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SKS / AK-47

cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,597 ✭✭✭✭
edited October 2001 in Ask the Experts
Guys, I hate to ask this. It appears that these 2 rifles are very similar. The SKS is around 1/2 the price of an AK. What is the difference? Please disregard my username!
cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.
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Comments

  • beantolebeantole Member Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well, I have both. Several differences:The magazine in the SKS is a 10 round fixed magazine that is loaded with stripper clips. The AK uses 30 round detachable magazines. I think the 10 round fixed SKS magazine is very reliable. There are also aftermarket 20-30 round detachable SKS magazines. Some work fine, others misfeed and jam. Don't ever rely on the aftermarket SKSdetachable magazines to save your life. The AK mags are generally reliable.They both use the same ammo. Lots of people here have both an SKS and an AK so opinions differ but mine is that the Russian SKS is a good reliable firearm as is the Chinese AK.The Chinese SKS receiver is cheap and stamped and "slam fires" a lot. I think it is unsafe and junk. The Russian SKS receiver is milled and a good firearm. Get one if you can.
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  • orooro Member Posts: 174 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just got a AK-47 that shoots .223 But its for sale.I'm not a big fan of either.I like "tack driving" not the "spray and pray" method.But they both have there purpose.Oro
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  • kimberkidkimberkid Member Posts: 8,858 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The only similarity I can see between the AK & SKS is that they both shoot 7.62X39 and designed by the Russians.The AK has its advantages, they always shoot and especially when it comes to hi-cap mags, cheap, readily available, reliable and mag changes can be done with 1 hand. The down side is (my opinion) barrels are skinny which lends to poor accuracy, not scope friendly (unless you like the scope hanging off the side) crappy trigger, no bolt hold on last shot fired ... and to me they just feel cheap ... even the $1500 pre-bans ... the Valmet is an exception.The SKS is much more accurate and scope friendly, however it needs a shield to keep from getting beat by ejected brass. It is more prone to slam fires with commercial ammo (its never been a problem with my '53 Russian as I only use military surplus). The Chinese for the most part are just junk, Romanians sights fall off, Yugo's ... we'll soon see. The craftsmanship is evident in the Russian models, but only 100% reliable with the stock 10 round mag ... trigger pull is also long, heavy and has a lot of creep, but typical for most semi-auto military weapons.
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  • GreenLanternGreenLantern Member Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I beg to differ that the Chinese ones are junk. Mine's got great riflings, not a scratch of rust, and shoots great. Maybe if I was taking it into combat I might not want a chinese copy but for what I use it for it's perfect and I'm guessing it's cheaper in price than a rusky one. Just my $.02
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  • just-shootjust-shoot Member Posts: 233 ✭
    edited November -1
    First of all, I think it's important to understand that both are low cost high volume production rifles made for troops in the field by countrys who view their people as the masses. So that the quality you get in both rifles. In my opinion, I can feel a little more quality in the SKS than the AK. The 30 rd clip on the AK is an advantage over the SKS especially in the field in war until its time to reload the clips, but if your shooting out of the bed on your pickup, it only takes 2 seconds to slip anouther 10 rd stripper clip in the SKS. At 10 cents a round their both fun plinkers. You should get one of each, then you will realy know the difference, thats what I did.PS: Hey, my rearsight fell of my Romainan SKS, Whats up with that???Where's the QC
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  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
    edited November -1
    Don't let metz hear you call them simular, he'll ahve a stroke. They are though. The AK is higher because it is a superior gun. They SKS has some inherent problems including brittle firing pins. I have also heard of people accidently installing the firing pin backwards and the gun going full auto on them. The AK has a better locking system for the bolt, and detachable magazines. In my opinion, they are worht the difference.
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  • metzmetz Member Posts: 121 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They are similar and you choose one over the other for it's differances........... Both great for sending lead down field and battle accurate enough. I think the old SKS's are of superb quality as with older AK's (such as the PMKM, them Polocks made a sweet one!). Neither will win a contest 'cept a great design. The new stamped crap in both is mearly a shade of the real weapons potential. The SKS is older and is one that should be in every collection. The AK is the axis's main stay rifle and has proven (and still proving)it's worth for a light combat weapon and shouls also be in every ones collection. Buy both and you will see the differnces.Andy a.k.a. "having a stroke"They are differant!P.S. someone mentioned that sks doesn't hold open. Not true, sure would be a * shoving 10 rounds THROUGH the bolt.
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