What to look for in a SKS - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

slipey76 · 06-27-2008, 08:18 AM

I was at a gun shop the other day looking to trade my savage .243 and winchester 12 gauge pump. I saw some SKS's sitting on the rack some were pretty used and beat up but most were in good condition. They were all yugo's. I have shot SKS's before but really do not know much about them except they are a longer version of the AK from what I know. What should I know when buying these. I know this is a very broad question but would like any kind of answer. Thank you.

Ishpeck · 06-27-2008, 09:08 AM

Look for a chrome-lined barrel. Barring that, be sure to get grenades to go with your grenade launcher. :P

billbrasky · 06-27-2008, 01:54 PM

same round as AK and similar in many ways, like easy to care for uber reliable, so so accurate, but plenty accurate, often inexpensive etc. Both commie both same era both have not so awesome sights.

Pluses for the SKS are they are milled not stamped, and have a bolt hold open device for your last round. and are usually cheaper.

Look for a Chinese or Russian if you can. Get chrome lined barrel. Not a fan of the yugos I have seen, or the price for what they are. They are heavy, rougher looking, and I am sure einheit can tell you the exact nuances. With regard to the yugos and CR stuff, you have to be careful what you remove. Not gonna end up in jail, I don’t think anyone has been prosecuted, but its still the law, and who knows when you go to the range or take it hunting some field agent sees you. Some detail with the grenade launcher you can’t remove it, and it is heavy as hell, and something like putting on a bayonet is bad also. But oddly enough a bayonet on my norinco is fine and helps me keep CR status. Something to that effect. I never much bothered to memorize it since I don’t think I would ever buy a yugo myself.

fishngrits · 06-27-2008, 10:14 PM

SKSs are not related to AKs in any way, except caliber.
I have a Yugo, and it's a decent gun, but it's longer, heavier, and doesn't have a chrome lined bore, like my Russian. I prefer the handier Russian, w/o the grenade launcher attachment, the Yugo has. Some of the Chinese models are nice, too.

Whatever model you decide on, clean the firing pin and the firing pin channel thoroughly before you shoot it, so the free floating firing pin doesn't get stuck in the forward position and cause a slam fire. Or, get a spring-loaded firing pin, like the early model SKSs had.

06-27-2008, 08:18 AM	#1
slipey76 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Carrollton, Ga Posts: 316	What to look for in a SKS I was at a gun shop the other day looking to trade my savage .243 and winchester 12 gauge pump. I saw some SKS's sitting on the rack some were pretty used and beat up but most were in good condition. They were all yugo's. I have shot SKS's before but really do not know much about them except they are a longer version of the AK from what I know. What should I know when buying these. I know this is a very broad question but would like any kind of answer. Thank you. __________________ Springfield XD .45 1800 rds and counting, no failures S&W Sigma 9mm 2000+ rds no failures DPMS Lower with Del-ton Upper Yugo SKS 7.62x39

06-27-2008, 09:08 AM	#2
Ishpeck XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 4,024	Look for a chrome-lined barrel. Barring that, be sure to get grenades to go with your grenade launcher. :P __________________ When given a chance to issue letters of marque and reprisal against Bin Laden, Congress voted against it and instead, voted the Patriot Act into law. Tells you who they think their real enemies are. http://www.ishpeck.net/

06-27-2008, 10:14 PM	#4
fishngrits XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: The Great State of Louisiana Posts: 341	SKSs are not related to AKs in any way, except caliber. I have a Yugo, and it's a decent gun, but it's longer, heavier, and doesn't have a chrome lined bore, like my Russian. I prefer the handier Russian, w/o the grenade launcher attachment, the Yugo has. Some of the Chinese models are nice, too. Whatever model you decide on, clean the firing pin and the firing pin channel thoroughly before you shoot it, so the free floating firing pin doesn't get stuck in the forward position and cause a slam fire. Or, get a spring-loaded firing pin, like the early model SKSs had. __________________ I'm The Walking Dude...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-27-2008, 01:54 PM	#3
billbrasky XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: suburban detroit Posts: 2,493	same round as AK and similar in many ways, like easy to care for uber reliable, so so accurate, but plenty accurate, often inexpensive etc. Both commie both same era both have not so awesome sights. Pluses for the SKS are they are milled not stamped, and have a bolt hold open device for your last round. and are usually cheaper. Look for a Chinese or Russian if you can. Get chrome lined barrel. Not a fan of the yugos I have seen, or the price for what they are. They are heavy, rougher looking, and I am sure einheit can tell you the exact nuances. With regard to the yugos and CR stuff, you have to be careful what you remove. Not gonna end up in jail, I don’t think anyone has been prosecuted, but its still the law, and who knows when you go to the range or take it hunting some field agent sees you. Some detail with the grenade launcher you can’t remove it, and it is heavy as hell, and something like putting on a bayonet is bad also. But oddly enough a bayonet on my norinco is fine and helps me keep CR status. Something to that effect. I never much bothered to memorize it since I don’t think I would ever buy a yugo myself.