So are the SKS good shooting reliable rifles? What calibre do they fire and how many rounds are allowed in the magazine? Are they usually one caliber or are they available chambered in different calibers?
thanks guys
RVD,
If you look at the forums, you will see that there's a whole section devoted to the SKS. A few people dislike them, but a vast majority of us either enjoy them greatly or at least purchase one for occasional practice. If you check the Canada Ammo website, they have 1140 round cases for about $200 shipped to your door, but are selling out fast. Marstar also used to carry the same ammo. Currently Marstar and SIR seem to be out of the rifles, though perhaps Lever Arms or a couple of dealers out west may have them. You should be paying under $200 for a Chinese SKS shipped to your door. Even if you decide to collect in other areas, it never hurts to have one SKS.
Mosin Nagant rifles and carbines, the rifle of Czarist Russia and the USSR are currently readily available in many varients. SIR has the 91/30 rifle and M44 carbine (with side folding bayonet) for $139.99 and $149.99 respectively. If you check the Tradeex Canada site, you'll find a far wider selection of rifles and carbines. Currently there is a dearth of surplus ammo, though soft point ammo from Igman and Privi Partizan are being imported for $10-15 a box, which is a bit less than what you'd pay for domestic ammo in similar calibres. A couple of dealers (Marstar, Districorp) have had 7.62x54 ammo in the past. I should also note that the this cartridge is considerably stronger than what the SKS uses, making it better on larger game. On a related note, the Russian Tokarev rifles are semi-autos that are sometimes imported, though costing closer to the tune of about $500 if you can get your hands on one.
There's currently some Russian Capture 98k Mausers taken from the Germans at the end of WW2 that were re-arsenalled and put into storage. Tradeex has a few left, and they are both interesting historical pieces and with a good bore, decent shooters.
If you were a more experienced shooter who likes to reload, I'd also suggest the Swiss K31 carbines, which are of a straight pull bolt design. They are also reasonably priced and highly renowned for accuracy. Despite the 7.5x55 designation of their ammo, the bullets are .30 caliber which is highly available after you've gotten the dies and brass. It does not look however as though the commercial ammunition being imported to the US will be available here any time soon.
I hope that gives you a few interesting ideas to ponder and check out....
Cheers,
Frank
