Educate me on the SKS

fiddler said:
I have a Norinco commercial model from the eighties that still shoots flawlessly after 30 years and cases upon cases of ammo through it. Its the only consumer model I have, certainly for decades, when someone says these models are inferior, my evidence says otherwise. They came from the same factory as the military ones.
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Dude They don't have a toad sticker!
 
EL34/6L6 said:
..and of course mileage will vary from user to user. One shouldn't assume that because one tried it and went back to original form that everyone else will eventually do the same.
What is a mall ninja anyways? I keep seeing this term used but no one seems to know why it's used. It's quite the far fetched exaggeration. I take it that the person who coined it was significantly scorned or jilted regarding aftermarket accessories? Or they were the "get off my lawn" type? I'll assume the Buck Rogers reference also reveals a somewhat crusty yesteryear outlook as well?
Kurgs, you are wise and educated on the topic of SKS', and I wish all longtime SKS users possessed your viewpoints and open mindedness.
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I don't get the buck Rogers thing either? I think he was a baseball player or manager. I think he managed the expos in Montreal. With the aftermarket I think most people are look to get the pistol grip feel. Most people laugh at the bayonet on the SKS. But I like the bayonet. I think it's a cool feature.
 
@ EL34/6L6:

Look, SONNY, we don't diss you because you're just a kid, but this is the MILSURP forum. We have guys on here who were being SHOT AT with SKSs before you were even a gleam in Daddy's eye.

You might cut THEM a bit of slack, too. Some of them just might know a thing or two that didn't come out of a Tapco manual.

The first rule of designing any military firearm is KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. The SKS, as built, is simple and reliable. Its single weak point was and remains the corrosive ammunition.

Seriously, do you think that Russia doesn't know how to make plastic? They know very well how to make it, but they built the SKS with WOOD or LAMINATED wood because it STOOD UP better. It is only in recent years that plastics have been developed which remain relatively stable. In a cold climate such as we have here in our North, a plastic stock will shatter in the cold, leaving you without a weapon. Why else do you think the Number 4 Rifle, although an antique by most estimations, remains the rifle of CHOICE among our Rangers?

Chemically, Germany was the world's most advanced country as far as plastics were concerned in the WW2 era. They used phenolic-resin plastics for handguards on the Kar-43, for the handgrips on the MG-42, the P-38 and the StG-44 and for the OUTER frame (the grip portion) of the MP-40. But that was IT. And those ALL were parts which could be replaced quickly and easily. Breaking ANY of them did not stop the weapon from being USED.

Modern plastics are a lot better, but MOST of them still harden (due to outgassing) after they are made and they do NOT tolerate ultraviolet light very well. NO country wants to get into a war, open up its War Reserve arsenals... and have 8 million rifles crumble into dust before their eyes. THAT is why the Russians used Arctic Birch and Laminates for the SKS. They used the same things for the first 25 years of AK production, too, for the same reasons: plastics were not yet advanced sufficiently.

THINK before running off at the keyboard.

And try to cut down on the gratuitous insults.

You'll make a lot more FRIENDS.
 
this was possibly the best...no, THE best, up-braiding post I've ever read.

can't think of a single thing I'd change....great read !



I have two SKS...one is greasy, the other I shoot. Haven't run corrosive through it yet, just the MFS stuff. Still, I boil the kettle anyway (for the 91/30 and 8mm)..do the routine....no big deal.

To the OP: if it was my money, I'd grab one or two Russians while they are still very affordable....otherwise any variant is going to make a fun shooter.

good luck !


smellie said:
@ EL34/6L6:

Look, SONNY, we don't diss you because you're just a kid, but this is the MILSURP forum. We have guys on here who were being SHOT AT with SKSs before you were even a gleam in Daddy's eye.

You might cut THEM a bit of slack, too. Some of them just might know a thing or two that didn't come out of a Tapco manual.

The first rule of designing any military firearm is KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. The SKS, as built, is simple and reliable. Its single weak point was and remains the corrosive ammunition.

Seriously, do you think that Russia doesn't know how to make plastic? They know very well how to make it, but they built the SKS with WOOD or LAMINATED wood because it STOOD UP better. It is only in recent years that plastics have been developed which remain relatively stable. In a cold climate such as we have here in our North, a plastic stock will shatter in the cold, leaving you without a weapon. Why else do you think the Number 4 Rifle, although an antique by most estimations, remains the rifle of CHOICE among our Rangers?

Chemically, Germany was the world's most advanced country as far as plastics were concerned in the WW2 era. They used phenolic-resin plastics for handguards on the Kar-43, for the handgrips on the MG-42, the P-38 and the StG-44 and for the OUTER frame (the grip portion) of the MP-40. But that was IT. And those ALL were parts which could be replaced quickly and easily. Breaking ANY of them did not stop the weapon from being USED.

Modern plastics are a lot better, but MOST of them still harden (due to outgassing) after they are made and they do NOT tolerate ultraviolet light very well. NO country wants to get into a war, open up its War Reserve arsenals... and have 8 million rifles crumble into dust before their eyes. THAT is why the Russians used Arctic Birch and Laminates for the SKS. They used the same things for the first 25 years of AK production, too, for the same reasons: plastics were not yet advanced sufficiently.

THINK before running off at the keyboard.

And try to cut down on the gratuitous insults.

You'll make a lot more FRIENDS.
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Interpret it however you want man. I was asking legitimate questions. Still curious actually. Also, if someone puts down something another person likes in a rather sarcastic fashion, then I would expect them to stand up and give a jab back.
I also didn't see any suggestion that these plastic stocks were going to be used in any current conflict by any of the members, by the way. That tangent kinda came out of nowhere.
I suggest maybe a thicker skin when using forums(?) (no offence intended)
Not looking for a pissing contest, an age war or a wall of text battle either...Friendo.
 
For me.. the SKS is like a Ruger 10/22 out of the box..with a lager caliber... If collectibility is no issue ... Get a Chinese SKS.. from Marstar or Canada-Ammo...Function is as good if not better then the others on the market... The stock is soft and can damage easier... the magazine seems flimsier... but does not effect the function... .. The Yugos and Soviet have nicer stocks and character.. and feel beefier... either way... you can't just buy one with out the other... It would be silly not to.... they will not last for ever.... My 2cents.
 
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I've owned 2 chinese, 2 yugos.....own none now. The chinese was one of the first guns I ever bought, shot for a while when there was surplus non-corrosive around, but was never that impressed with it once the novelty wore off. I've never been a fan of the notch/post sights, same reason I don't own any mausers anymore either. Accuracy was never what I expect out of any rifle, all of them grouped poorly. They look neat, and they are durable and reliable, but they don't shoot as well as I want, so I don't have any in the safe.
 
I have a 54 Tula, was my second centerfire rifle.

I must say that the SKS is a fine rifle for what it was meant for!! It's good for quick rapid fire at 100 yards of closer. I've shot a crate or so through mine, it's never done anything but fire.

I've even shot it in -30 and again, it worked!!

For those of you that are under the age of 50, I googled this Buck Rogers fellow. Apparently he was on a TV show in the late 70's early 80's!

Smellie is very young at heart and we can usually converse without him loosing me, but I had no clue who the he'll Buck Rogers was!!:) actually thought he was a cowboy, think that was Roy Rogers, maybe his brother.
 
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