Help with confusion about desirability of SKS and Enfields

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sgt.rock

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I have very little experience with vintage army shooters. I have owned an Enfield No 1 mk3 and an Enfield No 4 Mk 1/2
I have never owned an SKS. I have only handled 1 sks, and the owner said the trigger pull was like the one on our pellet guns (break barrel) that we had as teenagers.........Long, gritty, unpredictable release and it was a Norinco from their early days.
Anyhow, In my research in recent months about getting an SKS and another Enfield, I got fairly confused about which of each are the best, and which I should steer away from.
The SKS's from China, Russia, and other places leave me more confused. Some have plain wood stocks, silver (in the white?) bolts, painted bolts, laminated stocks, different kinds of bayonets, So my question is:
If you had your choice of ANY SKS at your fingertips, what would be the one you'd take first, and last. (listing any plus'/minus's you have such as refurbishing, painted bolts, stock choices, place of manufacture, year of manufacture , etc as to what is a good feature and what is a bad feature)

The same goes for Lee Enfields. Were the Mk 1's better than the Mk 4's?
Was 2 groove rifling worse than 6, which had better triggers, better wood, better sights, fit/finish of factory output. (bubba hitting the rifle doesn't count)
With all the different makers /countries , and features, it is mighty confusing. This info is gonna be used to buy my next 2 guns. I am just looking for the majority voting on stock features that are best in each gun.
Thanks in advance.
:cheers:
 
Buy one of each. :)

Seriously, I have a Chinese SKS and it is fun. Performing a trigger job on the SKS is not that difficult if it is a bit catchy, there is an excellent video on line. I'm sure the Russian are better but mine has performed flawlessly for over twenty years now with basic care.
 
Enfeilds and SKS are two entirely different animals, but if you want to be more complete, Mosins, Mausers, and Garands would make a more complete show. They are all different and all have their strong points.


A couple hundred bucks for an SKS, you can't lose. The Russians are much prettier, but the Chinese Military issue rifles are new out of the case and never been fired. Either one is a good deal and surplus ammo is a reasonable price and fairly available.
 
I know all about the other guns such as Garands, etc. I am just looking to add both of the above guns to my locker in the next 2 months or so, and was looking to buy "what is considered the best" by the gun nutz.
If a Russian-laminate-non painted bolt-from 1945 thru 48 is the majority vote for example , then thats probably what I'll be looking for.
I guess I am looking for "Consensus rifles"............An Enfield and an SKS that have the most votes as per the features of each.
I want you guys to let me know the version of each that is considered best in your eyes(as a functional shooter and not a collectors item, cause I plan on shooting them lots) and why.
 
For better info on Red Rifles try posting in the Red Rifle Forum.
As for Enfields the Mil-Surp Forum is stacked full of info too.
Hope this helps ya out ;)
 
If you have experience with Enfields, the SKS is likely to disappoint you - It IS, however, ludicrously cheap to feed. Other than the Chinese one I tried a few years ago (which was less accurate than my shotgun with slugs), and the Tula refurb I bought a year ago (which is AS accurate as my shotgun with slugs), I have no experience with the breed.

If I could pick any Enfield, I would keep my eyes peeled for a No4Mk2, as being the best bang for the buck as a shooter. A Canadian Longbracnch would be nice, if you can find one - The interwebz have created quite the market for Canadian milsurp in this country, and you will pay a premium. I prefer the No4 rifles, because of the aperture sights, and heavier barrels.

If you prefer the sights / history of the No.1, then a Lithgow (Australian made) is what I would look for. 2 groove barrels are less desirable, but have proven as reliable as the standard five groove barrels most of the time. If you find a six groove barrel, grab it - It was originally intended for a Bren gun! (Slightly more valuable from a collector's point of view).

To quote my friend Mark, from the Pacific Northwest Enfield Preservation Society: "Enfield - There is no other brand!"
 
Cool, thanks for the Enfield info. I foolishly sold both my enfields (bought, and sold unfired by me) before I could even check out what I had, just to get another hunting rifle.
Now that I pretty much have the hunting rifle area covered, its now time to experiment with military guns.
I plan on getting an SKS, an Enfield, a Mauser 98, a Garand, and an M1 carbine. (maybe a jungle carbine also, as I just like the looks of the shorter barrels and flash hider)
BUT, I don't want to start buying them, only to find out that I bought ones with "the less desireable options" because I didn't know what to look for.
I still don't really know which SKS models are made best and most reliable.
I know most of what I need to know about the others on my list. Thanks for all the info so far.
 
I hunt black tail deer exclusively with my enfield no1 mk3 , i prefer it over the no 4 as it is much lighter..... but the above comments are true..... the no 4's seem to be the most popular for thier sights and tend to be more accurate due to thier barrels.
I have zero need for a higher end bolt gun...... I simply love the action and trigger on my enfield.
There are a lot of guys in the milsurp forum with massive amounts of experience behind the enfields and can give you solid advice before you make a decision. SKS's are so cheap that most guys i know just keep buying and selling them off till they find one that is a keeper. They are a fun gun though and very cheap to feed.
 
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