SKS vs. AK-47

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Doooom

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Okay, so here goes.

I'm trying to decide between buying an SKS and an AK-47. I'm a bit mind-boggled by all of the choices out there, so I'll just get started with what I'm basically looking for.

First and foremost, I'm looking for something that's fun to shoot at the range. I honestly couldn't care less about 3" groupings at 100 yards. I have other, more accurate rifles for that. I'm looking for something that I can use to sling lots of hot, cheap lead quickly at some paper targets.

The SKS is a bit more in my price range right now, it would seem. I'm under the understanding that some SKS's can accept AK-47 clips. Will they accept high-capacity clips or just low-capacity clips?

Also, I'd like to have a pistol grip of some sort on the gun. A Dragonuv-type stock would do just fine IMO. Are SKS's pretty standard, in that accessories built for one will fit most?

Just some general questions here. I just don't want to pick up an SKS cheap ($150 or so) and then find out that I can't modify it or that it'll only hold 10 rounds. What can I look for to know whether I'll be able to use AK clips and such? I hear the Norinco "D" accepts them, but I don't know how to identify one.

Same with an AK-47: If I could find one for $350 or so in shooting condition (I don't care about looks) that I could equip with a pistol grip/folding stock I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I've seen the Saigas around, but most seem to be equipped with a basic rifle stock, and I don't know how customizable they are.

Also, for that matter, any good deals that anyone has found on SKSs, AKs, or surplus ammo would be highly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
First don't buy a SKS with the intents to modify it to take AK mags. It seldom works well, and you will spend more than the cost of the AK.

Yes there are SKS that take AK mags. They usually cost more than buying a WASR AK.

If you just want something to blast lead down range look at a WASR AK. I you want a inexpensive fairly accurate general purpose rifle chambered for a mid range cartridge get a SKS, preferable a carbine (16") version.

I should mention that unless you fine a beater I doubt you find either for that price.
 
The majority of SKS's only have 10 round magazines, they can be modded for higher capacity, but reliability tends to take a big hit. SKS-D or M are factory equipped to take AK mags, but the current prices for those are higher than most AKs. Chinese SKSs seem to be selling for $200-$250 right now with other models being more expensive. AKs that work with standard capacity 30 round mags are running $550 or so.

You can turn a SKS into a bad copy of an AK, but the end result will not (in all likelihood) run that well or turn out to be much cheaper than just buying an AK. You might find an AK for $350, but you'll have to luck out to get a good one that low.

If you buy online, make sure the vendor has a good return policy. AKs require lots of hand fitting and lots of the ones floating around the US are just not right. BSW
 
I couldnt get the mags to work right in my SKS's but I do love the rifles...couldnt beat the price's (Yugo and much more for the Russian but work it) and shot Wolf,Golden Tiger and never a FTF or jam.To throw this out there...dont discount a WASR,albeit the rumors (I didnt listen to the rumors and got a couple good ones).

I would say if you can get BOTH and SKS and an AK do it...
 
My local gun shop has 2 SKSs in stock, one for $250 and one for $350. The one for $350 is in better cosmetic shape, but I don't know how to visually check to see what specific model they are. I'm a bit leery of paying $250 for one that's kind of beat-up, and I don't see any reason to pay $350 for one period.

I'll probably go have another look at them, but I'm really thinking I can do a lot better.

So is the Saiga fairly customizable?
 
Sounds like you've really got your heart set on an AK. Based on personal experience, I recommend getting what you really want even if that means postponing the purchase until you can afford it.

Otherwise, if you're anything like me, you'll be disappointed if you settle for something that your heart's not set on, and you'll end up buying the AK anyway.
 
SKS's are great!!!

AK's are usually better.
Click to expand...

This is true in general. The SKS is a "poor mans" AK... not that the AK is a rich mans gun in the first place. The price of these weapons have come up quite a bit lately... may be hard to find in your price range. I was in your same boat a while back... I decided to wait a while until I could afford a good quality AK... not a cheapo WASR (those are ok, but I don't care for bargain basement, cheapo guns). If you decide to get an AK, I would recommend you save a little extra and get a good one... the difference is night and day.
 
If you can't get a super cheap SKS, then go with the AK. I have an SKS that I was able to get for $150, add a Tapco stock, and I got some Tapco 20rd mags. Mine feeds flawlessly. Not a single jam with quite a few rounds through it. But - if I had been forced to choose between an SKS at around $250 or so - I would have gone with the AK.
 
I own both, that would be my recommendation. ;)

The SKS is a fine range gun – it will sit easily on bags on a bench and make nice groups. Stripper clips won’t ‘solve’ the capacity issue but make for faster loading and a respectable rate of fire.

AKs are for informal, short-range outdoor shooting and HD. The joy of AKs is how they gobble up three or four 30 round mags in a short period of time w/o missing a beat. I love reliable semi-autos. :)

Both are outstanding rifles – I have one of each from the former Yugoslavia I can highly recommend.
 
I use the SKS Mod. M's that accepts AK mags as an intermediate backup to my M1'As. I have owned a number of AK's and SKS's and have lots of experience with them. For me, the SKS in a Butler Creek stock and High Tech sights are the perfect practice rifle for the M1'A and much cheaper ammo.

I do not like sheetmetal recievers. I like real machined steel recievers. I also like the traditional stock style over the AK setup. Lastly, the SKS has proven to me to be just as reliable as the AK and is much more rugged. Then of course the Chinese SKS's I own are much more accurate than any AK I have owned.
 
Doooom,
first welcome to thr.

not clips when you are talking about magazines, moon "clips", stripper "clips" etc is cool, those are clips, box magazines are just that magazines.

i have a norinco sks and it is a fun little shooter and it will meet the needs that you have. i personally think that the sks is more fun and easier to shoot than the ak, yeah i have one of those too. and though this dosen't seem to matter my sks is more accurate than my ak, which seems to be the case with many of the members.

the sks model "D" takes ak mags, which are sometimes a pain to find.(the rifle that is), and if you want to use ak mags in an sks just get a darn ak to begin with. part of the greatness about teh sks is it's handiness, and ability to shoot prone, from a bencherest etc without all that magazine interferance like the ak.

the aftermarket sks magazines are crap and if you are to have an sks leave it with the standard stock 10rd magazine and be happy that is how it was designed to work and that is how it works best.
 
The AK is not pretty but the SKS is UGLY. I've never owned a SKS so I won't attempt to speak of reliability but I love my AK's and the ammo for a 74 (5.45X39) is cheap as cheap can be. The 7.62 ammo is also cheap.
 
http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...r-backordered-/cPath/209_214/products_id/1055


Now they are 'backordered' it seems.

WASR-10. At a shade under 400 bucks, an entry-level AK--but quality is better than in the past it seems.

AIM (in ohio) sells them also--but are also out of stock (I got mine there 1 month back).

Both dealers are solid--call and ask when they expect more if you're interested. Right out-of-the box you'll be happy (the wood is ugly but functional).

I have the SKS (Yugo) and just got 'into' the AK type. If the Yugos were still 150 bucks for nice ones, I'd say go there--but they are up around 250 for a good one (got a NICE Yugo SKS 3 weeks back from SAMCOglobal as a present for my Bro-in-law--also nice folks to deal with, BTW).

More or less, I would forget about modifying an SKS to take hi-cap mags if you are doing so on a budget. It can be done, but it is hard on a budget. If raw capacity is a sincere priority, go AK. The mags are like 7 or 8 bucks.

That said, a good condition SKS w/ a 10 round fixed mag is just every bit as reliable as an AK from what I've seen. The ones DESIGNED and BUILT to take AK mags are expensive as they may no longer be imported (the D and M models).

My money says; You want an AK right off the bat for the 'feel' you're looking for on a tight budget.
 
I'd go with the SKS with what you have to spend. Even the WASR's have gotten a lot more expensive these days. Finding a AK in your price range might be pretty difficult. A SKS loaded with strippers wouldn't give up a whole lot in reloading ease compared to a mag change. SKS-D or -M models that take AK magazines are out there, but probably at the upper end of your funding or maybe a bit beyond.

Henderson Defense had some Romanian single stack AK's for $299 a couple of days ago. They may all be gone by now, but may be worth a look. These can be modified to take standard AK mags, which can currently be had for $15 or less each.
 
Dooom here's the thing,

i own a SKS and i love it, but deep inside i wanted an AK too, so i got an AK, now i have both, the problem is that AK and SKS are the same but at the same time are so different, you can get a Tapco stock and mags for it, and have a "close to AK" rifle but that'll cost you more than getting a wasr-10 (cheap AK that works as good as expensive AKs) the difference is that the wasr dont come nice good or perfect finnish, you can refinish the wood or get some plastic stock set for them and you have a nice AK, both weapons use the same round both can use Hi-Cap mags, pistol grip and many other feature, the AK is just more easy to work with.

BTW he's a pic of them.

SKS


AK-47 (wasr-10)
 
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