10thmtn

Thanks all - good to know the Chinese SKS' seem to be reliable.

Yea...if I had the money, I'd probably get both. I could always resell the SKS in a while, and probably at least get my money back out of it.

At this point, I'm still leaning toward the Sub 2000. Not sure the SKS will do anything my Mini 14 won't already do. Sure, it's a heavier bullet (7.62 x 39 vs 5.56), but penetrating cover is something that is more of a concern when you are on the offensive - not so much on the defensive (if the BG is hiding behind cover, can you legally justify the need to shoot him? - not that I want to get sidetracked, but you get the idea). The quick change high-cap mags on the Mini are a definite plus, compared to the en-bloc mag on the SKS.

As the previous poster just said, I would have much more opportunity to shoot and practice with a pistol caliber carbine than with a rifle caliber carbine - just not many places around here to shoot my Mini or a SKS. More practice = more skill, which is the most important factor. My wife never shoots my rifles or shotgun - a Sub 2000 she could shoot. And while you can make a longer-range shot with a pistol, it is a whole lot easier with the longer sight radius and more points of contact on a long arm.

I'll need to see them both in person and decide.

Thanks for the feedback folks!

__________________
The People ARE the Militia, and have a DUTY (not just a right) to be both armed and proficient in the use of said arms.
Ex-Army officer; Hurricane Andrew Relief, FL, 1992; Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, 1993
NRA Life Member; Range Safety Officer
Glock 26, CT Laserguard, Smartcarry

M2

Another vote for the SKS. I have five (soon to be six), two (soon to be three) of which are Chinese. They are proven, reliable guns and I love the 7.62x39!

Depending on where you are (Ft Drum?), you should be able to find them below $300; but I have noticed the prices starting to creep up again.

And everything you want to know about them can be found on the SKS Boards.

Cheers! M2

sjones

I just bought a paratrooper off gunbroker for $299.It looks pretty clean,I'll see when I get it.now that makes 2 that I have.

gunthorp

That's what I got the kids ($139 ea at the time) My paratroop DM (detachable mag) for ak mags cost an extra $10. Good old days! The 16" para is sure handy, even if the bayo isn't quite as long. With a good folder, it's almost like a pistol. As the dollar tanks, it'll be like coin of the realm. Prices seem to be rising rather quickly on the SKS, and most supplies seem to be running out. Shoulda woulda coulda got a load of 'em when they were $59 and a 1200+ crate of ammo was under $100.

The KT 40cal carbine ought to be a great lady's shooter. Out of the long barrel, the 40 ought to be plenty potent out to 50 yds when they charge up the driveway.

I hope you can find an outdoor range both for shooting your mini and also for close defensive pistol into a nice sand berm. I find the indoor ranges a bit limiting for instinct, point, and movement shooting.

Let us know what you get (with pictures)

__________________
Don't dither. The nick of time comes just before the moment lost.

HotGuns

If you want a defensive gun, forget the .40 and go with the SKS.

The SKS will punch through vehicles and trees where as a .40 will barely make a dent. A 10" oak tree is not enough to hide behind and one had better be behind some serious cover.

If you are seriously needed a defensive rifle for a SHTF scenario, the SKS wins it hands down.

If you want something to play with, then get the .40 carbine.

If the BG is shooting at you, you'd better be shooting back. If he is behind cover, you'll wish you had the SKS.

__________________
AR. CHL Instr.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

ppkheat

+1000 What he said.

__________________
Whatever hits the fan will not be distributed evenly.

ASSA9

You've nailed the very reason you should got the Kel Tec.
The Mini 14 is a better gun.
The reason the SKS is not as good as the AK and the Mini14
is the quick change mags.
The SKS must be empty or you must hold the bolt back to
change mags. Also after market mags over 20 rounds are
bad to about FTF.
I got a Beretta CX4 Storm (.45 cal)and it good to about 100
yards
I,m near a major city and if the SHTF I don,t need a round
killing someone 2-3 miles away after going though my walls in my home.

By the way , I have owned a SKS and they are good guns,
but you have a better one already(Mini14)

__________________
Ronald Reagan
"Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement."

"When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat."

C hawk Glock

That was my point exactly, if this gentleman can get to a 100 yard range it would be plenty of distance. 100yrds with an SKS would actually get a little frustrating to me.

__________________
Thank you sir, may I have another?

gunthorp

Spot on. Mrs. Gunthorp can handle my SKS with a red dot. I'll have the 308 AR for busting cover.

Before we start talking 50BMG, get the 40 carbine for a toy, that is, unless you don't have a hi-cap 308 already. (G3, FAL, M1-A1, AR10, etc.) IMO that would be money well spent. You already have 7.62X39. The 308 just seems to make a little bit more noise (sense) and is a bit more exciting to bump fire :) not that I'd want to waste the ammo.

__________________
Don't dither. The nick of time comes just before the moment lost.

nedrgr21

Ask yourself this: "If I'm behind cover, am I a threat to the bad guy" - I damn sure am. In a self-defense scenario, ain't nothing wrong with going on the offensive - it ain't a game of tit-for-tat. If he is running away or prone on the ground, he's done (maybe); if he's behind cover or running for cover, he's still in the fight.

Two words - stripper clip.