While reading the AR threads it got me wondering if you guys have anything else. I've got 2 Chinese type 56 SKS's. Would love to have an AK some day. But I won't trade my SKS's because they are so reliable. And SKS love here?
Nothing wrong with an SKS...solid, reliable firearm with decent accuracy. I certainly wouldn't discount it for most normal shooting activities
I wouldn't trade mine . I hear people bragging about the AKs all the time , and talk junk about the SKS. To me , the AK is just a shorter version of the SK. My SK is iron sighted in at 300 yds , and when I put my modified upper receiver cover on it with my 3x9 x40mm scope on top of it , it makes it just that much better. Instead of spending the money on an AK , I'd put that money on a Lapua.
I love the SKSoperating system. I have played with them a lot. Here in GA, where the white tails really arent very big, loads of people hunt with them. My nephew killed his first with an SKS ........ I think its a rarity too.. takes AK magazines. A few years ago when I thinned my rifles down I sold a CZ-VZ58. They use a SKS gas system but, have AK styling. Great rifle ...... far superior to an AK in my opinion.
I have had three SKS carbines. A Norinco, which I sold, though it shot well and was reliable. A Yugo, with grenade launcher and sights. Loved it, but it was stolen. The larger size and greater weight made it very stable on the bench, and accuracy was excellent. My current SKS is a 1957 production "Pseudo-Sino Soviet", serialed later than the true SS guns, but physically identical, Russian parts and styling. Blade bayonet. Excellent accuracy and reliability. Military production. I use my own handloads, so ammo gives best accuracy, though Remington commercial brass cased is very good too. The best thing to ensure good accuracy in an SKS is good ammo!
Have a very sweet shooting Chech SKS with all the bells and whistles, shoots lights out all day long and is a solid 400 meter rifle with the right ammo! Have a little Norinko incased in a plastic pipe with 200 rounds of good ammo with it and a full kit of spairs! Wouldn't trade a bad SKS for a good AK ever!!! Now even better yet is a very nice little Veper in 5.56 and another in 7.62X39, those are my hand outs when needed, and are also burried in pipe some place around the Ranch! Got the SKSs when Big5 was selling them for $100 apiece, and the Vepers were $200 with nice arsonaled hardwood stocks! Also picked up a super rare Jungle carbine SMLE nickle with conical flashhider for $179 back when a Moron Haven't was $99!!!
Haha...had to think a moment on the Mosin Nagant reference....but my two cost a total of $70...can't complain, plus give off nice fireballs at night!
Had one with a folder (Russian) as a truck gun for years, traded it for a PSA AR that I later sold. I miss the SKS, damn reliable firearm even though I never was impressed with the accuracy past 200 meters.
One of these days , I may try and get one of those 7.62x39 AR platforms . With a few SK's laying around and a Mini 30, having an AR platform rifle might be nice , and not needing to keep multiple ammo's around.
Don't own one, I have heard they make great hog/deer guns. Last one I saw in a shop was priced at $ 650.00, Guess most of you have made a great investment!
The SKS is the Rodney Dangerfield of the black rifles. A great sleeper rifle that doesn't stand out too much and can be accurate enough for sniper use.
Nice little rifles that some how made it under the radar all these years! Wish I had picked up a few more back when the prices were so cheep, just to have them around! Never know when a pack of Wolverines might show up and have need!
When I had my Yugo M59/66 SKS I was pretty impressed with its accuracy using iron sights and it being easy on beginners w/ its low recoil. Had the trigger re-worked at Kivaari's - highly recommended (not associated w/ kivaari)! Over the years I saw so-called grenade launchers that shot golf balls (using blanks). Overall, it's a cool looking rifle that drives weird people nuts because of the evil bayonet and large black muzzle device . Just tell them the wood stock means it's for hanging above the fireplace. The SKS seems a little expensive now compared to when I got mine ($125). Sure would be nice to see another flood of them come in again.
Im seein alot of people say they got SKSs for 100 buck or so. The last time I saw one for sale it was in the 500 range. Im sure the same goes for all the good ol surplus firearms............ but dang! Its gettin hard to find a Deal! 2 years ago I sold an Ishapor Enfield for $575 on consignment. We looked up the blue book value and sure enough..... the value of these $50 rifles has gone through the roof over the past 10 years. Its crazy. Im ashamed to say that I GAVE a #4 Enfield jungle carbine to my oldest nephew for his first hunting rifle. Those little buggers are worth a premium now.
I can remember when you could get a Chinese SKS for $69.99 at almost any retailer, gun shop, or gun show. Then came Clinton and nothing has been the same ever since. My only complaints about the SKS rifle is the ones sold with a pinned barrel. They were notorious for having the barrels loosened up after just a few hundred rounds.