Purchasing an SKS and would like some opinions

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Garmin

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I am looking into purchasing an SKS soon. I have been watching videos, reading countless threads and reviews. Wow... talk about information overload.

Soviet, Chinese, Yugoslavian, type 56, M59, factory refurb, surplus, my head is spinning.

Can someone possibly tell me which type is better than the others? Is there a reason one may or may not be better? Are some years better than others? We don't seem to have them at our local Canadian Tire, does anyone know what type they have been selling there? If there is one type that is better, which seller carries them?

How about a supplier for stripper clips? I have seen some sellers with NcStar clips but reviews I have seen for that brand do not seem very positive. Is there a good brand? Not counting the originals which pretty much everyone says are the best. Unless there is a place to get a bunch of original ones.

Thank you in advance.
 
I have two Russians, one I keep stock and the other I put a Tapco black stock on it.... both shot great right out of the box. Both were purchased at well under $200... one was $169 two years ago and the other $149 xmas door crasher sale

Keep an eye out for sales in Dec

Rather than buy stripper clips, you can buy Czech surplus ammo at some retailers that's already on strippers... 1200 rounds from budget shooter (link up top) for $225 for instance
 
I own three Soviet (two refurb, one non) two Chinese and one Yugoslavian M59/66. So, I can help you out here.

I would suggest a Russian or a Chinese. If you buy a Chinese one new from a distributor, you will be the first owner of it. Take off the cosmoline and make it your own. A Russian one will be used but will be in perfectly acceptable shape.

The Yugoslavian models are expensive in Canada and, as a beginners SKS, not worth spending the money on unless you're considering starting a collection. Cheers.
 
russians are good ! most of them are refurbs.. check for corrosion or stuck fire pin .. other than that, its built like a damn tank ! a true bargain
 
I too prefer the Russian made guns. There are still some nice ones to be had if you look around. Some of the latest ones that were imported seem a little rougher and cruder in terms of appearance and finish, but I'd imagine that they would still function well.
 
They're all good man. I have a Russian with a Chinese trigger group. Some shoot straighter than others but you will have to find how straight yours is for yourself. I'm pretty sure the Yugo's do not have chrome lined barrels and are harder to find extra parts for.
 
Great, thanks for the info guys.

Many years ago I used to have a Norinco AK-47. When it ejected the casings it would put a nice dent in them which would make them useless for reloading. Does the SKS have this same issue? Is reloading even worth it for these or is the ammo cheap enough that you are better off just buying the surplus cases of it?

Also, are the parts for any of them interchangeable or do they just fit their own?
 
Reloading is not worth it...

when I buy in bulk I'm paying 14 cents or so a round... that's corrosive mind you... but I like cleaning my gun after each use... a little windex and ho####er and good for the next go 'round
 
I have one Russian (clothed in ATI) and an original Chinese example. The Chinese one really shoots well. The Russian, while it's a number 1, not as well. A lot has to do with the refit in ATI.

If you can find a nice Chinese one, go for it. I've heard, not just my experience, that the Chicoms shoot better.

Non-corrosive ammo is around $.22 per round. Super cheap and no cleaning issues.
 
Although I'm far from an expert, I have found that overall, the Russian SKS seems to be of a better quality than the Chinese. I have a Russian and a Chinese, as well as a SKS-D. I have also read that the Yugo SKS is probably the best quality, although in short supply here as of late. Corry is quite right in his advice on the stripper clips. The East German SKS is rumoured to be of great quality, but hard to find. There is also a Paratrooper SKS, and I haven't seen one for sale. Doesn't matter though, any and all SKS rifles are bulletproof and fun to shoot. Get whatever you can.
 
Garmin said:
Great, thanks for the info guys.

Many years ago I used to have a Norinco AK-47. When it ejected the casings it would put a nice dent in them which would make them useless for reloading. Does the SKS have this same issue? Is reloading even worth it for these or is the ammo cheap enough that you are better off just buying the surplus cases of it?

Also, are the parts for any of them interchangeable or do they just fit their own?
Click to expand...

Its not worth reloading as long as surplus ammo is available, none of mine dent the cases either, but they are steel cases as opposed to brass.
Parts are interchangeable, but some space checking is required for some of the parts. They are so rugged that I doubt you will ever need any parts.
 
It is worth reloading if you cast your own projectiles... Mine doesn't damage brass badly at all... Good for many times over... The only place I am seeing .14/round surplus is before taxes or shipping...
 
My surplus ammo has cost me .17 to .19 cents a round from the last couple purchases. I imagine you would be hard pressed to reload at that price.
 
Try no to over think it. Crappy Tire is not the only retailer to carry the sks, look around.
Russians appear to have the best reviews for quality. The ones with "BBQ" paint on them seem to less desirable refurbs.
Look for all matching major components, carrier, bolt, trigger assembly etc. These parts are stamped where parts like gas tubes and pistons are electro pencilled. Don't expect sniper accuracy as these are still a "front line" rifle for the Russian military in the 40's and 50's. The surplus ammo is corrosive so you will need to learn how to thoroughly clean and care for your future purchase.

Don't worry too much about upgrades (or downgrades to some) until you become more familiar with the platform.

Let the guys here know your rough location and they may direct you to a reputable supplier.
KISS rule applies.
 
Ok so no reloading, sounds like pretty much any of them would be good if I can find one. Have to say I do prefer the spike style of bayonet that the Chinese models have, easier to pull out of those zombie heads ;) (or maybe it's because they seem to lie flat in the stock instead of sticking out the way the blade ones do) ;)

I will probably get a different stock at some point. I have just never been a fan of wood stocks on any rifle. Will have to see if any of the replacements will work with a bayonet at all.

Yes I have been watching a lot of different vids on disassembly and cleaning whether it's the cosmoline on a new weapon or the salts and gunk from the surplus ammo. I figured it wouldn't hurt to learn as much as I can about it before I get one. Now I just need to wait for a good sale and see if Wifey Claus will bring me one for X-mas or if I need to buy myself a nice present lol

I do like that idea about the clips though, get a bunch of cheap ammo and a bunch of clips to use from then on. Win-win.

Again thank you all very much for the info. I appreciate you taking the time to help me learn about these. :)

[edit] Oops forgot to answer the location question. I'm in the Peace Region in north east BC.
 
Try Corlanes in DC. The last time I was there they let me pick through the ones they had in stock. They were not giving out the accessories (sling, oil bottles, cleaning kit and stripper clips) with the rifles unless you asked for them. Backcountry in FSJ (I was there last Tuesday) does not allow you to pick your own, they just go into their warehouse and grab the first one that they come to.
 
Thanks for the info Cariboo, I'll have to check them out. Do you know the price range of them at both places offhand?

I really hate places that won't "allow" you to pick your own. You are giving them money for something they have for sale. Yep I guess they can decide not to let a customer look at them, and that same customer can also decide not to buy one from them. Either that or just keep returning them and getting a different one until you get one that you like the looks of lol

Do you know if they are surplus or un-issued? (no worries if you can't answer my questions since I will be checking them out in the near future anyway)
 
Corwin Arms and High Calibre Services, seem to have top notch models: Corwin hand-selects and Hical 's Polish stock are in fantastic shape that one can trust blindly: I have seen them person.


Garmin said:
I am looking into purchasing an SKS soon. I have been watching videos, reading countless threads and reviews. Wow... talk about information overload.

Soviet, Chinese, Yugoslavian, type 56, M59, factory refurb, surplus, my head is spinning.

Can someone possibly tell me which type is better than the others? Is there a reason one may or may not be better? Are some years better than others? We don't seem to have them at our local Canadian Tire, does anyone know what type they have been selling there? If there is one type that is better, which seller carries them?

How about a supplier for stripper clips? I have seen some sellers with NcStar clips but reviews I have seen for that brand do not seem very positive. Is there a good brand? Not counting the originals which pretty much everyone says are the best. Unless there is a place to get a bunch of original ones.

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
 
Russian and chromed lined. 1943-45. I got mine at wholesale sports and its in great shape. I don't like buying guns on the internet because I cant examine them well. Someone at the range today had a mosin and STV he bought online and they looked great tho. I was jealous about his mosin!
 
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