Why SKS

[Andy]

I have understood that SKS is quite common gun in USA. In Finland it is not, because nobody wants it. It doesn't make anything better than AK and there is small fixed magazine and very heavy trigger pull. And there is no coolness factor of AK. Why americans want to shoot with SKS? Is it cheap? Is it easy to got? Or what?

[WildWes]

They're cheap, fun, effective, and reliable in stock configuration. I disagree on the cool factor, they're neat little carbines. The ten round box is fine for plinking/target shooting. You've gotta figure, almost every conceivable military style arm is popular here in America. There are plenty of guys who would rather shoot bolt action curio and relic rifles than AK's and the like.

Mostly because they're cheap though I suppose. If you look at it this way, a decent .22 caliber 10 shot semi-auto rifle costs between $100 and $200. For the same money you can have a 10 shot .30 cal. semi-auto military rifle complete with bayonet. (and ammo is cheap too) More bang for the bucks.

On a sidenote, I've noticed alot of the 56s rifles on Finnish sites that have 18" or 20"bbls., is this a legal requirement? :confused:

[withergyld]

Andy,
Why the SKS?? I can think of many reasons.
They are relatively inexpensive. A shooters grade Yugoslavian SKS can be bought for ~$90. The cheapest AK variant that accepts standard mags is ~$275. I also think a lot has to do with the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban. Because the SKS does not have a detachable magazine they were easier to import. The current AK variants being sold have had certain parts replaced with US made parts to allow them to legally be sold. Many SKS rifles are also classified as Curios or Relics by the BATFE. This allows them to be imported without having to replace some parts with US parts. This is most likely why the SKS costs less then an AK. I currently own four SKS rifles. I have a 1955 Tula (Russian), a 1956 factory 26 Chinese, a 1967 Albanian and a 1970 Yugoslavian. I have corresponded with several people who own more then 12 SKS rifles each. Some people try to get one from each year/factory from each country. For the collector it would be impossible to do this with the AK varients. Post ban AK varients are a mix of US and Original parts. The cost of pre-ban AK's discourage this practice. I am looking for a Romanian SKS, this will give me one SKS fron each of the easily obtainable Countries. There are also North Korean, North Vietnamese and East German made SKS rifles, however these are extremely rare and are extremely expensive if they can be found for sale.

[spoonman]

a wood stocked, ten round autoloadeing rifle for under 150$? with cheap parts and ammo?

what's not to like. it makes a good first budget gun, i bought one before buying an AK since it was so cheap and a solid rifle.

[Andy]

Thanks for answers.

WildWes: Before 1998 we had an old gun law that said rifles barrel must be at least 460mm (~18"). In nineties became to Finland much of self loading rifles. We call them reservist rifles. Before com block collapsed, it had been politically incorrect though not illegal. That is why in Finland is much of long barreled Norincos. Nowadays our new gun law says that rifle have to have at least 400mm (~16") barrel and full length at least 840mm (~33"). It should be able to got a licence for gun that is shorter (all guns need a licence here) but in many places it is difficult.Other reason for long barrels is that with long barreled AK and heavy bullets it's able to shoot in IPSC major-class.

Well. In here SKS is not as cheap. Perhaps 250€. Cheapest Saiga M3 EXP-1 costs 320€. Other reason must be lisence. Here you can't buy a gun for just plinking. You have to train some gunsport and SKS isn't good for any. It's also too ineffective for moose hunting. Import bureaucracy is also same for all self loading rifles.

[WildWes]

Andy, thanks for the bbl. length info! I've come across several gun related sites from Finland and the longer barreled Norincos have always caught my eye. I'm pretty sure alot of the 18" AK's went to Canada as well, they show up from time to time on the auction websites over here.

I've seen some AK's on the Finnish sites that had sound suppressors, do those require extensive licensing or does that all factor in to the overall license process?

Hope you stick around here, it's always cool to hear from shooters in different countries. Some things are different, some things remain the same. :ak47:

[Andy]

In Finland a suppressor needs no any lisence. Not even normal gun lisence that needs for example buying ammo. Anyone can go to shop and buy a suppressor like a stump of waterpipe. Rimfire suppressors cost about 20€ and centerfire supressors 80-150€.

[torque65]

I always thought that SKS's were POS guns until I got my '67 Yugo. Very nice shooter.
Is it normal to be able to get 11 rounds into the 10 round mag?

[RPK]

Is it normal to be able to get 11 rounds into the 10 round mag?

Yep, sure is.
I'm not sure about the others, but the Yugo & Chinese SKSs will take 11 easy. Pretty sure the others will as well.

[Andy]

How about trigger pull? I have heard that it can be even 20 lbs. Is that true? Do you normally make it lighter?

[Sammoh]

How about trigger pull? I have heard that it can be even 20 lbs. Is that true? Do you normally make it lighter?I had a Kel-Tec P11 9mm DAO semi-auto pistol. It had a trigger pull of about 6lbs. That and with the long pull of a DAO trigger setup, I thought that was a horribly hard pull. Made it very unfun to shoot.

Now I've never tested the trigger pull of an SKS or an AK-47 but I do know that my friend's Yugo and Soviet SKS' trigger pulls are both lighter than my Saiga 7.62 and my SAR-1. I also know that those SKS weren't modified so well, maybe it's just in the gun?

Btw Andy, in regard to Moose hunting. You can kill a moose with an SKS, SAR or Saiga 7.62. In the case of the latter two, just load up a hi-cap mag with FMJ or steel core ammo and pull the trigger repeatedly, preferrably at as fast a rate as you can sustain while maintaining your aim. Poke enough holes through the beast and it'll die. In the case of the SKS, have plenty of strippers (stripper clips, not dancers) nearby and make sure they're full so you can empty them fast. Either way, keep your distance and let loose with the trigger finger. lol

[Buck]

...Poke enough holes .... In ...case of ... plenty of strippers ... and make sure they're full so you can empty them fast. Either way, keep your distance and let loose with the trigger finger. lol

Try not to gutshoot them.

[Andy]

Well. I know that it is possible to destroy a moose with AK or SKS. But our hunting law says that hunting is not war against game. :D

Ammo used in moosehunting must have at least 9g bullet and 2700J energy at 100m OR at least 10g bullet and 2000J energy at 100m. Also it is not allowed to use in semi-auto rifle bigger than three rounds clip and FMJ ammo.

A famous finnish gunwriter Vesa Toivonen proved that it is possible to get 10g/2000J/100m out of 7,62x39 - with long barreled bolt action rifle and optimized handloaded ammo. It is not possible with SKS or AK.

[Sammoh]

Andy... the FMJ ammo, I can understand. As for the other restrictions... ouch!

[mark214]

Why americans want to shoot with SKS? Is it cheap? Is it easy to got? Or what?

You sound like my wife every time I bring a new gun home, WHY?! :)

[Archivist Dick]

Andy, no doubt life in Finnland is much different than here in the United States, so there is nothing I'd venture to suggest as a guide for you and any possible firearms purchases.

You are welcome, however, to a simple statement regarding what we like about Simonov carbines.

For me, the relative safety of use and ease in carry are two big advantages to the lowly SKS, over the Kalashnikov.

By safety, we like the idea of an action that locks open. Everyone around us can see at a glance the status of such a carbine. Additionally, we like the placement of the safety lever, and its ability to be flicked on and off easily, quietly.

As far as ease of carriage, it has to be conceded that an SKS is handy to carry about in the field. There are no bulky detachable magazines to concern yourself with. The weapon slings easily on the back. And it is extremely well balanced for offhand shooting.

Additionally, shooting an SKS without hearing protectors is less bothersome than an AK. Try it and your discover what I mean. There are occasions when hearing protectors will not be available, or a good choice ...

I hope this helps. As we're pretty much limited to semi-auto only rifles in the states (financially and politically), we find the SKS is a strong competitor offering advantages over the semi-auto only Kalashnikov style rifles we may choose from.

[Sammoh]

I'd like to add that they're damned cheap too! In America, if you want a reliable, relatively accurate (at short to medium ranges) firearm for either small to medium game hunting, plinking, range shooting or home/personal protection, the SKS is ideal. I've seen them go for as little as $85 (US) in some places.

In comparison, Saigas start around $150 (US) and AK variants start around $200 and go up and up. US modified variants (like those offered by Krebs Custom or AK-USA) can go for $500 to $1000 and more.

The low cost is a huge factor to many people who are purchasing their first firearm. Add all of the features and values that Archivist mentioned above and you've got a winning combo for a first time buyer.

[torque65]

The primary reason for the popularity of the SKS in the States is its' cost. Where else can you get a wood stocked, semi-auto. .30 caliber rifle that's legal to hunt with for so little? They are cheap to shoot, have little recoil, and are reasonably accurate.
There is a large aftermarket parts / accessories industry for them; you can really do a lot to improve or individualize your SKS.
The only other rifle that has more options is the 10-22, and IT'S not a "hunting" rifle, per se.

[scubadvr]

Great price, reasonably accurate, extremely reliable, if maintained well very safe.

[Packrat]

In much of the US, among the people who use guns for hunting or recreation a lot, the SKS has replaced the lever-action .30-30 as the "ready-for-anything" rifle. It's a favorite pickup gun, or the one you grab when the dogs start going wild at 2:00 in the morning. With the wood stock and inconspicuous magazine, it's accepted on ranges where the AK is turned away or regarded with ill-favor. And the recoil makes it a good transition rifle from the .22 LR to high-powered rifles.

That said, I prefer the AK; I have several, but I also have an SKS with a bandoleer of stripper clips. It's hedging your bet.

[Buck]

I have heard that an SKS was the #1 war prize in the Vietnam war, probably as a rarity.

Maybe that being a big deal propagated when those vets came back. Can any 'nam vets confirm that?

[Andy]

I have seen the light. :angel1: One guy told me that a local gun store had sold SKS's at one hundred euro. Then I understood immediatly why do you want them. Unfortunately before I had started to run the guy told me that they were sold out. :sad_small

[Packrat]

With what you have available, I don't know if I would get an SKS, but I certainly don't think you will feel unhappy that you did. Keep looking; if they had them once, especially if they sold out fast, they'll probably get them again.

[Rascal]

Hi Andy,
In the not so great state of California, we aren't allowed to have AK's, AR's or any other "Assault Weapon", but we can have a SKS with 10 round "non-detachable" magazine. It's a lot more fun shooting the SKS, then a Mini 30, and more acturate.
I believe that your "moose" in finland is not the same "moose" the we have here in the U.S. or Canada. Many people here use the SKS as a Deer rifle with great success. The 7.62X39 round has very simular characteristics as the age old favorite 30-30 caliber round, that have brought down many many deer over the years. While the SKS is not a tack driver, it will bring down a mule deer if you do your part, at 150 yards. Use soft points, not hollow points. Full metal jackets are illegal to use for hunting here.

[Sammoh]

I believe that your "moose" in finland is not the same "moose" the we have here in the U.S. or Canada.
Moose isn't exactly easy to take down with a 30-30 or 7.62x39. I wouldn't trust a shot or two from an SKS to take Moose. I might want to empty an entire 30rd mag into it with the 7.62x39 round. If I were going after moose, I'd want to use a 30-06... or rather, something with yet more punch.

[Okie]

If I had to take down a North American Moose, It would be with a Marlin .45-70. No way am I going to compromize myself with anything smaller than that.

[Zdeno]

Because SKS's are cool as shit.

And I felt like necroposting one of the oldest threads I could find. :small_gri

[Miami_JBT]

Because SKS's are cool as shit.

And I felt like necroposting one of the oldest threads I could find. :small_gri

Can I please see the larger version of your avatar.... PLEASE!!!!!!

[Zdeno]

Can I please see the larger version of your avatar.... PLEASE!!!!!!

Yep.
Check this thread out, some pics of her in it.
http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92538

[Tomfoolery]

I like my SKS because it's a freakin tac driver inside 200 yards on just irons.

[JTEXX53]

The SKS variants are a very tough durable rifles. The time frame of when AK's came out was just bad timing for the SKS, because they overlapped. SKS is just as durable as an AK as far as it can been burried in mud or dirt, pick it up bang butt stock on the ground to loosen the debris and you're good to go. Haven't heard of any full automatic SKS's though but I'm sure there are some. The abilty of the AK to utilize high capacity magazine just made it a better choice combat rifle but you'll still see them used in 3rd world countries. I haven't seen any SKS priced as low as other posters stated since the early 90's. Purchase my Norinco SKS, NIB for $125. Too bad there is a ban on Chinese imports, they make some other very decent rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
JT

[2 clicks low]

The year was 1992 I bought a new SKS for $89.95 plus 1000's of 7.62x39 for $85.00 it was so cheap you felt bad if you did not buy it. :cry_small
A CKC/SKS is a very good grunt rifle out to 200 yards it doesn’t need extra magazines you can get by with no striper clips, all you need is ammo.