SKS Questions

[Aaryq]

Howdy folks. I don't know if I've been bit by the SKS bug or not. I have to ask questions before I can determine more about the SKS.
I have written common statements followed by questions.

1: "The SKS is a reliable rifle." On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate its reliability?
2: "The SKS is a cheap rifle." We all know it's cheap. I heard in the SHTF 101 thread you could get a case of 5 for $120 each. If something on your rifle breaks or doesn't doesn't work properly, how expensive is it to replace parts?
3: "The SKS will fire anything you feed it." Will it really? Have you had any personal experiences with ammo problems in your SKS?
4: I've seen some pretty cool mods to the SKS. How expensive is it to customize it?
5: I live in PRK. In order to own an SKS here, I have to make the magazine fixed. How expensive is it to do and is it reversable? Don't worry. If I can't keep it in PRK, I'll store it at my dad's house in ND until I get stationed elsewhere.
6: How accurate is it and what range is it effective?

*edited to add* What would you compare the recoil to?

 

[Hoppy590]

1: 8
2:cheap cheap cheap. yugo 59/66's are the guns you can get that cheap
3: will feed anything iv encountered
4: dont know
5: stock SKS is fixed mag. yugo 59/66's are not CA legal i believe. regular 59's are.
6: id say better accuracy than the average com bloc AK. about the same range, maybe a little more due to the longer barrel

 

[Lashlarue]

I bought my Norinco SKS in 92 for $99, fired 1500 rds without a hiccup.Sold it in 2002 for $350. Still regret selling it. Most people were fascinated with the spike bayonet more than the gun itself.

 

[Mr White]

1. Make sure the cosmo is cleaned out of the firing pin cavity and its a 9.
2. Prety cheap. I stocked up on common spare parts a few years ago and I think I spent like $40. My SKS's should be good to go for my grandkids. (my KIDS are 10 and 12 now) They rarely break.
3. It might not reliably fire calibers other than 7.62x39. As long as you stick with that, you should be alright.
4. Cheap, but why would you want to?
5. The mags are fixed. I don't know if you have to do anything other than not change it.
6. They were designed to be able to hit a human sized target out to 300 yards. Anything beyond that is a bonus. Realistically, from a supported position, 4"-5" groups at 100 yds with surplus ammo is possible. I think one of the biggest things that hurts their accuracy is the damn triggers. They're heavy and they creep a lot. Not conducive to precision shooting.

Recoil is maybe like a .243 bolt gun. Definitely more than an AR. It doesn't kick too bad, though. The Yugos have a 1" thick rubber pad on the buttstock which makes them downright comfortable. When my 10 yo son shoots my Norinco which has just a steel buttplate, he uses a slip-on rubber pad in the summer. In the winter when hes wearing a heavy coat, he doesn't need the rubber pad. He can shoot my yugo in the summer with no problem.

 

[Technosavant]

1) When properly cleaned up, it's at least a 9.
2) Since you live in CA, you're stuck with the Model 59 Yugo, which is slightly more expensive. You won't get a bunch of them for $150; you'll be doing well to get a great condition 59 for $200, but it is doable.
3) It will only fire and feed 7.62x39mm ammo. It won't work with any other kinds, and it won't fire non-ammo material (ham sandwiches). You'd be better off feeding it eastern-bloc ammo (Wolf or "Bear" or other milsurp 7.62x39) since the harder primers resist dimpling more than US-made stuff (like Winchester). My general rule: eastern bloc ammo for eastern bloc guns, western for western.
4) There aren't that many mods you'll be able to do to it in CA. Otherwise, if people want a poor man's AK, I just tell them to buy a Romanian AK (not an option for you). It isn't worth ginning up a SKS into something it was never intended to be. It is what it is, and love it for that.
5) Stick with the stock fixed magazine. It's more reliable anyway; stock up on stripper clips and you'll be fine.
6) It's accurate enough for any ranges you'll be using it at. As others said, minute of man at 300 yards is as good as you'll get (the mediocre sights do hold you back some), but within 100 yards, for hunting or other practical uses, it is quite accurate. It won't win benchrest competitions, but you won't get bored shooting it.
7) The recoil is VERY mild. It's more than a .22 rifle, but not by much. My sisters, who can't stand the recoil of a full power rifle cartridge in a bolt action, can sit and shoot the SKS all day long. The short pull of the SKS (the stock is designed for short eastern guys in winter coats) can be more annoying than the recoil, but you can get used to that quickly as well.

If you're looking for a competent autoloading rifle that is reliable and accurate enough, you need a SKS in your collection.

 

[armoredman]

1: "The SKS is a reliable rifle." On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate its reliability?
10 so far, with three SKS I have used, two Yugos and a Norinco,(back in the day), and the only problem I had was with an aftermarket magazine in the Norinco, cheesy peice of garbage, not the rifle's fault at all.
2: "The SKS is a cheap rifle." We all know it's cheap. I heard in the SHTF 101 thread you could get a case of 5 for $120 each. If something on your rifle breaks or doesn't doesn't work properly, how expensive is it to replace parts?
Buy two.Parts are available, not too bad.
3: "The SKS will fire anything you feed it." Will it really? Have you had any personal experiences with ammo problems in your SKS?
Nope, eats all proper caliber ammo I feed it, including handloads, factory, and some funky surplus.
4: I've seen some pretty cool mods to the SKS. How expensive is it to customize it?
Not worth it. Leave it be, and it will function just fine. Start adding weird stuff, and it may not function so well afterwards. Refer to previous mentioned magazine issue.
5: I live in PRK. In order to own an SKS here, I have to make the magazine fixed. How expensive is it to do and is it reversable? Don't worry. If I can't keep it in PRK, I'll store it at my dad's house in ND until I get stationed elsewhere.
Mag comes fixed 10 round. They works best that way.
6: How accurate is it and what range is it effective?
I can reliable get 6 inch groups at 100 yards with the Yugos. It's as effective as any rifle using that cartridge, including the ubiquitous AK. Good choice for a first semi-auto rifle.

 

[Geno]

1: "The SKS is a reliable rifle." On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate its reliability?

A: 10

2: "The SKS is a cheap rifle." We all know it's cheap. I heard in the SHTF 101 thread you could get a case of 5 for $120 each. If something on your rifle breaks or doesn't doesn't work properly, how expensive is it to replace parts?

A: Cheapo, cheapo.

3: "The SKS will fire anything you feed it." Will it really? Have you had any personal experiences with ammo problems in your SKS?

A: Never any problem with any ammos.

4: I've seen some pretty cool mods to the SKS. How expensive is it to customize it?

Cheap, but I beg of you...leave it as is...please! If you want to modify one, locate one that the stock is destroyed, steel rusted, etc. Do not modify a new, pretty one. Use a POS to do so. :banghead:

5: I live in PRK. In order to own an SKS here, I have to make the magazine fixed. How expensive is it to do and is it reversible? Don't worry. If I can't keep it in PRK, I'll store it at my dad's house in ND until I get stationed elsewhere.

A: There must be an after-market fixed magazine (non-hinged)? Is that what you mean?

6: How accurate is it and what range is it effective?

A: Beats me. I bought my first SKS just to keep my second SKS company. Yes, you read that correctly. Seriously, I didn't care if it drives tacks or not. I have other rifles for target, etc. At 50 yards, I did manage to keep 1" and smaller for 20 shots off-hand, with Wolf hollow points with 1 of my SKS. With the other, I grouped about 2" at 25 yards. Again, I haven't tried shooting off the bench or with my 36X scope...I will, just haven't had the time yet. I do not expect to get better then probably 2" to 3" at 100 yards.

7: edited to add* What would you compare the recoil to?

A: A .30-30 Win / A .410 Ga. shotgun. I have a fused neck, and an electronic stimulator implanted in the neck. I experience zero discomfort with my SKSs.

By the way, this is a great thread! Thank-you!

 

[Spiggy]

1: "The SKS is a reliable rifle." On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate its reliability?

10. you can bury it in the yard, let the wood rot out, dig it out, dip it in oil, clear the gas and barrel components and head back to the field.

2: "The SKS is a cheap rifle." We all know it's cheap. I heard in the SHTF 101 thread you could get a case of 5 for $120 each. If something on your rifle breaks or doesn't doesn't work properly, how expensive is it to replace parts?

Really cheap, they can be found for as little as $100 for a Norinco and they go up to the rarer variations that no one even knew existed until someone wants $1,000,000,000 for it
-I lost the extractor spring on my SKS; I went out to look for parts and gave up; at home I took apart a clicky pen and used the spring- now it works fine Being that there are a gazillion of these things; parts are easy to find and relatively cheap... since the darn thing is built like a tank; this is the least of your worries.

3: "The SKS will fire anything you feed it." Will it really? Have you had any personal experiences with ammo problems in your SKS?

My SKS is a Russian early that was rearsenaled; she does not like Brown bear softpoints (stovepipes) but I've fed it crappier ammo and it works just fine

4: I've seen some pretty cool mods to the SKS. How expensive is it to customize it?

very, it'll cost you your soul and plague your firstborn; dont modify your SKS (well, maybe some aftermarket sights if you have bad eyesight...)

5: I live in PRK. In order to own an SKS here, I have to make the magazine fixed. How expensive is it to do and is it reversable? Don't worry. If I can't keep it in PRK, I'll store it at my dad's house in ND until I get stationed elsewhere.

I live in the PRK too, I got mine at a starbucks. It has a fixed mag anyways

6: How accurate is it and what range is it effective?

I pick fights with enemy melons at 200 yards just fine; and I'm a really-really bad shot.

*edited to add* What would you compare the recoil to?

ehhh.... I dont know; certainly enough to make it fun, but not too much that it'll scare you. I've heard of starved 12 year old little girls using these things in vietnam.

You can get a Yugo 59/66 in ca, they tend to have a sheath welded over the grenade launcher to make it compliant. Seeing as chinese variations are cheaper; you should maybe look at those.

 

[dstorm1911]

Boy Spiggy turn the rest of us onto them $100 Norincos! They haven't been that cheap since 1992! They currently sell easily for $250 and up....


As far as comparing accuracy to an AK........ ya might wanna check out this thread, its a totally worn out million plus rnd AK I used to run some tests...... like 3" 20 rnd groups rapid fire at 100 yards....... sure hope any SKS with a tight bore can at least do better than that ;-)


http://surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=31796

 

[HiroProX]

1: 8.5-9
2: Cheaper than air. Parts are plentiful, both original or US made replacements.
3: If it's 7.62x39mm and will go bang, a SKS will happily fire it.
4: Modding a SKS is cheap to do, or as expensive as you want to make it.
5: Normal SKSs are fixed magazine.
6: Better than any stamped AKM I've fired, on par with a milled AK or RPK. 3-4 MoA is my experience, easily "minute of badguy".

 

[Technosavant]

I forgot to mention:

For SKS parts, go to www.sksman.com. He carries just about anything you'll need for the gun, his prices are reasonable, and I've always had a good experience buying from him.

 

[ir3e971]

1: "The SKS is a reliable rifle." On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate its reliability?
These rifles are extremely reliable. Very few problems, especially once they are have been fired a bit.
2: "The SKS is a cheap rifle." We all know it's cheap. I heard in the SHTF 101 thread you could get a case of 5 for $120 each. If something on your rifle breaks or doesn't doesn't work properly, how expensive is it to replace parts?
An earlier post noted a ball point pen in the extractor. I also have a ball point pen spring in mine.
3: "The SKS will fire anything you feed it." Will it really? Have you had any personal experiences with ammo problems in your SKS?
Ours have not been fussy about anything we feed them.
4: I've seen some pretty cool mods to the SKS. How expensive is it to customize it?
I wouldn't. It functions best as designed. Once you start to have problems that are created by modifications, you will wish you had left it alone. They look aggressive enough with the three foot prong on the end to wow most of your freinds.
5: I live in PRK. In order to own an SKS here, I have to make the magazine fixed. How expensive is it to do and is it reversable? Don't worry. If I can't keep it in PRK, I'll store it at my dad's house in ND until I get stationed elsewhere.
The SKS comes with a fixed mag. If the one you are looking at doesn't have it, it is either a D model, or has been modified. I suggest getting one with a fixed mag. Plus you will be able to master the art of the stripper clip.
6: How accurate is it and what range is it effective?
I have heard a wide variety of quotes about the accuracy of the SKS. Ours can terrorize small rocks and shrubbery at 200 yards quite well. I believe they are more accurate than usually given credit for..

Get one and enjoy it.

 

[Limeyfellow]

The best thing you can do to improve accuracy is to bed the action properly and clean up the trigger mechanism. That alone should really help. Maybe throw on a tech-sight ts200 () and then you will really see an improvement in the accuracy of most SKS'. The ones I own and fire do between 2 and 4 moa.

You can go ahead and spend alot of money tricking them out however or add just a few things. You do have to be careful however if its imported after 1990 as a curio and relic or with the bayonet removed in some parts that you keep the rifle 922(r) compliant which is easy enough to do with part kits for sale in stores and on the internet to replace enough parts to make it classed as a domestic rifle.

For the reliability that has to rate very high. Mine have fed everything I put through it including Wolf, Silver Bear, Gold Bear, Cheetah, Barnaul, Sapsan, Golden Tiger and Remington. These have been everything from sp, hp, fmj and even some of that Wolf military classic stuff. If you are going to fire domestic made ammo you have to be aware that the primers are much softer and you have a higher chance of slam firing them without installation of a spring in the bolt. http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm can do this for you by sending them the firing pin or can make a whole new one for you for a decent price.

The only potential problem you might have with the reliability is with some Yugo 59/66 models. In California you can have these as long as they remove the grenade launcher and replace it with a permenent muzzlebreak. Now this model has a valve in it to switch from self loading to disabling the gas system, since originally firing a grenade with the gas system activated would ruin the rifle. Now some of the el cheapo ones had corroded valves that leaked gas and wouldn't allow proper cycling of the weapon. This can be fixed now by buying a replacement for between $12-20. Various companies make them including...

http://www.cncwarrior.com/sksparts.asp
http://www.sksman.com/part/parts2.php
http://www.murraysguns.com/sksown.htm
http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=842810&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

When I had an SKS with no valve or trigger part come in however I went with this place to buy a replacement for all of $15

http://www.heddonpal.com/item.asp?n=sks%2d012&d=4&b=1

SKS' come with a fixed 10 round magazine. Almost every detachable magazine is cheap junk and not worth it. Very few detachable magazines work properly such as the occassional Tapco or maybe a John Masen. Since you want to keep the non detachable magazine you be fine. Non detachable 20 round magazines tend to work well too. These were mostly made for Chinese Norinco rifles but work equally well on others.

 

[Aaryq]

Excellent. I'll fall to your peer pressure. SKS Bite is confirmed, and I will leave it as-is, even though I want a picatinny rail on top for my scope, but that just gives me even more of an excuse to tell my wife "Just 1 more."

 

[Plink]

Not much I can add to what the others have said. I own an embarrassing amount of SKSes (over a dozen). I've never had any reliability issues. Limey is right about the trigger, sights and bedding being the only really useful mods. I'll add something about the rail though. Avoid the receiver cover or gas tube rails. Those are the least stable places to try and mount an optic. There are a number of other options out there. There are side rails that can be mounted, and receiver side mount scope mounts. There are scope mounts that replace the rear sight. There is even a set of SOCOM rails that mount very stable (I'm currently testing a set). So, you have plenty of viable options for a stable mount.

 

[Spiggy]

Boy Spiggy turn the rest of us onto them $100 Norincos! They haven't been that cheap since 1992! They currently sell easily for $250 and up....

Darn, apparently the website I used for reference needs updating!

in any case, with little work you can easily find something real cheap. I got my russian for $350 or so and it came with half a case of ammo... Last Summer
(yes, I hate the "Back in the stone age, I paid 2 rocks for this and that..." remarks too)

 

[Limeyfellow]

Oh and another thing to add. One of the greats for smoothing and sorting out your trigger group is a guy named Tom Prince over at http://www.kivaari.com/. He will turn that trigger group into the way Simonov designed it with a smooth clear two stage action, better springs and a lower trigger pull.

You could do the work yourself with a set of Wolff springs but its a pain in the rear end for most people including myself.

 

[DawgFvr]

I have a Yugo...cleaned it up, refinished the stock, added an adjustable rear peep sight, replaced the trigger housing. It is a nice truck gun. Lets face it...it was designed to be a peasant's first line defensive response. It is what it is. After purchasing my M1 Garand...well, it now makes a nice truck gun.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=2769962&postcount=9

 

[Mr White]

Aaryq, if you do decide to put a scope on, all I can recommend is for you to STAY AWAY from the mounts that replace the receiver cover. They are junk and won't hold a zero.