Simonov SKS

ShadNuke

ShadNuke

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Yay or Nay? I love the old rifles, and the price is perfect for me for my first rifle, but are they a tough weapon.? Is the accuracy decent on them, by that I mean, will it hold up at 250 yards or so? I've heard the are decently accurate up to about 300 but I have heard mixed reviews from what I've read. Also, reloading, can the 7.62 x 39 be reloaded, or is there a civilian size difference that works. I know spacings and such can be different , but is it comparable to the 303, I think it was I saw? I'm heading out on a mountaineering adventure in late spring, and I thought this might be a decent little rifle to carry along, but also use it for deer hunting afterwards. Any input would be awesome!

Still new to the board, so go easy on me. I've see some info on them, but not too much that I have been ale to find.

Thanks,

Kevin.
 
Go buy one. For the price you have to own atleast one.
I find the accuracy on mine reasonable, however I never shoot paper with it so I dont know the full capabilities.
The surplus ammo is super cheap, but you can't use some types of it for hunting (something about steel cores..I think)
Its a fairly heavy gun, but very durable.
 
For what they are and within their limitations they are great guns. Absolutely capable of taking deer (obviously don't use FMJ) within their range and your ability. Typical russian ruggedness.

For the price they are a bargain. And if you run out of ammo you can always fix bayonets and charge the deer ;)
 
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Yay; definitely yay.

They are durable, think about it, they were designed for a conscript communist army.

I can't speak of accuracy, I just use mine for plinking and shooting pumpkins and stuff (yeah, that sounds totally redneck).

commercial 7.62x39 with brass cases can be found and reloaded. Milsurp ammo is steel case with a Berdan Primer, and from what I understand you cannot reload them (or at least not at reasonable cost)---Sorry I don't reloaded. A case of milsurp ammo is $300 for 1200rds

I can't speak for deer hunting, I know it's been brought up a few times here, but I can't remember what the consensus is. But there is commercial ammo with something other then FMJ bullets for hunting

Mountaineering adventure?? She's a heavy girl, she is. Might want to consider something lighter.
 
Hey there Shad, welcome aboard!

First off, this question really SHOULD be in the red rifle section of the forum; but moving on, let's see if I can't help you out a bit. The accuracy of the SKS is a bit of a wild card, usually. Depending on the quality of the trigger and the ammunition you're using, you should get serviceable accuracy out to the rifle's maximum range of 300m; bear in mind though, that this will need you to do your part as well. As far as ammo goes, PRVI Partizan soft point ammunition is right up your alley; it's more accurate than milsurp, it's non-corrosive, the brass is reloadable, and it will give MUCH better terminal ballistics than an FMJ. Don't worry about sizing of the cartridges; 7.62x39mm is the same in military and commercial sizings. As for comparable rounds, the 7.62x39mm is ballistically similar to the 30-30 Winchester; a fine deer rifle with good ammo and shot placement. You MAY find that the SKS's sights aren't the best for precision work; they tend to work best inside of 150m. Furthermore, they're a tad heavier than your average sporting rifle, but not ridiculously so.

Hope that helps out a bit, and aim true!
 
Thanks guys! Didn't even think of putting it in Red Rifles, I just saw it as milsurp, my bad. :)
I know the whole fmj deal for hunting, but this will be my first owned rifle. I have been hunting before, when I was younger, and didn't have to worry about the ammo or anything like that. I was handed a rifle and told to shoot lol. Personally, I like the idea of the non corrosive ammo, because chances are, I will only keep one type around, unless I start burning thru it, when taking the boys out shooting. So might consider a crate of it at the start, until I get everything I need to start reloading myself. What kind of site would someone recommend? I've been looking at maybe a red dot or something. Being ex CF, I loved the little sites we used, and I believe the were and acog type. Besides, it's not like I'll end up shooting more than 150ish I'm sure, but who knows. I may want to give it a go to see what I can get out of it be day.


Thanks again, and keep the ideas coming!
Kevin
 
Great rifle, but ' Little'?
Pack one around for a while. Not so little then, LOL.
Buy a 30-30 for mountaineering, your shoulder and back will thank you.
 
If you have more than 1 boy, you better pick up at least 3 SKSs. I agree with everything else already posted. As for reliability, it is one of the most overbuilt rifles in existence. Its patterned after the PTRS anti-tank rifle, and is as reliable, if not more so, than an AK.
 
I also agree with all of the above posts. I own an Sks and have had a blast shooting with it. The accuracy is acceptable for what it is as I've done a lot of target shooting with mine. It's no where near as accurate as any of my bolt action rifles but it puts together 3-4" groups at 100 yards on regular basis with surplus ammo.

The only thing I'd add is that Sks' can have one fault, the firing pin sticks out on some of them with the bolt open. When chambering a round it can strike the primer when the bolt is closed causing a slam fire. This isn't usually a problem with berdan primed military ammo as the primers are very hard and need a good hit to discharge the round. When using new factory ammo you have to be careful to aim down range when chambering a round. I'm no expert on sks' or any gun for that matter but I'd thought I'd mention this as I've read about it and have talked to a few guys that have had it happen to them. I've even had it happen to myself once with surplus ammo where I chambered the first round and upon firing it my gun discharge a second and third round right after. It wasnt a big deal as I was aiming at the target but it was still startling. Other then that I can't fault the sks, it's a rugged gun and I think everyone should own 5 or so.
Experts out there correct me if I'm wrong but there's 2 different firing pins spring loaded and not spring loaded? I know if it becomes a real problem there's a kit called the Murray's firing pin that spring loads the firing pin eliminating the chance of a slamfire.
Anyhow I love my Sks and will probably buy a couple more this year, don't let the slamfire thing turn you off, it's happened to me once and I shoot my Sks several times a month.
 
Slamfires are a NON ISSUE so long as you keep the firing pin channel clean, dry, and free of debris that the pin can get stuck on.
 
ShadNuke said:
Yay or Nay? I love the old rifles, and the price is perfect for me for my first rifle, but are they a tough weapon.? Is the accuracy decent on them, by that I mean, will it hold up at 250 yards or so? I've heard the are decently accurate up to about 300 but I have heard mixed reviews from what I've read. Also, reloading, can the 7.62 x 39 be reloaded, or is there a civilian size difference that works. I know spacings and such can be different , but is it comparable to the 303, I think it was I saw? I'm heading out on a mountaineering adventure in late spring, and I thought this might be a decent little rifle to carry along, but also use it for deer hunting afterwards. Any input would be awesome!

Still new to the board, so go easy on me. I've see some info on them, but not too much that I have been ale to find.

Thanks,

Kevin.
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Yay! But i warn you, you will end up buying more than 1:p I agree with all the input the fellow nutz have posted. About the firing pin, 1949 and 1950 SKS have a spring loaded firing pin while begining in 1951,the desing was changed to a free floating firing pin. Nothing wrong with the free floating type as long its clean and you can hear it rattling when you shake the bolt. I shot commercial ammo in my SKS's and never had any problems. If you get an SKS, pay attention to disassemble the bolt and clean the firing pin channel and the pin itself to remove any grease or cosmoline and i strongly suggest that you keep thoses parts dry,nolube needed. Got in Red rifle section and read the Stickies. Have fun!
Joce
 
Decently but be warned you will pick a couple. Just make sure you clean the firing pin ( blow dryer.. Hot water...etc). Try to get a 49 ($500) , 50 ( spring firing pin).
 
Thanks for adding the extra info guys. I knew there were certain years where the had a spring firing pin but wasn't sure exactly what years. I keep the bolt on my SKS clean and dry but like I said even I have experienced a slam fire. Other then that I can't fault the weapon. I paid $159 for mine from Jo brook this summer and really the only other thing you can buy for that price is a sportered enfield of a .22 so it's really hard not to own one.
 
I got a 1951 SKS - shooting milsurp ammo - thorough cleaning after every use- have not experienced a slam fire yet.
If you are looking for cost effective, tough, fun, rifle- I don't see what else compares.

If the main purpose is your adventure, you may be better off getting something a little easier to pack!

Have fun!
 
NBK16 said:
What site sponsors have the cheapest chrome lined sks?
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Depend what you want, Weimajack on the EE have chinese at $169 or russian refurb izzy at $199 if you want a shooter. To be noted that somes early 1951 might not have a chrome bore, chrome bore apppear somewere in 51. All chinese have chrome bore but i prefer the russian SKS, they are nicer:)
Joce
 
If you guyz do end up getting one on these wonderfully cheap and tough rifles, please be sure to police your "brass" at the range. You know the milsurp ammo can't be reloaded and because of this some ranges have had problems with shooters leaving piles of spent cases all over the place. This has in turn led to some ranges threatening to, (or actually) banning all milsurp or all 7.62x39 ammo. Lets keep it clean and keep shooting the cheap and fun red rifles for years to come. Thanks.
 
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