The SKS as a tactical rifle-opinions?

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Dave3006

New member
I apologize for using the "tactical" word. I actually hate it. I am interested in the opinions of people regarding the SKS as a fighting rifle. Would you consider the fact that it has to be loaded via stripper clips a big limitation? How fast is it in real life to reload? Can you top off extra rounds?

As a Californian, am comparing it to a few other semi-auto rifles. I am only interested in a semi-auto, intermediate cartridge (I already have battle rifles and lever actions).

Mini-14 - hard to find 10 round mags that work
M1 Carbine - Hard to find 10 round mags and I question the round
PC4 - Nice gun. But, it is only a pistol round.

I think that is my only choice as a captive in occupied Kali. Any comments?

Thanks,
Dave
 
dave,

are you leaving out M1As and Garands as 'heavy' cartridge guns?

From what you have listed, and knowing what is available there, I would choose the SKS over the other three you have listed. My SKS is dirty SOB, and just goes and goes and goes! I am not sure about topping off, as there does not appear to be an exterior hold open. I suppose if you can hold it open just right in your right hand, thumb the rounds in with the left....
 
Two things that prevent me from considering the SKS as anything serious...

Crappy sights- poor sight picture, slow to aquire
Crappy trigger- heavy, creepy, gritty, inconsistent

These deficiencies make the SKS a substandard tool. However, SKS rifles have been known to be inexpensive, reliable (but my Romanian has proven otherwise) and combat accurate. Once you can fix the maladies, the SKS can be formidable weapon.

I'll stick to my Bushmaster.
 
It seems to me that if you already have battle rifles and lever actions, you don't really need anything else.

Face it, pistols and single-shot shotguns have served well for many people for many decades. At some point, you may well find yourself losing the gunfight as you mumble around trying to decide on the appropriate weapon! :)

Seems to me you'd be better off developing your skills in rapid, aimed fire with what you already have.

FWIW, Art
 
Dave, I also live in PDR California...

A good edition of the Seminov is a valid battle rifle. They have been reliable for over 50 years or so now.
The sights are open topped, not to my liking, and the trigger is certainly not "target grade", but the basic implement is suitable. The combination seems to connect with opposing soldiers on a regular basis.
The stripper clip arrangement is superior in some regards to a detachable magazine gun. Topping off is difficult, but then one can't "top off" a Garand, either. One learns to live with it. Or around it, as the case may be.

I've been considering one myself.

In the meanwhile, my "carbine" between handguns and rifles is a Model '92 in .44 WCF. It only holds nine or ten rounds and has open sights too.
 
I wouldn't underrate the SKS as a rifle for self defense. It's sturdy and reliable and accurate enough for the purpose. Like anything else though, practice, practice & practice to attain familiarity & competency with it.

BTW, I keep an SKS loaded along with a bandolier of ammunition in stripper clips ready to go.
 
I have AK and SKS, Have you ever tried to pick up 10 empty AK magazines? man, that's heavy beast, so, I prefer SKS style clip, so I can carry more ammo, if you pick up and sort out carefully, clip is not that slow, yes, some clip will not be smooth, some are,
 
SKS can be topped off!

Ok, i was curious about whether or not you can top off an SKS. I took it out to the local range to test it.

1. hold the rifle with left hand, work action with right, you can line up the guide with the mag well, and can top it off. a little difficult, as you place the butt of the gun on your leg or on the ground, and you will most likely lose the chambered round (at least i did).

2. (as demonstrated by AWer Bigfoot) shoot some, flip the gun over, open the mag compartment, dump loose ammo in as necessary. This seems to work really well, but the downside is you need loose ammo.

I would have to disagree about the sights and trigger. I think the gun points very naturally, has a nice, short pull, and the triggers on these guns seem to always vary in quality. Mine is long, but smooth and steady.

The SKS can still be had for cheap here in NV. I wonder if its cheaper to have one shipped to your FFL rather than pay the grab ankles prices in CA?
 
I had my Russian SKS out today. Could hit a 10# CO2 fire extinguisher at over 200 yds. (from a bench rest). I can't remember the last time, if ever, my SKSs jammed on me. I have one bedded in a Fagen stock that I use for plate shoots in top load class. It will do as well as anything else out there. I would trust my two SKSs completely.
Also on the stripper clips. To adjust them, slide a cartridge along until you find a tight spot. Use the cartridge as a lever for spreading the guide rails on the stripper. I spray mine with silicone lube when participating in a shoot. I think they are just as quick as changing a mag, and take up much less room.
 
SKS

I think it would be a fine weapon. I have a Chinese one with 3, 30rd "duck-bill" detachable mags, some say these detachable mags are unreliable, and there are some that are. Mine are not. The sights are decent, for me anyway, they will do the job up to 400 yds, although most engagements will take place at 250 and less. The trigger is smooth and steady, on mine anyway.


If you aquire one with the original 10 rd fixed mag, in the right hands, it too is a formidable weapon. you can get a lower profile, and thus make you hard to hit.


Know its limits, although I have detachable mags that work reliably, keep in mind other than the SKS-D, its not designed to use detachable mags. Its not a sniper weapon, don't expect it to act as such. Its not a battle rifle, its a weapon in the same role as the M1 Carbine, although the SKS fires the more powerful 7.62x39.

Overall, its a fine weapon and you shouldn't go wrong with it.
 
~>Chiz45,

Did you shoot my ChiCom SKS when I went to Sloan on the 28th of May, 2001?

~~>Dave3006,

Anyways, I have many SKS's Russians, Chicoms, Romo's. But my Parkerize Chicom SKS is the best. It is milled and very accurate at 150-yards. Anyways, I conducted rapid fire test with the Parke Chicom SKS. I had trouble with the first clip but after the second clip I loaded the 9 clips just fine into my SKS. So what I am trying to say is with a little practice you can shoot a SKS just like if you were shooting a AK with many 30-round magazines. I would also like to add that if you practice enough, you get to load your stripper fed firearm faster than a magazine fed firearm. Also strippers can be pocketed faster than a magazine which you either have to drop on the floor, store inside your shirt, or store-it in your empty magazine carrying bag. So I would say forget the MINI-14 unless you own PMI magazines(20, 30, 40-rounders) or any other brand of Mini-14 magazine made to work(5, 7, 14, 15, 20, 30, 40-rounder). Your best choices of economical self-defense semi-auto rifles are the SKS, and M1-Carbine. Any more money spent you should consider getting a FAL, M1A, or .50BMG.

Check some of these places nearby you to see the FAL or even the .50BMG's.

http://www.entreprise.com

http://www.50bmgstore.com/home.htm

Hope this helps you out a bit. Later-on.:)
 
Also my SKS's never have jam, and I work them to death. 7K Wolf rounds each :D

If you SKS jams send-it to me I'll fix-it:D Just because an SKS jams does not mean it is no good;Just with a little TLC and grease you can make any SKS shoot like new:cool:

Later-on fellas.
 
my chinese SKS have never jamed either, and I usually shoot as fast as I can pull trigger, just to vent stress,
and SKS and AK are the only gun I fully trust about not being jammed no matter what I do, how I shoot,
 
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My Russian SKS is my "truck gun". For me, this weapon functions as an emergency spare or back up, or perhaps to arm a friend in a pinch. It's probably a valid primary choice in situations such as you find yourself in. In my situation, it is a tertiary choice (behind such things as HKs, FNs, ARs, and the like). I wouldn't feel undergunned defending myself with one, in most realistic scenarios.
 
Ed, dont remember if i did or not. You'll have to come out again and let me give it a try! THe next shoot is tentatively the 23rd of next month.
 
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