What should I buy?

[Joey101]

Yugo SKS good buy or not? Some of you may have seen my post over on the trading post page about WTB a Yugo SKS. And yes I am definitely contemplating it. I want something fun to shoot at the range, and it has to be cheap to shoot and maintain. I am also thinking about a AK-47 for the durability aspect.

So here are the main questions:

1.) Yugo SKS good buy or not for around $125?
2.) SKS' come in what chambering most commenly 7.62x51R?
3.) AK-47's good buy and can they be bought for around the same price as the Yugo SKS?
4.) Is there another rifle that I should be looking for in the same price ballpark?

 

[heypete]

Yugo SKS good buy or not? Some of you may have seen my post over on the trading post page about WTB a Yugo SKS. And yes I am definitely contemplating it. I want something fun to shoot at the range, and it has to be cheap to shoot and maintain.

If you look up "fun, cheap, and easy to maintain" in the dictionary, the SKS will be pictured. Actually, it won't, but it should be

1.) Yugo SKS good buy or not for around $125?
2.) SKS' come in what chambering most commenly 7.62x51R?
3.) AK-47's good buy and can they be bought for around the same price as the Yugo SKS?
4.) Is there another rifle that I should be looking for in the same price ballpark?

1. That's a fine price for a Yugo SKS.
2. 7.62x39mm, which is even cheaper, more plentiful, and less of a burden on one's shoulder (and the correct designation for the Russian ammo you're thinking of is 7.62x54R -- not x51R)
3) AKs are also a good buy, but most I've seen are at least twice the price of an SKS. They both share the same ammunition, so why not buy both? (I'd suggest the SKS first, then the AK later, but that's just personal opinion.)
4) Not in that price range. The SKS is a terrific rifle. Not match-grade accuracy by any means, but its rugged, reliable, and simple to clean and maintain (the only reason you really MUST clean it is after shooting corrosive ammo -- I clean mine just because I like keeping my weapons clean [that, and Uncle Sam taught me well], but with the SKS you really don't have to unless you've shot corrosive ammunition or it's not functioning for some reason).

Cheers!

 

[c_yeager]

AKs are generally about twice the price of the Yugo SKS.

The SKS fires the same round as the AK (7.62x39). I personally believe the AK to be a better all around rifle for whatever SHTF fantasy that is in style. However, in the real world i think that the SKS is probably a better overall rifle. For the price that the Yugo SKSs are going for these days it would be a mistake not to snap one up. It will do just about anything that you could ask of a "general purpose" rifle, and for a VASTLY better value than anything else on the market.

As far as I know, if you exclude rimfires and bolt-action milsurps, there ARENT any other rifles in the same ballpark. If your comfortable with bolt actions then the K-31s, Mosin Nagants, and various Mausers on the market are also excellent values, and in the same price range if not cheaper.

 

[Joey101]

This might be a stupid question but are the SKS' still being made? Or are they just refurbished? Can I obtain a new one? I have heard several people talk about theirs being "unissued" but does that mean, new?

 

[cracked butt]

I have heard several people talk about theirs being "unissued" but does that mean, new?

Yes.

Its possible that the rifles were test fired at the arsenal or factory which will be documented in the rifles arsenal book. I bought one that was not 'unissued' but in exc condition, as far as I could tell, it was only test fired at the arsenal to check function and sight alignment.

The Yugo SKS' are great rifles.

 

[Joey101]

Thank you all for your responses, I am going to by one, hopefully soon. I let you all know how it is! Thanks again!

-Joe