Yugo 59 or 59/66?

[honkeoki]

I want to get a Yugo SKS while they're still affordable (my dad got me a Norinco for my birthday once, but he borrowed it once and never gave it back).

My question is this: should I spend an extra $60 and get a 59? Or should I go cheap and get a 59/66?

I've done a lot of reading and some people seem to think the grenade launcher has a negative effect on accuracy ... and the gas shut-off valve is subject to leaks/breakage...

This will be a range/wild pig gun and accuracy beyond about 50 yards is just icing on the cake. Still, I'm really nerdy and I want the rifle to be as accurate as possible.

And if this has already been covered, please direct me to the proper thread.

Thanks, all.

 

[davek]

IMHO, if you want a working gun as opposed to a collecting gun, get the 59. The only things a 59/66 has over the 59 is its a little cheaper and it looks kewler.

Of course, that opinion is from a purely practical standpoint.

If you're looking for a collecting gun, then I guess it's a toss up. the 59/66 has the cool gizmo's, but the 59 is a little more rare.

 

[jefnvk]

Is having no GL worht the extra $60 to you? If so, go 59. If not, go 59/66.

I have bnever heard of the gas switch causing problems, other than a person insisting all things made by the Yugos were crap.

As for accuracy, I've herad some say things both ways. My opinion is on a rifle like that, getting a bad barrel is going to have a more noticable effect than the GL for most people.

Maybe spend the extra $60 on an unissued 59/66. Mine looked like it came off the assembly line yesterday.

 

[DMK]

This will be a range/wild pig gun and accuracy beyond about 50 yards is just icing on the cake. Still, I'm really nerdy and I want the rifle to be as accurate as possible.

I'll have to dissagree with Davek and say that for a working gun you should get an unissued 59/66. IMO, the M59s are for collectors. They aren't in as nice shape as the *unissued* 59/66s and aren't usually as accurate. Unless you can get an unisued condition M59, which I haven't seen for sale anywhere.

Don't worry about the gas shutoff valve. The folks with problems are those who got the cheap, worn out, "shooter" grades. These rifles saw a lot of corrosive ammo and poor maintanance in service. If you get an unissued and mantain it, you won't have a problem.