I bought a slightly used Zastava 7.62x39, M85 (?) I think it is, from a fellow CGN’r. Neat little rifle. Haven’t shot it much, but it suits me. I also have several SKS’s of varying degrees of goodness, and a 52/57.
Suggestion on my first 7.62 rifle.
- Thread starter astrodude
- Start date
When they were 1K or below. That's why most people are now buying the Ruger for $800, which is even more accurate.
The new CZ600 trail I think it is called has been recalled but it is a black rifle for 1.3 or 1.4. Not interested. CZ should really restart the CZ5 series "hunting rifle", not those freakin black rifles.
When I was looking at the new CZ rifles it looks like a lot of them don't even come with iron sights. I'll never buy a rifle without iron sights.
Yes, I am also looking at that. The Ruger at least comes with a rail and threaded barrel. You don't really need that on a 7.62x39 but I have a Ruger in 308 which is a ##### when it comes to recoil but no threaded barrel.
I am not sure about the Howa Mini in 7.62x39, I read mixed reviews and again, no open sights and not even a scope base, meaning you have to spend money on scope bases and scopes.
I wish Norinco would still sell the JW-103, that was a decent gun at $300 with open sights and wood stock, sigh.
MosinMan13
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thornbury Ontario
SKS is the most sensible if you’re into the tacticool look and want a 7.62x39.
Type 81 is my favourite, I got rid of my SKS shortly after it came into the picture, but by the time you buy the rifle and build what you want you’ll be double the price.
There’s the M+M M10…. It’s what you like the look of, but it’s more expensive and the least reliable of virtually any option out there…. So I’m pretty sure the only people who own these just own them to say they own them.
Type 81 is my favourite, I got rid of my SKS shortly after it came into the picture, but by the time you buy the rifle and build what you want you’ll be double the price.
There’s the M+M M10…. It’s what you like the look of, but it’s more expensive and the least reliable of virtually any option out there…. So I’m pretty sure the only people who own these just own them to say they own them.
LordEvilPepper
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Under a rusty barge in BC
All those 7.62 bolt action rifles will be available in larger quantities in the future, look at Australia. There is a utube channel from Australia and the fellow put up a video testing the Ruger Ranch, stating that that the price is $850 in Australia. That was 4 months ago. That would be around $690 retail plus taxes in Canadian Dollars. That price is about correct for a bolt action Ruger in good Quality. That price is the same in the US, however we are getting hosed at almost $800 plus taxes. I don't know who is doing the price gauging but Canada is definitely an attractive market when it comes to the sale of firearms.
LordEvilPepper
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Under a rusty barge in BC
I have a ruger ranch. Its a decent rifle, mines in 450 bushmaster and it shoots well... but that howa was much much nicer gun. It felt well made, the ruger feels cheap.
- Location
- Steel Town
1. Russian SKS (preferably all-matching)
2. Chinese military SKS
3. CZ 527 (if you are lucky enough to find one)
4. Howa mini action (toss the factory stock and find a good aftermarket replacement)
Ruger and Savage also make a bolt gun in x39, but I have no experience with those. However, you would be better served with the above 4. Type 81's available are the cheaply made civilian version of a much better military variant.
My son has a type 97, and quite likes it.
2. Chinese military SKS
3. CZ 527 (if you are lucky enough to find one)
4. Howa mini action (toss the factory stock and find a good aftermarket replacement)
Ruger and Savage also make a bolt gun in x39, but I have no experience with those. However, you would be better served with the above 4. Type 81's available are the cheaply made civilian version of a much better military variant.
My son has a type 97, and quite likes it.
