Tula, Ishevsk?

hairygrump

hairygrump

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Hello, PAL has just been issued and I have to start making choices. I am buying a SKS, the cost of shooting it is just too reasonable and the rifle itself fits my budget and needs, (plinking, deer hunting). I'm curious to know if there's a major difference in quality between the different manufacturers (Tula and Ishevsk) and a noticeable difference in how rifles from each shoot? I'm not planning on adding too much to the rifle, I may get the trigger group worked on in the future, and am planning on shooting both milsurp and quality ammo for hunting through it. Sorry if this has been covered in the past but I have searched and there's a ton of stuff in this forum, (been researching for almost 6 months and I'm still not done!!!) so thanks in advance for any info you guys can throw me.

Al
 
hairygrump said:
Hello, PAL has just been issued and I have to start making choices. I am buying a SKS, the cost of shooting it is just too reasonable and the rifle itself fits my budget and needs, (plinking, deer hunting). I'm curious to know if there's a major difference in quality between the different manufacturers (Tula and Ishevsk) and a noticeable difference in how rifles from each shoot? I'm not planning on adding too much to the rifle, I may get the trigger group worked on in the future, and am planning on shooting both milsurp and quality ammo for hunting through it. Sorry if this has been covered in the past but I have searched and there's a ton of stuff in this forum, (been researching for almost 6 months and I'm still not done!!!) so thanks in advance for any info you guys can throw me.

Al
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As far as i know, they are same quality, only marking differ but the Ishevsk are less common because they where only made in 1953 and 1954 at the Ishevsk plan. So you cant go wrong with a Tula or a Ishevsk.:)
Jocelyn
 
If you want a Russian SKS to shoot, there's no real difference. The Izzies are rarer, as SVT said, and the "fit and finish" can be a little nicer on them in non refurb form. After a refurb its all the same. The worst looking of my 8 is a 53 Izzy, but it shoots like a dream.

If you're looking at trigger work, note that 52 and later have a slightly different trigger group and will have chrome lined barrels (many 51's do too). I'd just get a nice refurb right out of the crate and have at it. You WILL start buying others later.
 
I just purchased a Russian SKS from the fine folks at Westrifle (a sponsor here, listed at the top of the pages), and while I can't comment on it's operation (yet), based on the physical condition of the rifle, the excellent and prompt service (they shipped it via DHL and it showed up the day after I ordered it), and the patience they took with my 101 newbie questions, I wouldn't hesitate to spend more of my money with them.
 
There are many different finish levels. A non-refurb of either Russian is going to look great. I have heard (from someone who should know) the Izzy's have a better finish than Tulas.

Even a refurb Russian will likely have a nicer finish than a Chinese Military (i.e. Marstar) SKS, since the Chinese were serious cost cutters it seems.

However, if I could only have one sks, I'd keep the chinese on and sell the Izzy. The Chinese is at least twice as accurate and came with a slightly lighter trigger. I also didn't mind tapping holes in the receiver or trimming the stock to fit the choate scope mount.
 
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All I have to say is that Izhevsk was a smaller plant, plus simanov himself used to work there. I can pick out an IZZy in a pile of ten in second. It is definitely different. In my life I saw ( mind you that we chose rifles for every shipment ourselves we fly overseas) probably around 20 000 SKS out of those only about 2000 were Izzy. So are those rare HELL YAHA
 
LarryG said:
There are many different finish levels. A non-refurb of either Russian is going to look great. I have heard (from someone who should know) the Izzy's have a better finish than Tulas.

Even a refurb Russian will likely have a nicer finish than a Chinese Military (i.e. Marstar) SKS, since the Chinese were serious cost cutters it seems.

However, if I could only have one sks, I'd keep the chinese on and sell the Izzy. The Chinese is at least twice as accurate and came with a slightly lighter trigger. I also didn't mind tapping holes in the receiver or trimming the stock to fit the choate scope mount.
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I was under the impression that the russians shot a bit tighter group than the chinese rifles. As far as the stock goes, I'm a woodworking guy and I love the grain on those laminated stocks. It know it might be sacrilege to some of you guys but if I have some plans about refinishing if I can get the right one.
 
westrifle_sks said:
You have to know where to buy and you will not miss.Also never buy painted bold this is where you miss.

Cheers,
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I don't own a painted bolt but some guys on here who do own both will tell you that their painted bolt is more accurate than their others. Me personally?! {so glad you asked:p} I have a chicom and an Izzy light refurb {only a brand new laminate stock} Not only does my Izzy shoot straighter it looks better and of course is better made. Thanks once again Jacques:D
 
My Izzy 54 is the most accurate of my 5 SKS 1zzy 53, Tula 53, Tula 54, Chinese 26, the chinese was brand new, my russians are all refurbs... JP.
 
I have both 1954 Tula and Izhevsk, both non-refurbed from the very first batch. Both look very similar, fit and finish is almost the same, both have golden bayos(just dried out factory grease), however I think that the Izhevsk made one is a better shooter. I only fired probably 40 rds from Izzy and 20 rds from Tula at different times, so it's IMHO...
 
Hello everyone.
Izzy or Tula does not matter. The condition of the rifling is most important if you after accuracy.
If you after collectible value than it is Izzy over Tula.
Quality also cannot be based on place of production but on average Izzy wins. I have seen Tula that are exceptional but I have seen a lot of them.
I have shot both Izzy and Tula that came from our shipment and no difference in accuracy.
So in my opinion you have to ask yourself what are you expecting out of your future rifle.
If you looking to buy Russian SKS look for crystal clear barrel (most of them come chromed barrel). Most of painted bolt rifles comes through issuing so naturally it was shot from therefor accuracy is not same as non-pained bolts in most cases. In addition soldiers did not care about scratches or anything else like it.
I cannot comment on Chinese SKS as far as I know you have to know which factory it came from. Also you have to know if it is military or commercial variation.
Early rifle were built with "assistance"' from Russians using same tooling and in some occasions with Russian parts. Those seems to be more desirable by most people here.
If you looking to buy Chinese look for military variation,chrome lined barrel. Chinese known to cut corners and some barrels were not chromed !!!!
Chinese SKS are tricky, you have to do more research to know which one to get.
I am sure there is some one here that knows more then I do about Chinese but if you have question about Russian rifles you can send me a message and I will happily answer them.
 
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