What to buy? AKM or SKS?

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matchinson14

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some of you may have read some of my recent posts (new member, hi guys!). I have narrowed down what I'd like for my first semi auto rifle to two. I am looking at either a chinese type 56 SKS from classicarms or AIM surplus for around $320. Cosmetically they're crap but mechanically quite good. The other option is since I live under the Cuomo regime in NY is to buy a Hungarian AK 63 (NOT an AMD 65) parts kit with barrel installed into the trunnion, sights set properly, and headspaced already with all parts minus receiver for $350. I would assemble it using the now no longer accepted "barrel bucking" rivet method. This method seems to work so long as you're careful, and it would require only simple tools I already have around the house. I would not put on the pistol grip, would only load ten round mags, grind off the bayonet lug (I hate having to do that) and weld the slant muzzle brake to the rifle so the threading is gone. I may also move the trigger assembly back on it like a Saiga (good luck finding a Saiga due to the Russia ban). My question is: which would you guys suggest? The SKS is an early all milled with blade bayonet version, seems like it would be sturdier and more accurate than the AK. However, I love AKMs too :) What are your opinions on the matter? SKS or AKM variant? Also, NY safe act aside hypothetically, how about a regular stock AKM vs SKS, which would you rather have? I'm looking to be able to hit man size targets only out to 300m or so.
 
True, but I plan on moving out of this state in the next few years and most of the changes made could be fixed again; minus the bayonet lug, but a gun smith could probably re thread my barrel.....I hate this state.....
 
Buy the AMD kit and keep it until you leave NY. Buy the SKS and shoot it now.

Also, factory Saiga buttstocks are available online pretty cheap. Look around on Gunbroker and other sites. People have been converting Saiga rifles to look like regular AK's for years, so there are only about a bazillion Saiga take-off stocks around collecting dust. I'd bet you could even find one in the classifieds here.

But I'd still buy the SKS or a Mini-30. Or a CZ-527.
Man, I'd love to have a 527!
 
SKS no question, no reason to buy a kit for a rifle you'll have to butcher. The SKS is a nicer rifle to begin with anyway, the only advantages AK's have over the SKS is full auto which we can't get, and magazine capacity, which is a two edged sword.
 
Id get the SKS now, and the AK when you move.

Nothing wrong with the SKS, fun to plink with and will work in a pinch until you can get the AK.

Buy yourself some "good" strippers. Trying to get a fully loaded mag, can sometimes be an issue. More often than not, Id loose rounds to the pouch or the ground, when trying to get the strippers from the pouches to the gun.
 
Thanks for the responses so far guys. Seems like you guys all think the SKS would be better for NY. You're probably right. I've rarely handled pistol grip rifles anyway: my first ever rifle was a 1944 production M44 mosin nagant carbine. Bad A** rifle, it even had notch marks on the butt from kills in combat. It was pretty neat and I miss it (sold it last year, but it had to be done). The funds from selling it were meant to go toward a semi auto rifle but sadly were used on gas instead. Are there any perks to pistol grip shooting vs a standard rifle stock like on the SKS? Are there any perks that the AK has going for it that are better than the SKS? I know a friend who has a vietnam bringback AKM 47 that's still select fire that's sweet to shoot :) He said he'd sell it if there wasn't so much legal red tape about it (shame, I don't think he knows what it's worth).
 
Also, I've heard that SKSs have thicker heavier duty barrels than most AKms. Is this true? Would that explain partly why AKM barrels seem to have more barrel flex than an SKS?
 
Of the two choices.... SKS. It's cheaper and ready to start having fun with now. The other option seems a bit of an ordeal.

If a Saiga were somehow an option it would be the winner for sure. I don't know about availability in NY but I still see unrestored Saigas around here for about 6 bills.
 
The pistol grip gives you more options in how you use the rifle. The SKS is fairly handy, but lacking in places the AKs work well. You can also have an AK with a folding stock, something the SKS doesnt offer.

The AK has a lot more options if you want to put an optic on it.
 
SKS, hands down.

Currently, no legality issues for you.
No mag compatibility, reliability issues.

TechSights, aftermarket stock with non Munchkin oriented ergos and it's a sweet little piece.
 
I've heard tech sights for the SKs do wonders. I'll have to look into those. Yeah the bringback AK is wishful thinking since it's totally illegal for him to transfer it of course (he's the vet who brought it back and has papers and everything approved and license). But a guy can dream right? Would you guys say an SKS is a little lengthy, or is the length fairly comfortable?
 
The SKS is more ergonomic for me than an AK. Mechanically, a good AK and a good SKS are going to shoot about the same. The SKS may have a very slight edge because of its longer sight radius, but not much. But I shoot the SKS better. That's a personal thing.

If the barrel length is a concern, look for one of the 16" Chinese versions around.
 
I tote mine about our mountain property when ever one or another of the dogs is in heat due to the coyotes and Mexican Greys trying to get after them and never much minded it. Semi-side sling, mostly smooth except the bolt handle and not at all long.

Much more carbine to me than rifle. Couple full strippers in your pocket's all you need.
 
Have a Russian SKS with the Tech Sights. Strongly recommend the Tech sights which are a snap to install without gunsmithing.

Also get some cheap 10 round stripper clips for the SKS, with a little practice, it is a quick way to reload. Only downside to the SKS is that it beats up your brass a bit if you reload and the trigger pull is usually not great (it can be improved see Murray's Gunsmith and and Kivaari guy on the SKS board who specialize in fixing them up).

But it is a reliable tough rifle that is peasant simple to breakdown and fix.

With good ammo, it will do for a hunting rifle for game or for self defense at relatively close ranges.
 
Would you guys say an SKS is a little lengthy, or is the length fairly comfortable?
Click to expand...

I'm only 5-7 (I'm not short - I'm "conscript sized" ;) ) but I think the length of the SKS is just about right. For perspective, I have a Romanian AK, and I think it feels too short.

The length of the rifle also helps with the weight. It's a heavy gun, especially for its caliber, but it's balanced pretty well.

The best comparison I can think of for the SKS is a less front-heavy M44 Mosin. If you can, shoulder one of those and see what you think of it
 
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I'm not an SKS fan, especially when a beat up SKS will currently run you around $300 and a brand new lower end AK is $400-$500. However, living in your state, I'd take an SKS if you dont have to modify it for legality. A butchered AK is functionally an SKS anyway....
 
Thanks guys, I guess I'll go with the SKS then. Next question. Should I go with classic arms grade A SKs, or their Grade B? Here's the links. It seems liek grade B just means further cosmetic wear but nothing mechanically wrong or shot out so bad that it can't hit the barn from the inside. What do you think? Grade B or A? Frankly I find the nicks and dings fascinating. The type 56 SKS saw extensive use in Vietnam so a further banged up one may just have more intriguing stories behind it :) . Liek I said, I found the notch marks on my M44 Mosin to be fascinating. so long as the stock isn't cracked compromising the integrity I don't really care. I don't care HOW bad it looks so long as mechanically it's good to go for thousands more rounds reliably and accurately.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/chicomsks-b
https://www.classicfirearms.com/chicomsks
 
All the SKS triggers I've used were stagey. You could learn the trigger, then get used to taking up the slack and finishing the squeeze when your sights are on target. I don't think it's a hard trigger to learn.

Overall, I think a good SKS is a pretty decent carbine.

And for the rifle, I'd go with the grade A SKS. The grade B specifically lists cracked stocks as a possibility. If you just want to get the rifle, load the rifle, and shoot the rifle without having to fix it, get the one that shouldn't need anything fixed.

Or... look locally and see what's already available in your area.
 
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Also with the SKS, a scout scope is great on it. I personally love it as my eyesight sucks and at 50+ yards I have a hard time seeing exactly what I am looking at via irons.
 
Grade B would probably be a project rifle. As my handle implies, I've got nothing against a milsurp project rifle. But you may have to end up spending the difference between Grade A and Grade B for a new stock, or replacements for rusted parts or what not, so it would be more work and maybe more money just to achieve the same result.

A Grade A rifle will be have plenty of character as well, and is less likely to come with problems. If you just want a shooter, I think it would be worth the extra money.
 
+1 SKS. Buy it, shoot it, love it. Probably your best semi auto option while in NY.

Buy the kit and assemble to your liking after you move.

No sense in buying an AK and trying to convert it to be an SKS when you can just buy the SKS and be done, and have a better rifle over all.
 
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