858 or SKS?

jfred

jfred

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I know this is probably the eleventy-billionth post on this topic, but I just don't care (if everyone used the search function, we'd have nothing to talk about :D).

Anyways, I'll be getting my PAL soon and I've narrowed down my decision for a purchase to something in x39 since the ammo is cheap and plentiful.

That pretty much leaves my options as either an SKS or an 858 and I'd like to hear your guys' opinions on the matter.

Of course I won't be able to make an informed decision on a purchase until I actually go to the local shop and handle the two guns, but I figure it can't hurt to have some of you share your opinions and experiences.

At this point I'm leaning slightly more towards the SKS since it's cheaper and I'm poor. Convince me. :)

PS. Don't tell me to get a .22 for a first gun! :yingyang: That's a given, and my Uncle has a few spare ones floating around he can give me for a good deal (read: free).
 
Well the CZ is around $699 new I believe, maybe used on the EE for $500-$600 so if you can't afford it go for the SKS. I personally don't care for the SKS. Not because it doesn't perform but just simply not my style. IMO go for the 858 if you can afford it otherwise the SKS is a decent cheap fun gun to shoot! But thats my $0.02, you should look what is realistic and go from there. Good luck deciding!!
 
You can buy 3 SKS for one CZ.

SKS is a traditional rifle/carbine with fixed mags, blued metal and solid or laminated arctic birch stocks, while the CZ is a civilian version of an as----lt rifle and its box magazine fed, got painted metal and pressed wood furniture.

CZ is a little bit more accurate.

Both are extremely reliable.

So what floats your boat?

Both are great guns, and I'd get both if I had more money to spend on this hobby.
 
I suggest you get the SKS if price is an issue. I wanted to get the CZ, but after fab defense stuff, optics, ammo, gun case, oil and what not, youre looking at 1500$ or more. People told me to get a .22, but I getting the SKS. Marstar has a deal for a 75$ SKS if you buy 1400 rounds for 279$. With a scout mount, Red dot and all the rest, youre looking at like 600$ and youll have a sweet rifle with tons of ammo to practice with. I mean I dont even own the SKS yet and dont own a gun, but I've been online shopping for hours and hours and got good advise on here, and I think an SKS is the way to go. Biggest bang for your buck IMO. Im just a newbie though, so my advice isnt worht much. LOL.
 
Brian Sharpe said:
Not trying to hijack the thread but why Russian over Chinese? Better quality?
Click to expand...

I've got a Russian refurb from T.E.C. It's excellent.
I don't have a Chinese one, but I have always heard the Russian ones are superior.
I consider the 858 and the SKS, more of a fun gun than a hunter, so if I were to only have one, it may as well be the SKS.
If I were to use the rifle as a hunter, I would spend the extra money and get the 858. Definately more accurate.
 
I think I've made my decision. Seeing as how the SKS is so much cheaper, and considering most everything else being more or less equal (reliability and whatnot) apart from a possible slight(?) accuracy advantage going to the 858 (which wont make much of a difference anyways at the ranges I'll probably be shooting at), I've decided to go with an SKS. :) Preferably a Russian one, since I've heard the quality of Russians being higher than Chinese ones. Maybe I'll get an 858 down the road when I'm more financially stable. The SKS leaves me with more money left over to spend on ammo. :D
 
jfred said:
I think I've made my decision. Seeing as how the SKS is so much cheaper, and considering most everything else being more or less equal (reliability and whatnot) apart from a possible slight(?) accuracy advantage going to the 858 (which wont make much of a difference anyways at the ranges I'll probably be shooting at), I've decided to go with an SKS. :) Preferably a Russian one, since I've heard the quality of Russians being higher than Chinese ones. Maybe I'll get an 858 down the road when I'm more financially stable. The SKS leaves me with more money left over to spend on ammo. :D
Click to expand...

Good choice, good logic.
Sure you'll be happy with your decision.:)
 
For what its worth - I've just come back from a carbine match and I saw one good reason for getting a 858 over a SKS: reloads!

If you plan to compete in these matches then you will have to reload your SKS with stripper clips. That takes time and can cut up your finger tips. With the 858 you just change mags.

I'm not saying you can't do carbine matches with a SKS but the SKS shooters were noticeably slower today (these are timed events).
 
I have both, I have literally not shot a single round out of the SKS, possibly not even touched it since I got the CZ 858. Sad but true... The CZ 858 is worth 3x more IMO
 
The SKS is a great rifle. Just take the bayo off and it is light, handy and accurate enough for Eastern deer (short range).

The Marstar military SKS are the equal of the Russians. I think the Russian looks better.

The CZ is more accurate and the mag changes are fast enough to work in CQB. The big problem withthe SKS in CQB is that you can't reload until it is empty. The CZ can change mags when 1 round is left in the chamber.
 
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