SKS a good starter rifle - or is it?

It is a good gun for anyone, starting people included. It is fairly simple and like other military guns is designed to work in any condition. Buy it. It is also very cheap with very cheap ammo, that rarely exists when it comes to firearms!
 
Murdoc was selling SKS with parkerizing, all the cosmoline is gone and you get a tougher finish to boot.
 
Netghost said:
The 7.62x39mm ammo is hard to beat at $205 for 1300 rounds.
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Nice try. Most shops are selling it for more than that, and it'll cost s hefty shipping fee on top of that $205 for an online purchase. Bulk .22 ammo is what... about $100 for the same number of rounds.

When the Canadian military trains newbie shooters do they go out and buy SKSs and 76.2 x 39 ammo? Nope. They use milsurps converted to .22

Btw, I'll add that I like the SKS. I own a couple. Fun to shoot. But not the best first rifle for everyone.
 
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Dakk said:
I'd be interested to hear your reasons for thinking that a .22 wouldn't be a good first rifle.

As for the SKS... the ammo isn't as cheap as .22. Also, if they are firing cheap dirty milsurp ammon its a gun that requires way more maintenance to keep clean, and if they don't do that, they risk a very dangerous slam fire. None of those things are great for the average gun newbie. The fact that an SKS is built for more than it will encounter at the range is also just another reason its not something essential to the range. Sure, they are fun to shoot. But there are WAY better first guns out there.
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I never said a .22 isn't a good rifle for a newb, if you're bringing out a girlfriend for the first time easy one to start with. What I constantly see is the suggestion that it's the best choice, for some it is but just because you're new doesnt mean it's the best choice.

So the ammo isn't as cheap, almost nothing is! So what? It's a lot more bang and to a lot of people a better experience than shooting .22

Dirty surplus? Yes the primers are corosive but the bulk ammo may as well be brand new when you pull it out of the boxes.

One of the best parts of it being a first gun and having to clean it was that I had to learn to do it rather than avoid it because I'm new or not comfortable doing it. It's one of the easiest guns to disassemble and clean, learned a lot of basics on how guns are designed and put together and became more confidant cleaning and maintaining my firearms.

Who said anything essential was needed? They're fun! That's what people want to do when they first get into guns, have fun! I've taken newbs to the range and the biggest smile comes from the SKS because it's fun not because it's essential for the range.
 
Teapot said:
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.
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I'm with you on that one. I once owned a Norinco SKS and traded it off when I got an 858. I regret that now for some reason. I don't know how to explain it, but it just doesn't feel right now owning an SKS. The problem is trying to find a replacement Norinco that doesn't have the words: "Tapco, custom, upgraded, modified, or tactical" in them. Why is it that I simply cannot find a Norinco chrome lined SKS without chinese symbols on it for $175.00 bucks?
 
Dakk said:
Nice try. Most shops are selling it for more than that, and it'll cost s hefty shipping fee on top of that $205 for an online purchase. Bulk .22 ammo is what... about $100 for the same number of rounds.

When the Canadian military trains newbie shooters do they go out and buy SKSs and 76.2 x 39 ammo? Nope. They use milsurps converted to .22

Btw, I'll add that I like the SKS. I own a couple. Fun to shoot. But not the best first rifle for everyone.
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The Canadian Forces trains everyone on the C7. It's the first rifle they shoot in basic and is not adapted for 22LR. It uses the standard battle 5.56 round.

Thirty five years ago we trained Navy, Army, and Royal Canadian Air Cadets on the Lee Enfield with .22 inserts. Now they train on pellet guns.

My first gun as a child was a 30.30, Winchester Model 94. Just enough recoil for a slight ten year old boy. Still makes me grin thinking about it.
 
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