Which SKS? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

gotboost562 · 12-13-2005, 10:31 PM

I am thinking about getting an SKS to shoot. I have seen everything from Yugoslavian, Russian, and even Chinese models. Is one model particularly better than the other? I have typically seen the Chinese ones cost more than the others. Just one Chinese used one I have seen for $300 used: http://home.earthlink.net/~sasaki888/ I have seen the Yugo's for @150 or so at my local Turner's. Thanks.

-Mike

chupacabrachus · 12-13-2005, 10:46 PM

Yugo's can have problems with the gas-valves on them, but it can be fixed easily. I have a yugo, had the problem, fixed it, and couldn’t be happier. I'm not 100% positive on the other makes, it varies greatly from gun to gun, but generally I think Russians are a safe bet, Albanian’s kind of suck, but have a cooler bolt carrier, Chinese can be hit and miss and have notoriously gravel-like triggers. When you're buying, just check the mechanical integrity of the firearm. ESPECIALLY the bore. Look at the rifling of the barrel to see if it looks "crisp" for lack of a better term, not extremely fouled. Sometimes it's hard to tell w/ all of the cosmoline those things come packed in. Just take a good look at them. If possible (not likely), ask the gun-store person to disassemble it for you (if it's a YUGO) and show you the gas-valve. If this is all pitted and what-have-you, stay away from it.

http://www.sksboards.com/ for more info

mr0w1 · 12-13-2005, 11:04 PM

Many over at sksboards feel that the Yugo is the nicest SKS ever made, even better than the Russians and Chinese, except for the non-chrome lined bore, assuming one of the excellent condition guns. I personally love my Yugo 59/66. Great gun, very accurate (for an SKS and a x39 gun).

chupacabrachus · 12-14-2005, 02:45 AM

I forgot to mention anything about my yugo. It is extremely reliable (after the gas-system fix) and extremely accurate. I was very surprised the first time I shot it how accurate it was (greater than my expectations at least... DO NOT expect this rifle to be accurate beyond 2 or 300M). One reason people like it is due to it's thicker barrel and generally "heavier" other parts compared to other countries. They're all milled parts, not stamped. The barrel is not chrome lined/coated/whatever you'd like to call it however so you've just got to make sure to clean it out nicely. No biggie.

**hobocircus** · 12-14-2005, 05:14 AM

Never met a SKS I didn't like. I have a factory 26 Chinese SKS and it's really my favorite. No problems with it and it just shoots and shoots. My Yugoslavian is nice but the trigger pull is heavy. I like it for it's used in war looks, interesting grenade launcher and evil bayonet. Some of the Yugo 59/66s I have seen have replaced grenade launchers with some kind of black muzzle attachment. I like my original

Since you live behind the "Orange Curtain" the Yugo SKSs in your area will have the redesigned muzzle attachment. I think any SKS is probably a good one, just make sure it's in good shape. If you can dryfire it and make sure the trigger pull is something you can live with that would be a big determining factor on your purchase.
My friend has a Romanian and it's a good shooter. I would really like a Russian and a Albanian. Also I wish I picked up one of those short barrel jobs when they were plentiful.

dolanp · 12-14-2005, 08:29 AM

The unissued Yugos are a pretty good deal right now. Around 150-170 for a gun that's "new" from the factory, reliable, built like a tank, and fun to shoot. The Chinese ones tend to be a little more handy as they weight less and are shorter. Just inspect them well.

One of these days I'm going to get some blanks and make use of that grenade launcher.

Brickboy240 · 12-14-2005, 08:39 AM

There IS a difference in Chinese SKS models. The Norinco made commercial SKSs made in the 80 for sport were hit and miss and had awful triggers.

Then there are the 60's made Chinese military issue SKS rifles. These have milled receivers and blade bayonets and are made as well as the early 50's Russian models.

I have both a 1952 unissued Russkie SKS and a mid 60s Chinese military SKS and really, there is no differnece in how those things shoot and both are very well built. My Chinese and Russian are the most accurate of the four SKSs I own.

The Romanains were nice guns, but suffer from crappy stocks and not-so-nice metal finishes, but my 1958 Romanian SKS shoot very well, after I replaced the stock and polished the trigger group.

Condition is key on getting a good SKS. The trigger CAN be smoothed up a little, but you will never get a bolt-gun like trigger...its just not designed for that. But, keep in mind, this was an inexpensive stopgap rifle...not a match grade piece.

- Brickboy240

**Ed Ely** · 12-14-2005, 09:06 AM

Personally, I could care less about the make or
manufacturer as long as that sucker shoots.

To date, all of mine go bang, bang and none have
skipped a beat. Everyone should own at least one
SKS in their life, two or more if they have the coins.

Ed

**hobocircus** · 12-14-2005, 01:10 PM

Ed Ely

Quote:

two or more if they have the coins

I saved up some "coins" and would like a Russian or Albanian SKS to go with my China and Yugo.

Gunshow this saturday!

I hope it's good

Triaged · 12-14-2005, 08:12 PM

I like my russian sks. It was the first gun I ever bought. It was brand new, cash and carry back then. The laminated stock is hard to come by but looks very good

12-13-2005, 10:31 PM	#1
gotboost562 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Orange, California Posts: 118	Which SKS? I am thinking about getting an SKS to shoot. I have seen everything from Yugoslavian, Russian, and even Chinese models. Is one model particularly better than the other? I have typically seen the Chinese ones cost more than the others. Just one Chinese used one I have seen for $300 used: http://home.earthlink.net/~sasaki888/ I have seen the Yugo's for @150 or so at my local Turner's. Thanks. -Mike __________________ "If guns kill people, I can blame misspelled words on my pencil" - Larry The Cable Guy GIT-R-DONE

12-13-2005, 11:04 PM	#3
mr0w1 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,533	Many over at sksboards feel that the Yugo is the nicest SKS ever made, even better than the Russians and Chinese, except for the non-chrome lined bore, assuming one of the excellent condition guns. I personally love my Yugo 59/66. Great gun, very accurate (for an SKS and a x39 gun). __________________ guns.freaksho.net - My awesome gun website! More guns than ever! (Last updated: July 24, 2006)

12-14-2005, 05:14 AM	#5
hobocircus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Nevada Desert on a Dry Lakebed. Living in a trailer with thunderstorms looming in the distance. Posts: 3,375	Never met a SKS I didn't like. I have a factory 26 Chinese SKS and it's really my favorite. No problems with it and it just shoots and shoots. My Yugoslavian is nice but the trigger pull is heavy. I like it for it's used in war looks, interesting grenade launcher and evil bayonet. Some of the Yugo 59/66s I have seen have replaced grenade launchers with some kind of black muzzle attachment. I like my original Since you live behind the "Orange Curtain" the Yugo SKSs in your area will have the redesigned muzzle attachment. I think any SKS is probably a good one, just make sure it's in good shape. If you can dryfire it and make sure the trigger pull is something you can live with that would be a big determining factor on your purchase. My friend has a Romanian and it's a good shooter. I would really like a Russian and a Albanian. Also I wish I picked up one of those short barrel jobs when they were plentiful. __________________ Ported V-10 XD9 Service SOLD Tactical XD9 in Basic Black I like to shoot Wolf ammo out of my Hi-Point pistol and rifle.

12-14-2005, 08:39 AM	#7
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 9,853	There IS a difference in Chinese SKS models. The Norinco made commercial SKSs made in the 80 for sport were hit and miss and had awful triggers. Then there are the 60's made Chinese military issue SKS rifles. These have milled receivers and blade bayonets and are made as well as the early 50's Russian models. I have both a 1952 unissued Russkie SKS and a mid 60s Chinese military SKS and really, there is no differnece in how those things shoot and both are very well built. My Chinese and Russian are the most accurate of the four SKSs I own. The Romanains were nice guns, but suffer from crappy stocks and not-so-nice metal finishes, but my 1958 Romanian SKS shoot very well, after I replaced the stock and polished the trigger group. Condition is key on getting a good SKS. The trigger CAN be smoothed up a little, but you will never get a bolt-gun like trigger...its just not designed for that. But, keep in mind, this was an inexpensive stopgap rifle...not a match grade piece. - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

12-14-2005, 09:06 AM	#8
Ed Ely XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: 37.65N -84.76W (Elev. 932 ft) Posts: 7,803 Blog Entries: 1	I Like SKSs.......Just Because Personally, I could care less about the make or manufacturer as long as that sucker shoots. To date, all of mine go bang, bang and none have skipped a beat. Everyone should own at least one SKS in their life, two or more if they have the coins. Ed

12-13-2005, 10:46 PM	#2
chupacabrachus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,431	Yugo's can have problems with the gas-valves on them, but it can be fixed easily. I have a yugo, had the problem, fixed it, and couldn’t be happier. I'm not 100% positive on the other makes, it varies greatly from gun to gun, but generally I think Russians are a safe bet, Albanian’s kind of suck, but have a cooler bolt carrier, Chinese can be hit and miss and have notoriously gravel-like triggers. When you're buying, just check the mechanical integrity of the firearm. ESPECIALLY the bore. Look at the rifling of the barrel to see if it looks "crisp" for lack of a better term, not extremely fouled. Sometimes it's hard to tell w/ all of the cosmoline those things come packed in. Just take a good look at them. If possible (not likely), ask the gun-store person to disassemble it for you (if it's a YUGO) and show you the gas-valve. If this is all pitted and what-have-you, stay away from it. http://www.sksboards.com/ for more info

12-14-2005, 02:45 AM	#4
chupacabrachus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,431	I forgot to mention anything about my yugo. It is extremely reliable (after the gas-system fix) and extremely accurate. I was very surprised the first time I shot it how accurate it was (greater than my expectations at least... DO NOT expect this rifle to be accurate beyond 2 or 300M). One reason people like it is due to it's thicker barrel and generally "heavier" other parts compared to other countries. They're all milled parts, not stamped. The barrel is not chrome lined/coated/whatever you'd like to call it however so you've just got to make sure to clean it out nicely. No biggie.

12-14-2005, 08:29 AM	#6
dolanp XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: N TX Posts: 784	The unissued Yugos are a pretty good deal right now. Around 150-170 for a gun that's "new" from the factory, reliable, built like a tank, and fun to shoot. The Chinese ones tend to be a little more handy as they weight less and are shorter. Just inspect them well. One of these days I'm going to get some blanks and make use of that grenade launcher.

12-14-2005, 08:12 PM	#10
Triaged XDTalk Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 66	I like my russian sks. It was the first gun I ever bought. It was brand new, cash and carry back then. The laminated stock is hard to come by but looks very good

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