SKS vs VZ58 - my review

[superlative]

There is a reason the SKS was replaced by the AK... because it had all the features you are lauding in the VZ (detachable mag, etc). That said, you can buy three SKS for the price of a VZ, and I shoot as we'll or better with an SKS than I do with a VZ. Plus most we're issued at some point, so they have collectible interest to those so inclined... The 58/858 are commercial.

Just my two cents.

There's also a reason why no current army uses a rifle that even looks like an SKS/hunting rifle.

The first thing I did was to switch out my SKS stock to an ATI. Sure the ATI is ugly, but it's a functional ugly. I'm apparently one of the few who also think the SKS wood stock is ugly. I like a nicely crafted wood stock on a lever action, but the SKS wood stock is just too poorly finished; there's no craftmanship.

 

[superlative]

How many firearms can you use at one time? ONE.

One of the greatest issues with the firearms community is the "collector" attitude. They're tools, use them.

TDC

Well, you can bring multiple rifles to a range and the behaviour of each one is very different. Most of the "collector attitude" is due the extreme variability between guns: caliber, type (pump shot, semi-auto handgun, semi-auto shot, semi-auto rifle, bolt rifle, lever action rifle, revolver etc.), length of barrel, type of stock, type of mounts, bullpup vs nonbullpup, scoped vs iron sights - there's so many flavours!

 

[ztunelover]

There's also a reason why no current army uses a rifle that even looks like an SKS/hunting rifle.

The first thing I did was to switch out my SKS stock to an ATI. Sure the ATI is ugly, but it's a functional ugly. I'm apparently one of the few who also think the SKS wood stock is ugly. I like a nicely crafted wood stock on a lever action, but the SKS wood stock is just too poorly finished; there's no craftmanship.

How well does the ati hold up to hard use? I think sks are crap to start with. Sprinkling icing on that doesn't really make it any better. But hey each to their own I guess

 

[TDC]

Well, you can bring multiple rifles to a range and the behaviour of each one is very different. Most of the "collector attitude" is due the extreme variability between guns: caliber, type (pump shot, semi-auto handgun, semi-auto shot, semi-auto rifle, bolt rifle, lever action rifle, revolver etc.), length of barrel, type of stock, type of mounts, bullpup vs nonbullpup, scoped vs iron sights - there's so many flavours!

Like I said, the collector attitude. No real desire to inmprove their skills, just tinker with a pile of firearms.

Tdc

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet: you can't easily top up ammo in a loaded SKS. With a VZ58, at least you can top up the magazine fairly easily, or just insert a fresh one.

Very good point actually and I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned sooner.

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

To be honest guys, a Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 is a much better tactical gun than anything out there. Who cares about shot placement when you have a round that's basically a flying fist and will rip the targets arm off. Just imagine how cool your friends will think you are when you come galloping up to the shooting range on a stallion with your shiny 45-70 lever action. You're not a mall ninja, you're a theme park cowboy.