Sks?????

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gunner03

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I really don't have much knowledge about mil. type rifles. Can someone tell me a bit about the sks?Dose it come in different cals.???Acc. are all over, which is attractive.I want something cheep to shoot,but also practical if a need ever arises.How much should I expect to pay?Are there many variants and differant makers like the AK's?? thanks
 
The SKS is a great choice if what you're looking for is a plinker and not a beauty queen or competition 1000-yard gnat-zapper.
Unless I've been kept in the dark, the SKS is chambered only in 7.62x39 (which is fine, as it's economically the .22LR of centerfires).

As for accuracy, you'll have some tell you to expect shotgun patterns while others indicate 1 MOA groups are common. However, with my Norinco SKS (Chicom type 56) I've managed to squeeze 2-3" groups at 100 yards on occasion, with the norm typically around 3-5" groups with most surplus ammunition. I personally believe this is essentially the standard for the SKS.

I haven't a clue if there's a significant difference in accuracy between SKS rifles manufactured in the former Yugoslavia, Russia or China, though I'm sure they're all combat accurate at the very least.

If you're considering the purchase of one, now is definately the time. A Yugoslavian in lovely condition can be had on the cheap. I would think a fine example can be had for around $150 or less.
 
Ditto what Snowdog said. The SKS's major virtues are its simplicity, ruggedness, and reliability. Ammo is abundant, cheap, and puissant enough to make an adversary take a deep personal interest in keeping his head down out to 300M and a bit if you can deliver it there.

I've never seen one chambered for anything other than 7.62x39.

There are lots of them out there. Virtually every Warsaw Pact nation plus the Chicoms and North Koreans made them in one form or another with many of them finding their way here after the Wall came down.

Whatever its origin, look for matching numbers and the best overall condition you can find. Personally, I'd opt for the chromed bore and chamber even if it cost a bit more. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a nice one for $250 or less, although the Russian-made examples seem to command a premium that isn't proportional to any increase in their practical usefullness, IMO.

You'll want one of the "C" type sight adjustment tools, too. Cheap, and make the job of regulating the sights for your eyes and ammo much easier and more precise.
 
I have two Russian SKS's. I bought them when they first were imported in the early to mid 90's. They have been fantastic rifles and always go with me to the range. They both average 3 - 5 inch groups at 100 yards and never malfunction. The Yugoslavians are the best deal right now.
 
New (unissued) Yugoslavian 59/66 SKS rifles, with bayonet, grenade launcher, and some accessories frun about $170. The Model 59, without the grenade launcher (CA legal, shorter rifle) runs about that for a Very Good condition. Many (if not all; I haven't found a definitive statement on this) Yugos do not have chromed bores & barrels. Just about all the others do (but those cost more as well; the Yugos are the current supply source).

You don't need to be shooting purely surplus ammo through it. I have found that silver/brown/golden bear ammo (basically the same stuff; new production Russian) is at least as cheap, if not slightly more so, than the surplus stuff.

For accessories for the SKS (stripper clips, sight tools), I would strongly recommend ebay.
 
I have a Yugo M59. Exactly the same as the Russian modle.

The trigger is crap, but I can still get everyting in the size of a quarter at 25 yards. Anything farther than that, and I am off the paper due to the sights. I need to adjust them. :D

All in all, a really really fun gun, and it is there for all of the SHTF fun to come.
 
I think I agree with all the posters above, I really like my Yugo 59/66 SKS. I eplaced the rear sight with a scope mount and added a red dot, with a Beartooth slip on comb height adjuster. With my old eyes I just couldn't shoot the regular sights very well. With the red dot I can shoot 2.25-2.5" groups at 100 yards just about every day.
sksmodified.jpg

I usually shoot Monarch or Silver Bear ammo for plinking, it's always less than $3 per box. I also had a trigger job done by one of the posters on the SKS boards that I think was about $25 and it made a world of difference, still not target grade but much more shootable.
 
i don't believe the SKS has been made in any calibre other than 7.62x39...but for the price <$80/1k (last i checked) how much more could you ask for.

ones in my neck of the woods have been
1. russian
2. chinese
3. romainian
4. yugoslavian
5. bulgarian

did i miss the egyptian ones?
 
Ok,as I mentioned earlier I don't know squat about this mil.type stuff but am learning a bit,mostly here on THR and I appreciate all the info.While we are on this subject can you tell me the closest thing to the 7.62x39 as far as US ammo? I know a bit more about them. Thanks
 
7.62x39mm is roughly equivelent to 30-30. Surplus is almost always full metal jacket ammo, so not really a hunting round. Cheap Wolf hollow point ammo is available, but it also isn't really meant to expand. Some good soft point ammo is around, and I believe CorBon makes a self defense load. The Yugo is a great deal and a great durable rifle - pigsticker and all. Just make double sure to get all the cosmo out when you get it. I got an unissued for my loving wife, and it is a dead on accurate rifle, and hasn't burped on anything I've fed it. For $161 delivered, (C&R FFL), it was the best bang for the buck.
 
Well, for more info on the SKS, check here: www.simonov.net. Simonov was the one who designed the SKS. ;)

I had an unissued Yugo (sold it cuz it became too much of a safe queen), and it shot 2" groups at 100 yds consistently with American Eagle ammo. Worse with your typical Wolf/Brown Bear/Silver Bear/surplus stuff, but I think it's more the ammo than the rifle. If you're just looking for a shooter, and it sounds like you are, the Yugos are definitely the way to go. The Russians are darn pretty with their laminated stocks and chrome-lined bores, but they command collectors prices.

Also, you might want to look into aftermarket sights for the SKS. Many people have had very favorable experiences with Mojo, Williams, and now Tech Sights. They really help.

I'm also kind of picky about triggers, and the SKS trigger is...well, challenging. Wolf springs and a little polishing helps, but it still feels like a 13-stage trigger pull.

Good luck. Post a range report if you do end up buying one, eh? :)
 
SKS stuff

Gunner 03--THE BEST place for SKS after-market goodies (add-on stock, 'scope mounts, all the other items you will want,) is D. C. Engineering in Detroit. Website: www.rifletech.com They are helpful, knowledgeable, have an 800 number, and will dispense advice, as well as selling a WIDE variety of SKS add-ons.

I can't reccommend them too highly. :)
 
If you looking for a visual comparison of the 7.62x39 to some common US rounds, this photo I took long ago might help.

fd3052ce.jpg


If your vaguely familiar with the Russian 7.62x54R, this might help as well.

fd35dba5.jpg


Ballistically, as someone pointed out, the 7.62x39 is very similar to our .30-30win. From memory, I believe the typical bullet weight is around 123grs, velocity around 2400 FPS and muzzle energy circa 1500 FPE.

Hope this helps.
 
You also might want to take a look over on Surplus Rifle - they have some excellent step by step instructions on how to assemble & disassemble the SKS down to the itty bitty individual parts. Strip it down, soak everything in kerosene, and scrub all the cosmoline off (a toothbrush works really well). Pay special attention to the firing pin channel - make sure you get that completely de-cosmo'd.

You can't go wrong getting one, especially when you get get an 'unissued' one for around $140 from Aim Surplus. Mine goes to the range with me almost every trip and ammo is super plentiful and very cheap (Wolf). We get Wolf here at the local gunshows for about $105/1000 out the door.
 
OK, guys; I like short rifles like the M94 Swede. I keep reading "with grenade launcher and bayonet" re: the SKS. How hard are they to get rid of? Can the barrel be shortened (within legal limits) and recrowned?
Think I'm gonna have to have one, soon!

Stay safe.
Bob
 
I personally believe everyone should own an SKS. Mine is a Chinese Norinco with no bayonet or genade launcher. Ammo is cheap and readily available and loads of fun to shoot with mild recoil. Paid $150.00 for it. It is also my SHTF rifle. :eek:
 
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