What is the best SKS out there?

[giggitygiggity]

There are various SKS models out there. Which one is best? Russian, Romanian, Chinese, NORINCO, Yugoslavian? Thanks.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I have a yugo but to be honest, I think I like the Norinco's better.

 

[theinvisibleheart]

probably East German if you can find one.

 

[carbine85]

Norinco is the best IMHO. Yugo has a real nice fit and finish. The lack of a chrome lining isn't a problem if you start out with a good one. You really can't go wrong with a SKS.

 

[Hullraiser]

The M versions Takes AK mags if you're wanting to go detachable. Although the duck bill detachable Mage aren't bad. The stock fixed 10 rnd mags are most reliable and streamlined for easier shooting off a bench. Personally I like the NORINCO paratroopers

 

[nathan]

The best is the Russian . That s my first centerfire in 1995 so im bias . But find the one with the best tight bore and metal to stock fit , and you are set. The Yugos are generally very accurate. The best handling is the Chinese be c of the slim profile of the stock . Chinese modified it to fit their smaller physical stature. Now the Romanian SKS is one i would like to have , too.

 

[RCArms.com]

I like the early Norinco SKS's for fit and finish. Extremely well done and are typically very accurate and dead nuts reliable rifles.

The Albanian ones are very nice too, but are very uncommon and a horse of a slightly different color.

 

[silicosys4]

Sks-m is my favorite. Paratrooper length, and accepts ak mags. Chrome lined bore, good fit and finish....it's what I went with after looking into it.

 

[Reloadron]

Pick your poison. Personally I liked the early actual Chinese Communist rifles that came in before they began making new production stuff and I liked the Russian versions. Just about all of them work and work well for their intended use.

Ron

 

[DaisyCutter]

I bought a Russian SKS in 1996, my first firearm. Still have it. Rarely shoot it anymore, but would take it to war tomorrow. It's a 60 year old rifle.

 

[Awsomepossum]

The one you put more trigger time behind. I would say a "Paratrooper"

 

[bainter1212]

Like Reloadron, I prefer early Chicom models. Made under Soviet supervision but with the added perk of chrome lined barrels. Barrel is threaded on instead of pinned like the later Norincos.
That being said, you can find a Norinco in like new condition (unlike the early Sino-Soviets) and they tend to shoot really well.
I think Chinese models in general are the best bang for your buck.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I had a really nice Norinco.

 

[Jackal]

Of the somewhat commonly available ones:

1. Russian
2. Arsenal 26 chinese
3. Nice Norinco's (threaded in barrels, not pressed)
4. Yugo
5. Romy's
6. Albanian
7. Bad Norinco's

 

[Hullraiser]

The early Chinese arsenal 26 have lots Of character. I've got onel that looks like its has seen some battle
Very well made guns!

 

[gpurp]

About when did Norinco stop threading their barrels?

 

[barnbwt]

My 1951 Russian seems pretty well made, perhaps not quite on par with Czech VZ58s but very close (and remember that a lot more machining was required on the Simonovs than any later design). Everything tight, straight, square, and slick where it contacts other parts. Lots of tooling marks where it's hidden and doesn't matter to operation. The stock lacquer on mine is peeling, but the wood itself appears to be the same wormy crud-wood the Ruskies used on SVT's and Mosins and everything else in that era, but it was hard enough on the SKS that there's few dents and dings (my theory is it's peeling because someone used something stupid to clean it)

Back to my point on the Czech guns; they had a competing platform in the VZ52, which I've never seen personally. Anybody know if those were nicer than Russian-equivalent SKS's?

TCB

 

[Cee Zee]

The true milsurp Chinese stuff seem very good to me. The Chinese continued development of the gun after Russians had long since moved on to another platform. If you get the right Norinco you can get the benefit of that. But you have to watch out for the Norinco stuff that was made to sell to the US market. Those are probably the worst of the rifles. They aren't terrible though. They just aren't as good as the other models.

 

[Onmilo]

Russian SKS hands down.
Built post war by happy workers in the socialist paradise and known as an interim weapon until the peoples gun AK/47 production standards could be put in place, more time and care was spent on the manufacture.

 

[Hullraiser]

Yooper John is a excellent resource for everything SKS
http://www.yooperj.com/SKS.htm.BAK

 

[Pilot]

Another vote for the Russians. I have two bought in the early 90's when they were first coming into the U.S. They have been both accurate (for an SKS), and reliable all these years, and still look like when I bought them. They are real milsurps, and deserve to remain stock.

I had a Norc also, which was very nice, but not as nice as the Russians.

 

[carbine85]

About when did Norinco stop threading their barrels?

I don't know when but there's nothing wrong it. They shoot good. Find the best deal you can get and work your way up from there.
If the fit and finish means much to you most of the Russian are not built as well as others and the used Chinese get pretty rough.

 

[stubbicatt]

If the fit and finish means much to you most of the Russian are not built as well as others and the used Chinese get pretty rough.

I guess your experience and mine are very different, as the Soviet rifles are probably the pick of the litter, the way I see it. Some are pretty beat up from use, but the build quality is still quite robust.

 

[bainter1212]

The only problem with the Ruskie models now is that they cost twice or three times what a Chinese one does...and they are not two or three times better. Just more rare.

If I was flush I would buy a Ruskie just to collect it.

 

[Hullraiser]

The Russians better or worse are rare HERE. In Canada they're everywhere for $200 or so.$600 & up here. Depends if you want it for collection, shooting, shtf back or a old beater truck/ barn gun to knock around. They're all tough as nails.