SKS/shotgun vs. SU-16 w/ optic?

[natedog]

I'm selling a few rifles, and am looking to replace them. I figure if I can sell all three, I'll be able to get around $800.

After selling, as far as long guns go, I'll have a Garand, Ruger 10/22, 1898 Krag, and Winchester Model 12 20 gauge, 26" barrel.

I was thinking either an SKS and an 18" barreled pump shotgun (haven't decided which), versus an SU-16 w/ Eo-Tech.

I'm planning on owning many other .223 carbines after moving out of California in 2.5 years.

Mostly, I want an inexpensive centerfire semi-auto to plink out in the desert with, and perhaps a little formal range use, and am leaning towards the SKS due to ammo costs- I was shooting my Mini-14 the other day, and realized I was lavishing 0.25 cent M193 on milk jugs, wheras I could be shooting .07 cent 7.62x39mm.

What do you think?

 

[artherd]

If you want to leave CA, then get an AR when you do.

Otherwise, from the dangerous end, milk jugs won't know the differenve between an SU-16 and AR

I have not been impressed by the SKS, I've learned the hard way to go for quality in firearms.

 

[rbernie]

I have not been impressed by the SKS, I've learned the hard way to go for quality in firearms.

This is clearly a case of 'your mileage may vary' - my experience has been the exact opposite. I have three SKS's, and each has been uniformly reliable, easy to shoot, economical, and generally everything that a utility rifle needs to be.

If the SKS were made today, it'd sell for far more than it does as a MilSurp. While not hand-fitted or lavished with tender loving care during manufacture, it's hardy and actually can be reasonably accurate (consistent 2"-3" groups using decent ammo @ 100 yards). Shoot the realloy cheap Wolf ammo in it when you want to plink or practice off-hand stuff, and run the good stuff thru it when you want to use it to hunt white-tails or show off your group sizes.

I think that the SKS is the Chevy pickup of the rifle world. You've already got the econobox (10/22), the Deusie (30/40), and the early musclecar (Garand) - why not get a pickup truck for those days that just call for some inexpensive and fun utility?

 

[Preacherman]

Is the Saiga 7.62x39 carbine California-legal? If so, I'd go for one of those. If not, an SKS and the shotgun would be my choice. They'll be useful anywhere, not just in CA: and when you leave, in a few years time, you can stock up on unbanned 5.56mm. carbines to your heart's content.

 

[Dionysusigma]

IIRC, any gun with an AK action is not allowed.

I'd go with the SKS.

 

[JShirley]

There's no bad choice, here. IF your shotgun was a 12-gauge, in your shoes, I'd go for the SU-16B. If not in Cali, SU-16C.

Everyone needs a 12, though. "Must have".

John

 

[DMK]

I was thinking either an SKS and an 18" barreled pump shotgun (haven't decided which), versus an SU-16 w/ Eo-Tech.

You'll get a lot more "bang for the buck" with an SKS and a 12ga vs. just the SU-16.

The SKS is head and shoulders tougher than the SU-16, shoots cheaper ammo and doesn't require any magazines, just a bag of ammo on cheap stripper clips. The SU-16 does have a few advantages over the SKS in capacity(except that's probably moot in Cali if you can't get 20 or 30 round mags), slightly better accuracy depending on the individual rifles, certainly shoots flatter with a lightweight 55gr bullet and arguably may shoot a better HD round (with M193 or 68-77gr. OTM ammo, not Wolf or similar plinking ammo). 7.62x39 does have better penetration performance though.

Of course, it all depends on what kind of shooting you want to do with the rifle. If you keep something like a low cost Mossberg 12ga pump for HD and use the SKS for plinking and paper punching out to 100 yards, you'll probably be very happy. Either of those would be just as satisfactory as an SU-16 for your favorite SHTF scenario.

 

[JShirley]

If you get an SKS, you owe it to yourself to put decent sights on it. A good peep, IMO, is the way to go.

This, or course, will cost more money (even if not a huge amount). SKS is sturdy, inexpensive, and fires a decent, cheap round. SU is lighter, has a better sight and is easier to customize, and has detachable mags that are easy to find.

Weigh your priorities, and choose accordingly.

John