SKS Safety

neilselden said:
Hi Everyone,
A couple of years ago, I became a big SKS fan. But then at the range...

I was taking the safety off, while wearing gloves. The glove's finger tip went inside the trigger guard, and BOOM! I accidentally fired a round. No harm done, the muzzle was pointed down-range, as it should be.

The experience made me rethink buying an SKS. I understand it was *MY* mistake. But I don't think I want to own a firearm where it is so easy to make that mistake.

As the story ends, a friend easily convinced me to go for an M14 instead.

Прощай скс! (translation: "Goodbye SKS!").

Cheers,
Neil
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Rather than give up on the SKS, why not learn how to handle it safely? Did you learn to ride a bicycle without falling? Presence of mind is all it takes. After a few hours of range practice, it will become second nature.

IMO, respectfully, I'd like to say if a person can't learn how to handle one type of firearm safely, ie. that person may be unsafe with other firearm types as well. Millions of Russian and Chinese peasants have learned how to handle the SKS (well I don't really know if they were safe...Communists do not release negative statistics)

I had a Springfield M1A (M14 semi auto) a while back. Much as it was an awesomely accurate rifle (4 inch group at 200 meters open sights) with an interesting history, ammo is expensive. Sold it after a few years. No regrets except price doubled shortly after I sold it.

The SKS is a totally different rifle but for me, just as interesting. 3-4 MOA 100 meter accuracy, super reliability, inexpensively manufactured but totally adequate for the purpose, Russian no-nonsense design philosophy. Clincher really is the cheap ammo. Until x39 ammo becomes unobtainium or horribly expensive, I will remain an SKS fan.
 
easyrider604 said:
...

IMO, respectfully, I'd like to say if a person can't learn how to handle one type of firearm safely, ie. that person may be unsafe with other firearm types as well. Millions of Russian and Chinese peasants have learned how to handle the SKS (well I don't really know if they were safe...Communists do not release negative statistics) ...
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I agree. If you don't like the sks because you lack the skills to operate the safety without being a hazard, and rather than addressing your own shortcomings you'd rather just forsake that platform it makes me wonder how safe you are going to be with other platforms.
 
Or.... all jokes aside. Get better tight gloves that won’t get caught. When it’s cold I don’t pick any gloves to go shooting. They need to be an extension of my fingers. Like rock climbing shoes, they gotta fit tight and right
 
I get what you're coming from. The fact that I made that mistake is what makes me feel the SKS is just not for me. As someone mentioned, it got rid of me. ;)
 
neilselden said:
I get what you're coming from. The fact that I made that mistake is what makes me feel the SKS is just not for me. As someone mentioned, it got rid of me. ;)
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We all make mistakes . but what really matters is if we learn from them. what to do and what not to do . I don't trust safety's on anything . they are a mechanical device and just like people they can fail . I only chamber a round when I'm about to fire and have used a safety while hunting. but I prefer to count on my trigger finger as my safety . keep it off the trigger till your about to shoot .
 
Butcherbill said:
Or a Mosin, the safety on the Mosin sucks. I don’t think I’ve ever used it while shooting them lol.
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I wondered for a while what happened when you let go of the safety and the Mosin bolt snapped forward if it would discharge a round. Tried it multiple time and didn't fire. The Safety on the Mosin while Tractor like does actually work. Won't fire if you pull and turn it and it slips from your fingers from there. This makes you M38/M44 a nice little hunting rifle actually because with the design of the safety you could basically throw it against a tree and it won't move.
 
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