SKS Russian vs. Chinese

I had the same dilemma and bought both, from weimajack.
The Izzy refurb has better finish, better machining.
The trigger guard was machined from a solid billet, and is beautifully made.
On the other hand, the Chinese military trigger guard was stamped/welded then machined. You can see the difference in all the parts.
Both triggers were creepy, Izzy was 8.5 lbs, Chinese was 6.5 lbs.

However, the Chinese gives me twice the accuracy of the Izzy with open sights.
After doing the triggers on each, the Chinese has a slightly nicer trigger due to the lower pull wgt, and the fact that it was my second effort.

So if you want a gun that really shoots, get the Chinese military. I'm told they are all good shooters. If you want one that has great looks up close and don't mind rolling the dice on accuracy, get a Russian. If you still don't know what you want, get both.
It's nice to have an extra anyway when you go shooting with friends.
 
I just looked, one of the 2 Chinese SKSes I bought on the same day has a stamped trigger, one machined. The Russian trigger guard is machined, but there is no "super quality" there apart from the nicely striped stock. I still can't get an AK mag into the Russian like I can on the third Chinese SKS.
It is a bit like asking which budget escort has more teeth.
 
I'd be tempted to get the Russian over the Chinese Military one. Why not get the original? Either way, avoid the later civi Norinco ones. I had one and had too many FTF with it. Ditched it for a '51 Tula and haven't regretted it one bit!
 
A Chinese version of any other gun is half-price or less.

Just look at a Chinese 1911, AR-15, or a CZ clone.

But a Chinese SKS costs as much as a real Russian one.
 
Welp, I can weigh in on shooting the Ruskie now; took mine out today and fed it the remnants of my last case.

Real fun to shoot; handled the two-year-old ammo perfectly, firing all 60 rounds with only a single hiccupe at the very end; the very last round failed to go off, but that felt like the round itself and not the rifle. As to accuracy, I put together a group of 5 through iron sights; 4" spread at 50 yards.

I wasn't braced on anything, mind you - that was standing and shooting. Seemed pretty good considering the wicked wind we had here today.

Worth it to get a ruskie.
 
I'd get the Russian.

If it is a 1950 Russian, you are lucky enough to have a spring loaded firing pin, anything older than that and it is free floating, and requires more cleaning so you don't get the dreaded slamfire. Even if it is post 1950, I still prefer the Russian
 
linuxbman said:
I'd get the Russian.

If it is a 1950 Russian, you are lucky enough to have a spring loaded firing pin, anything older than that and it is free floating, and requires more cleaning so you don't get the dreaded slamfire. Even if it is post 1950, I still prefer the Russian
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Ummm; No bud. The older production had spring loaded firing pins.
 
Linus, read what you wrote, you said anything OLDER than 1950 has a free floating firing pin, in your original post. Anything OLDER than 1951 has an original spring loaded firing pin, which you noted correctly in your second post...:)
 
pisces-guy said:
Linus, read what you wrote, you said anything OLDER than 1950 has a free floating firing pin, in your original post. Anything OLDER than 1951 has an original spring loaded firing pin, which you noted correctly in your second post...:)
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Whoops, I'd meant later, not older. Well, I was right in my head, I just typed it wrong.

@plinker 777: I recant my snarky 'bud' at the end of my last post.
 
linuxbman said:
Whoops, I'd meant later, not older. Well, I was right in my head, I just typed it wrong.

@plinker 777: I recant my snarky 'bud' at the end of my last post.
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No worries; It's all good. I wasn't being "snarky" with my original comment. My understanding is that '49's and some '50's were spring loaded. 1950 and more recent were free floated. Perhaps I'll use more icons to prevent confusion of my posted intent:)
 
I would like to add that while the Russian guns are generally much nicer to look at, and are well made, I was surprized at how nice the Chinese Chu-wood "cleans up" when properly sanded and tung oiled. That, combined with the fact that Chu-wood naturally resists rot, makes it a good outdoor shooter stock... Just say'in :)
 
I think the Russian guns are better built and more durable than the Chinese. The Chinese have always been pretty lax in the quality control of their raw material, and the only premature failures I've heard of from owners, or read of online have been Chinese SKS's. The Russian guns use good steel and have decent workmanship.
 
pisces-guy said:
I think the Russian guns are better built and more durable than the Chinese. The Chinese have always been pretty lax in the quality control of their raw material, and the only premature failures I've heard of from owners, or read of online have been Chinese SKS's. The Russian guns use good steel and have decent workmanship.
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The only failure to operate properly I have witnessed was by a "new refurb" Russian SKS (it even had a tooth embedded in the stock). The gun had been purchased at Epps (which is a very good dealer; where I deal) cleaned and reassembled properly.
I was at the Rifle Range, shooting my cheap Norc SKS and another guy shows up after I'd fired of 50 rounds or so. I was a new member at the club so I finished my rounds, secured my weapon , put up the green flag and went over to introduce myself. We had a nice conversation (mostly about SKS's) and he showed me his latest aquisition and after he fried a few rounds, offered me to shoot a few. He loads the mag, hands me the SKS and I shoot 1 round; casing ejects, but it did not feed. We both look at it and I make a couple of suggestions. We can't figure it out, so I offer him a chance to shoot mine. He's impressed. He goes back to his SKS works on it a bit, fires off a couple of rounds, then has another problem. Works on it a bit longer and then gives up, choosing to shoot his BLR for a while. All the while I'm shooting mine with no problems. After another 50 rounds I pack up say goodbye and leave. I have not seen him since so I don't know if he figured it out.
You can get good and bad Russian or Chinese SKS's, but generally both perform well, and the rest is just splitting hairs over differences of models: chrome vs non-chromed barrels, floating/non floating firing pins, etc.. You hear the same BS on the Main Battle Rifle forums : Norc vs. Springfield M1a's.
It's always best to inspect the rifle before purchase and deal with a reputable dealer who offers warranty service. The SKS is a great gun.
 
SKS RIFLES;
There seems to be a lot of confusion between Chinese military and the thousands of Chinese "civilian" versions offered by Norinco and Polytech over the years....

The ones we offer are the “real thing” they are military production SKS rifles, manufactured in the early 1960s at factory "26", the Soviet supervised arsenal at the Jianshe armory.

They were made for the Chinese armed forces and placed in long term storage, where they remained until Marstar purchased them a few months ago.

These Chinese military rifles have heavier stocks than their “civilian” counterparts, they feature machined receivers and screwed in chromed lined barrels....

IN SHORT THESE RIFLES ARE;
True military models.... Brand new.... They feature ALL matching numbers.. ..

NOT refurbished.... NOT reconditioned.... NOT arsenal re-manufactured....

Magazine capacity has been tastefully reduced to five rounds in accordance with Canadian law. No ugly welds, no unattractive added parts in the magazine.

I hope this clears up a few of the questions.
John
 
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