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Ive seen the metal ventelated upper handguards on em, look like the ones on an M14 or Ruger mini14. Anyone know where to get one of these?
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SKS Opinions
- Thread starter j williams
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Nice SKS Robert!! That scope looks great, and I like the looks of it overall.:thumbup:
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Another :thumbup::thumbup: for the SKS...
The biggest drawback to the SKS when compared to the AK is the 10 round mags. However, dedpending on your point of view, that might not be a big deal at all. Personally, I think the advantage of a bolt hold open device (on the SKS) balances the tally with the AK. I prefer knowing when I am out of ammo & feel that 10 rounds is sufficient.
The aftermarket detachable mags are worthless - they are not reliable if they function at all. OTOH, there is a 'stock' 20rd internal mag for the Chinese SKS I have heard good things about. YMMV.
The biggest drawback to the SKS when compared to the AK is the 10 round mags. However, dedpending on your point of view, that might not be a big deal at all. Personally, I think the advantage of a bolt hold open device (on the SKS) balances the tally with the AK. I prefer knowing when I am out of ammo & feel that 10 rounds is sufficient.
The aftermarket detachable mags are worthless - they are not reliable if they function at all. OTOH, there is a 'stock' 20rd internal mag for the Chinese SKS I have heard good things about. YMMV.
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Thank you!
Best part of it is the scope and mount ran under 100 bucks. So for the price of a cheap handgun you can get a 300 yard + blaster with great power, good accuracy, and cheap ammo.
I'd feel fine if it was my only long gun.
That's not true the tapco 20 rounders run great and we have beat the crap out of them. I'm not normally a Tapco fan for anything so that's saying something.
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WOW! That mount is fantastic! Definately something I'll be looking for when some funds get freed up in a month or two! I've just got a cheapo red dot on mine. Hasn't lost zero yet, but the zero isn't the greatest because of the large dot. That will get greatly improved with the scout mount and a better scope! I'm learning a bunch from this thread! Thanks All!!!
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Id be interested in hearing more about the internal 20rdr......I think 10rds is sufficiant for what id like to do with mine, but id like to test out some of the aftermarket stuff too.:thumbup:
Anyone have balistic info on the SKS, and the 7.62x39?
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Ballistics
The standard AK-47 or AKM fires a 7.62x39mm round with a muzzle velocity of 710 metres per second (2,329 ft/s). Muzzle energy is 2,010 joules (1,467 ft·lbf). Cartridge case length is 38.6 millimetres (1.5 in), weight is 18.21 grams (281.0 grains). Projectile weight is normally 8 grams (123 gr). The AK-47 and AKM, with the 7.62x39mm cartridge, have a maximum effective range of around 400 meters.
Other names for 7.62x39mm
Lateral view of a steel-cased 7.62x39mm FMJ cartridge.On some occasions, this ammunition is referred to as 7.62 mm Soviet, 7.62 mm Warsaw Pact, or 7.62 mm ComBloc. It was also known in the United States as .30 Short Russian/ComBloc; the "Short" was to distinguish it from the older .30 Russian, which was the 7.62x54mmR. (Note that the "R" in 7.62x54mmR does not stand for "Russian", but "Rimmed".)
Hunting and Sport Use
Since approximately 1990, the 7.62x39mm cartridge has seen some use in hunting arms in the US for hunting game up to the size of whitetail deer, as it is approximately as powerful as the old .30-30 Winchester round, and has a similar ballistic profile.[5] Large numbers of inexpensive imported semiautomatic rifles, like the SKS and semi-auto AK-47 clones and variants, are available in this caliber. The SKS is so inexpensive as to have begun displacing the .30-30 lever-action rifles as the new "poor man's deer rifle" by being less expensive than the .30-30 Marlins and Winchesters that long held that role. In addition, Ruger produces the Mini-30 as a 7.62x39mm version of their popular Mini-14 rifles. Inexpensive imported 7.62x39mm ammunition is also widely available, though much of it is of the non-expanding type that may be illegal to use for hunting in some US states. However, both imported Russian ammunition like Wolf brand and American civilian manufacturers produce both hollow-point and soft-point rounds, which are suitable and nearly universally legal for hunting except in areas where the use of rifles for hunting is completely prohibited.
7.62x39mm ammunition has typically been one of the least-expensive centerfire rifle ammunitions on the market. It cost just over 17 cents a round for quality imported ammo in early 2006.In 2005/2006, prices began to soar (almost doubling in the US) due to the United States placing a massive order to supply the fledgling Afghan and Iraqi armies.[6] Average price in early 2008 rose to 22 cents per round, bought in bulk packs of 500 to 1000. It is still cheaper than most handgun rounds and even some expensive target .22 rimfire ammunition. This cartridge has endeared itself to shooters in spite of its limited ballistics because of the many inexpensive good semiautomatic rifles available for it, the availability of inexpensive ammunition, and because of its minimal recoil.
The standard AK-47 or AKM fires a 7.62x39mm round with a muzzle velocity of 710 metres per second (2,329 ft/s). Muzzle energy is 2,010 joules (1,467 ft·lbf). Cartridge case length is 38.6 millimetres (1.5 in), weight is 18.21 grams (281.0 grains). Projectile weight is normally 8 grams (123 gr). The AK-47 and AKM, with the 7.62x39mm cartridge, have a maximum effective range of around 400 meters.
Other names for 7.62x39mm
Lateral view of a steel-cased 7.62x39mm FMJ cartridge.On some occasions, this ammunition is referred to as 7.62 mm Soviet, 7.62 mm Warsaw Pact, or 7.62 mm ComBloc. It was also known in the United States as .30 Short Russian/ComBloc; the "Short" was to distinguish it from the older .30 Russian, which was the 7.62x54mmR. (Note that the "R" in 7.62x54mmR does not stand for "Russian", but "Rimmed".)
Hunting and Sport Use
Since approximately 1990, the 7.62x39mm cartridge has seen some use in hunting arms in the US for hunting game up to the size of whitetail deer, as it is approximately as powerful as the old .30-30 Winchester round, and has a similar ballistic profile.[5] Large numbers of inexpensive imported semiautomatic rifles, like the SKS and semi-auto AK-47 clones and variants, are available in this caliber. The SKS is so inexpensive as to have begun displacing the .30-30 lever-action rifles as the new "poor man's deer rifle" by being less expensive than the .30-30 Marlins and Winchesters that long held that role. In addition, Ruger produces the Mini-30 as a 7.62x39mm version of their popular Mini-14 rifles. Inexpensive imported 7.62x39mm ammunition is also widely available, though much of it is of the non-expanding type that may be illegal to use for hunting in some US states. However, both imported Russian ammunition like Wolf brand and American civilian manufacturers produce both hollow-point and soft-point rounds, which are suitable and nearly universally legal for hunting except in areas where the use of rifles for hunting is completely prohibited.
7.62x39mm ammunition has typically been one of the least-expensive centerfire rifle ammunitions on the market. It cost just over 17 cents a round for quality imported ammo in early 2006.In 2005/2006, prices began to soar (almost doubling in the US) due to the United States placing a massive order to supply the fledgling Afghan and Iraqi armies.[6] Average price in early 2008 rose to 22 cents per round, bought in bulk packs of 500 to 1000. It is still cheaper than most handgun rounds and even some expensive target .22 rimfire ammunition. This cartridge has endeared itself to shooters in spite of its limited ballistics because of the many inexpensive good semiautomatic rifles available for it, the availability of inexpensive ammunition, and because of its minimal recoil.
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I've had more SKS's than I can remember. I've always loved them. To me, these are AK style battle rifles at a quarter of the price. They are nicer once you ease up the trigger a little bit, small job.
I either leave them with the factory mag or i use the tapco 20rd mags. The Tapco mags are initially hit or miss, meaning that when you first get them, they may jam up a few times. Once they get broken in, ALL of them work like a champ. I've never had good luck with any other brand of aftermarket mags without additional smithing.
The Yugos, in my opinion are less than terrific. They are just too big and heavy for me compared to all the others and they aren't put together with quite as much love (chrome-lined barrels and such) as the other brands. I highly recommend getting one of the other makes such as Norinco. Of course models like the paratrooper (less accurate than a standard SKS due to shorter barrel length and more compact) and 'D' models (uses standard AK mags as apposed to the SKS mags) are the most desirable, but the standard sino-soviets are my favorite. They tend to be the most well-built out of all of them and the price is still right.
I know a lot of people would rather have an AK47 for "real battle scenerios", and for that, I agree, but for everything else, I would rather have an SKS. They are much more accurate with less practice than your average AK. Obviously I'm not addressing complete Arsenal brand refurbs and productions and other such high end AK's, but certainly much more accurate than your average WASR-10 and other Romies. Unless I'm in a trench, holding a position, or taking a hill, the mag capacity advantage of an AK or the simplicity of operation doesn't really come into play. I'm never too busy to clean my rifle and never have a need for more than a few shots, let alone ten. I do shoot both SKS's and AK's regularly and love both, but for real world use, I would choose the SKS.
Also, I strongly recomend not going crazy trying to bubba up your SKS. That stuff looks real cool on paper, but it all adds weight and when you get one all decked out, it ends up being twice the size and actually less comfortable to shoot. I recomend people leave pretty much everything original other than adding a scout style scope if you choose to go really long range with it. Robert H's setup is about as elaborate as I would get. I've decked out SKS's with every aftermarket accessory you've ever seen and have experience with all of it. I can garantee you, the people who made it knew what they were doing. They made a good rifle. ...except the Yugoslavs. Theirs works, thats about as much as i praise them. Recoil buffers, trigger jobs, etc. are good, but Tapco T6 stocks, bipods, flashlights, all of it is heavy and most of the time absolutely useless.
I either leave them with the factory mag or i use the tapco 20rd mags. The Tapco mags are initially hit or miss, meaning that when you first get them, they may jam up a few times. Once they get broken in, ALL of them work like a champ. I've never had good luck with any other brand of aftermarket mags without additional smithing.
The Yugos, in my opinion are less than terrific. They are just too big and heavy for me compared to all the others and they aren't put together with quite as much love (chrome-lined barrels and such) as the other brands. I highly recommend getting one of the other makes such as Norinco. Of course models like the paratrooper (less accurate than a standard SKS due to shorter barrel length and more compact) and 'D' models (uses standard AK mags as apposed to the SKS mags) are the most desirable, but the standard sino-soviets are my favorite. They tend to be the most well-built out of all of them and the price is still right.
I know a lot of people would rather have an AK47 for "real battle scenerios", and for that, I agree, but for everything else, I would rather have an SKS. They are much more accurate with less practice than your average AK. Obviously I'm not addressing complete Arsenal brand refurbs and productions and other such high end AK's, but certainly much more accurate than your average WASR-10 and other Romies. Unless I'm in a trench, holding a position, or taking a hill, the mag capacity advantage of an AK or the simplicity of operation doesn't really come into play. I'm never too busy to clean my rifle and never have a need for more than a few shots, let alone ten. I do shoot both SKS's and AK's regularly and love both, but for real world use, I would choose the SKS.
Also, I strongly recomend not going crazy trying to bubba up your SKS. That stuff looks real cool on paper, but it all adds weight and when you get one all decked out, it ends up being twice the size and actually less comfortable to shoot. I recomend people leave pretty much everything original other than adding a scout style scope if you choose to go really long range with it. Robert H's setup is about as elaborate as I would get. I've decked out SKS's with every aftermarket accessory you've ever seen and have experience with all of it. I can garantee you, the people who made it knew what they were doing. They made a good rifle. ...except the Yugoslavs. Theirs works, thats about as much as i praise them. Recoil buffers, trigger jobs, etc. are good, but Tapco T6 stocks, bipods, flashlights, all of it is heavy and most of the time absolutely useless.
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Great post Tony, thanks! That awnsered some of my questions on it. I had a basic idea, but not specifics.
Dylside- Great thoughts. I agree, the yugos arent the greatest. I like my chinese.:thumbup:
Great thoughts on customization too. I had a buddy who decked out an AR and it was so damn heavy, it was a PITA to manuver tacticaly with it, or even shoulder it for extended periods.:thumbup:
Dylside- Great thoughts. I agree, the yugos arent the greatest. I like my chinese.:thumbup:
Great thoughts on customization too. I had a buddy who decked out an AR and it was so damn heavy, it was a PITA to manuver tacticaly with it, or even shoulder it for extended periods.:thumbup:
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Yeah, in my much younger days, I was, as most guys at the time were, a "black rifle" freak. Everything I had was as tactical as a Navy Seal Ninja. Government agencies were contacting me about my rifle modifications to AR's, M4's, and HK91's in hopes that it would further their research for the Stealth Fighter programs. lol. Many many years ago i grew out of the "black rifle" phase, thank GOD, but not before learning that mods should be used like salt. You should only use as much as you need for your specific application. Don't just dump it on there or you'll mess everything up.
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Ha! Thats too funny!
I hear what youre sayin though!!!!!!!
I hear what youre sayin though!!!!!!!
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Last edited:
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How do you do that?
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.................
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Thats the good thing about these types of rifles......You can make it totally shootable for you. Plenty of stuff available to do that!
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Another positive vote for the SKS...
I'd also like to add that if you get a chance to check out an older Russian version you may be surprised at how well they are made. I have never understood (or appreciated to be honest) the declaration that the SKS was a 'cheap' or 'junk' rifle. From the design standpoint, they hold their own against any of their contempories. And, if you've seen one with milled parts up close there isn't anything cheap about them in my opinion, apart from the price. Lastly, if you've ever shot one-one that was properly maintained-you'd appreciate it even more.
Warning potential blasphemy ahead...
I have enough faith and confidence in them that I'd have no problem grabbing an SKS and leaving a Garand on the shelf.
I'd also like to add that if you get a chance to check out an older Russian version you may be surprised at how well they are made. I have never understood (or appreciated to be honest) the declaration that the SKS was a 'cheap' or 'junk' rifle. From the design standpoint, they hold their own against any of their contempories. And, if you've seen one with milled parts up close there isn't anything cheap about them in my opinion, apart from the price. Lastly, if you've ever shot one-one that was properly maintained-you'd appreciate it even more.
Warning potential blasphemy ahead...
I have enough faith and confidence in them that I'd have no problem grabbing an SKS and leaving a Garand on the shelf.