SKS vs AR

[rduchateau2954]

I'm not interested in starting the caliber war talk. This is rifle only. I would like to have a few of the same rifles. I have one SKS and no ARs. I will be reloading by summer.

SKS - $350-$400. Would send trigger out and add tech sights. Total cost for basic shootable sks -$500-$550

Seems that $550 would be enough to build a basic AR. I realize what a basic AR is, but I'm comparing that to an sks, not another AR. AR would also be new.

Just something that's been bouncing around my head for a while.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Unless you have a particular affinity for the Simonov, that's kind of a no-brainer, IMO.

 

[stubbicatt]

Having both would be fun, and as fun is the reason I shoot anything anymore, if you feel the same, then "do eet, do eet now!"

I enjoy the mechanisms of firearms, the design and construction, the mechanical features of them. Both of these designs are fascinating. Perhaps you too like to marvel at the design features, methods and materials of construction?

Hand loading opens up an entirely new aspect of the hobby, and if you have a mind for detail, can provide many rewarding (and many frustrating) hours of activity. If "good enough" is good enough, once you have your dies set up, you can create your own ammunition of at least as good a quality as factory ammunition.

 

[Robert]

The AR has a better trigger and sights and right out of the box. The AR has better ergonomics and a much better loading system that allows the use of everything from 5 round mags to 100 round drums. The AR is also more accurate at longer ranges, like past 300y.

The SKS is a fun, solid rifle but it, in my opinion is not even close to an AR.

 

[rduchateau2954]

That's about what I was thinking. I am just unsure about the reliability of a cheap (let's be honest, PSA) AR. The SKS might be lacking in a lot of things, but it's gone boom everytime. One time it went boom twice

 

[rduchateau2954]

The AR has a better trigger and sights and right out of the box. The AR has better ergonomics and a much better loading system that allows the use of everything from 5 round mags to 100 round drums. The AR is also more accurate at longer ranges, like past 300y.

The SKS is a fun, solid rifle but it, in my opinion is not even close to an AR.

Could I really expect that kind of trigger and accuracy out of a cheap AR?

 

[Robert]

Sure. My AR was built out of left over mix master parts. My rifle is a RRA upper and lower with a 20" Colt 1:7 Govt profile barrel. Standard GI trigger group and some Magpul furniture. I run a Troy Alpha float tube and an ACOG that I traded into.

With my 77gr SMK hand loads, which are nothing special, I can put 5 rounds in to a thumb nail sized group at 100y off of sand bags. It will shoot 55gr crap ammo center of mass all the way to 425y, the farthest I have shot my rifle.

I do not have uber high end parts on my rifle, it was a gift from a from some friends who donated what they had laying around. It is one heck of an accurate rifle, but had I the money the trigger would get swapped out. But I don't so it has stayed and I have learned to make it work for me.

If you build a rifle the heart is the barrel, spend what you can afford to and get a good barrel. The trigger is next.

 

[chicharrones]

I have a real nice commercial issue SKS and a mid level flat top AR. The AR is more capable than the SKS in every way.

The AR leads in accuracy, optics mounting, reliable 30 round magazines, and ease of changing features. Even a service grade AR trigger is better than a non-tuned SKS trigger. If you tune an SKS trigger, then you have to compare it to a "tuned" AR trigger, IMO. Still no comparison.

Since you already have an SKS and think you want an AR, I think you would like getting a new type of rifle with better potential than getting a copy of what you already own.

 

[mavracer]

If you build a rifle the heart is the barrel, spend what you can afford to and get a good barrel. The trigger is next.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[leadaddict]

I'd much rather have several AR15s then several SKSs. I have one SKS and do enjoy shooting it, but I've kept it unmodified and enjoy it for what it is. The accuracy and options available in the AR platform, even at a $600 price point, far exceed what you'll get for that money out of an SKS.

Since you've got an SKS, I'd keep it as is and buy an AR. Then you can decide which you'd like to have more of after that!

 

[rduchateau2954]

The AR will have much better LOP as well. Didn't mention it earlier because when I write down all the little things I don't like about the sks (bayo mount) it gave me away pretty easily.

Now the voices get to argue over caliber. 5.56? .300? Do I dare to build a 7.62 AR to keep the caliber list down or do I leave it behind and buy a few boxes of steel case when I get the itch?

 

[Averageman]

There is a SKS variant that accepts AK mags, other than that particular SKS, I would go AR everytime hands down.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I've got both, both are fun!

Get the AR!

Reloading in 7.62x39 isnt really practical. The sks / ak / others are designed for steel, rough on brass, and steel is still available and cheap.

 

[rduchateau2954]

I've got both, both are fun!

Get the AR!

Reloading in 7.62x39 isnt really practical. The sks / ak / others are designed for steel, rough on brass, and steel is still available and cheap.

True, but I'll never know how accurate my sks is shooting cheap ammo. Which is fine if go AR.

 

[rduchateau2954]

I was more accurate with my 7 1/2" sbh .44 with 240gr hand loads than I was with the sks with $7/20 steel cased at 75yrds Saturday.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I am just unsure about the reliability of a cheap (let's be honest, PSA) AR

PSA actually offers some of the best quality in the budget price range. Some folks have expressed problems with the PTAC stuff, but the one example I owned and the half dozen PTAC uppers owned by friends have all run reliably and produced acceptable to impressive accuracy.

I have two PSA stainless "Freedom" uppers, which are 1.1 and 1.4 MOA respectively with varmint ammo. Neither of them has suffered a stoppage yet, either-not even in the very beginning; pulled them out of the box, slapped a BCG in them, stuck them on their lowers, inserted mag and commenced firing.

For accuracy, I believe PSA's stainless uppers offer about the best value on the market; these "Freedoms" are ~$200 uppers when on sale, and out-shoot some of the much more expensive tubes. I'm not sure who is producing their stainless barrel, but they're apparently doing something right. That said, if I were less concerned with accuracy than durability in a rifle that will get beat on hard and see mag dumps, I'd go with their FN-made CHF CL barrels.

Depending on how you go about procuring your stripped lower, this 16" middy rifle kit
should get you in right around the $550 mark.

 

[Davek1977]

I own both....My SKS spends a lot of time in the safe, but my AR goes with me quite often.

 

[chicharrones]

The AR will have much better LOP as well. Didn't mention it earlier because when I write down all the little things I don't like about the sks (bayo mount) it gave me away pretty easily.

I don't know if the butt extenders are still available for the SKS, but I did add one to mine years ago. Of course, with the AR you can make the LOP almost anything you want with the variety of stocks out there.

As an example, below is my SKS with the 1" extender and my AR with an A1 stock (which is shorter than the A2 stock by 5/8"). The LOP is virtually the same. Of course, with a standard issue adjustable AR stock you can go from A2 length to really small.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I bought some good commercial brass 7.62x39 ammo once to scratch the accuracy itch on my sks.... Honestly I couldnt tell much of a difference. My sks is reasonably accurate, better than AK. I personally dont think the steel case ammo = bad ammo. there's a lot you'd need to do with an sks to eak the accuracy out of it... Sights, Stock & Attachements to barrel, etc.

I Really like my SKS in the military form, its fun. my last outing with it last fall, I hit 9 out of 10 clay pigeons at 150 yards (10 shots). that's all I expect out of it, and am happy with that. (That's minute of ground hog).

Almost any reasonable AR, with quality parts will shoot 2" with decent ammo. Many AR's with free floated barrels are capable of MOA (1" +/-) at 100yds. Add an optic, target barrel, and a match trigger and many AR's are as accurate as any high quality bolt action!

just my .02.

All of of that being said...... I really like multiples of the same gun, If I really like them. (It's fun to have some $ and debate this "problem")

 

[sawdeanz]

Unless you are collecting, AR would be the way to go.
Though if you like the SKS look at the VZ58 which is similar to the SKS, shoots the same caliber, but gives more capability. You can even use your SKS clips with it. Downside would be no peep sights available if that's what you want.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I've had my fun, and trouble, with the SKS in the past.

I know others have had almost universal luck with the reliability of their specimens, but I haven't been so lucky. Of the 4 SKS rifles I've bough, all kept 100% stock and fully cleaned and properly lubed, only one ran 100%.

They are a neat design, but honestly OP go for the AR. It's just a far better rifle in every single way imaginable. A S&W M&P-15 can be had now for about the same price as a Chinese SKS in mint condition, maybe a tad more but it's totally worth it.

The only reason to get an SKS these days is for the history IMHO. With the prices of them steadily rising to the budget (but still excellent) ARs, you just get much more for your money with other options.

 

[greyghost01]

There is nothing wrong with PSA to begin with, I know a guy who buys stock AR's and builds them up for resale, He uses PSA for the biggest share of them, The ones I've handled and shot went Boom every time as well.

I have gas AR's and Piston AR's Both go Boom, I haven't been in a war and put 4000 rounds through them with out cleaning, But I shoot a lot more than your average guy, I clean and lube my rifles and I've never had a problem with them, And beyond 200yds They are very accurate the 15 is good for me out to 500yds the Sig 716 Ive only shot to 800 so far, That's as far as the range went, But once on target it was over and over again with hits.

I realize their are accurate Ak's and SKS but for the most part they are not in this ball park, Accurate to me is 1/2 " or less Accurate to some is 3" It all depends on what you like It is after all YOUR weapon!! ALL CAN FAIL

 

[rduchateau2954]

I don't know if the butt extenders are still available for the SKS, but I did add one to mine years ago. Of course, with the AR you can make the LOP almost anything you want with the variety of stocks out there.

As an example, below is my SKS with the 1" extender and my AR with an A1 stock (which is shorter than the A2 stock by 5/8"). The LOP is virtually the same. Of course, with a standard issue adjustable AR stock you can go from A2 length to really small.

They do, if I had to do it I would probably add a Boyds laminate stock. Pretty wood instead of crap plastic and easily reverse able. That's another $100+ though.

 

[rduchateau2954]

I bought some good commercial brass 7.62x39 ammo once to scratch the accuracy itch on my sks.... Honestly I couldnt tell much of a difference. My sks is reasonably accurate, better than AK. I personally dont think the steel case ammo = bad ammo. there's a lot you'd need to do with an sks to eak the accuracy out of it... Sights, Stock & Attachements to barrel, etc.

I Really like my SKS in the military form, its fun. my last outing with it last fall, I hit 9 out of 10 clay pigeons at 150 yards (10 shots). that's all I expect out of it, and am happy with that. (That's minute of ground hog).

Almost any reasonable AR, with quality parts will shoot 2" with decent ammo. Many AR's with free floated barrels are capable of MOA (1" +/-) at 100yds. Add an optic, target barrel, and a match trigger and many AR's are as accurate as any high quality bolt action!

just my .02.

All of of that being said...... I really like multiples of the same gun, If I really like them. (It's fun to have some $ and debate this "problem")

That's along the same lines as the stock. Yes it could be done, but it's always adding cost. It's just not worth it.

 

[rduchateau2954]

Unless you are collecting, AR would be the way to go.
Though if you like the SKS look at the VZ58 which is similar to the SKS, shoots the same caliber, but gives more capability. You can even use your SKS clips with it. Downside would be no peep sights available if that's what you want.

I'm really not looking to scope a 'x39.