[armoredman]

I want a rifle, a cheap one, reliable, accurate, semi auto in a decent caliber. Now, several of you remember what happened LAST time I did this, so this time I'll ask a bit.
I have pretty much narrowed it to two - the Saiga 7.62x39 from cdnninvestments.com for $159, or the Yugo SKS for $109.99 from AIM,(excellent grade might be worth the $20). I have to get my local shop to put out thier license, because I don't have my C&R yet, otherwise the Yugo would be the clear winner. BTW, the idea is possibly to get two, one for me and one for the loving wife. Recivie fees at the local pawn shop are $30 each...cheapest in town!
Yugo cheaper, rugged, reliable, accurate to about 100-150 yards?
Saiga new, detachable mags,(expensive), slick looking, still only ten rounds, but still an AK action, and I have heard of them being converted LEGALLY to hicap mags.
OK, anyone wanna step up to the bench?:dunno:

[matthewdanger]

I say SKS. Doesn't AIM also have the Albanian SKSs on sale? I think they are a little more compact. I like 'em.

[loknload]

I'd go with the SK's :wine:
Just my thoughts! :coffee:

[cheekser]

go for the SKS, and gladly pay to receive it through a full FFL dealer. that way, you don't get too far into the "grey area" about modifying, as you would if it was a C&R rifle.

that being said, here are some reasons for the SKS:

1) can load with stripper clips; the bolt locks back after last shot, just strip 10 rounds in and go.

2) the Yugo's 'nade launcher can be removed, and a muzzlebrake can be threaded on (1/14 RH twist). but you should silver-solder it in place (legal reasons)

3) aftermarket stocks are readily available for the SKS, if you want to change at some point.


HOWEVER, the Saiga has something going for it as well, namely the built-in scope mounting rail on the left side of the receiver. there are a bunch of scopes that will fit this rail, and re-zero is superior to the SKS receiver-cover mounts.

[matthewdanger]

Good point on the scope mount Cheeks. The best SKS mount I have ever found are the ones available here (rifletech.com) (http://www.rifletech.com/2direct.htm) Just scroll down to the SKS section. they have mounts for short and long scopes. Also try the Millet SKS scout mount. Cheekser has one, it is pretty cool. it just replaces the read sight.

[cheekser]

how could i forget to mention the mount i own???? yes, the millet scout mount is great, but you lose open sights, and must pretty much use a red-dot scope.

[Redrum]

I vote for SKS's. Since you are going to get 2, get 1 Yugo and I Albanian. You are going to have to remove cosmo either way. The Albie that I have is the most accurate of the 9 that I have...So far...3 of them are still in cosmo!!

This way you could have 2 different shooters!!!:up::up::up:

I can't remember the name of the mounts that I have...Maybe Doc can help out on this...

Saigas are ok...but if I had a choice of 1 Saiga or 2 SKS's...no contest!!!

[clipse]

I will have to go with the majority. I have a yugo sks and love it. I got it from AIM. It has holes in the nade launcher that act like a flash hider, and it has tritium night sights opposed to the phosphurus painted night sights. It is also in like new condition except for the stock. I just wish I could get out to shoot it more. I am planning on getting another Yugo as soon as I get a C&R.


clipse

[Rabbi]

Yup, SKS all the way. For all the resons stated above.

Norinco and Leapers (same factory, same mount, etc.) both made by Chinese govt. arsenal. They replace the receiver cover and may require a bit of stoning to fit. Excellent quality, Strong as the Rock of Gibraltar and inexpensive but varying from $10-25 depending on where you shop.

Put in a shock buffer from Buffertech.com and save a BUNCH of punishment to your gun and soften recoil a tad. Good investment for ten bucks or so.

Doc

[cheekser]

good point on the shock-buff Doc. these are a great addition to the SKS rifles.

[jim]

Was in a local place today and they had Yugo SKSs on SALE for only $198.00.:OMG:

[walker]

I vote for the yugo SKS- they go forever, easy to clean and LOTS
of add-ons and aftermarket stuff for them. The only downside, I've never found semis to be real accurate, except for the browning BAR right out of the box, and think 150yds would be absolute max for the SKS, though I'm sure there are some "wizards" on this board that know some tricks to get good accuracy out of them.:magic: :magic: :magic:

[armoredman]

I seem to detect a trend here....:dunno:

[cheekser]

....and for good reason!!!

[armoredman]

Even the CDNN guy at Stopping Power told me to get the SKS, and his company sells the Saiga! I should go through him- honesty should be rewarded!:wine:

[compact 40]

Originally posted by armoredman
Even the CDNN guy at Stopping Power told me to get the SKS, and his company sells the Saiga! I should go through him- honesty should be rewarded!:wine:



Yep yep yep....

[Redrum]

Originally posted by armoredman
Even the CDNN guy at Stopping Power told me to get the SKS, and his company sells the Saiga! I should go through him- honesty should be rewarded!:wine:

I'm glad you have all that EXTRA money to "reward" people!!!:OMG: :dunno: :OHNO: :OHNO: While it might be a nice gesture...I hardly think that it is a wise move!!!! Where the hell is that tapping foot smilie!!!???....:dunno:

[compact 40]

I think my hubby has made up his mind. WOW thats a first. :lool: :lool:

[armoredman]

Red, it's only $10......CP40 found out tonight she does NOT like the SKS, and DOES like the Saiga, so SKS first and then AK in June.....:wine:

[armoredman]

Found SKS local for $129 with tax, so hope W2 shows before sale is off.....that's cheaper than ordering with recieve fees from anywhere.

[armoredman]

Did Taxes, got screwed - didn't notice hopping up several tax brackets! No rifle until June, will have CR by then. Oh well...:OHNO:

[Redrum]

AM...Does your local toy store take layaways??? Then you could pay it on time...Just a thought...:dunno:

[armoredman]

Maybe - I'll ask, especially with this nice sale. Either that or wait for C&R. I'm thinking I better get a second job somewhere, too.:NO:

[FEG]

SKS all of the way. The Albanian has some advantages over the Yugo, which have already been mentioned.

I like the Saiga rifles, but they are really more attractive for someone who already owns an AK and/or SKS. Originally, I meant for the Saiga to be my third 7.62x39 rifle. I ended up with two SKSs and two AKMs, because I like them so much better!

When the AWB sunsets, I will be curious to see what Saiga has to offer...

[USP45usp]

armoredman,

Wait for your C&R to get the SKS's, you WILL NOT be sorry and it's a thrill to have the UPS dude/dudette bringing it up to you (all the other C&R folks have forgotten that fun part of having the C&R it seems) :D.

Yugo's should be around awhile. If you can find an Albie (Albanian) at a good price, then pick it up, they are going fast, AIM (where I got mine) is completely out and I got the best one they had left (had some major stock damage (at least what I consider major)). But she cleaned up real well and I like her.

Also, the Cosmo cleaning HAS to be done by you. Sure, it's easy to walk into a store and get one that is all clean and pretty, but, you didn't do it yourself. Can be a family project... everyone covered in Cosmo, what a sight :D :lol:

Hang on to your cash until you get the C&R, I don't think that you will be unhappy doing so.

Save up for the AK varient and get that whenever. You can "bet" on whether the AWB will expire and get one at a decent price or you may not be able to get one at all until they "maybe" fall under the C&R tag.

Just my .2 cents.

Wayne

[armoredman]

That's what I am figuring on doing. I'll wait for the C&R, and get the Yugo shipped HERE!:wine:

[First Freedom]

I have to ask - what are you gonna use it for? That asked, between those 2, I think I'll recommend the Saiga just to be different. :) Besides, it's more evil-looking. Seriously, isn't the long stroke more reliable than the short stroke action of the SKS? And, and AK style won't slam-fire on you like some SKSs. Anyone know WHICH SKSs have this problem?

Oh, and I thought the FFF consensus was to NOT get a C&R volutarily! :psycho:

[Redrum]

Futo...ALL the SKS's will slamfire and so will the AK's...if you don't keep them relatively clean and keep that firing pin free floating!!! It's fun...WHEN YOU KNOW IT'S COMMING!!...but NOT otherwise!!!

As for the NOT getting a C&R voluntarily...:dunno: I HAD to get mine...I was spending to much on FFL fees!!!:lool::lool: That being said...It's been a few MONTHS since I bought a firearm!!! Gun show comming up in a few weeks!!!:up::up::up:

[First Freedom]

"I HAD to get mine...I was spending to much on FFL fees!!!"

lol - nice justification. I don't suppose you could actually consider the alternative of cutting down on the number purchases.

Seriously though, isn't there a flaw in the firing pin channel that makes certain SKS's much more prone to slam fire than other semis? When not expecting it, very bad indeed, agreed!

[FEG]

Seriously though, isn't there a flaw in the firing pin channel that makes certain SKS's much more prone to slam fire than other semis?

Seriously, NO. The "flaw" is in the ammunition, not the rifle. American commercial ammunition has softer primers than mil surp or Eastern European commercial ammunition. This began to show up when SKSs began slam firing left and right. At that time, the Chinese SKSs were by far the most common, and they received a false reputation for being prone to slam fire. The US manufacturers figured out the cause, switched to harder primers, and the problems cleared up...