Which is the better rifle....

ninjam44 · Post by **ninjam44** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:55 pm

Is the Saiga the better choice over the SKS if you could only have one? Why? Thanks!

Post by **Junk Yard Dog** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:01 pm

SKS, if nothing else it's proven in battle, the Saiga is a commercial sporter I know nothing about.

desdem12 · Post by **desdem12** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:18 pm

Like the saiga, LOVE the SKS. I have a Chinese SKS and it is a dream to use. I have use of a saiga 762nato and it is kinda fun but damned expensive to shoot. Especialy if you fill up the 25rd magazine every time.

The SKS is more accurate as far as irons go and that is what is on both at least for now. Never on the SKS will there be a scope.

evildog · Post by **evildog** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:26 pm

Had the sks of chinese and yugo decent but have only had experience with the saiga 12ga. Love the 12ga but haven't shot any in the other calibers.....

Genetically Swiss · Post by **Genetically Swiss** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:30 pm

Which ever one you shoot better. Your question is subjective. What are you going to use it for? Have you held both? How do they fit you? The SKS is an awesome weapon, but length of pull is really short (Warsaw pact length), so if you are a big guy or have long arms, it will feel weird.

GS

tjtM38 · Post by **tjtM38** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:56 pm

I have both; a Chinese SKS and a Saiga-based SGL-21-61 built by Arsenal Inc. (Las Vegas). The Arsenal builds are first rate and my AK clone is a great shooter which is built to milspec standards and is the closest thing in the US to a AK-74 standard issue Russian rifle (although mine is chambered for 7.62x39). It is very reliable with a variety of magazines (Bulgarian, Russian, Tapco, US Palm, etc.).

Having said all of that, the AK was over 800 bucks and with modifications, I have almost 1200 dollars in the rifle. The SKS (Norinco) was 300 dollars and shoots just as well as the AK. I would give the SKS a slight edge at 200 meters in terms of accuracy. I think it is because of the 20 inch barrel. It just shoots really well for the money. I have left it unmodified with the fixed ten-round box, Chu wood stock and standard sights.

You have to decide what type you want; AK or SKS. I like them both for different reasons.

ninjam44 · Post by **ninjam44** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:57 pm

All great comments please keep them coming!

ponycarman · Post by **ponycarman** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:06 pm

Saiga is pretty much a sporterized ak variant. I converted mine back to be closer to ak. In semi auto form its a toss up to me. I have two ak's and no sks yet. Not because I don't like them. Just haven't found the right one yet. Only advantage the saiga has is higher capacity mags if that means anything to you. Pick the one you like best. Or just get both

Marcus · Post by **Marcus** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:47 pm

I own an early BWest Saiga, a pile of Russian, Chinese, and Romanian SKS rifles, and a few AKM variation rifles and pistols, so I have a little experience with all of these.

The Saiga is a better AK variation than the SKS, SKS is a better SKS than the Saiga. Neither is "better" than the other - they are different rifles measured by different standards, and both are outstanding.

As mentioned above, Saiga does offer option of modifying to standard AK condifiguration, but has advantages left as it is, like all Russian parts and if you are in a Marxist dungheap like California (as I am), it allows you to use detachable standard capacity magazines without any of the b.s. games.

SKS is of course battle tested military issue rifle and is also exempt from a lot of Bolshevik legislation.

Besides detachable magazine, Saiga also is set up for scope mount, which is a plus. An unconverted Saiga does have a longer length of pull, which gives it a real nice feel. It would be nice if the Russians offered some factory options and upgrades on the Saiga, like a more solid feeling stock.

Best advice is to get one of each.

Greasemonkey · Post by **Greasemonkey** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:13 am

I'll go with, if you wanna scope it, Crapco something to the max, gotta have 30+ rounds, change it all around every month to suit the latest trends, Saiga all the way baby

or heck, a Vz58, I love mine

If you looking for a historical weapon from the Cold War days, whose value will likely increase over time, is proven, collectible and it just works. AND, your planing on keeping it original, go with an SKS. Numerous makes, models and countries to pick from. They range from the current Chinese imports for $350 give or take, to the show stoppers

, North Korean, Vietnamese or a true papered bringback, now these are big time, well into the 4 digit price range.

Now, I will admit up front, I'm partial to the SKS, I'll also admit I have a few

, but I do own several variations of AKs and a Vz58.

What he said

Marcus wrote:
Best advice is to get one of each.

ponycarman · Post by **ponycarman** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 5:58 am

This thread needs pics haha. Here is where my saiga is at right now. It isn't completely finished yet.

Somebody post some sks pics! I know you have a few greasemonkey

Post by **bunkysdad** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:00 am

I like oranges better than apples, but I like the SKS better. A better comparison would be the AK vs the Saiga, in my opinion.

Greasemonkey · Post by **Greasemonkey** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:37 am

bunkysdad wrote:I like oranges better than apples, but I like the SKS better. A better comparison would be the AK vs the Saiga, in my opinion.

He didn't mention which type of Saiga, a Saiga 12

or ??????. Even that is an apples to oranges comparison.

An apple to apple comparison, Saiga-based SGL-21-61 vs. Mak 90 vs. Vz 58.

Speaking of which, the Mak 90 is a rare instance of commercial made weapons becoming highly sought after and prices going up. I like them

Romanians, Russians, and Yugoslavians.

Post by **bunkysdad** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:42 am

Good looking pictures, those 3 SKS's are perfect looking. Wow! As a matter of fact those should be on the screensaver thread.

Greasemonkey · Post by **Greasemonkey** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:47 am

bunkysdad wrote:Good looking pictures, those 3 SKS's are perfect looking. Wow! As a matter of fact those should be on the screensaver thread.

I had this old photo I took for a while as a background. Had to seriously crop and trim to fit within forum photo requirements

JDH88 · Post by **JDH88** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 2:50 pm

Unreal set of photos there. Every day must be Christmas in your house.

tjtM38 · Post by **tjtM38** » Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:24 pm

It is very hard to post anything after Greasemonkey's impressive arsenal. Here's my Saiga-based Arsenal AK; the only AK I own. I also have two Chinese SKS rifles in this caliber from the 90's (Norinco).

Post by **Junk Yard Dog** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 6:42 am

Post by **bunkysdad** » Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:15 am

Yeah,

Tigertimmy · Post by **Tigertimmy** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:44 pm

I have all the Saiga's and love them. Only problem is you must convert them to accept 30 round mags.
Have several sks' and love them . Only problem is the after market 30 round mags are a pain to use.
My favorite shooter has been the Saiga 5,45x39. Ammo cheap at 18€ per round. And very accurate with no recoil

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