Which SKS do you prefer?

[Nugilum]

So, do you like Soviet? Does you heart lean towards the Yugoslavian? How about Chinese? Albanian anyone? Which make do you like best?

Things to ponder...
1.) Aesthetics (Yes, have a little sense of humor here)
2.) Functionality
3.) Reliability
4.) Resistance to Bubbafication
5.) Anything else?

 

[NC-Mike]

I had a Russian and a Yugo when one day I found this:



Norinco SKS-M

Takes AK mags and has a nice sporter stock. I let the other two go.

 

[rde]

Although I have a mint Russian I voted Chinese. The Russian is a safe queen..I have no problem having fun shooting my Chinese models. I especially like the so called "paratrooper" models.

 

[woad_yurt]

I voted Chinese. It's so light, handy, accurate, etc. A Yugo feels like a telephone pole in comparison.

 

[Funderb]

go china!

 

[Gingerbreadman]

I've shot my friend's Soviet SKS 45 and my Yugoslavian 59/66, and I prefer mine. The rubber buttpad of the 59/66 makes that SKS fit me better. Also, just about every time I shoot my friend's SKS 45 I end up with my fingers shoved in my mouth.

The Soviet one is much nicer looking though...

 

[ColinthePilot]

I've had 2 Yugo M59/66's. Sold one but still have my nice one. its completely reliable unless I shoot lacquered ammo, then it gets sticky. It will never be bubbafied, as long as I have it. Its got a nice wood stock that doesn't bleed cosmo and I'm not getting rid of that for anything.

 

[Anteater1717]

Russians have the best fit and finish. Though I like the Albanian's elongated for grip.

 

[vzenmn]

I'm with rde.
My Izzy gets treated like a brand new BMW while the Chinese gets treated like a 15 year old Honda Civic.

 

[PercyShelley]

Yep, side by side there's no question that the Russian SKS are better made than the Chinese ones.

I am curious about Albanian ones though. What's the word?

 

[jpwilly]

Chinese by far - lead paint and all. My first Centerfire rifle was a Chinese SKS and I loved that rifle!

 

[Anteater1717]

I am curious about Albanian ones though. What's the word?

Good SKS's that have been beaten to hell.

 

[chris in va]

I couldn't stand all the extra crap on the Yugo's barrel. Sold it and got a Saiga, much happier.

 

[asknight]

You missed one.

Chinese 16" SKS Paratrooper configuration. Made for commercial export only. The nicest ones are Factory 26 receivers with barrels threaded into the receiver (as opposed to pinned) and blonde beech stocks.

 

[Nugilum]

asknight

You missed one.

Chinese 16" SKS Paratrooper configuration. Made for commercial export only. The nicest ones are Factory 26 receivers with barrels threaded into the receiver (as opposed to pinned) and blonde beech stocks.

Sorry, I apparently forgot how "capitalistic" the Chinese were with the SKS. I think I missed the Type D or M and the Paratrooper models.

For those with "paratrooper" SKS's, does the shorter barrel effect accuracy or ergonomics?

It definitely makes drive-by bayonetings harder...

 

[foghornl]

I like all the grenade launcher stuff on the 59/66 Yugo.

Just waiting to get the g/l blanks and dummy grenades...Long-Range "Yard Darts" anyone? ? ? ?

 

[MCgunner]

The Chino ones were cheap and effective. Best bang for the buck for sure IMHO. I have a rifle I gave a whole 75 bucks for. The aftermarket sporter stock I put on it cost as much as the rifle. LOL! It's a fun shooter for sure and actually useful as a hunting gun, though I have better sporters.

Me, just me, but I ain't gonna give for a SKS what would buy me a Savage 110, thanks. I see 'em as fun, reliable, almost accurate autoloaders that can be used to hunt or just as a truck/ranch rifle or just a fun range plinker. I mean, I've given more for a friggin' 10/22!

 

[Acheron]

I like my Yugo 59/66. Sure, the grenade launcher does make it look butt-ugly and a little heavy and cumbersome, but you can't beat launching golf balls with the thing.

 

[66912]

+1 NC-MIKE, That is the only SKS configuration I now own. It its a great backup package for the AK. By the way, I voted that you missed one.

 

[DMK]

I have a couple from each country. My favorites are my two Romanians and believe it or not, my Chinese Norincos. The Romanian is the best. Much better build quality than all the others (I have a Russian that actually has a canted front sight) and on par with the Yugos. The Chinese are a little lighter and my Norinco Para has the best trigger (probably a fluke). I picked up another cheap bubba Norinco and it's a great shooter.

Yugo 59/66s are well made, very good build quality and accuracy, but heavy and bulky. The smaller M59s are better, but like all Yugos still don't have chrome bores.

The worst SKS build quality is the Albanians. I don't even like to shoot them. I had three and sold two when the price went up on them. I kept one just to have for the collection.

Norinco Para in a fiberglass Jungle stock.

Norinco SKS-M "Sporter" with a 20 round AK mag, also in a fiberglass Jungle stock.

 

[NC-Mike]

+1 NC-MIKE, That is the only SKS configuration I now own. It its a great backup package for the AK. By the way, I voted that you missed one.

I bought the Russian and Yugo 59/66 because I thought I wanted to be a collector. I found I must prefer to shoot my rifles and I much preferred to shoot that Norinco SKS-M over any other flavor, even the Russian. It is lighter, handles better, has a nice trigger, has better furniture, is more accurate and takes AK mags.

I left a lot of the older stuff where I feel it belongs. In the past.

BTW, that Yugo had to have one of the worst triggers I ever pulled. Yeeech!

 

[NC-Mike]

The Chinese are a little lighter and my Norinco Para has the best trigger (probably a fluke).

Its no accident, the Chinese make good rifles.

 

[Frog48]

I really like my Yugo M59/66. I must be in the minority, but I think the grenade launcher and ladder sights look cool.

 

[Moonclip]

My Albanian sucked, they are neat for the rare factor and apperance though. Chinse generally serviceable and I need to replace my long gone paratroop but I only have one and amazingly I shoot it, a factory chromed parade model!

Russian is the way to go I feel.

 

[Scott7891]

Can't go wrong with the original Russian. I fired a Norinco (sold it) and my Yugo M59/66 (still have it) but only enjoyed firing the Russian one the most!