Is an SKS a "must have" rifle?

[Zephri]

Pretty sure the standard sks's barrel is around 20". unlike mine

 

[SavageEagle]

Thanks for the comparison! I was going to ask to see yours but wasn't sure you saw the thread...

Clay, you're def'lly looking at a 20" Norinco. I'd jump on it. Seriously. They are every bit as accurate and a LOT more than your AK and you don't have to break the bank buying more ammo and ammo cans. I'd buy it if I had the money!

 

[printcraft]

I just got one that was covered - inside and out - in cosmoline. Unfired!!!!!!!!

Blue is perfect on every inch. The stock had a rough
finish varnish that looked like it had sand in it.
Dissassembled, baked and boiled the cosmo off.
A little citrus strip on the stock and a new coat of gunstock stain and 5 coats of tung oil later. Beautiful. Can't wait to get to the range.

 

[SavageEagle]

PICS!!!

 

[printcraft]

PICTS!

Will do, I'll get some tonight.

 

[Slab]

Why?? plz explain?

Im worried about russian import ammo when/if the ban comes. i know a few places in the US make it, but not as cheap as wolf.

 

[anthony010]

I have an sks with tapko and tapko 20 round mags so I dont feel the need to buy an ak but I do want to eventually get an ar. I say if you have an ak you dont really need a sks but they are very fun, and you do already have the ammo if you wanted to get the sks at a good price.

 

[38special]

I love my SKS.

Don't reall feel like I have a use for an AR where I'm at. The AR has the SKS beat on accuracy long range, but where in Indianapolis am I going to have to shoot bad guys at 600 yards? I'm stick with the Mosin in that event. SKS will take care of me just fine in a SHTF situation, with a much larger round than the 223.

 

[SirRealism]

I think the idea of "must have" has to take into account how many rifles you own. My first rifle was an SKS, and I'll never get rid of it. I second what 38spsecial said about the utility of it vs. an AR in most situations.

That having been said, if you already have an AR and an AK, then I might look at a Mosin. Even less expensive than an SKS, and more bang than any of the others mentioned. But if you did that, you'd have yet another caliber of ammo to buy. That's a pain.

ETA: I've never heard of anyone regret having bought an SKS or a Mosin.

 

[Clay]

hehe, already have a couple mosins, and enough ammo to feed them both for a while.

 

[SavageEagle]

You guys are making me want to go have another SKS Shoot, but this time in the snow! It's a shame I don't have the ammo for it!

 

[SirRealism]

hehe, already have a couple mosins, and enough ammo to feed them both for a while.

Good deal. Well, if you do buy the SKS, I doubt you'll lose money on it if you decide to purge at some point.

 

[SirRealism]

You guys are making me want to go have another SKS Shoot, but this time in the snow! It's a shame I don't have the ammo for it!

Yeah, I agree completely on all counts. Do you think your van would make it down/up that hill in Bloomington in 12" of snow? I'm sure I'd be hiking.

 

[SavageEagle]

Yeah, I agree completely on all counts. Do you think your van would make it down/up that hill in Bloomington in 12" of snow? I'm sure I'd be hiking.

Down, yes. Up, no. I wouldn't mind hiking either now that I have a bag for everything. I just don't have the ammo to do so. I'm going to take it to the range again though cause I got two more mags coming that I need to test.

For all you SKS owners who use Tapco Mags.....

Unload them and take the bottom plate off. Pull the follower out and look for a burr where it's been formed together. If there's a burr there or on the back side file it off and your mags won't stick when loading and I'm hoping they won't give me anymore FTF halfway through the mag...

 

[printcraft]

PICS!!!

Picts away.

I stripped it from stem to stern. Boiled the small parts, dried and oiled.
Baked the receiver/barrel on low to get the cosmo into a liquid and then hit it
with gun scrubber & reoiled. Came out smooth!

bad picts, crappy camera

 

[SavageEagle]

Very Clean! That's gotta be the nicest SKS I've seen next to the one my dad has. Last I saw it it was flawless like yours!

 

[SirRealism]

That's a nice looking SKS. Is that a Norinco?

I have a Yugo in the garage that, when time permits, I'll be cleaning and refinishing. I hope it turns out as nice.

 

[jblomenberg16]

Very nice norinco! One of the cleanest I've seen!

 

[MyGlockRocks19]

Thats a fine looking SKS you've got there!

I dunno, I would have considered them a "must have" back when they were cheaper, but now...you'd arguably have a more versatile rifle spending the extra money to get an AK. If you can find one on the cheap, though, I'd definitely snag it up.

 

[4PWW9]

I agree...
If you can find an SKS under $200, it's well worth the consideration.
I remember the good ole days of the $69 SKS's right out of the crate, with no extra charge for a lifetime supply of cosmoline.