SKS rifles

[Seaweed02]

I am new to this forum. I found a thread about SKS porn, and that got me thinking about the rifle. I have never fired one before. I was the same way about the AK47 type rifle until I recently visited an old friend of mine in Arizona. He had an AK47 rifle that I shot, and it was so much fun that I just had to have one. While searching for the one I wanted on the internet, I found this forum, and here I am.

So anyway, I would like to ask the SKS owners if the SKS rifles are accurate? Are they different as far as the country of origin, make model, etc... Is one make, model, manufacturer better quality than the others?

 

[K_W]

They are originally Russian designed and built, as Russia likes to do, they shared the designs and tooling with other Communist countries, while originally keeping the AK for themselves. Some countries who have made SKS's are...

Russia
China (Imported to US by Norinco, Polytech, China Sports, ect.)
Yugoslavia (identifiable by grenade launcher muzzle attachment)
Albania (AK style Hook vs post on bolt carrier
East Germany (Rare)
North Korea (Rare)
Poland (Refurbed Russians)


Here is the best place I have found to learn about them...

Yooper John

In my experiance with my SKS and talking to other SKS owners, I have some advice if you get an SKS...

The SKS is regulated by 18 USC 922r (aka 922r or "The scary gun parts ban") http://home.comcast.net/~navy87guy/home/922r.html


Don't "Bubba" it. Enjoy it the way it came from the factory. I get good accuracy with just the iron sights at 50 yards. The SKS is not meant to have a scope, there is nowhere to mount one, the scope mount receiver covers available online DO NOT work without significant modification to the rifle. After market magazines also do not work well, and puts you under 922r. The only high capacity magazine that works as good as the 10 round factory magazine, is the rare and expensive 20 round chinese "Star" magazine. If yuo have to have a detachable magazine, look for a Chinese made SKS-D or SKS-M. They are designed to take AK magazines. Some people have had luck with the Tapco 20 round polmer magazines, but I have never tried one.

 

[SEIndSAM]

I had a Yugo SKS for about 6 months and it was a hoot to shoot. Inexpensive rifle, fairly accurate to 200 yards and fairly cheap surplus ammo. Only rason I sold it to a family member was it was the only 7.65 firearm I had and wanted to consolidate calibers and they are fairly difficult to put optics on. If your cool with open sights, get one.

 

[chuddly]

I have shot a couple and they are pretty accurate. I was hitting targets in fairly rapid succession at 100 yards

 

[cobber]

SKSes are just too sexy for words.

 

[K_W]

SKSes are just too sexy for words.

Agreed.

 

[Seaweed02]

I won't bubba it

They are originally Russian designed and built, as Russia likes to do, they shared the designs and tooling with other Communist countries, while originally keeping the AK for themselves. Some countries who have made SKS's are...

Russia
China (Imported to US by Norinco, Polytech, China Sports, ect.)
Yugoslavia (identifiable by grenade launcher muzzle attachment)
Albania (AK style Hook vs post on bolt carrier
East Germany (Rare)
North Korea (Rare)
Poland (Refurbed Russians)


Here is the best place I have found to learn about them...

Yooper John

In my experiance with my SKS and talking to other SKS owners, I have some advice if you get an SKS...

The SKS is regulated by 18 USC 922r (aka 922r or "The scary gun parts ban") http://home.comcast.net/~navy87guy/home/922r.html


Don't "Bubba" it. Enjoy it the way it came from the factory. I get good accuracy with just the iron sights at 50 yards. The SKS is not meant to have a scope, there is nowhere to mount one, the scope mount receiver covers available online DO NOT work without significant modification to the rifle. After market magazines also do not work well, and puts you under 922r. The only high capacity magazine that works as good as the 10 round factory magazine, is the rare and expensive 20 round chinese "Star" magazine. If yuo have to have a detachable magazine, look for a Chinese made SKS-D or SKS-M. They are designed to take AK magazines. Some people have had luck with the Tapco 20 round polmer magazines, but I have never tried one.

I feel the same as you, I wouldn't want to "bubba" the rifle if I get one. I fire the other military rifles I have, Mausers, Enfields, Garand, 1903, with open sights. It just seems more historical that way.

 

[Seaweed02]

That is all I need

I have shot a couple and they are pretty accurate. I was hitting targets in fairly rapid succession at 100 yards

Since I like to keep the original open sights on a rifle, 100 yards is plenty for accuracy. You say that you were hitting targets at 100 yards. Have you ever put an SKS to paper? If so what size groups did you get from a benchrest at 100 yards?

Anyone feel free to chime in if you have shot an sks for groups.

 

[chickenman]

I personally own both a norico and a Yugo sks. They both shoot very actuarially in my opinon. The Yugo weighs somewhere around 4lbs heavier then the norico does. But I love shooting both. Just pick an sks that catches your eye. I mean the finish you like and the price range you want spend and go have fun. You can't go wrong with an sks. Just don't bubba it. Lol.

 

[Slow Hand]

I've had a few over the years and have usually been pretty happy with them. You can't expect tack driving accuracy out of commie spec guns with cheap surplus ammo but able to hit a bad guy at a couple hundred yards isn't out of the question. On my current Norinco, I've installed a rear Tech Sight. It give a longer sight radius and a much better sight picture, as well as better adjustability. Id say they ate about the only worthwhile accessory for an SKS.

 

[GaDawg]

Luv mine it's a yugo with a tapco stock and the scope kit with twenty rounds hanging out the bottom.

 

[davedolli]

I have a Norinco and a Yugo, they are both nice shooting rifles. I think the SKS is a good rifle for not a lot of money. There are good deals on here every now and then.

Dave

 

[92LX]

I really like the SKS

It is rock solid. Milled steel reciever, wood stock. Good stocks, and good stock design. When I had access to a nice range with steel plates I could routinely hit a 6" X 6" steel plate at 100 yards with the SKS, about 9 out of 10 times.

Heed the comments not to Bubba them. I could shoot mine all day long if I could afford it. I actually prefer the SKS to a 7.62 AK because the AK stock design hurts my cheek to shoot. Not so with the SKS.

Mine is Romanian. I personally think this is one of the best all around rifle for the money, or a do all rifle if you could only have 1.

 

[Seaweed02]

No, no, no please

It is rock solid. Milled steel reciever, wood stock. Good stocks, and good stock design. When I had access to a nice range with steel plates I could routinely hit a 6" X 6" steel plate at 100 yards with the SKS, about 9 out of 10 times.

Heed the comments not to Bubba them. I could shoot mine all day long if I could afford it. I actually prefer the SKS to a 7.62 AK because the AK stock design hurts my cheek to shoot. Not so with the SKS.

Mine is Romanian. I personally think this is one of the best all around rifle for the money, or a do all rifle if you could only have 1.

Please don't say "if you could only have one". That sounds just like my wife telling me I don't need anymore guns.

But I did buy her one not too long ago and she seems like she wants to learn about it. A step in the right direction.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I have a Yugo SKS and I installed the Tech Sights rear sight on it and it's pretty accurate. Haven't tried it past 100 yards, but it's a pleasure to shoot. As someone else mentioned, the Yugo is heavy, but that's probably why it IS such a pleasure to shoot. Very little recoil. (not that a 7.62x39 has a lot of recoil to begin with)

 

[chuddly]

Since I like to keep the original open sights on a rifle, 100 yards is plenty for accuracy. You say that you were hitting targets at 100 yards. Have you ever put an SKS to paper? If so what size groups did you get from a benchrest at 100 yards?

Anyone feel free to chime in if you have shot an sks for groups.

I didnt put it on paper i was just shooting at a 8" target and was hitting it probly 9 of 10. And like i said it was a fairly rapid rate of fire. I wasnt taking much time but i wasnt mag dumping either. They are heavy guns but that helps with the recoil. I dont know if i would ever get one but im not opposed to it either. they just fall between categories for what i do.

All my shots where taken kneeling or suppored on the bed of kawasaki mule so not "ideal" but not bad shooting support.

 

[Electronrider]

An average shooter with an average sks should be able to put every round fired into a 6 inch group at 100 yards. Anything better than that pretty much exceeds the scope of the weapons design.

I have an SKS 'D' that takes AK mags. I live this gun. It is a little shorter than most SKS's, and she sure does bark!

sksboards.com is an absolute gold mine if you want to understand the differences in all of the different models out there.

Everyone should have at least 1 7.63x39 semi auto rifle in their collection. Relatively cheap to shoot, and makes a great backup gun.

 

[Enfieldno4mk1]

I have a Norinco SKS and it is a blast to shoot. Also low cost ammo which is a real plus with the 10 round mag. I am not a great shot by any stretch, but I can still shoot about an 8" group at 100 yards with the iron sights.

 

[BEBOATS]

As for myself I really enjoy shooting a SKS. I've never had any problems
with the steel casings yet but bought some brass cased reloads and had too many fail to cycle so don't know the reason why guess it could be the
fault of who reloaded them but I think it is something to do with brass casings. I've never had any luck with 30 round magazines working but bought a Tapco 20 round and it works. Some of the Yugos have problems with leaking gas tubes and their barrels aren't chrome lined. The Norincos have all worked well for me. I'm going to try one of the rear mounted peep sights and hope it helps for old eyes.

 

[ar1973]

I bought my first one way back in the day when you could walk in bradis and they had full cases of Russian ons I think I payed $ 69 for a laminent one with all the accessories. I remember they had a sale if you bought a whole case you got them for $59 a piece . any how I bubbafied it (DUHHH) then traded it to my uncle still kicking my self, a few years ago it got a nice norinco one all numbers matched and bubbafied it ( 2nd DUHH) then traded it . well a few months ago my dad came to visit and handed me a box and said I could have it if I didnt alter or get rid of it I said ok then opened it and guess what it was the Russian one he bought the same time I bought my first on . still in the box all the packing accessories and never fired all numbers matchong pristine condition . (no bubbafying) but yes You shoud get one and like everyone said leave it be the are truly amazing guns and the ones Ive had where spot on acurate . I have a cousin that murders coyotes with one out to 200 yard. ( the first russian one I bubbafied) just my 2 cents