So the RCMG has finally determined I am not a threat to my self or others and granted me a license. Now the question is what first. M305s are set to increase in price and the SKS is either to be prohibited or at least have the supply lines cut due to the new red menace. Child number three is due in a few months so get both isn't gonna fly with the Mrs right away. So which one first? I'm leaning towards the 308. But the 7.62 is so cheap. Just shooting for fun. All opinions welcome. But especially interested in those who bought the latest batch of 305's.
What's the better deal?
- Thread starter RSK
- Start date
- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
Don't worry about the SKS tinfoil. There are thousands of them in country, as in 6 digits.
The m305 going up in price? Ya that is more likely. Buy one now if price is an issue. SKS supply is fine.
The m305 going up in price? Ya that is more likely. Buy one now if price is an issue. SKS supply is fine.
Mumbles Marble Mouth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lower Mainland
Even if the supply of Russian SKS is coming to a halt for a moment, there is still thousands of Type 56 SKS coming into the country. I've had two Russian SKS and I've always wanted a Type 56 so hopefully my local dealer will start stocking them if this is the case.
The M305 is a great gun. Since I got mine, my Vz 58 was sold right away and I've since kept the M305. I later replaced the Vz 58 with a .223 one and I'm satisfied by it but, I'm still much happier with the M305. However, the M305 may or may not require work out of the box to be able to shoot it.
Get the SKS if you just want to shoot now!
The M305 is a great gun. Since I got mine, my Vz 58 was sold right away and I've since kept the M305. I later replaced the Vz 58 with a .223 one and I'm satisfied by it but, I'm still much happier with the M305. However, the M305 may or may not require work out of the box to be able to shoot it.
Get the SKS if you just want to shoot now!
Yeah the M305 is starting to show up for north of $500 now. Any retailer selling for less than that is selling old stock which they paid a lower price for.
They do also require work out of the gate and continued work range trip, after range trip. Great gun and platform, but those Norincos need tuning.
Go with a nice Russian SKS, it will keep you satisfied for a good while until you can make a secondary purchase.
They do also require work out of the gate and continued work range trip, after range trip. Great gun and platform, but those Norincos need tuning.
Go with a nice Russian SKS, it will keep you satisfied for a good while until you can make a secondary purchase.
walleyed99
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- I'm not telling, Sask
The way I see it, if you want a Nice unrefurbed Russian SKS, then buy that now. It is a great first rifle, and a ton of fun to go out shooting with and all you really need to learn how to do is boil a pot of water to clean out the barrel, bolt and gas system and run a few patches through it to clean it once you are done shooting it. It is not the most accurate shooter but will do minute of cheeseburger all day if you are a half decent shot. The M305 on the other had is a different story, Is a full power cartridge .308/7.62x51 and can reach out a lot farther than your SKS. It is capable of being used for hunting at ranges more than 100 yards if that will be in the cards for ya, and is also a blast to shoot. That said it is also more expensive to shoot, and surplus ammo has been drying up. I purchased my second stock M305 for around 400 bucks plus tax and delivery last fall and generally most are priced at 549-599 now so prices have crept up. I suspect we may see the prices of Russian SKS's creep up a bit in price with the sanctions on Russia, and the trouble in Ukraine. I have both, and love both. Neither will dissapoint, however as other have stated the Norcs do take some work. I have changed out the stock, rear sight, front sights, flash hider Oprod spring, spring guide, trigger spring and a couple of trigger pins and trigger in trigger group. This has made it a great shooter and has been a blast to tweak away at. That said I am now at between 700-800 bucks into it. Half the fun in the m305's is tweaking it and trying to make it better. Good luck in your quest!! Ahh screw it, just buy both and hide it from the wife 
When the Yugos ran out the Russians showed up -there's always another former Warsaw Pact country looking to sell off the old stuff, then there's the Chinese. If the Russians can't ship us the SKS's, it doesn't mean that the Ukraine can't ship us SKS's. The SKS is probably close to being as common as the AK, the Chinese probably built and used more SKS's than AK's - I wouldn't worry.
PS - Marstar will sell you a case of ammo and a Chinese Military SKS for $360
PS - Marstar will sell you a case of ammo and a Chinese Military SKS for $360
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Get a m305/m14 for sure over an SKS. Its a great platform, very enjoyable to shoot. I still shoot all my m305's and m14/m1a's while my SKS just sits in the safe. I grew tired of it quickly and don't shoot it much anymore. Not that there's anything wrong with the SKS but the m305/m14 is far superior in my opinion. Also the 7.62x51/.308 round is far superior to the 7.62x39 and surplus for both is fairly cheap as far as ammo goes.
Had a similar situation a few years ago. Wasn't sure about SKS or m305. I opted for the SKS & crate of ammo as it was almost the equivalent price of an m305. Once my wife saw how much I enjoyed plinking with that SKS it wasn't long before I hit her up about the m305.
It doesn't bother me at all that I purchased the SKS first. It was an inexpensive way for me to learn how to properly clean & take care of a rifle without the worry of being out $200. Example: I was a noob and didn't realize my ammo was corrosive (no markings on the crate) and I had left my rifle uncleaned for a couple weeks. Thankfully there wasn't a spot of rust other than in the gas tube.
Now the m305 is definitely a superior weapon in my opinion albeit more expensive ammo of course. If it's purely just price I would go with the SKS. You'll shoot a lot more for less. If dollar signs aren't a big problem I would pick the m305.
Also, if plinking I would go SKS. If you plan on the possibility of hunting with that first rifle, then the m305 with modifications would be the way to go.
Just my two cents, either way you won't be disappointed!
It doesn't bother me at all that I purchased the SKS first. It was an inexpensive way for me to learn how to properly clean & take care of a rifle without the worry of being out $200. Example: I was a noob and didn't realize my ammo was corrosive (no markings on the crate) and I had left my rifle uncleaned for a couple weeks. Thankfully there wasn't a spot of rust other than in the gas tube.
Now the m305 is definitely a superior weapon in my opinion albeit more expensive ammo of course. If it's purely just price I would go with the SKS. You'll shoot a lot more for less. If dollar signs aren't a big problem I would pick the m305.
Also, if plinking I would go SKS. If you plan on the possibility of hunting with that first rifle, then the m305 with modifications would be the way to go.
Just my two cents, either way you won't be disappointed!
- Location
- Bramptonistan Burka-burka Durrp
Go with an SKS. The M305 is unreliable as hell due to feed issues. Or the M14 mags available to us are unreliable as hell.
MauserMike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
M14 is super reliable, accurate and very fun to shoot. Mine has been through Barney's clinic and I did spend extra money on sights, flash hider, spring guide and stock. However, my nod goes to the SKS for ease of operation and CHEAP ammo.
Marstar $360 for a Chinese Military SKS with 1440 rounds of ammo. How can you go wrong?
Marstar $360 for a Chinese Military SKS with 1440 rounds of ammo. How can you go wrong?
First time poster, I just recieved my pal as well, and promptly purchased an sks , you cannot beat the price ! and its a lot of fun to shoot !
I bought the rifle, bag, cleaning kit, trigger lock, and a box of 100 rounds for $328 after taxes from my local wholesale sports. im thinking its a pretty good deal.
As well it came steam cleaned so i didnt have to worry about that !
I bought the rifle, bag, cleaning kit, trigger lock, and a box of 100 rounds for $328 after taxes from my local wholesale sports. im thinking its a pretty good deal.
As well it came steam cleaned so i didnt have to worry about that !
I say SKS... just because I love Russian stuff.
I don't own one myself but my son does and he loves his to bits.
As a first gun I opted for a Mosin Nagant and then quickly added an SVT-40 to the line-up. I like how both rifles use the same ammo so I don't have to worry about which calibre goes where. LOL
I look forward to going to the range this summer in my '91 Lada Signet station wagon, opening up the hatch and pulling out my soviet sweeties !!
I don't own one myself but my son does and he loves his to bits.
As a first gun I opted for a Mosin Nagant and then quickly added an SVT-40 to the line-up. I like how both rifles use the same ammo so I don't have to worry about which calibre goes where. LOL
I look forward to going to the range this summer in my '91 Lada Signet station wagon, opening up the hatch and pulling out my soviet sweeties !!
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
I had an M305 once, still have the SKS's! Do the math.
