Choosing an SKS?

degreeszero

degreeszero

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There are a lot of versions of the SKS rifle out there. The stickies offer lots of facts, but what are peoples opinions on "the best" quality SKS version out there? Also, is there an easy way to identify the SKS version with the firing pin spring, say from photos, etc. or markings? Is the SKS w/ FP spring the best model?

Thanks for your thought.
 
I think that the russians are of the highest quality. The only sks that came with a sping loaded firing pin were the ones made from 1949 through part of 1951.

I have a '51 Tula that does not have a spring loaded firing pin. Although the early russians are desirable an after market kit is available for any sks. If the firing pin is kept clean and not oiled it will be fine. the bigest cause of slamfires is because of dirt in the firing pin channel that causes the firing pin to stick
 
What do you want it for? There are some models which are rare and therefore more valuable to collectors.

For most people they just want a good quality one for target, plinking, or hunting. For this any of the Russian, Yugo, and most of the Chinese are fully up to the task. Just find one in good condition at a price you're happy with.

I personally have a chinese, yugo, and russian and I'm happy with all of them. If I had to pick one, it would be the russian.

You don't need the firing pin spring. Just keep the firing pin clean and dry (no oil). It works well for thousands and thousands of sks's out there.
 
what do you think of the new chinese ones if you just wanted a shooter to add sights and a stock to and weren't concerned with future value?
 
ratherbefishin said:
what do you think of the new chinese ones if you just wanted a shooter to add sights and a stock to and weren't concerned with future value?
Click to expand...

Yeah, it would be great for that.

Although I wouldn't worry too much about the future value of almost any SKS in Canada. Shoot them and enjoy them.
 
degreeszero said:
There are a lot of versions of the SKS rifle out there. The stickies offer lots of facts, but what are peoples opinions on "the best" quality SKS version out there? Also, is there an easy way to identify the SKS version with the firing pin spring, say from photos, etc. or markings? Is the SKS w/ FP spring the best model?

Thanks for your thought.
Click to expand...

There are lots of SKS rifles available for sale from dealers and on EE. The bottom line is what you want to pay. If you can pick your own rilfe in person then you will not be dissapointed with the rifle you get in the mail if it's not up to your standards. A good deal in the lowermainland is between $180.00 to $200.00 for a Russian refurb.
 
Kodiak Outpost said:
What do you want it for? There are some models which are rare and therefore more valuable to collectors.

For most people they just want a good quality one for target, plinking, or hunting. For this any of the Russian, Yugo, and most of the Chinese are fully up to the task. Just find one in good condition at a price you're happy with.

I personally have a chinese, yugo, and russian and I'm happy with all of them. If I had to pick one, it would be the russian.

You don't need the firing pin spring. Just keep the firing pin clean and dry (no oil). It works well for thousands and thousands of sks's out there.
Click to expand...
:agree:
Couldn't be better advise than this.
bjs7293 said:
There are lots of SKS rifles available for sale from dealers and on EE. The bottom line is what you want to pay. If you can pick your own rilfe in person then you will not be dissapointed with the rifle you get in the mail if it's not up to your standards. A good deal in the lowermainland is between $180.00 to $200.00 for a Russian refurb.
Click to expand...
Not true the $350 for a case of ammo and a rifle is:p
All joking a side, again another piece of great advise;)
 
Thanks for all the thoughts on choosing an SKS.

I'm on Vancouver Island, so the lower mainland is certainly within range.

In terms of interests, from what I've seen, I want the best all around SKS rifle: (1) reliability, (2) accuracy and (3) aesthetics. (If you've got other ideas on what defines "the best" then I'd interested in knowing about them.) Purpose and objectives: a non-restricted, semi-auto back up rifle for home, farm and shop.

Also, what are the best options for non-corrosive, accurate ammo for the SKS?

Again, thanks for your ideas!
 
Any tool should reflect its use. When I went shopping for my SKS, I wanted a hunting rifle, end of story! I didn't want a "collectible", a rare one, or a chinese one (due to some concerns about quality variations). I wanted a run-of-the-mill russian shooter that I could modify for my needs without feeling that I'd butchered a piece of history. I found one on the EE that was perfect for what I wanted. It was a good price, and came with the synthetic stock I would have bought anyway. I've since mounted a scope, cut off the bits that snagged on bush and brush, and I'm in the process of doing the final sighting in when I get to the range. There are tons of posts here in the red rifles section about the SKS, so if you browse, you'll get all the possible info you could need.
 
I have russians, chinese, and made for market late model chinese SKS. My best shooter is a chinese, with a russian tula 53 close behind it. Of all my buddies who have and shoot SKS, the best one of the bunch is a black bolt russian refurb that he paid 200 bucks for.


I'm still waiting for the arrival of the chinese military SKS supposedly coming into the country. I've looked at the factory 625s, but they seem pretty crude by manufacturing standards. I have no doubt there are plenty of good shooters in the batch, but I'm looking for some earlier models.
 
Russian with laminate stock is way to go imo. Can't really go wrong.

As for your ammo question, to fit that bill I'd say reloading is the answer.

600
 
600 Mohawk said:
As for your ammo question, to fit that bill I'd say reloading is the answer.

600
Click to expand...


There is good non corrosive ammo on the market. I favor PVRI Partizan. I posted this the other day on an ammo question. Tell me that this ammo is not good?

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx194/fiddlesks/Misc shots/IMG_0406.jpg



This was shot last weekend with my girlfriends CZ 527 bolt action, not with my SKS. This ammo is awesome and I could not be bothered to rerload when it shoots this well and is plentiful on the market. I've been stocking up.
 
Visit Gone fishing on Vancouver Island. They have few stores and also they have Ammo for you.
You will save money on shipping or boat ride to mainland.

Good Luck

degreeszero said:
Thanks for all the thoughts on choosing an SKS.

I'm on Vancouver Island, so the lower mainland is certainly within range.

In terms of interests, from what I've seen, I want the best all around SKS rifle: (1) reliability, (2) accuracy and (3) aesthetics. (If you've got other ideas on what defines "the best" then I'd interested in knowing about them.) Purpose and objectives: a non-restricted, semi-auto back up rifle for home, farm and shop.

Also, what are the best options for non-corrosive, accurate ammo for the SKS?

Again, thanks for your ideas!
Click to expand...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
fiddler said:
There is good non corrosive ammo on the market. I favor PVRI Partizan. I posted this the other day on an ammo question. Tell me that this ammo is not good?

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx194/fiddlesks/Misc shots/IMG_0406.jpg



This was shot last weekend with my girlfriends CZ 527 bolt action, not with my SKS. This ammo is awesome and I could not be bothered to rerload when it shoots this well and is plentiful on the market. I've been stocking up.
Click to expand...

Nice shooting. Was it soft point?
 
300Spartans said:
Nice shooting. Was it soft point?
Click to expand...


Yes, 125 gr soft point. That four shot group was a five shot group. If i didn't have the guys on the spotting scope I would have thought it was a miss on the fifth shot. I had five or six targets like that, the holes are touching on most of them. The CZ bolt action is a really good rifle, but absolutely I'm convinced that the rounds are top quality and consistent.
 
While I need an SKS like another leaky hole in my head, I've been ready to purchase one for the last little while. Only thing holding me back is the fugly mag configuration. Which brings me to my contribution to this thread.

SKS-D; I noticed nobody mentioned it? Any reason other than the fact it seems to go for roughly 3x the price of a Norc or russian SKS. From what I can tell looking at the few pics available, the D runs the same mag as the AK-47.

The standard AK mags don't have that 1.5-2" obtrusive front lip. I'm seriously interested in the AK version rather than the standard SKS. Any valid reasons for NOT going with the SKS-D other than cost?
 
The sks-D are just harder to find. They haven't been made for several years. I think the last time there was new ones available in Canada was about 4 years ago.
I have one in my personal collection. I don't shoot it much, but I do like it. Yes it uses AK mags. Are they worth the extra price? Yes for the novelty of it, not for the practicality.
 
sergey96 said:
Visit Gone fishing on Vancouver Island. They have few stores and also they have Ammo for you.
You will save money on shipping or boat ride to mainland.

Good Luck
Click to expand...

Yes, definitely. I'm a displaced Islander, and by the time you've spent $$ on ferries, fuel, and frustration, you will more than wipe out any savings you might have made on the gun. Have a look at what WSS in Nanaimo has; they stock SKSs and accesories too. They have 1120 rnd Czech milsurp crates for $200, which is a decent price. However, it is corrosive. Having said that, I was very impressed with Gone Fishing in Courtenay. Helpful, knowledgeable staff, and no lineups!
 
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