Is an SKS a "must have" rifle?

[Zephri]

Pretty sure the standard sks's barrel is around 20". unlike mine

[SavageEagle]

Thanks for the comparison! I was going to ask to see yours but wasn't sure you saw the thread...

Clay, you're def'lly looking at a 20" Norinco. I'd jump on it. Seriously. They are every bit as accurate and a LOT more than your AK and you don't have to break the bank buying more ammo and ammo cans. I'd buy it if I had the money!

[printcraft]

I just got one that was covered - inside and out - in cosmoline. Unfired!!!!!!!!

Blue is perfect on every inch. The stock had a rough
finish varnish that looked like it had sand in it.
Dissassembled, baked and boiled the cosmo off.
A little citrus strip on the stock and a new coat of gunstock stain and 5 coats of tung oil later. Beautiful. Can't wait to get to the range.

[SavageEagle]

PICS!!!

[printcraft]

PICTS!

Will do, I'll get some tonight.

[printcraft]

Originally Posted by SavageEagle

PICS!!!

Picts away.

I stripped it from stem to stern. Boiled the small parts, dried and oiled.
Baked the receiver/barrel on low to get the cosmo into a liquid and then hit it
with gun scrubber & reoiled. Came out smooth!











bad picts, crappy camera

[Slab]

Originally Posted by jediagh

Why?? plz explain?

Im worried about russian import ammo when/if the ban comes. i know a few places in the US make it, but not as cheap as wolf.

[anthony010]

I have an sks with tapko and tapko 20 round mags so I dont feel the need to buy an ak but I do want to eventually get an ar. I say if you have an ak you dont really need a sks but they are very fun, and you do already have the ammo if you wanted to get the sks at a good price.

[38special]

I love my SKS.

Don't reall feel like I have a use for an AR where I'm at. The AR has the SKS beat on accuracy long range, but where in Indianapolis am I going to have to shoot bad guys at 600 yards? I'm stick with the Mosin in that event. SKS will take care of me just fine in a SHTF situation, with a much larger round than the 223.

[SirRealism]

I think the idea of "must have" has to take into account how many rifles you own. My first rifle was an SKS, and I'll never get rid of it. I second what 38spsecial said about the utility of it vs. an AR in most situations.

That having been said, if you already have an AR and an AK, then I might look at a Mosin. Even less expensive than an SKS, and more bang than any of the others mentioned. But if you did that, you'd have yet another caliber of ammo to buy. That's a pain.

ETA: I've never heard of anyone regret having bought an SKS or a Mosin.