Which would you prefer in a pinch, M1 Carbine or the SKS Paratrooper.

[Dr_2_B]

A bit of an obscure question, just for kicks. I've been noticing how cute the little SKS Paratrooper is. Don't know why the carbines are so intriguing to me. So which would you rather have in a tight situation... the SKS Paratrooper or another cute carbine that favors it, the M1 Carbine?

M1 Carbine will hold 10, 15, or 30 rounds of 30 carbine ammo.
SKS Paratrooper will hold 10 rounds of 7.62X39.

 

[45B@cav]

The reason I say M1 is #1 I have one #2 I have alot of ammo for it #3 I'm an American #4 IMO The SKS is to fugly to be seen with. All jokes aside the SKS is a proven reliable design and ammo is readily available and I didn't mean get any SKS fans all butt hurt or anything I just don't like the feel or obviously the looks of the rifle. The M1 also has the ability to hold more ammo (RELIABLY) versus the unreliable detachable high cap mag conversion of the SKS. I know someone is going to say they have the detach setup on thier SKS and it functions flawlessly but the 6 or 7 friends I have with them all have faulure to feed issues from time to time and we all know Murphy always shows up at the most inopportune times.

 

[Smokey Joe]

I'm presuming, here...

that we're in an "urban combat" situation, that ranges will be at most a couple dozen yards, and mostly 'way less than that. We're house-to-house clearing--a truly icky form of warfare. We have a squad of 10 or 12 men, who have been fighting together for long enough to know each other. Oh, yeah, you're right there with me, Dr. 2 B--Bring your SKS and a bandolier of strippers, and your nastiest attitude.

The M1 is lighter and easier to handle, and its mags hold more rounds. Yes, stripper clips are quick to load in the SKS, and I wouldn't feel badly armed with that, but more bangs per change beats fewer bangs per change in a firefight. I'll have a bandolier of "15's," thank you. The 30's are long enough to catch on things.

The .30 Carbine round has been derided as a "lightweight," but at close quarters it ain't gonna make any difference.

BTW, we'll need bayonets fixed on both weapons for this, and a good supply of grenades. I'd really like a SAW with us too, please. I want a squad rifleman, also, in case we encounter a sniper.

Yes, I believe in "overwhelming force."

 

[GunsBeerFreedom]

SKS, mostly because of slightly more stopping power, better range, and if I have to whomp some skulls, the SKS is heavier and better at whommpin.

 

[armoredman]

I'd go with the paratrooper SKS, had one years ago with a fixed 30 round mag, worked very well. Also SKS D came in a para configuration, so you could get an SKS that take AK mags. Just some thoughts.

 

[black_powder_Rob]

the carbine is lighter and handier and like others said it works very well within 200yrds. You did say in a pinch and I am assuming that in a pinch means that they are right up on top of us. SO a 15 or 30 rnd m1 carbine would be my choice. Plus it is American made, I mean come on..no contest.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Either would work.

I picked the SKS since I'm more familiar with them.

 

[61chalk]

The M1 probably is going to be reloaded faster for more rounds fired, but its basically a pistol in rifle form. The SKS is going to do more damage an penetrate walls an such much better. For the above reasons I would pick the SKS, ...also you can get AP for the SKS for even better penetration when something is trying to hide....

 

[rcmodel]

Most folks in a SD situation would find "penetrating walls much better" to be a BAD thing.

Unless you find yourself in a TEOTWAWKI situation, over-penetration is not desirable, and could land you in the slammer for killing the BG, as well as the neighbor next door.

I'd take the GI issue M-1 Carbine over any SKS ever cobbled together by conscripts in a third-world country.

rc

 

[Dr_2_B]

BTW, I voted SKS Para... and not just cuz I already have the M1 and now want a trooper. I agree the M1 is about the handiest rifle I've ever picked up, but I believe the 7.62X39 wins out.

 

[Al Thompson]

Got both, voted SKS. "Pinch" could mean lots of things, including hunting. Bit more punch with the SKS, though a 110 grain JSP performs way better than most would expect.

Your question is sort of like - would you like 50 cents or a half dollar?

 

[dougw47]

I voted M1...the are neat...but the SKS I had shot well and was fun. You can almost buy 2 SKS rifles for the price of 1 M1. Either way, you are a winner.

If the SHTF...guy on another said he and his .22LR would get me all the AK's I want. LOL

 

[CornCod]

I have owned both rifles. The Paratrooper SKS is a great rifle. Its so much handier than the longer-barrelled version. For me, the M-1 Carbine's round id too anemic. Field stripping the SKS is a breeze, the M-1 Carbine not so. That darned bolt-nut thingy is aggravating.

 

[Al LaVodka]

I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but, the SKS. I am not a fan of ChiCom stuff but the .30 M1 Carbine is a really really good, albeit big, pistol. I have to go with the 7.62x39 and the reliable gun that shoots it. 'course I need a chest bandolier and lots o'ammo on strippers...
Al

 

[Ignition Override]

We often see the words "Commie junk". Those comments seem to imply that we don't have much "American junk", and maybe we don't.
My imitation M-1 carbine, built by Auto Ordnance was brand-new in October 2007.
After four weeks and gentle handling the bolt became very stuck. This would probably not happen with an authentic M-1 Carbine.

The factory performed the free repair. I was so dismayed by the factory's initial quality control that I sold it, bought a standard Norinco SKS.
There have been about four stovebolts in 2,000 rds. (only Russian ammo), but no actual malfunctions.

This 'Commie Chinese rifle' is much better quality than my imitation ('07) all-American "M-1 Carbine". You can ask Phil, the gun smith at
(Memphis) "Guns and Ammo" who looked over the carbine and kept his hands away from it.

 

[RainDodger]

Personally, if I have to fire a junk rifle, it will be an American one. I won't buy an SKS or AK or Russian ammo simply because. In my day, they were not nice people to be around and it's a personal choice not to buy their stuff now.

That would limit me to the carbine!

 

[Carter]

If by in a pinch if you mean that one type of situation were not really allowed to talk about on here...ahem...I'd say sks just because ammo is more plentiful.

Home defense though, I'd probably go for the m1 carbine. Don't particularly think the 7.62 is gonna be good for w/e is behind the target.

My vote was sks.

 

[Tommygunn]

Probably the M-1 Carbine.
With 15 or esp. 30 round mags there's more firepower.
I am more familiar with it.
I have nothing against the SKS, I just don't have one. Yeah the ammo it uses is more powerful and more "available." Atleast at stores. If you order over internet .30 Carbine seems very available.

I don't know how easy it is to field strip the SKS. Carbines are fairly simple; a cartridge case can be used.
BTW the short stroke piston should not be removed during a simple field strip on the carbine, as an earlier poster said; the piston nuts are usually staked, and removing them and replacing them may bugger the threading if done wrong.

 

[leadcounsel]

The SKS is a better weapon in my opinion. Fires a heaftier round. Better for HTH fighting too. The only drawback is the slower reloads, but you can get proficient with that, and you can top off when needed with lose rounds. Very rugged and durable. And it shoulders better for me personally than the M1 Carbine, which is quite small.

 

[ccsniper]

I have both, love both, shoot both, and choose both. I can't really prefer one to the other.

 

[loadedround]

Reloaded ammo with soft point bullets can do a lot of damage in a SHTF scenario. That would equal a hot 357 mag in an 18" barrel. Nothing to be ashamed about about that load in my opinion.

 

[USSR]

 

[skidooman603]

As per usual I agree with RC. Had way too many SKS jam and screw me. Good old American US M30 Carbine for 50 yd and in engagement. Push out past 100 then the story would get a little complex


rcmodel
Member


Join Date: September 17, 2007
Location: Eastern KS
Posts: 20,127


Most folks in a SD situation would find "penetrating walls much better" to be a BAD thing.

Unless you find yourself in a TEOTWAWKI situation, over-penetration is not desirable, and could land you in the slammer for killing the BG, as well as the neighbor next door.

I'd take the GI issue M-1 Carbine over any SKS ever cobbled together by conscripts in a third-world country.

rc
__________________
If you don't belong to the NRA
Don't come whining about it when the next Gun Control Act gets passed!

 

[skidooman603]

USSR
Kind of a srange mix of old and new but I like it

 

[longdayjake]

M1 carbine all the way. For me its all about hits. I can get many more hits at 300 yards with the sights on the carbine than I can with the sights on the SKS. For that matter, my groups with my carbine at any distance are much tighter than my groups with my SKS. I just can't shoot rifles with the sights in front of the action. Maybe its my eyes or something but I really struggle with it.

Then add the fact that capacity and reload time for the carbine are far superior to the SKS and its an easy choice.