DMK
Member
Fairly difficult to do and puts you on the illegal side of 9.22r if you did.
Compare a fixed mag SKS with an SKS-D, SKS-M or Sporter one day.
SKS VS Mini-14
- Thread starter Zorro
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Compare a fixed mag SKS with an SKS-D, SKS-M or Sporter one day.
Balog
Member
What's an SKS-D, SKS-M, or Sporter? Wouldn't it be legal to convert a SKS w/ no flash hider or bayo lug? Or a pre-ban?
DMK
Member
Norinco (Chinese arms company) made a few commercial variations of their SKS which had special magwells, bolts, trigger groups and stocks that allowed the carbine to accept AK magazines. Some were pre-ban (ie. Pre-1991) and had 20" barrels and bayonettes. Some were postban and had 16" barrels, no bayo plus had either a Montecarlo stock or a wooden thumbhole stock.
Do a search for Sporter, SKS-D, and SKS-M and you will get the idea.
There are some weird legality issues with detachable magazine SKS. It's illegal to create a weapon that would be unimportable, in this case an imported assault weapon. The 1994 AWB doesn't even come into play because there aren't enough US made parts available to allow you to circumvent the more stringent 9.22r regulations like the SAR1 does (The SAR1 AK is legal because it has a U.S. made gas Cyl, trgger, sear, hammer, & pistol grip). Perhaps you could make it only accept low-cap mags like the WASR does, but you would gain no benefit for all the work.
You can't legally convert a pre-ban because you would have had to convert it before 1991 (ie. before the ban).
Just save yourself the headaches. Buy either a SAR1 or a legal Norinco that takes AK mags. They are out there, albiet not terribly common.
Do a search for Sporter, SKS-D, and SKS-M and you will get the idea.
There are some weird legality issues with detachable magazine SKS. It's illegal to create a weapon that would be unimportable, in this case an imported assault weapon. The 1994 AWB doesn't even come into play because there aren't enough US made parts available to allow you to circumvent the more stringent 9.22r regulations like the SAR1 does (The SAR1 AK is legal because it has a U.S. made gas Cyl, trgger, sear, hammer, & pistol grip). Perhaps you could make it only accept low-cap mags like the WASR does, but you would gain no benefit for all the work.
You can't legally convert a pre-ban because you would have had to convert it before 1991 (ie. before the ban).
Just save yourself the headaches. Buy either a SAR1 or a legal Norinco that takes AK mags. They are out there, albiet not terribly common.
DougCxx
Member
And we now see that for not a lot more than one mini-14 costs, you can get a Saiga in 223......... -and another Saiga in 308.....
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I have both . . .
. . . a very worn blued Mini 14 ranch and a very nice Norinco SKS. Both are reliable and as accurate as I need them to be. The SKS is more fun and I shoot it more. It really launches those cases! Strippers are the way to go for fast reloads . . . cheap, too.
. . . a very worn blued Mini 14 ranch and a very nice Norinco SKS. Both are reliable and as accurate as I need them to be. The SKS is more fun and I shoot it more. It really launches those cases! Strippers are the way to go for fast reloads . . . cheap, too.
WonderNine
member
Yugo SKS for me as well. With a spare firing pin, spare magazine spring, and alot of loaded stripper clips.
Zorro
Member
Sorry I was gone for a While.
I think the majority agree with me.
#1 SKS = Mini-14 in concept.
#2 SKS is a lot more gun for the Money.
I think the majority agree with me.
#1 SKS = Mini-14 in concept.
#2 SKS is a lot more gun for the Money.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
that's a negatory, ghost rider.
the mini-14 is much closer to the m-1 carbine in concept than the SKS.
the mini-14 is much closer to the m-1 carbine in concept than the SKS.
DMK
Member
Aren't all three guns fairly similar in concept? (application wise, not mechanically)
The only real differences I see are the M1 shoots a weaker cartridge the Mini and M1 have a higher ammo capacity.
If somebody where to ask me to choose, as a gift, between the SKS and the Mini-14 (or Mini-Thirty), I wouldn't even blink before I picked the Ruger. If you're just looking for a cheap realiable plinker you have to pay for yourself, the SKS is a good choice. If you're looking for a keep-sake rifle to pass on to your kids, the Mini-14 is a much better choice.
RepublicanMan
member
If you want to pay more than twice as much for reliable ammo, hit your target about as much, spend more time cleaning and wondering if it will work or what part will fall off next then by all means by the Mini.....if you want something that is just as accurate, costs less than half as much, will run even when twice as dirty and won't have parts falling off, ammo is 1/2 the price so you get more practice for your buck....get the SKS.
Now if you're stuck on a .223 semi-auto then the only way to go is with a quality AR such as Colt, Bushy or DPMS.
Now if you're stuck on a .223 semi-auto then the only way to go is with a quality AR such as Colt, Bushy or DPMS.
glocksman
Member
The only real advantages a Mini has over an SKS are weight and detachable magazines. Unless you have to have a lightweight gun, an SKS is both more reliable (yes, I've owned both) and cheaper to shoot.
I've spoken with my wallet and dumped the Mini and currently have one SKS and another one on the way.
I've spoken with my wallet and dumped the Mini and currently have one SKS and another one on the way.
mrapathy2000
member
you can get detachable magazines for the SKS. not sure on the legality of all SKS using detachable mags though.
Kaylee
Member
I've owned both. Past tense.
First, I think the price comparison isn't a totally fair one, as you're comparing a surplused ComBloc import with a newly produced American-made piece (with all that implies, good and bad). If one were to try to make the SKS today, I'm certain it would run at least as spendy as the Mini, and prolly more.
Second... I'd have more faith in the durability of the SKS, just given its heavier, simpler construction. The magazine lips are prolly its weak point, but no more so than those on a Mini or AR magazine.
Final analysis for me.. if the Mini were as good a rifle in execution as it is in concept, I'd love it. I'd even put it up with Ruger's other great "classics" and say it trounced the SKS six ways from Sunday. But it ain't... Ruger took too many shortcuts in making the darn thing and to my mind ruined a great little carbine concept.
So I guess I'm just indifferent towards both of 'em.. maybe a little more inclined to like the ol' Ruskie SKS a little more just for the historical aspect.
If I *had* to lay down cash for one or the other, it'd likely be the SKS.. and I say that as someone who's had worse luck with the SKS platform than the Mini.
-K
First, I think the price comparison isn't a totally fair one, as you're comparing a surplused ComBloc import with a newly produced American-made piece (with all that implies, good and bad). If one were to try to make the SKS today, I'm certain it would run at least as spendy as the Mini, and prolly more.
Second... I'd have more faith in the durability of the SKS, just given its heavier, simpler construction. The magazine lips are prolly its weak point, but no more so than those on a Mini or AR magazine.
Final analysis for me.. if the Mini were as good a rifle in execution as it is in concept, I'd love it. I'd even put it up with Ruger's other great "classics" and say it trounced the SKS six ways from Sunday. But it ain't... Ruger took too many shortcuts in making the darn thing and to my mind ruined a great little carbine concept.
So I guess I'm just indifferent towards both of 'em.. maybe a little more inclined to like the ol' Ruskie SKS a little more just for the historical aspect.
If I *had* to lay down cash for one or the other, it'd likely be the SKS.. and I say that as someone who's had worse luck with the SKS platform than the Mini.
-K
natedog
Member
I don't know where you are getting this $600 stuff from....
http://www.impactguns.com/store/ruger_mini14_bl.html
http://www.impactguns.com/store/ruger_mini14_bl.html
parpat
Member
Aloha, I own a Yugo SKS , and it shoots fine, have only shot
a Mini 14 once. I still like the SKS, and I own 3 other Rugers !!
a Mini 14 once. I still like the SKS, and I own 3 other Rugers !!
Chuck Jennings
Member
First of all, welcome to parpat!!
It seems that the debate continues. I have noting to say on this one, I am off to solve some of the other great firearms dillemas:
Glock vs 1911
9mm vs 45
AR vs AK
Winchester vs Marlin
S&W vs Ruger
I let you all know what I find out.
*exits*
It seems that the debate continues. I have noting to say on this one, I am off to solve some of the other great firearms dillemas:
Glock vs 1911
9mm vs 45
AR vs AK
Winchester vs Marlin
S&W vs Ruger
I let you all know what I find out.
*exits*
Last edited:
Speaking of AR vs AK, do you (clbj) or anyone else have any words of wisdom on the issue?
I have long coveted
an AR, especially after spending a full day shooting one, a few years ago. Financial situations have, until recently, made it an impossibility...now it has become a distant possibility, if I plan right. I hadn't really considered an AK; then again, I really know very little about them (initial and customized cost, reliability, availability). Is their history as diverse as that of the SKS? I assume they are no longer manufactured. I don't even know who has made them.
I have long coveted
an AR, especially after spending a full day shooting one, a few years ago. Financial situations have, until recently, made it an impossibility...now it has become a distant possibility, if I plan right. I hadn't really considered an AK; then again, I really know very little about them (initial and customized cost, reliability, availability). Is their history as diverse as that of the SKS? I assume they are no longer manufactured. I don't even know who has made them.parpat
Member
Mahalo (thanks) Cljb ...
Snowjob:
Avtomat Kalashnikova, or in english "Kalashnikov automatic rifle". Kalashnikova is the name of the designer. The AK, is the most prolific small arm of the 20th century. The total number of the AK-type rifles made worldwide during the last 50 years is estimated to be over 90 million.
I am also thinking of getting a AK-47 ... and a AR 15 and a M1 ... and ...........
Snowjob:
Avtomat Kalashnikova, or in english "Kalashnikov automatic rifle". Kalashnikova is the name of the designer. The AK, is the most prolific small arm of the 20th century. The total number of the AK-type rifles made worldwide during the last 50 years is estimated to be over 90 million.
I am also thinking of getting a AK-47 ... and a AR 15 and a M1 ... and ...........
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