New shooter - SKS: Chinese or Russian?

Rusty_

Rusty_

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Hi guys,

I'm a brand new shooter and I'm trying to decide if a Russian SK45 or a Chinese type 56 is right for me. I've been reading up on them, and as far as I can tell, the Russian models are older and probably refurbished, while the Chinese may either be good or questionable quality. They seem to be about the same price, so I'm curious what you would advice I purchase for my first rifle.

I'd like to shoot it quite a bit, but I'm not sure if that factors into the equation.

There's a lot of info on SKSs here. I've read through the Stickies, but I'm still not sure if one or the other is a better buy.

Cheers,

Rusty
 
I thought the Chinese versions dried up? Lots of lower quality or good condition Russian's are around though. Haven't been considering them for a while now, just what I'm reading on the forums.

I remember a little while ago there were 'mint/unfired/non-refurbs' around... doesn't seem to be many now.

To the OP, buy one and shoot it a lot. They are fun and there's a lot of cheap surplus ammo for it. Make sure to clean it as the corrosive ammo will rust it to pieces if you don't.
 
I have both. Other than the bayonet, you can't tell the difference. I'd just buy whatever you can find a good deal on and shoot the crap out of it.
 
I have both Russian and Chinese. Both were purchased in minty condition. The Chinese SKS will for now cost you more than the Russian SKS. Maybe that will change if more Chinese SKS can get imported in. You may be better off going for a Russian SKS if you just want a shooter.
 
I find the Chinese ones a little more accurate but softer wood than the Russian birch.Mind you "soft wood" and 50 million Chinese can't be true? Harold
 
Not true.All Chinese used chrome and the Soviets from mid 51 on did as well........Yugos no.......Harold
 
FSB said:
Chinese SKS could have chrome lined barrel, but non of the Russian SKS has.
Click to expand...

Wrong. Any Russian sks made in 51 or later is chrome lined and so is any Chinese ones. Yugo sks is the only one that never had chrome.

Chrome lined barrel resists corrosion and wear, so it lasts longer than just steel. But the plating process rounds off the edges of the rifling which has a slight effect on accuracy. That said accuracy is all over the place with these rifles anyways.

I have a Russian with a laminate stock. Boy does it look nicer than any of the plain wood versions. Was $225 and only the gas tube and piston are unmatching/force matched
 
Suther said:
Wrong. Any Russian sks made in 51 or later is chrome lined and so is any Chinese ones. Yugo sks is the only one that never had chrome.

Chrome lined barrel resists corrosion and wear, so it lasts longer than just steel. But the plating process rounds off the edges of the rifling which has a slight effect on accuracy. That said accuracy is all over the place with these rifles anyways.

I have a Russian with a laminate stock. Boy does it look nicer than any of the plain wood versions. Was $225 and only the gas tube and piston are unmatching/force matched
Click to expand...

Would you recommend either of these?

http://sports-action.ca/sports/firearms/non-restricted/rifles/surplus-firearms
http://www.bullseyelondon.com/genui...7-62x39-tula-arsenal-very-good-condition.html
 
Suther said:
Wrong. Any Russian sks made in 51 or later is chrome lined and so is any Chinese ones. Yugo sks is the only one that never had chrome.

Chrome lined barrel resists corrosion and wear, so it lasts longer than just steel. But the plating process rounds off the edges of the rifling which has a slight effect on accuracy. That said accuracy is all over the place with these rifles anyways.

I have a Russian with a laminate stock. Boy does it look nicer than any of the plain wood versions. Was $225 and only the gas tube and piston are unmatching/force matched
Click to expand...



And what does "Grade 1" mean? Is that good or bad?
 
Rusty_ said:
Hi guys,

I'm a brand new shooter and I'm trying to decide if a Russian SK45 or a Chinese type 56 is right for me. I've been reading up on them, and as far as I can tell, the Russian models are older and probably refurbished, while the Chinese may either be good or questionable quality. They seem to be about the same price, so I'm curious what you would advice I purchase for my first rifle.

I'd like to shoot it quite a bit, but I'm not sure if that factors into the equation.

There's a lot of info on SKSs here. I've read through the Stickies, but I'm still not sure if one or the other is a better buy.

Cheers,

Rusty
Click to expand...

I've owned two of both, and handled dozens of these guns. It's like playing roulette if you just order them online, you have to go into a gun store and look at a bunch. Sometimes you order these online and the front sight is cranked all the way to the left because the barrel was off a touch and you have to fight to get it RMA'd. Sometimes your order a Russian thinking it'll be chrome lined and it's not, or the magazine has a giant bubble gum weld on the bottom. Sometimes the little levers to take off the bolt housing and front hand guard on the Russian rifles are super tight, but sloppy loose on the Chinese ones.

My advice to you is buy one you like, and don't sell it thinking they're all the same and you can rebuy one later. I'm still chasing the SKS dragon 5 years after selling a nice Norinco I had to some italian for his beat up Defender 1200.

Another piece of advice, before you purchase the aftermarket tactical stocks, make an attempt to handle and shoot a configured rifle first. You may like the bone stock configuration better, and save yourself $100+

One thing about the accuracy of these rifles, I have noticed the Chinese ones to be a bit better than the Russians. I was able to make 3-5 inch groups at 100 yards and consistently hit a 20x20 inch gong at 200 yards with iron sights. The Russian ones were all over the board, and the triggers I found to be a bit creepier.

With this being said, if I were a new PAL holder I would immediately purchase an SKS, 870 Express, and Ruger 10/22 while saving for a Savage bolt rifle in 223 or 308. You may like the m305 Norinco as well. Lately I find myself buying and selling a lot of break action shotguns for some reason, you just go through phases, but those 4 rifles always seem to make it to the range.
 
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Rocket Surgery said:
I've owned two of both, and handled dozens of these guns. It's like playing roulette if you just order them online, you have to go into a gun store and look at a bunch. Sometimes you order these online and the front sight is cranked all the way to the left because the barrel was off a touch and you have to fight to get it RMA'd. Sometimes your order a Russian thinking it'll be chrome lined and it's not, or the magazine has a giant bubble gum weld on the bottom. Sometimes the little levers to take off the bolt housing and front hand guard on the Russian rifles are super tight, but sloppy loose on the Chinese ones.

My advice to you is buy one you like, and don't sell it thinking they're all the same and you can rebuy one later. I'm still chasing the SKS dragon 5 years after selling a nice Norinco I had to some italian for his beat up Defender 1200.

Another piece of advice, before you purchase the aftermarket tactical stocks, make an attempt to handle and shoot a configured rifle first. You may like the bone stock configuration better, and save yourself $100+
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was looking at this one: http://www.bullseyelondon.com/sovie...k-bayonet-and-magazine-installed-sks167b.html

It seems pretty neat, but I think I like the classic wood better. If Sports-action actually has one that looks as nice as the redish one pictured here: http://sports-action.ca/sports/firearms/non-restricted/rifles/surplus-firearms I think that's what appeals to me.

Honestly, I don't think I'm that picky about looks. It's my first rifle (aside from a .22 I'm buying from a friend), and I just want something I can shoot a lot to up my skills, and it seems like you can't beat the price of surplus 7.62x39.
 
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