I got my SKS about a month ago. I initially had a problem getting the thing to work properly, but it turns out that the problem wasn't the gun - just the newbie behind the gun.... I had neglected to clean the pin and cosmoline out of it.
Here it is on the day I brought it home:
They are pretty guns (IMO). That's the Yugoslavian 59/66. My serial # dates to February 1969. I picked it up from J&G Guns (
www.jgsales.com) for $160 in almost perfect condition. It weighs 9.6 pounds unloaded. It's heavy, but it doesn't kick too much, either. I would DEFINITELY reccomend this rifle as a trunkgun - It will take a heavy beating and still fire.
I MUST warn you, though. The SKS is considered a "Gateway Gun." Once you buy it, you will find yourself seeking-out more old battle rifles to try and buy. From this addiction, there are few successful recovery methods. Last Friday, I purchased a new ATI Fiberforce stock for it, as well as a bi-pod and cheap, short-range scope.
The ONLY downfall is that these guns are VERY close to illegeal. Check your local and state laws before you drop this sucker in your trunk. Detachable mags are illegeal on a lot of combinations of these weapons, so your ammo will have to sit on a stripper clip.
I do not have much experience with AK's.