The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I'm a mosin nagant guy but I do want to get a milsurp semi auto. Looking at the Sks or an ak. Which is better? Andantages?

Collectibility...SKS. Lead dispensing...AK47.

Its just my personal preference, but I'd recommend looking at the SKS. It has a collector following much like the Mosin. The guys who hide out in the SKS section of the forum are all great guys and have an extreme amount of knowledge about this rifle. They'd love to help you out.

I do plan on picking up an AK47 someday though

AK's were all manufactured for the civilian market, not really a true mil surp. For collectability the SKS and if you want a reliable great shooter the SKS. I have a Yugo AK folder that goes off roading with us but it's really not as fun to shoot as the SKS and you will be able to knock down a coffee can at a lot greater distance with the SKS.

Gimme a SKS anyday. Or A FN49 or a lungman42 (sp) or a mas49,49/56 or a SVT or a stg 44 or a hakim or a 52she, 52/57 or.................

Military and history aspect, Russian, Romanian, Yugo or Albanian SKS's, some have a life history, all are good, some are harder to find due to low numbers, like the Albanian.
Also, if your lucky enough to find a North Korean, East German, Vietnamese SKS, then you truly have a rare beast in your hands. Think one of a few in this instance.
The Chinese SKS's were largely for retail, equally they are as good as military grade. There are a few that are rare also. Some early ones were used in Vietnam and are now papered bringbacks.

Ak-47, my only experience with them are 2 Mak-90 rifles. They are on the higher end quality wise and have been getting pricey compared to whats sold as new today. They have a thicker receiver than most and some were machined.

Accuracy and history, I'd give a nod to the SKS, for pure fire power and durability, the Ak gets that.

I truly can't say which is better. I enjoy them both equally, but for collecting, the SKS wins out.

Now put an AK vs. Vz. 58, I'll take the Vz. everytime, but thats just me

Semi Auto? M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, SAFN49, SVT-40, Hakim, Ljungman AG42B, Mas 49, are all milsurps and you commonly encounter them on GB, there are others, but these are the ones seen the most and all are in the $500-$1000 price range. There are milsurp AK's but they are very expensive, full auto, require federal registration that is a time consuming and expensive hassle. Some SKS rifles are commercial sporters, some like the Soviet, Albanian, Yugo, and Chinese military marked SKS rifles are Milsurps.

It depends on what you want the rifle for. SKS is a better shooter and the AK would be better if you have to go to war. There is a lot of benefit in a short rifle with a removable 30 round magazine. I have owned several of both and the AK is what I still own.

silly question my friend !!!!! you want both and many of each I have 72 sks carbines and 25 or so ak rifles I cant stop now and love all of them I built most all of my AK rifles from kits and made them as close as possible to original. The SKS is a really friendly semi auto. Its reliable easy to handle and great for a kid to learn on. I collect them so its easy to see why I have so many. Wishing you the best in your choice you cannot go wrong with either. Keep in mind neither are tack drivers the ammunition is for 400 meters and under so has its limits. Too many buy these great Military weapons and expect them to be target guns. Well in fact they are but in combat a hit is a hit it doesn't have to be between the eyes.

An old soldier I know used to say 'tween the legs was better, his screaming unnerves his fellow soldiers, they are distracted thinking about his wound, four of them have to carry him back to the aid station, he breeds no next generation to trouble you, and the example of him will give others pause before they pick up arms to mess with you. He was a sick bastard.

Junk Yard Dog wrote:An old soldier I know used to say 'tween the legs was better, his screaming unnerves his fellow soldiers, they are distracted thinking about his wound, four of them have to carry him back to the aid station, he breeds no next generation to trouble you, and the example of him will give others pause before they pick up arms to mess with you. He was a sick bastard.

But, JYD, exactly true. That is war. But I would rather have an SKS to hit him between the legs at 200 or 300 yards than any AK. I own several AK's and none of them would likely hit a guy down there at 300 yards. Most of my SKS would with a degree of certainty when sighted in on that official Russian SKS sight in target used at only 25 yards. That target is amazing for the SKS. Many may have seen, or even have a copy righted target. Here is a legal non copy righted target.
You can blow up or print this one! This is what I rely on for SKS and it is pretty much the same for a 7.62X39 AK out to 100meteres.

If you own any SKS this is the actual target that the Russians qualified their troops on. They did not have them shoot long range. This one was
converted to the English language. It is used at the 25 metre mark. Zero as close as possible to that center white dot. Then go to 100 or 200. Bare in mind, it is calibrated to hit a person dead on out to 300 metre. NOT, for pin point target shooting. But, your target will be done for permanently.

Edit: This target is solely calibrated to 7.62X39 Military Grade ammo!

What do the incremental turns represent on each side of the target. My SKS's don't have a turn mechanism for elevation.
Ed

Siam wrote:What do the incremental turns represent on each side of the target. My SKS's don't have a turn mechanism for elevation.
Ed

Oh yes Sir but it does. It is the front sight blade! The windage adjustment is only there also. Both are corrected on the front sight.

To do it as shown or in any manner, you need an SKS Sight Adjustment Tool. They are steel and made by several companies. The NC Star are cheap,but many do not even fit for windage adjustments.Many out there for sale, but a $20.00 is so, so far Superior when you use it for SK or AK style guns. This is what
we use to fine tune an SK or Ak for the longer ranges. Good Luck.

OO are you printing that target to a regular 8.5 x 11 paper or 11 x 17?

OLD OUTLAW wrote:

Siam wrote:What do the incremental turns represent on each side of the target. My SKS's don't have a turn mechanism for elevation.
Ed

Oh yes Sir but it does. It is the front sight blade! The windage adjustment is only there also. Both are corrected on the front sight.

To do it as shown or in any manner, you need an SKS Sight Adjustment Tool. They are steel and made by several companies. The NC Star are cheap,but many do not even fit for windage adjustments.Many out there for sale, but a $20.00 is so, so far Superior when you use it for SK or AK style guns. This is what
we use to fine tune an SK or Ak for the longer ranges. Good Luck.

Crap, forgot about that. I do have the sight adjustment tool and have even used it. Getting old is hell.

Slick Driver wrote:OO are you printing that target to a regular 8.5 x 11 paper or 11 x 17?

It should print onto an 8.5X11. Perhaps larger. If my link does not print onto an 8.5X11 let me know. I saw the image was automatically reduced.
I can try to re-post a different way. It just flat works. You can always fine tune your rifle at 100, 200, and 300 metres. This gets you in a human kill zone no matter how you figure it! Try printing one out and see if this image works. Course, you can always go buy these commercially. This one just happens to be free to you guys.
Steve

Welcome to the boards Slick Driver. Good to see you made it.

Feel Free to show us some of your hidden treasures !

One thing to remember, Dont drink Old Outlaws tactical koolaid

i have both and i like both for longer range shooting and collecting go with the sks.short distances under 100 yards the ak works great.another rifle that is usually about the same price range and sometimes cheaper is the vz 58..it is a solid milled reciever and very well made rifle. you can up grade it just about any way you can think of and it comes with a folding stock or fixed stock like the ak.i like mine as much or better than my mak 90.here is a picture of my mak and vz58'sand i also have a couple of sks's

OLD OUTLAW wrote:

Slick Driver wrote:OO are you printing that target to a regular 8.5 x 11 paper or 11 x 17?

It should print onto an 8.5X11. Perhaps larger. If my link does not print onto an 8.5X11 let me know. I saw the image was automatically reduced.
I can try to re-post a different way. It just flat works. You can always fine tune your rifle at 100, 200, and 300 metres. This gets you in a human kill zone no matter how you figure it! Try printing one out and see if this image works. Course, you can always go buy these commercially. This one just happens to be free to you guys.
Steve

Free is always good in my book but, then again, if it's worth it I don't mind payin.......

Anyhow, printed just fine to 8.5x11with a 1" border, I'll give it a spin next time out

Bareassmeagain wrote:Welcome to the boards Slick Driver. Good to see you made it.

Feel Free to show us some of your hidden treasures !

One thing to remember, Dont drink Old Outlaws tactical koolaid

Thanks for the welcome!

Wow!!!! 72 SKS's, unbe......able .I'm still looking for my 2nd one.Have two Ak'47 now I want another one of them too! Thanks for sharing ,love the pictures,keep 'em coming JGC,