Choosing My First "Big" Rifle - Soviet Style

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Azurite

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Hello all!

I apologise if this topic has been discussed before but I am in a conundrum in what rifle to buy. I'm deciding between:

SKS - ~$200
SVT40 - $250
Mosin 91/30 $170

I'm moving on from a .22 and I'm trying to figure out what my next rifle should be. I will only really use the rifle at the range so something that is fun to shoot with reasonable time and cost requirements would be great.

I hear the SVT can be great fun to shoot, but can be really finicky and time consuming to clean. I also see that the SKS is probably the cheapest gun to shoot and it has reasonable accuracy.

My question is, if your sole purpose is to shoot at a range, which one would you buy? The Mosin, SKS or SVT40?

Thanks!
 
SKS.

If your only going to get one, get the semi-auto with the cheap-ass ammo.

Its not a match grade tack driver, but it sure is fun.



I dont have personal experience with the other two, but from what I hear/read, Mosins kick pretty hard, and the SVTs are not nearly as user-friendly when it comes to take-down/reassembly. Also the SVT accuracy diminishes when it heats up - that was a major reason the soviets dropped the rifle all together....

I'll let others chime in on them beyond that.
 
I really like my SVT40, i just got mine last month and i didn't find it any more difficult to strip and clean and reassemble than my SKS. i ran about 80 rounds throught it before it jammed, had to really giver to get a spent casing out but i still love it. i think it looks cooler than my SKS but i love em both so much..... get both..............and the mosin
 
SKS, hands down imho.
Reliable, fun to shoot and plenty of cheap milsurp ammo.
Lots of aftermarket upgrades & accessories are widely available if that turns your crank...
 
Suther said:
SKS.

If your only going to get one, get the semi-auto with the cheap-ass ammo.

Its not a match grade tack driver, but it sure is fun.



I dont have personal experience with the other two, but from what I hear/read, Mosins kick pretty hard, and the SVTs are not nearly as user-friendly when it comes to take-down/reassembly. Also the SVT accuracy diminishes when it heats up - that was a major reason the soviets dropped the rifle all together....

I'll let others chime in on them beyond that.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've heard a few negatives about the SVT....though it's still supposed to be damn fun to fire. I'm leaning SKS a little right now though...

purplemushroom said:
I really like my SVT40, i just got mine last month and i didn't find it any more difficult to strip and clean and reassemble than my SKS. i ran about 80 rounds throught it before it jammed, had to really giver to get a spent casing out but i still love it. i think it looks cooler than my SKS but i love em both so much..... get both..............and the mosin
Click to expand...

Haha, one day. I'm a student so my disposable income is still somewhat limited :p. The SKS is appealing because the ammo is so damn cheap, but I hear the SVT prices are gonna shoot up eventually and it might be a good time to buy (plus the ammo is still reasonable).
 
I don't want to be harch or mean or anything of the sort, all that said, what a dumb question, by all 3 or your #### will fall off!
 
Azurite said:
Hello all!

I apologise if this topic has been discussed before but I am in a conundrum in what rifle to buy. I'm deciding between:

SKS - ~$200
SVT40 - $250
Mosin 91/30 $170

I'm moving on from a .22 and I'm trying to figure out what my next rifle should be. I will only really use the rifle at the range so something that is fun to shoot with reasonable time and cost requirements would be great.

I hear the SVT can be great fun to shoot, but can be really finicky and time consuming to clean. I also see that the SKS is probably the cheapest gun to shoot and it has reasonable accuracy.

My question is, if your sole purpose is to shoot at a range, which one would you buy? The Mosin, SKS or SVT40?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I own all 3 but SVT40 is my favorite by far,

And maybe you should try and find someone on CGN willing to let you try theirs, just provide ammo and Im sure a few guys would be willing to help out.

Good luck
 
SKS, especially since you're coming from a .22.

Going from a .22 to a Mosin would be like driving a Vespa then hopping on a Harley.
 
I have an SKS and a Mosin, I actually like the Mosin better but that may be a preference to bolt actions lol. An SVT will be in my collection down the road. The SKS is great for blasting away, and unlike the SVT is simpler to clean and a cheaper to buy and shoot.

You could always see if your range does rentals, or post a can I shoot your SKS/SVT/Mosin message on your ranges bulletin Board.
 
Azurite said:
Hello all!

I apologise if this topic has been discussed before but I am in a conundrum in what rifle to buy. I'm deciding between:

SKS - ~$200
SVT40 - $250
Mosin 91/30 $170

I'm moving on from a .22 and I'm trying to figure out what my next rifle should be. I will only really use the rifle at the range so something that is fun to shoot with reasonable time and cost requirements would be great.

I hear the SVT can be great fun to shoot, but can be really finicky and time consuming to clean. I also see that the SKS is probably the cheapest gun to shoot and it has reasonable accuracy.

My question is, if your sole purpose is to shoot at a range, which one would you buy? The Mosin, SKS or SVT40?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

That's Soviet [big]? Go PTRD!

Failing that, I would go Mosin Nagant: more "oomph." It is forgiving, and a great primer for cleaning corrosive ammo. I generally like to go simple, prior to more complex builds - initially. And at their current costs + ammo - it is not a long wait for a wider variety. Furthermore, it is more comforting to non-shooters being introduced to the sport/passion.

Case in point, the bayonet (and insane length) is a joke: wholly impractical to modern warfare of the time. That will relax attitudes to the SKS+
 
Get the sks first! Use it, like it, enjoy it!
You will then be ready for the SVT 40. I did exactly that! Love them both. Cleaning is not much different. I love blasting away with he SKS. And I love the power and ###iness of the SVT... There is something "beasty" in this rifle.
And I think I will be ready for Mosin soon too.....
 
Mosin Nagant, you get the bigger round but you don't use as much of it because of the manual action (saves money). Plus if you are trying to work on your accuracy then the Mosin Nagant is capable of much more than a SVT-40 or a SKS. With the savings over the other two you can buy more ammo which is always a plus.
 
I own a few of each. By far the SVT is my favorite to shoot. Disassemble and reassembly of the svt-40 is very straight forward once learned.
 
I don't understand the question. It ALMOST sounds like you are considering buying an SKS, OR an SVT40, OR a 91/30. When clearly the question you should be asking is "How can I come up with the money to buy all 3." And you need more than one of each by the way.

Probably should start with the SKS though. :)
 
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