SKS a good starter rifle - or is it?

Ancalagon

Ancalagon

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Hello

I'm in the process of obtaining my PAL and RPAL (I took one course, so it's going to take a few more months I believe) and I'm doing some research.

It's been suggested to me by a few that the SKS is a good "starting riffle". It certainly does have a number of things going for it - the 7.62X39 is an inexpensive calibre with reasonable recoil, very affordable ammo, and reasonably versatile. The SKS itself is also very affordable and is a very tough rifle. And well, it does look pretty cool, in that retro-soviet kinda way (Yes, how a gun looks matters. Would you buy a pink gun?)

However, when I think about it, I see some issues:

- Semi-automatic rifles are inherently more complex than bolt action.
- They made gazillions of those, in numerous countries and factories. The quality varies.
- Because of this and packing grease, you pretty much have to give it a pretty thorough inspection/cleaning before shooting it the first time.
- Depending on the type of firing pin and also how well the gun was cleaned/maintained, the gun *can* be prone to slam fire. Properly fixing the pin needs someone who's quite competent.
-That cheap ammo is military surplus, which is corrosive, which requires more cleaning and can cause issue with the slam fire.
- The Chinese models are a bit small for men of average or larger stature.
- The military look can be off-putting to some bystanders.

I know that many (probably all) of these challenges can be overcome by an experienced gun owner, but I'm thinking more for beginners.

Quite frankly, I don't have the experience to know if all (any?) of the arguments I made are valid or not, so your input would be very appreciated.

cheers,
 
Ancalagon said:
Hello

I'm in the process of obtaining my PAL and RPAL (I took one course, so it's going to take a few more months I believe) and I'm doing some research.

It's been suggested to me by a few that the SKS is a good "starting riffle". It certainly does have a number of things going for it - the 7.62X39 is an inexpensive calibre with reasonable recoil, very affordable ammo, and reasonably versatile. The SKS itself is also very affordable and is a very tough rifle. And well, it does look pretty cool, in that retro-soviet kinda way (Yes, how a gun looks matters. Would you buy a pink gun?)

However, when I think about it, I see some issues:

1 - Semi-automatic rifles are inherently more complex than bolt action.
2- They made gazillions of those, in numerous countries and factories. The quality varies.
3- Because of this and packing grease, you pretty much have to give it a pretty thorough inspection/cleaning before shooting it the first time.
4- Depending on the type of firing pin and also how well the gun was cleaned/maintained, the gun *can* be prone to slam fire. Properly fixing the pin needs someone who's quite competent.
5-That cheap ammo is military surplus, which is corrosive, which requires more cleaning and can cause issue with the slam fire.- The Chinese models are a bit small for men of average or larger stature.
6- The military look can be off-putting to some bystanders.
I know that many (probably all) of these challenges can be overcome by an experienced gun owner, but I'm thinking more for beginners.

Quite frankly, I don't have the experience to know if all (any?) of the arguments I made are valid or not, so your input would be very appreciated.

cheers,
Click to expand...

1. It's actually very NOT complicated
2. There's gazillions of excellent SKS's out there (buy a Russian ;) )
3. Good to have it all cosmolined up so you will be forced to field strip it and become farmiliar with all its greatness
4. keep it clean (which there's tons of threads out there on how to do it but i've got it down pat with my simple, cheap, easy system, and I'm always more than willing to help out a fellow gun enthusiast)
5. refer to # 4
6. Piss of a "Lie"beral :)

Just buy it and you'll never look back, or if you do look back you'll always smile! :rockOn:
 
If what you want is a cheap military grade rifle that fires an intermediate round the sure an sks will suit.

Just be aware that although the ammo may come cheap you can't always shoot it.
Some ranges ban steel core ammo and that cheap 7.62x39 is in most cases... Steel core.

Personally... And I know this will annoy the sks fan boys... I'd save a few mor $ and get something a little more versatile.
Good thing about the sks is that they're so cheap that even if you get fed up with it it's not like you're out a lot of $.
 
Ancalagon said:
Hello

I'm in the process of obtaining my PAL and RPAL (I took one course, so it's going to take a few more months I believe) and I'm doing some research.

- Semi-automatic rifles are inherently more complex than bolt action.
- They made gazillions of those, in numerous countries and factories. The quality varies.
- Because of this and packing grease, you pretty much have to give it a pretty thorough inspection/cleaning before shooting it the first time.
- Depending on the type of firing pin and also how well the gun was cleaned/maintained, the gun *can* be prone to slam fire. Properly fixing the pin needs someone who's quite competent.
-That cheap ammo is military surplus, which is corrosive, which requires more cleaning and can cause issue with the slam fire.
- The Chinese models are a bit small for men of average or larger stature.
- The military look can be off-putting to some bystanders.

cheers,
Click to expand...

First congrats on getting the license. Say goodbye to your spending money :)

You are concerned about appearance, but the only one who has to be happy with the gun is YOU. Firearms are a personal preference. Hold one, feel one, and you tell me if it's right for you. And no, I wouldn't buy a pink gun :)

-The semi action is more complex, but it's inheriantly rugged. It was designed to operate in a Russian field of war, and it passed all their testing. While if there's a problem with it you'll likely need the assistance of a gunsmith, you're likely going to need a 'smith for any problems with your bolt gun too. Both are highly unlikely if you keep your equipment clean.
-Quality does vary, but our sponsors can and will select a clean example for you if you choose internet-order. Call the shop, let them know your situation, and pay a little premium for a hand-selected unit. They're happy to do it for you.
-Yes, you need to clean it before use. You could probably contact your selling dealer and pay to have it cleaned before it's shipped.. you'd have to talk to your supplier on that. But there's enough internet videos on cleaning that you should be ok. There's also hundreds of SKS owners who DO know how to take them apart. Help won't be far away.
-Yes, you'll have to clean it regularly. Commercial ammo is available if that bothers you, but it shouldn't.
-Don't buy a Chinese unit, or if you do, look at swapping the stock either to another Original SKS stock or a Tapco 'tactical' stock.
-Back to my original point... only you need to be happy with it. Some folks like Classic cars, others like muscle cars, and some like imports. Doesn't make any one person 'wrong'.

I'll make a mention that I've read SKS's are average on accuracy. More than enough to hunt with though.
These guys are cheap... and resell quickly if you don't like it. With no registry to worry about you can buy, try and sell if you don't like it. Or at that price, just put it in the safe for a rainy day.

Good luck!
 
If it's just for plinking it's a great gun! Don't over look the CZ 858 though. For a little more money you get a better gun, I'm my opinion.
 
Look at some tear-down vids on youtube like this one and you'll see how easy it is to work on!

[youtube]?v=mRV5_RuFnyc&feature=related[/youtube]

[youtube]?v=2Lv0cK5tCHk[/youtube]

There,,, Ya see how helpful we are? :cheers:
 
The SKS is a good starter rifle for everything you mentioned. It is not complex, it's actually pretty simple once you look at it and field stripping is a breeze, it can be done in under 10 seconds if you work at it enough.

It seems that the Russian models are generally the better, or most preferred, model and there are a lot of very good quality ones available for a gun that is over 60 years old.
 
Someone else on here said it, "everyone should own at least one."


That said I'm in the process of testing a chinese ver. vs a russian ver. for accuracy,if my damn nephew would lend me his gun. Also the russian version *may* have issues accepting tapco mags withought grinding down a couple of spots on the mag. Somewhere on here is the fix, search "tapco".

The stock, "wood stock" is a little small for big shooters but I'm 6'5" and still had fun. The tapco bodys give it a longer stock.

It's a semi-auto so you won't get the accuracy that a bolt will give, but I shot my nephews really well...once. Not the most accurate.

sks's are Cheap to shoot and get used to cleaning as part of the range day anyway and it's easy, also watch you tube videos on dissasembly it's pretty easy.
 
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1. They are not complicated at all, easily field stipped and assembled without tools. Simple reliable design.
2.some Chinese made sks are excellent other are ok finish, russian refurb be excellent or ok, just depends.
3.For your first rifle it's a great idea to completely field strip and clean it. It the event something goes wrong at the range you can fix it.
4.Incorrect.
The bolt just needs too sprayed down with brake cleaner, boiled clean, or dissembled (easy to do) all you need is the cleaning kit. Fixing the firing pin a monkey can do it. Just remember if you shake the bolt it needs to rattle and you'll be ok.
5.slam fire issue won't be a problem if you clean the bolt properly.
The Russian rifle stocks are no different. You can always buy a aftermarket stock if your a large person.
6. Meh not a big issue
 
Noltz had a good point i overlooked, and that's get your hands on one and feel it.. see how you like it.. If you're going to an indoor range they likely won't let you use FMJ Ball ammo... so that's a minus for the cheap ammo.
 
I recently got back into shooting as a 59 year old newbie. I had lots of those same questions. I agree with all the responders.... .the SKS is a great starter rifle. After researching on the net I picked one up from Marstar ($75 deal). I did ask them to pick out a nice one since it was my first rifle....and they did. I got a real nice one.
I can strip it in about 1-2 minutes. I might be a little weird but I actually don't mind cleaning it. A little zen thing going on, I think.
My $.02 says go for it.
 
I got one as soon as i got my pal it was fun and easy to use BUT then i found out about the cz858 and the sks has not left my house since.
 
SKS was my first rifle with a 1200rd box of czech ammo.

Everyone who considers one but seems to be unsure about opening one up to clean it i always say it was mass produced in 1950 for mostly uneducated soviet soldiers, if they can maintain one youll have no problems. That always helps make up their mind :p
 
Actually, all those points are a BONUS to a new shooter...

It will force you to learn basic gun cleaning and maintenance, on a gun that is easy to work on and simple.

The bolt is EASY to disassemble, the entire gun can be field stripped in 30 seconds.

Shooting Corrosive will force you to clean the gun after every outing and hopefully ingrain good gun maintenance practices.

Quality does vary, but all of it is bulletproof...its like saying a Ford pickup is not as good a 4x4 as a Chevy, but yet both are much better 4x4 than a Civic.

An SKS does NOT look military as per todays standards....In fact the lack of plastic and actual use of wood makes it more of a hunting looking gun than military.
 
wmd said:
I got one as soon as i got my pal it was fun and easy to use BUT then i found out about the cz858 and the sks has not left my house since.
Click to expand...

The opposite can happen too. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I have a VZ-58 yet I am intrigued by the SKS. In the usual displays and stands we went through for our familiarization in KAF many types of weapons and ordnance were shown. What piqued my interest however was a beat up old spike-wearing SKS. I don't know why it appeals to me but it does. It is just a cheap carbine but it is so efficient. Cheap, simple, extremely rugged and effective. A friend's Chinese commercial SKS grouped as well as my VZ which hits the 200 yard gong every time standing. Moreover his SKS has a bayonet for those times the ammunition runs dry and figure 11's just have to be engaged.
Alas I do not own an SKS...... yet.
 
7.62x39 military surplus corrosive ammo is cheap,
but not as cheap as .22LR, and a quality .22 rifle is inexpensive as well.
Plus you'll be able to hit what you're aiming at.;)
Yes, everyone should own at least one SKS.
But sooner or later, most people get a .22 rifle, good place to start.IMO
 
I agree with that. A .22LR is a better place to start for a beginner gun. Play with a .22LR for a month or two, then go grap an SKS. That little mossberg bolt action plinkster is a pretty cool gun. My brother has one, Its cheap, and shoots all the crap .22LR ammo that my 10/22 would jam just chambering a round.
 
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