SKS

[AvsFan]

Gent’s,

School me...I’ve always wanted a 7.62x39 plinker that’s not an AK. Not sure where to begin in terms of country of manufacturer, year (if that matters), what to look for/avoid, etc.

Thanks in advance,

AvsFan

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Last I knew you bought whatever SKS you saw that had all it's parts and then you shot the hell out of it with no regard for country of origin or value. I'm sure some SKS collector will disagree with me, but really they're all close enough to being the same and they typically all work.

 

[Rerun7]

Are you sold on an sks? If so, I’d just research to see if you can get one with a milled receiver vs stamped. Although if you are just plinking it probably won’t matter that much.

Saiga also makes an AK variant that has a more traditional buttstock, no pistol grip. I had one and it worked great for plinking and having fun. Another option would be a ruger mini 14 in 7.62x39.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Are you sold on an sks? If so, I’d just research to see if you can get one with a milled receiver vs stamped. Although if you are just plinking it probably won’t matter that much.

Saiga also makes an sks variant that has a more traditional buttstock, no pistol grip. I had one and it worked great for plinking and having fun. Another option would be a ruger mini 14 in 7.62x39.

WTF are you talking about? Last I knew only one factory in China made stamped receiver SKS's and they're very rare and sought after.

I also googled Saiga made SKS's just to see if I could learn something. It appears no such firearm exists.

 

[Rerun7]

WTF are you talking about? Last I knew only one factory in China made stamped receiver SKS's and they're very rare and sought after.

I also googled Saiga made SKS's just to see if I could learn something. It appears no such firearm exists.

Let me clarify, the stamped versions are pretty rare for the receiver but it’s more common to find other parts that are stamped vs milled.

That was a typo regarding the Saiga. I meant to say they make an AK variant with a traditional buttstock, not pistol grip. Fixed.

 

[Niles Coyote]

I know you said SKS, and Ive had a few but always wanted a bolt action, bought a Ruger American and played with some hand loads and this is what I cam e up with.
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Milsurp ammo, I've gotten as good as ~1.25moa but most is around 1.5-2 moa at 100. Smacking steel 12" steel plates at 4 & 5 hundred fun and fairly easy as long as your ES isnt to bad. The above hand load makes it childs play. Oh, it takes Mini-Thirty mags too.

 

[Dan M]

A Chinese or Yugo mfg SKS can be easily found for a plinker SKS. Romanian, Russian or Albanian SKS rifle are scarcer & will cost you more. A holy grail find would be a North Korean or East German SKS...almost unobtanium and priced accordingly.

The Yugo does not have a chrome lined barrel, if that matters to you. Not a lot to choose between them with regard to function, provided they were not totally neglected by a previous owner. I remember when you could buy Norinco SKSs at full retail for $119.00.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Let me clarify, the stamped versions are pretty rare for the receiver but it’s more common to find other parts that are stamped vs milled.

That was a typo regarding the Saiga. I meant to say they make an AK variant with a traditional buttstock, not pistol grip. Fixed.

Alright I'm following now.

 

[AvsFan]

Awesome, thanks for all the info guys. I ended up getting a numbers matching 1950 Russian Tula. Pics to follow shortly.