2x4 and even though the M1A is far from perfect in the ergonomics category, it is better than the SKS and oozes class. You love the SKS and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s not a better weapon than the M1A in any category.

 

[Hokkmike]

I think I prefer the SKS, it shoots a lighter round, magazine is already attached to the rifle and so is the bayonet. It's a breeze to clean
7.62X39 is easier to shoot than 7.62x51.
And SKS's are almost always cheaper than M1As.

View attachment 993917

If i could I would put a scope on my SKS

Never shot an M1A. SKS is fine but always second to the AK....

 

[derek45]

The SKS is a conscripts rifle

The M14 is a riflemans rifle

 

[Ignition Override]

About ten - twelve years ago, if the lowest .308 prices had been very similar to 7.62x39 prices, I would have Loved to have an M1-A1/ "M-14". Maybe I overlooked some sources of decent Non-corrosive .308 prices?

Reloading was done over about a year with my Enfields and Spanish FR8 Mauser, but single-stage reloading never quite grew on me (was somewhat rewarding), therefore I mostly used commercial ammo prices as the main factor regarding my primary fun (semi-auto) chambering between .308 and 7.62x39, right or wrong.

I'm not saying anything "between the lines" about rifles in this debate, just highlighting the ammo factor. To be more clear, >> ammo prices from 2008 - early 2020. <<
Might as well be quite frank.

 

[Derek Wildstar]

The SKS is a conscripts rifle

The M14 is a riflemans rifle

The M14 was intended for conscripts. It was designed to be the main issue battle rifle for the US armed services. But it was nit suited for the job.

So it was replaced after 5 years.

 

[Risky buisness]

Thats interesting. When i was in the service, the M14 was still in the inventory. Im pretty sure it still is today. Also, i was wondering if the 14 is a ' conscript class rifle, why would they be seen on the firing lines at military rifle matches, where I'm still waiting to see a single SKS.

 

[Derek Wildstar]

Thats interesting. When i was in the service, the M14 was still in the inventory. I'm pretty sure it still is today. Also, i was wondering if the 14 is a ' conscript class rifle, why would they be seen on the firing lines at military rifle matches, where I'm still waiting to see a single SKS.

How many 7.62x39 firearms do you see at any military match competitions, let alone winning them?

The philosophy behind the 7.62x39 family of com-bloc weapons wasn't MOA accuracy. The SKS filled exactly the job it was designed to do. Simplicity of design, and function. Ease of maintenance. And Minute-of-Man accuracy within the round's effective range.

The Chinese likely turned out between 15million and 20million milspec SKS's over three decades at over 100 known facilities-- in 1966 the Chinese turned out over 500,000

 

[Rex in OTZ]

Sounds like ground occupied by the Ruger Mini-30?

 

[Derek Wildstar]

Sure.

But the mini-30 isn't made for the hard primers of military 7.62x39. Soft strike misfires are common.

 

[Ignition Override]

Derek Wildstar: the reason I sold my Mini 30 in 2008 was Not that I expected any Red Dawn scenarios. Not even in 2020—-

A rifle with frequent light primer strikes and no easy access to OEM mags didnt feel like a high quality rifle. Thanks…. Ruger Inc….

And the front post sight was inferior.
Had I known that a stronger hammer spring, and future OEM mags would be approved for “Ruger’s little people”….

 

[Speedo66]

Had I known that a stronger hammer spring, and future OEM mags would be approved for “Ruger’s little people”….

I think the issue with Mini-30's and Russian steel ammo is the length of the firing pin.

Aftermarket slightly longer pins seem to solve the problem, even with stock springs.

 

[illinoisburt]

I think the issue with Mini-30's and Russian steel ammo is the length of the firing pin. Aftermarket slightly longer pins seem to solve the problem, even with stock springs.

Or a simple dressing of the stock pin and bolt face to add 12-15 thousandth additional protrusion works perfectly.

 

[Derek Wildstar]

If you're running surplus, com-bloc 7.62x39 thru a mini-30 at match competitions, don't count on taking home any prizes.

 

[Beck]

Sure.

But the mini-30 isn't made for the hard primers of military 7.62x39. Soft strike misfires are common.

I bought my Mini-30 new in 1989, have shot mostly steel case Berdan primed through it since new. I've had only a handful of FTFs over 30+ years and a couple of those were American made brass case with boxer primers.

The problem with the Mini-30 is that the protrusion of the firing pin from the factory varies quite a bit. My pin was on the long side. But there's an easy fix for any Mini-30. There's a longer aftermarket firing pin made by firingpins.com. Even though I did not have problems with FTFs, I installed that pin a few years ago anyway just for the feel-good factor of knowing ignition will be 100% as opposed to the 99.999% I had with the factory pin.

Someone mentioned that Russian ammo is gone. That's not for long. It'll be imported again in the future when the political environment changes.

As for the SKS... sure, they're ok, but it depends on where and when they were made. If I were to add one to my collection I'd choose Russian or Yugo made.

7.62x39 is a very capable round, especially if you handload. My Mini-30 shoots under 2 MOA from improvised rests. I know others who consistently shoot 1 MOA from the bench.

 

[Ignition Override]

Beck: I enjoyed your condensed comments on the Mini 30 and SKS.

 

[Robert]

This thread has wandered a fair amount from the original topic, which did not include the Mini 30. Let's call it a day on this go around.