Teach Me! - SKS

[Mossberg88]

I love the look of the SKS, but unfortunately do not know much.
Was wondering if someone could lecture me about the different models, countries of origins, caliber(s), personal experience/use, etc.

Thanks,


-Alex

 

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

if you look at my thread right here ttp://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=400939t you learn it gets kinda confusing

 

[Tarvis]

I like my Chinese SKS just fine. Here is a link to a page with some info, but there are a couple more that are really good so try google.

Yugo SKS's are heavier and do not have a chrome lined barrel (no major source of chrome in the region) but I've heard it both ways. Find one you like and plan on spending around $200; I got mine for $200 locally. You will definitely find them for more than $200, but you should be able to make a deal.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The three most common here are Russian, Chinese and Yugoslavian. The Russkies are the original, the best and the most expensive. Expect $350 & up for the real deal. There are several chinese variants, ranging from your basic which is worth about $200 to D and M models, which can easily go for over four bills (they use AK mags). The Yugo's are most Numerous. A few years back, you could get a Yugo M59/66 for $79 all day long. Now, they're mostly over $200. Worth it, I guess, but I'd rather (and did) spend the extra for a Russian.

Occasionally you'll run across a Romanian M56 or an Albanian model, but I don't know anything about these.

My Laminate stock Tula:

 

[chris in va]

BTDT. Had a Yugo, got frustrated with all the extra crap on the barrel, plus no optic mount.

Sold it and bought a Saiga for roughly the same price, couldn't be happier.

 

[toopercentmlk]

Just got a Russian Tula for $370, but buyer was asking $450. I got lucky.

 

[Nugilum]

Russian: Set the standard. Usually a good platform all around (weight, length, accuracy, etc.). Has blade bayonet and chrome lined barrel. Most expensive of the group of rifles minus Chinese SKS-D and SKS-M.

Chinese: Military makes are usually good platforms. Slightly lighter than the Russians. Chrome lined barrel. Only SKS variant where bayonet could be illegal (looong political story). There is some controversy over the "commercially made" variants over quality, accuracy and reliability (I haven't seen any difference though). There are Military, Commercial, Paratrooper (16" barrel length), and SKS-D and SKS-M that take AK magazines.
If Chinese is your choice, I would recommend researching and learning as much as you can about them before you buy one.

Yugoslavian: Most common variant today (Fall 2008). Along with bayonet, you get night sites and grenade launching system. Yugos do not have chrome lined barrels. However, since corrosive 7.62x39mm is almost non-existent in the US, this shouldn't be a problem. Yugos are durable and have a larger stock. This makes them the heaviest of the bunch (disadvantage if hunting).

Hope this helps!

 

[BHP FAN]

The Russian one is much more accurate than AK's, even the Russian AK'S .It's not just the slightly longer barrel on the SKS,it also has to do with the massive milled reciever.Even the little Chinese short barreled ''paratrooper'' is quite accurate for it's size and caliber,due to it's more rigid reciever vrs. the AK.Of course the AK is an awsome weapon,being the main armament of Communist super powers and Third World nations for decades,but the SKS shouldn't be overlooked either.

 

[Almond27]

I've done alot of research lately on SKS's and really I would go with Russian or Yugo if your just wanting a shooter I'd go Yugo cheaper and if you want your occasional shooter or Nice C&R SKS I'd go with about 100 dollars more for the Russian. Chinese are well Chinese and will serve the purpose also, I just don't like them.

 

[smartshooter.45]

wheres the best deal online for a new SKS? i dont really care which country its from.

 

[cuervo]

Lots of info. here:
http://www.simonov.net/

http://www.classicarms.us/ has some Yugos.
check out the auction boards for others:
auctionarms.com
gunbroker.com

 

[PvtPyle]

I have several, Russians, Chinese and Yugo. I like them all, but the Chinese is the least accurate of them. I am looking for a Chinese D modle for a post 86 dealers sample. If you know of one for sale please hit me with a PM.

 

[JR47]

All of the SKS rifles, except for the Yugoslavian Model have chromed bores and chambers. They resist corrosive primers better than the Yugo guns. The Yugoslavian SKS was usually the last to be used with such primers in actual combat, as well.

I like my Romanian, built like the Russian, with forgings. I also have an Albanian, but they differ cosmetically only. Not worth the extra price as a shooter.

 

[Frankl03]

I have owned all three a Russian, a Norinco and a Yugo. I like the Yugo the best. I have had no problems with the gas valve. The Yugo has a rugged feel to it and mine shoots great. I would look for an unissued Yugo. No chrome lined barrel? Big deal! I don't shoot corrosive ammo and I clean my rifle after I shoot it. I've hit bulls-eyes at 100 yards with it using cheap ammo. Also the Yugo has a threaded barrel which the others don't. I have a threaded muzzlebreak on mine.

I say go Yugo! if you get one with a bad gas valve you can always replace it easily.

 

[JR47]

The gas valve problem is due to the corrosive effects of the ammunition issued to the Yugoslavian and Serbian troops. While current users may only fire non-corrosive ammunition, many of these guns already have corrosion related problems, such as the leaking, or stuck, gas valves.

Some people don't care for the grenade launcher assembly, either. The solid feel is due to the teak stocks, which are heavier and denser than many of the other woods used.

I mentioned the lack of a chromed bore due to the fact that these SKS rifles were in use as late as the early 2000s. Some of them were in truly poor shape. They need a closer examination than even the Chinese rifles.