SKS vs AR

[rduchateau2954]

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.

That's exactly why I don't have a pile of sks rifles now. If I would have known the prices would jump I would have bought a truckload years ago. Finding a used Norinco for $350 is a deal here. More often than not it's some horrible bubba'd plastic pos being offered for $500+ because it's black.... and plastic... and cool. There is always a risk buying a milsurp to begin with.

 

[benEzra]

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

PSA has a good reputation. Also, the Smith & Wesson M&P Sport and the new Ruger AR-556 can both be found in a similar price range ($550-$600), and both also seem to be good rifles.

 

[rduchateau2954]

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

Other than shipping and customer service, I've heard nothing bad about PSA. That's another thing I need to Google; gas vs piston. As far as accuracy, I'm not expecting miracles here. If I was, I'd buy another $1200 bolt gun. Been there done that sold it.

 

[rduchateau2954]

PSA has a good reputation. Also, the Smith & Wesson M&P Sport and the new Ruger AR-556 can both be found in a similar price range ($550-$600), and both also seem to be good rifles.

Both are $700 +

From what I've read they can be built cheaper.

 

[Cee Zee]

One of the main reasons an AR is much better is ammo development. You just don't see a lot of different designs of 7.62 x 39 bullets. They are all geared toward penetration. That can be good but it can be bad too. There are some loads around for the SKS but I rarely see them. I know I could find them if I looked but the price makes them prohibitive. Plus the range is limited on the 7.62 x 39 stuff mainly because of the gun I guess. I don't really know because I haven't shot any other 7.62 x 39 rifles than the AK and SKSto see if the ammo would work better in them.

20 years ago when an SKS was $100 and an AR was $1000 the SKS made perfect sense. Now with a solid AR available for under $550 there's no way I would choose an SKS over an AR for almost any purpose. I still love my SKS. It's rock solid and plenty accurate for what it is. But there are so many things you can do to improve an AR. There are almost none you can do to improve an SKS. Mine has actually worked perfectly since day 1 with detachable mags. But to be honest I think stripper clips are a better system and I've been thinking about switching back for quite a while. I haven't done it yet because there's nothing like having 30 on tap before needing to reload. But if I did need to reload a mag it would take a few seconds. Changing mags can be somewhat of a clunk operation compared to guns designed for that. I had a Yugo that I kept stock and I learned to use stripper clips fairly well on it. And if it ever came to it there's a chest pouch available that holds 200 rounds on stripper clips for the SKS. Carrying that many rounds in magazines would weigh you down big time. The added weight of the mags is substantial compared to stripper clips.

I've even thought of selling my trusty SKS for a more modern rifle but I haven't done that. It's hard to cut loose a rifle that is so dependable. I was saving a little cash to get an AR in fact but I got to thinking about wanting my wife to get into shooting so I bought her a Buck Mark instead. I'll get the AR soon enough. I can't shoot it until the weather breaks anyway. I'm looking to get an S&W M&P 15 Sport. Prices run about $540 for the best deal I can find. It"s a rifle with a solid reputation and it's made by a known company. It would be hard to go wrong IMO.

 

[JO JO]

I prefer the ar I have owned both now have several ar rifles,
when I bought my sks it was 120 dollars I dont think they are
worth the going rate that they go for now .

 

[Lycidas Janwor]

I have both an SKS and an AR. My advice: buy an AR, keep the SKS. You can modify the AR however you like, in fact, that's pretty much the coolest thing about the AR. As for the SKS, keep it stock, don't waste your time modifying it. The SKS is what it is.

 

[denton]

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

Slicking up the trigger on an AR is about a 15 minute job. I wouldn't let that worry me.

 

[NoirFan]

I personally would pick the SKS over the AR. To me it's just a much more fun rifle to shoot, with the louder report, heavier recoil and satisfying mechanical feel of the action. The AR in comparison sounds like a pogo stick when you fire it.

I also like loading the rounds directly into the rifle without having to mess around with a magazine. The rifle and ammo are still cheap (if not as cheap as they used to be) and are more than capable.

Part of it is that I'm not much of a gear head. All the customization options for the AR15 just don't interest me. When I buy something, I just want the gun (or car, or TV, or software, whatever) to work. The SKS does that just fine.

 

[ugaarguy]

Both are $700 +

M&P-15 Sport is currently running $590 shipped - http://www.slickguns.com/search/apachesolr_search/m%26P15 sport?op=.

Del-Ton's Sport Lite entry level is $479 - https://www.classicfirearms.com/dlt-delton-sport-lite-ar-rifle-w-carry-handle.

 

[BigBL87]

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

PSA makes good quality AR's at a very affordable price. I paired their Premium M4 Upper with a Classic Lower for around $580 shipped. Great rifle for my uses. Given, with the upgrades below it is well over that price, but there's nothing wrong with PSA if you don't mind the wait time. Just avoid the PTAC line.




I was deciding between an SKS and an AR when I bought mine, and for me the availability of spare/upgrade parts and ease of working on an AR compared to the SKS won out. If SKS's were still available at their old prices, I'd have gone SKS in a heartbeat. But, when you can get an AR or AK in the $500 range, unless you are limited budget-wise or legally to an SKS or just want to own an SKS (I still want one eventually), I don't see much reason not to go with an AR or even AK.

 

[Inebriated]

What are you actually going to do with it?

That will really dictate your decision.

 

[rduchateau2954]

What are you actually going to do with it?

That will really dictate your decision.

I'm gonna shoot it

 

[rduchateau2954]

Seriously though, plinking. Shtf gun. No hunting

 

[Bezoar]

get the ar. i almost got an sks until i realized that an sks was just an sks. aftermarket parts are a crap shoot. countrys can be different in measurement. saw a few ads for after market parts that could only fit an sks from china or from russia, only one but not the other.
But ar's are basically lego like meaning your "space" and lego town" kits fit together just fine. oh to be a kid again.

Sure another sks would keep reloading down by only having to have one set of dies, powder, cases, and bullets. But sks bullets are just so much more expensive in comparison.

 

[Inebriated]

Seriously though, plinking. Shtf gun. No hunting

Either one then.

Don't overlook the AK either.

For $600, you are basically looking at a WASR or N-PAP, a basic AR build, or a nice Russian, all-matching SKS.

The AK and AR give you optics options and you can still run TechSights on the AK if you really wanted.. the AR obviously doesn't need them. You also will be noticeably lighter than the SKS, and more compact with either (assuming 16" versions). The AK and AR will also give you better triggers, and accuracy across all three should be expected to be around 2-3 MOA. The AR offers the best potential for better accuracy, but most basic AR's should just be assumed to shoot 2-3 MOA depending on ammo.

I like my SKS, but in a direct comparison for $600, I would not pick it if I didn't already have an AR or AK. If you just want an SKS, then that's different.

 

[Comrade Mike]

I have both, shoot both, enjoy both.

Most of these cheap 500 dollar AR's these posters are touting as MOA rifles are when the planets align or for the occasional 3-5 round group.

Realistic expectations for rifles in this price range is 2 - 3 inches at 100 yards with bulk ammo. Closer to 2 with match ammo.

 

[readyeddy]

The SKS is good enough for plinking and HD, but the AR gets the nod if you hand load ammo because of the plentiful brass.

 

[chicharrones]

And if it ever came to it there's a chest pouch available that holds 200 rounds on stripper clips for the SKS. Carrying that many rounds in magazines would weigh you down big time. The added weight of the mags is substantial compared to stripper clips.

Yeah, I have one of those 200* round chest pouch rigs that you tie on that came with my SKS when I got it. The chest pouch still looks new and has that old canvas stink to it. Like shown here.

As a practical ammo holder using stripper clips, it's a major fail though. Each pouch is supposed to hold 2 strippers or 20 rounds each. You go to pull that stripper clip and the pouch grabs a round or five and you come out with a loosy goosey 5 rounds or so on your stripper clip.

The best service I ever got out of that SKS ammo rig is using it for a Halloween costume accessory. Seriously.

*Truthfully, 180 rounds with one oversized pouch for an oil can, etc.

 

[chicharrones]

Seriously though, plinking. Shtf gun. No hunting

My SKS is a great plinker for basketball sized targets up to 50 yards. My AR can plink tennis balls at the same distance. I'm not talking bench shooting, I mean plinking. Good ol' fashioned having fun.

The other thing I like is that an AR is "space adaptable". An SKS is a traditional "stick" and fits in to a tube better. Unless you get a folding stock for the SKS, it is as long as it is. With an AR, you have the adjustable stock, but it can also be a takedown gun and can fit in a less lengthy package if wanted.

 

[rduchateau2954]

I've got the same pouch.….. and two stripper clips.

Lemme ask you this: if I go build route, and I will reload for it, why not a 300blk? Class III isn't too far down the"want" list.

As far as an AK, can't stand em.

 

[rduchateau2954]

My SKS is a great plinker for basketball sized targets up to 50 yards. My AR can plink tennis balls at the same distance. I'm not talking bench shooting, I mean plinking. Good ol' fashioned having fun.

The other thing I like is that an AR is "space adaptable". An SKS is a traditional "stick" and fits in to a tube better. Unless you get a folding stock for the SKS, it is as long as it is. With an AR, you have the adjustable stock, but it can also be a takedown gun and can fit in a less lengthy package if wanted.

No I don't plan on burying rifles in 4"PVC pipes all over the woods like a sweaty squirrel.

 

[chicharrones]

no i don't plan on burying rifles in 4"pvc pipes all over the woods like a sweaty squirrel.

Lol!

 

[Cee Zee]

As a practical ammo holder using stripper clips, it's a major fail though.

Must be the stripper clips you're using. Mine works just fine not that I have much use for it. If I ever do I have one though.

My SKS is a great plinker for basketball sized targets up to 50 yards.

If that's the best your SKS will do there's a problem with it. Mine will do 1"-2" at 50 yards all day long. They are generally pretty accurate IMO. I remember when I bought mine the whole deal with them was that they were cheap AND accurate. In fact right after I bought mine there was a whole big thing on the news because some bozo shot a cop right between the eyes from about 60 yards with his SKS. The tv channel was freaking that a gun that was a "military" rifle was selling so cheap and was so devastating. Needless to say that LEO didn't make it and he's not the only person I've seen be killed by an SKS. I know a guy (barely) that went nuts on his scumbucket uncle for stealing everything he owned and he shot the uncle's trailer all to heck with an SKS. The uncle didn't come out alive.

I'm certainly not advocating any such action but they can be very, very effective weapons. The fact they are not the latest and greatest and they aren't dirt cheap like they were doesn't change that they are effective. And they aren't all that expensive now if you look around either. I can point out a $200 Norinco right now on the web. It isn't a good example but it's a Norinco. I'd bet a person could make it work well enough to be a good gun.

The SKS is a rock solid rifle. It has a bad reputation because they sold so cheap at one time. Other, similar rifles sell for much more and they aren't going to be better. The ammo is a big limiting factor on accuracy. So are the triggers btw and those can be fixed someone who knows what they are doing.

And there are a few mods that make them better. The firing pin upgrade is one of those things. Better sights is another. But they are limited in available upgrades that are worthwhile. You just can't mount a scope on one at all for example. Not without drilling holes in the side of the receiver and mounting the scope on the side anyway. Some people use the rear sight to mount a scope but that turns into more of a scout scope. It has to be in front of the chamber so the ejection port isn't blocked.

 

[Bezoar]

from what little ive seen on the whole dmr/spr rifle, a 16 inch ar with optic sight that can meet or beat 2 moa, is all you actually need to be "military worthy". Whats needed is knowing your bullet drop and hold over. looserounds.
thats the concept of spr and dmr. slightly better training and slightly better optics.


Ive seen reviews of the ruger AR 556 where installing a scope cut groups in half.

From my own experience and interaction with owners of an sks, the cheaper it is, the more risk you have in getting that spectacular burned out barrel. Reliability in feed, extraction and firing a cartridge is one thing. But the ability to hit a deer or man size target at 50 yards is more important.