What is the best SKS?

Someone76239 said:
I am looking at getting a SKS which is the gold standard of sks models ? and which one is the cheapest ?
Click to expand...
Yogu hands down. Good luck finding one though. I got mine almost 20 years ago, un-fired and I believe un-issued and paid $800
 
You seek either a Military Chinese Frenchie or a Russian laminate blade bayo IMHO.

You should be able to find some around.

Yes, the Yugos or East German may be the "best" or rarest, but that's now collectible and well above $1000 for sometime.

Oh, you also need to ask about chrome lined barrels 😉
 
Last edited:
I’ve been thinking about picking up a jungle stock SKS. Would probably fare pretty good if it ever had to spend time underground.
 
My favorite: and of the Russian ones from 1953-1955 with laminate stock.
Cheapest: Chinese ones. The Chinese ones with the synthetic stock are actually fairly nice though.

One caveat: if you have a Time Machine and you’re planning on joining the Russian or Chinese armies of 70-ish years ago, make sure to pick the best one.
As previously mentioned, aside from the academic complaints we may have about the unique construction differences, they probably all are more than rugged enough for the uses of all of us.
 
They are all the same and condition is most important. My favourite “option” on an Sks is the laminate stock found on the Russians. They look great and seem a lot more durable


On second thought at this point I’d be buying based on future collector value. So yugo, Korean, Albanian, stamped receiver Chinese, spike bayonet Russian
 
Ungrateful said:
They are all the same and condition is most important. My favourite “option” on an Sks is the laminate stock found on the Russians. They look great and seem a lot more durable


On second thought at this point I’d be buying based on future collector value. So yugo, Korean, Albanian, stamped receiver Chinese, spike bayonet Russian
Click to expand...

Ditto on the Russian laminate. Not insisting the gun in it is any better but that's the stock to have
 
Gotta have the "OG".... Russian ! Sadly prices on SKS's are ridiculous now, you might have to spend some time hunting one down but you can probably find a nice one for a fair price with some luck.
 
They are all good unless bubbarized.

Original design 1949 Russian is a heritage and it looks gorgeous with birch stock. Later they change to plywood (politely called laminated) and finished production in 1958. Overall quality is of sledge hammer so to speak. They all were in service, so don't fall into "original" or "not used trap.

Yugo are the worst milled quality and they are overpriced for no reason. Well, they have grenade launcher. Duh.

Chinese have 3 periods: copy of the Soviet model, perfecting Soviet model and perfected Chinese SKS that is stamped and pinned instead of milled and threaded but you can get it newer, say, 1994 model. This may not be the best collectable item but they are the best quality and best shooters. Also never painted, well adjusted with smoothly moving parts, yummy!

Chinese SKS has other models, include import, custom and mix and match refurbished weirdos.

There are also Romanian and ugly Albanian. Controversial German Karabiner S, probably North Korean, may be something else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom