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View Full Version : So, I have these three rifles


tpd223
10-24-09, 03:03
Well, four actually, but I can't figure out how to edit the title on this.

This kind of runs in to the preparedness thread, and may end up a bit of a ramble, so please bear with me.

Over the past few years I've condensed my pistols down through use, training, and need to having my serious carry battery being Glock 9mms of various sizes and S&W J frame .38s, selling or trading off all my other brand 9mms and other caliber pistols.
My thinking is that I have standardized on ammo, TTPs, parts, support gear, etc (and the Glocks are obviously easy to work on) and I have all of my CCW, duty, match and training pistol needs covered with these two systems.

At work I use my Colt carbine set-up with a T1/LaRue mount, etc. and I have another Colt (carbine as well, I think it's a 6520 without looking).
I've shot the AR/M16 system for almost 30 years, I have also been to Ken Elmore's armorer school, and several "name" AR training courses (including Pat Rogers and TDSA) so I have a bit more than a passing knowledge of these guns.

Over the years as a gun accumulator (in no way am I a collector) I have ended up with a SAR-1, SAR-2 and a couple of Norinco SKSs, one a plain vanilla model and the other a 16" gun that is factory made to use AK mags, all have been safe queens for years.

The AKs are fun and I used them to familiarize myself with running that system, the main reason besides getting a great deal that I bought them, basically the same for the SKSs.

At this point in my life I am giving serious consideration to dumping these guns and using the money for more ARs, another T1, or parts, ammo, a 6.8 upper, etc. (things that I will get more use out of most likely),,,,,,,
or going the other route and learning to work on these systems so that I can keep them running long term.

I have not really run the AKs hard like I have my ARs, so I have no idea really if the Romanian guns are worth owning or if they are POSs.

If they are durable in the long run I may keep them (especially the 7.62 as I have a Metric ass-ton of magazines and ammo), so this is my primary concern.

I also worry about being able to get parts for these guns if they take a dump on me down the road some day, a situation with my ARs and Glocks that I have well covered.

Outside of the caliber differences that someone might bring up (I am well aware of the advantages/disadvantages of the 5.56 vs 7.62X39mm rounds, and what the 5.45 is capable of), I'm not sure at this point why I need an AK vs using my ARs that I have so much trigger time and training on.

So, long ramble closing, are the SAR 1 and 2 durable in the long run?

Can they be run hard like one would want a fighting rifle to be capable of?

If they are keepers, who does parts for them, and perhaps armorer classes?

Anyone have any experience with a Norinco SKS that runs AK mags?

How durable have the import Norinco regular SKSs been?

I know, alot of stuff to ask about, but I figure one wandering thread is better than four.

Failure2Stop
10-24-09, 09:22
I think that any serious student of fighting guns should have at least one AK. The AK is a viable and useful platform, though a bit quirky. I personally prefer 7.62X39 AKs as the round brings something to the table in the area of cover destruction and wounding potential over the 5.45 options.

My opinion- keep one or two AKs and their 7.62x39 ammo and mags.
Launch everything else to support your AR and AK blood-lines.
The Romanian AKs aren't held in terribly high regard. If I had the stockpile of guns, and mags that you allude to I would probably try to turn all of that into one really nice 7.62 AK from a quality source with a leftover beater companion gun, though I would forgo the beater in order to have a more robust primary.

tpd223
10-25-09, 21:23
That's my quandary;; Go big, or get out?

I like AKs as much as anybody, but I find myself thinking maybe I should use these guns to improve my AR battery.

If I keep them I'll feel the need to figure out how to be an AK armorer, etc.