SKS?!

[A.Leroux]

I need some interesting and general facts on the SKS? Anyone got some interesting stuff?

[popuptarget]

Originally Posted by A.Leroux

I need some interesting and general facts on the SKS? Anyone got some interesting stuff?

The action is overbuilt for the cartridge fired. The action is based on the PTRS anti tank rifle.

[skiplc]

The SKS is a good rifle in a world of good rifles. What are you getting at with this question?

[Hida Akechi]

A.Leroux, wikipedia has an article about the SKS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sks

It will give you all you need to know about it, unless you're fishing for more than just the basic information and history about it.

My father owns one that he restored. It's a good gun. Not the greatest at accuracy, but he does use the ton of cheap ammo he has for it, so we'll blame it on the ammo for now. Yeah, that's what we'll do.

[Naffenea]

I think it's ugly.

[skiplc]

I think it's heavy and the stripper clips suck.

I think '59 Chevys are ugly and heavy too though...

[Hetzer 15]

Originally Posted by skiplc

I think it's heavy and the stripper clips suck.

I think '59 Chevys are ugly and heavy too though...

I second that one...ughhh...those clips!

Bayonet under stock is a bit of a problem, where your hand rests

Range and accuracy are wanting after 300 yards.

Wide ejection port, no feed jams.

Its Russian...nuff said

[jeffdoorgunnr]

When I was in vietnam a guy tried to sell me one. It was still packed in grease and wrapped in paper......had the bayonet,he wanted $50.I turned him down. bought a reel to reel instead..........

[popuptarget]

The problem with the chargers is usually from the heavy parkerizing. A bit of sandpaper will fix them fairly quick.

[T. A. Gardner]

Having fired a number of them I'd say your better off with even an SMLE than that COS. Not one was particularly accurate. Many, including one that made its way here from Vietnam, were horribly inaccurate. That particular one was off four rings at 25 yards with a group that took up a quarter of the target!

[TacCovert4]

I've got one. Yugoslav, bought it in the original cosmoline.

Purpose (for me): To own a weapon in the most common rifle caliber on earth. And at 250 it was a lot cheaper than the AK clones were.

Likes:

Reliable action overall. I also like the gas block being able to be turned on and off (swapping from semi to single shot). It's actually ok functioning as a bolt gun.

Simple and rugged construction, yet to me a bit tighter than the AK clones.

Big ejection up top. 10rd mag is adequate but nothing special.

Mine came with the top cover built to accomodate a scope. IMHO it wobbles less than the rigs I've seen using an AK clone. I put a small 4 power scope on it, no mil dots.

Using soft points you have roughly the terminal energy of a 30-30 at normal deer hunting ranges, making it an adequate gun to take game, or for personal defense.

Dislikes:

For its size, it is heavy. Mostly in the stock/bayonet/grenade launcher stuff that is kind of pointless to me.

The stock is short of pull. About an inch and a half too short for comfort for me, but there are a plethora of other options to purchase if I ever want to. Obviously Yugoslav soldiers don't average 5'11" with long arms.

The aforementioned charger loading sucks. That technique was really designed for a bolt gun. The system would work better with detachable mags (which some variants were converted to).

Groups aren't great. Mine groups about 3-4 MOA from prone or bench. Nothing to write home about. I can get as good performance from my AR offhand.

Factory Irons suck. If you plan on using irons, go ahead and plan on some gunsmithing to remove that trash and put on a useful set of sights. I grew up on notch and post, but came of age on peep sights. The difference is obvious. Plus the adjustments are very rough, something American shooters would instantly balk at. My solution was to mount a scope, which takes irons clear out of the picture for me.

[Hetzer 15]

Originally Posted by TacCovert4

I've got one. Yugoslav, bought it in the original cosmoline.

Purpose (for me): To own a weapon in the most common rifle caliber on earth. And at 250 it was a lot cheaper than the AK clones were.

Likes:

Reliable action overall. I also like the gas block being able to be turned on and off (swapping from semi to single shot). It's actually ok functioning as a bolt gun.

Simple and rugged construction, yet to me a bit tighter than the AK clones.

Big ejection up top. 10rd mag is adequate but nothing special.

Mine came with the top cover built to accomodate a scope. IMHO it wobbles less than the rigs I've seen using an AK clone. I put a small 4 power scope on it, no mil dots.

Using soft points you have roughly the terminal energy of a 30-30 at normal deer hunting ranges, making it an adequate gun to take game, or for personal defense.

Dislikes:

For its size, it is heavy. Mostly in the stock/bayonet/grenade launcher stuff that is kind of pointless to me.

The stock is short of pull. About an inch and a half too short for comfort for me, but there are a plethora of other options to purchase if I ever want to. Obviously Yugoslav soldiers don't average 5'11" with long arms.

The aforementioned charger loading sucks. That technique was really designed for a bolt gun. The system would work better with detachable mags (which some variants were converted to).

Groups aren't great. Mine groups about 3-4 MOA from prone or bench. Nothing to write home about. I can get as good performance from my AR offhand.

Factory Irons suck. If you plan on using irons, go ahead and plan on some gunsmithing to remove that trash and put on a useful set of sights. I grew up on notch and post, but came of age on peep sights. The difference is obvious. Plus the adjustments are very rough, something American shooters would instantly balk at. My solution was to mount a scope, which takes irons clear out of the picture for me.

Excellent write up on the SKS.