Ak47 vs Sks

[gunnutz254]

I'm thinking about purchasing a 7.62x39 rifle to complement my m4 in the SHTF arsenal. What the pro and cons of each and what should I look for when buying a used SKS or AK. Thanks in advance for input and advice.

 

[joppaj]

Well, a lot of AK's are illegal to buy in MD... Start there.

 

[Art3]

Well, a lot of AK's are illegal to buy in MD... Start there.

That was going to be my suggestion, but apparently the OP is in Chicago. Is anything legal there

 

[joppaj]

That was going to be my suggestion, but apparently the OP is in Chicago. Is anything legal there

I think sharp, pointy sticks that are appropriately dulled and registered may be kept at home, locked up.

 

[Mark75H]

SKS bolt is 2 pieces and can be very difficult to disassembe to clean. Failure to keep the firing pin channel clean can be a felony.
SKS is likely to be less expensive than an AK. Not as pretty and not as cool. SKS native magazine is hinged and opens to drop out unfired rounds, unlike fully detachable mags, so you aren't carrying spares. The SKS has no provision for a scope and the top of the gun is a dust cover not rigidly attached to the barrel so there is no practical and simple way to mount a scope (not that the 7.62x39 is a long range cartridge anyway). All those things considered, my household has 3 SKS's and are some of our favorite rifles to shoot.

 

[TheLizardKing]

SKS bolt is 2 pieces and can be very difficult to disassembe to clean. Failure to keep the firing pin channel clean can be a felony.
SKS is likely to be less expensive than an AK. Not as pretty and not as cool. SKS native magazine is hinged and opens to drop out unfired rounds, unlike fully detachable mags, so you aren't carrying spares. The SKS has no provision for a scope and the top of the gun is a dust cover not rigidly attached to the barrel so there is no practical and simple way to mount a scope (not that the 7.62x39 is a long range cartridge anyway). All those things considered, my household has 3 SKS's and are some of our favorite rifles to shoot.

I find the SKS bolt fairly easy to take down and clean. Hardest part is not losing that retaining pin.

 

[Mark75H]

you've been lucky

 

[wilcam47]

I find the SKS bolt fairly easy to take down and clean. Hardest part is not losing that retaining pin.

Solved that by not cleaning it just kidding, i never had an issue cleaning sks

 

[Melnic]

SKS vs AK vs Vz2008

I find the SKS more accurate than the only AK47 I shot which was a friends
I find the Vz2008 more accurate than AK47

SKS was more accurate than the Vz2008.
Vz2008 had more of a cool factor though for a MD resident who did not purchase an AK before Oct 2013

Older Chinese SKS will have chrome lined barrel.

solution, get them all.

 

[Sirex]

I'm thinking about purchasing a 7.62x39 rifle to complement my m4 in the SHTF arsenal. What the pro and cons of each and what should I look for when buying a used SKS or AK. Thanks in advance for input and advice.

Are you in Chicago? What's legal there? SKS should probably be, so start with that. Here, almost every 7.62x39 AK is banned, so closest look alike is the VZ58/2008. I love the SKS though. A fun, enjoyable rifle to shoot. Reliable, not too difficult to take down and parts are available.

 

[Jimgoespewpew]

 

[John from MD]

I'm thinking about purchasing a 7.62x39 rifle to complement my m4 in the SHTF arsenal. What the pro and cons of each and what should I look for when buying a used SKS or AK. Thanks in advance for input and advice.

You would do better to look for a 300BO chambered rifle as the ammo is readily availalble and has better ballistics than the 7.62x39. There was a time when the Commie ammo was cheap and available and there were many selections. That time is long gone so you would be better off with a modern caliber.

 

[joppaj]

View attachment 384212 View attachment 384211

I will never understand why nobody has made an adapter to allow the Mini-30 to take AK mags.

 

[Qbeam]

I will never understand why nobody has made an adapter to allow the Mini-30 to take AK mags.

They would likely have to redo the bolt/carrier profile underneath to clear the thicker feed lips of the AK magazine. I would get one if they came out with a conversion kit.

Q

 

[joppaj]

They would likely have to redo the bolt/carrier profile underneath to clear the thicker feed lips of the AK magazine. I would get one if they came out with a conversion kit.

Q

Years ago when Mid-County was an IP, I had asked him about converting one. His answer was similar to yours that he wasn't sure an adapter was really viable but it was worth looking at.

 

[John from MD]

I will never understand why nobody has made an adapter to allow the Mini-30 to take AK mags.

Too big a deal. The AK mags have too much metal above the front pivot point so it wouldn't be an easy mod.

We were issued AAC556 (select fire) in '76 to replace our shotguns. I wasn't impressed with their accuracy at all and the mags were finicky. I'm sure Ruger made it better over the years but I never found a reason to buy one.

 

[Brickman301]

You would do better to look for a 300BO chambered rifle as the ammo is readily availalble and has better ballistics than the 7.62x39. There was a time when the Commie ammo was cheap and available and there were many selections. That time is long gone so you would be better off with a modern caliber.

I’ll have to disagree with this one.
7.62x39 is available everywhere, and it’s cheaper than 300BO. Factory loaded 300BO ammo was basically unattainable during the height of Covid. 7.62 was still easy to get.

The ballistics are close, with 7.62 being slightly better. Nether are “long range” cartridges.
The 300BO is the better cartridge if you want a modern platform, a shorter barrel, and/or want to shoot subsonic ammo.
I like/own both cartridges, and they both have the pros and cons

 

[alucard0822]

Love mine, but compared to a decent AR build: harder to run, harder to shoot accurately, harder to mount optics, harder to run modern combat stance/grips. The SKS is a little easier to shoot and more accurate, the AK has better capacity, more compact and easier to reload. I do love the 7.62X39, but the extreme taper and curved mag shape make it awkward, this is why 300BO despite higher cost and slightly less performance got popular, it is almost AK ballistics, but runs great in ARs and adds a whole world of subsonic/suppressed abilities. If you already have an AR for defense, I would stick with that platform, get an AK or SKS for fun if you want. There are other options too that can run 7.62x39, but don't have as many drawbacks as AKs, the new FM products 47 looks cool, AR based, takes AK mags, no buffer tube so folding stocks work, and HK slappy forward side charging handle.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

Both are easily maintained and have reputations for working in harsh conditions.

Love my SKS. It is fun to shoot, and very accurate with my hand loads. Shoots pretty well with every ammunition I have tried, thus far. No mags to buy and quality stripper clips can still be acquired by purchasing some surplus M-67 rounds that come loaded in them.

 

[wpage]

Have you looked at a Saiga?