School me on the SKS

[1168]

If I were looking for a SKS, that exists for sale, with the goal of shooting steel out to 500yds with the factory sights, what model would I look for and where? Yes, I realize that I must do some internet searching, but I figure there’s at least one of you that has like 20 of them.

There’s a casual Korean War-themed match I go to every year and everyone and their mother has a M1 or M1D, except the dude that has a semi M1919. Next Feb, I’d like to not borrow a M1. My AK is worthless past 300.

[Clint]

In 1993, SKS were $99 each and they were everywhere.

Shooting the exact same round, why would an SKS be any better than an AK past 300?

[1168]

Shooting the exact same round, why would an SKS be any better than an AK past 300?

In order of consideration:

Its more correct to the Korean War theme.
The longer sight radius might help.
I seem to remember them being very slightly more accurate, practically.
Its more prone, sandbag friendly.
I don’t have one anymore, and they’re kinda cool.
There’s a tiny velocity increase.
Strippers are almost as retro-cool as en-blocs or semi Brens.

Conceptually, its sorta like the commie’s M14, in that it has no good reason to exist, but is oddly pleasurable to shoot prone on a KD flat range. I suppose I could look for an Arisaka or something instead if “good” SKSs are no longer common.

Thanks for the video.

[OutofBatt3ry]

If you can get one cheap, they're worth owning.

With what they're bringing now(at least 6 months ago when I was looking at prices, $700+ for Chicom variants), not worth it.

I like mine. Was gifted to me but was bubba'd out and wouldn't run; Tapco stock, missing the factory fixed mag, etc. I really didn't think I'd like it, but a free gun is a free gun. I tracked down all the missing OE parts, installed a factory mag, cleaned the crap out of it, and ended up keeping it.

I've only shot it to 200 and it did surprisingly well; not close to MOA, but plenty good for minute of man.

[Ron3]

Mine were always a little bit more accurate than my several AK's.

Triggers are much worse than AK triggers.

My 16 in was less accurate than AK's, avoid that one. I know you were getting a 20 in anyway.

Firing prone you'll want a longer stock.

Last shot hold open is nice.

They are fun to shoot. Maintenance is super simple and they are extremely reliable. An SKS was my first semi auto centerfire rifle and I've had a few.

The round will hurt ya though. Look up the drop & wind drift of the 7.62x39. Its bad.

[SteyrAUG]

If I were looking for a SKS, that exists for sale, with the goal of shooting steel out to 500yds with the factory sights, what model would I look for and where? Yes, I realize that I must do some internet searching, but I figure there’s at least one of you that has like 20 of them.

There’s a casual Korean War-themed match I go to every year and everyone and their mother has a M1 or M1D, except the dude that has a semi M1919. Next Feb, I’d like to not borrow a M1. My AK is worthless past 300.

You need the Fantasy Island edition that was made in East Germany according to the recommended specs of Larry Allan Törni.

[SteyrAUG]

In order of consideration:

Its more correct to the Korean War theme.
The longer sight radius might help.
I seem to remember them being very slightly more accurate, practically.
Its more prone, sandbag friendly.
I don’t have one anymore, and they’re kinda cool.
There’s a tiny velocity increase.
Strippers are almost as retro-cool as en-blocs or semi Brens.

Conceptually, its sorta like the commie’s M14, in that it has no good reason to exist, but is oddly pleasurable to shoot prone on a KD flat range. I suppose I could look for an Arisaka or something instead if “good” SKSs are no longer common.

Thanks for the video.

In almost every case they are substandard to AK rifles. I understand your thought process, but they aren't the Soviet block M14, they are the Soviet Block M1 carbine.

[Bret]

I don't have 20, but here you go. There's much less variation among SKS version than AK's. They're pretty much all functionally the same with two exceptions. Some Chinese versions have 16" barrels. They were made for the US market. There are also some Chinese versions that take AK mags. Neither of these versions would be correct for a Korean war SKS. In fact, the only one that would be correct is the Russian. Nobody else was making them at the time, including the Chinese.

[Screwball]

I got a Yugo SKS with the grenade launcher… as well as blanks and practice grenade. It’s a good rifle, but it’s an antiquated design. The SKS was designed during the end of WWII.

I also found a non-import marked Chinese SKS. It is a Vietnam bring back. Has pencil writing on it that has a date, name, and unit. Again, nice rifle… but if it couldn’t be shipped directly to me (C&R), I wouldn’t have got it.

If I picked up another SKS… it probably would have to be one of the stamped Chinese. Just an odd part of history… which I like.

But shy of the historic value, I really don’t see the point to get one. It shoots 7.62x39mm and is semi-auto… ok. So does any AK. So does the Mini-30. Both of those at least have detachable magazines. SKS rifles used to have the same going for them as Mosin Nagants… being cheap. But that time is long gone. Granted everything jumped up in price… but if you are paying $500+ for a SKS, why not spend a little more and get an AK?

Well, unless you live in an AWB state.

[SteyrAUG]

I don't have 20, but here you go. There's much less variation among SKS version than AK's. They're pretty much all functionally the same with two exceptions. Some Chinese versions have 16" barrels. They were made for the US market. There are also some Chinese versions that take AK mags. Neither of these versions would be correct for a Korean war SKS. In fact, the only one that would be correct is the Russian. Nobody else was making them at the time, including the Chinese.

As much as people like to clown on the SKS, I do wish I had grabbed a Russian laminate when original (unrestored) ones were coming in cheap. It's an interesting part of small arms history. Also almost grabbed a Chinese SKS that took AK mags (what some call D models) but there were too many other great buys at the time so it never happened.