Chinese SKS - sanity check, please

10thmtn · October 21st, 2009, 11:40 AM

Hey all

My local gun store has a Chinese SKS, "very good" bore, "fair" wood stock, for $289. I'm not concerned about the stock - can always be replaced. All matching serial numbers.

Good deal? Good gun?

For the money, I'm actually more leaning towards a Kel-tec Sub 2000 in 9mm, compatible with my Glock mags - if I can find one. I don't have many places near me to shoot more powerful carbines or rifles at longer ranges...and I already have a Mini 14, and a Rem 870 pump shotgun.

Appreciate the feedback!

itsatoolbox · October 21st, 2009, 12:54 PM

Without knowning your intended purpose for a new long-gun, and based on the range comment, I'd have to suggest getting the SUB2000. The SKS would fill a very similar role as the Mini 14, and less effectively (fine gun, but not a Mini 14), and the SUB2000 would add a capability (common mags and ammo).

Unless you have another use for the SKS or want to collect them, I'd go a different way.

Orange Boy · October 21st, 2009, 01:31 PM

Neither are particularly accurate guns. An SKS to me , is more fun to shoot. Don't expect more than a 3-4" group at 100 yards.

10thmtn · October 21st, 2009, 05:03 PM

Sorry - the purpose would be primarily for defensive purposes. The only "fun" guns I own are .22LR.

While that SKS might be a good buy, I am leaning more towards the Sub 2000. With virtually no recoil, and using my Glock's mags and ammo, it would fill a currently empty niche. It would make a great carbine for my wife, who is rather petite. And, it would be allowed at my local gun store/50-foot pistol range.

I do not anticipate any defensive encounters at 100 yards...more like less than 100 feet. Unless you live out in the country, and the bad guys are really obvious about their intentions, I don't see how you could legally justify a defensive shot at distance. As the distance increases, your ability to judge intent decreases (again, unless really obvious), the bad guy's ability to harm you decreases, and your options other than lethal force increase (run away, take cover, call 911, etc). I just don't foresee needing a "sniper" rifle. I'm thinking "minute of Mongo" (MOM?!) combat accuracy, not "MOA" sniper/target-shooting accuracy.

On the other hand, a handy little carbine could prove rather useful at realistic urban/sub-urban distances.

Would still appreciate opinions, however, on the reliability and accuracy of those Chinese SKS'. I know not to expect them to be tack drivers, but my understanding is that the SKS does tend to be more accurate than an AK. Just curious. Thanks!

WHEC724 · October 21st, 2009, 05:24 PM

I hate to bring up ballistics, but if I'm a BG, I'd much rather you shoot me with the Sub 2000 than that SKS!

I think it's good to have different sized hammers in your tool box.

WHEC724 · October 21st, 2009, 05:34 PM

Oops. I missed that you said you already had a mini-14.

Mea Culpa

sjones · October 21st, 2009, 05:55 PM

I have a chinese sks that I bought a couple of years ago for $189.With todays prices 289 is a fair price if its in good shape.I love shooting mine and have tried to make it jam,it just won't jam.I put a peep sight on mine and can get about a 2-3 inch group at 50 yrds.I bought it for a SHTF gun and for that purpose its fine.I have no complaints on it at all.The prices are really going up on all guns these days,if you can afford it,I would get it.You can always get your money out of it.sj

Pikachu711 · October 21st, 2009, 06:15 PM

I'll echo what sjones said about a Chinese SKS rifles. I bought my SKS around 5+ years ago. I bought mine for a SHTF scenario as well. It wasn't expensive and it's fun to shoot as well. I still have the original sights on it and enjoy shooting it very much.

The price of $289.00 is a good price for that gun at this time. When I bought mine I paid around the $150.00 back then from a local gun store. I would recommend that you consider buying this SKS.

Gunnutty · October 21st, 2009, 06:25 PM

I have three of the Chinese SKS's. They are very reliable as has already been stated.
The ammo is still cheaper then 223. My son took his first deer with a short barrelled carbine at a little over 100 yards. One shot.
They are not a sniper rifle by any means, but for an all around carbine they are hard to beat.

sjones · October 21st, 2009, 06:36 PM

I'll have to add also,I took a deer at about 125 yards with one shot from my norinco.I used a soft point and he went down and never twitched.I aimed right at the shoulder and it broke both shoulders. sj

October 21st, 2009, 11:40 AM	#1
10thmtn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Posts: 658	Chinese SKS - sanity check, please Hey all My local gun store has a Chinese SKS, "very good" bore, "fair" wood stock, for $289. I'm not concerned about the stock - can always be replaced. All matching serial numbers. Good deal? Good gun? For the money, I'm actually more leaning towards a Kel-tec Sub 2000 in 9mm, compatible with my Glock mags - if I can find one. I don't have many places near me to shoot more powerful carbines or rifles at longer ranges...and I already have a Mini 14, and a Rem 870 pump shotgun. Appreciate the feedback! __________________ 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

October 21st, 2009, 05:03 PM	#4
10thmtn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Posts: 658	Sorry - the purpose would be primarily for defensive purposes. The only "fun" guns I own are .22LR. While that SKS might be a good buy, I am leaning more towards the Sub 2000. With virtually no recoil, and using my Glock's mags and ammo, it would fill a currently empty niche. It would make a great carbine for my wife, who is rather petite. And, it would be allowed at my local gun store/50-foot pistol range. I do not anticipate any defensive encounters at 100 yards...more like less than 100 feet. Unless you live out in the country, and the bad guys are really obvious about their intentions, I don't see how you could legally justify a defensive shot at distance. As the distance increases, your ability to judge intent decreases (again, unless really obvious), the bad guy's ability to harm you decreases, and your options other than lethal force increase (run away, take cover, call 911, etc). I just don't foresee needing a "sniper" rifle. I'm thinking "minute of Mongo" (MOM?!) combat accuracy, not "MOA" sniper/target-shooting accuracy. On the other hand, a handy little carbine could prove rather useful at realistic urban/sub-urban distances. Would still appreciate opinions, however, on the reliability and accuracy of those Chinese SKS'. I know not to expect them to be tack drivers, but my understanding is that the SKS does tend to be more accurate than an AK. Just curious. Thanks! __________________ 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

October 21st, 2009, 05:24 PM	#5
WHEC724 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SC Posts: 193	I hate to bring up ballistics, but if I'm a BG, I'd much rather you shoot me with the Sub 2000 than that SKS! I think it's good to have different sized hammers in your tool box. __________________ __________________________________ 'Clinging to my guns and religion

October 21st, 2009, 05:34 PM	#6
WHEC724 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SC Posts: 193	Oops. I missed that you said you already had a mini-14. Mea Culpa __________________ __________________________________ 'Clinging to my guns and religion

October 21st, 2009, 06:15 PM	#8
Pikachu711 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,093	I'll echo what sjones said about a Chinese SKS rifles. I bought my SKS around 5+ years ago. I bought mine for a SHTF scenario as well. It wasn't expensive and it's fun to shoot as well. I still have the original sights on it and enjoy shooting it very much. The price of $289.00 is a good price for that gun at this time. When I bought mine I paid around the $150.00 back then from a local gun store. I would recommend that you consider buying this SKS. __________________ "80 Million gun owners can't be wrong!" Glock 26 (9mm) Nevada CFP Holder NRA Member

October 21st, 2009, 12:54 PM	#2
itsatoolbox Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 28	Without knowning your intended purpose for a new long-gun, and based on the range comment, I'd have to suggest getting the SUB2000. The SKS would fill a very similar role as the Mini 14, and less effectively (fine gun, but not a Mini 14), and the SUB2000 would add a capability (common mags and ammo). Unless you have another use for the SKS or want to collect them, I'd go a different way.

October 21st, 2009, 01:31 PM	#3
Orange Boy Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 35	Neither are particularly accurate guns. An SKS to me , is more fun to shoot. Don't expect more than a 3-4" group at 100 yards.

October 21st, 2009, 05:55 PM	#7
sjones Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: waxahachie,texas Posts: 382	I have a chinese sks that I bought a couple of years ago for $189.With todays prices 289 is a fair price if its in good shape.I love shooting mine and have tried to make it jam,it just won't jam.I put a peep sight on mine and can get about a 2-3 inch group at 50 yrds.I bought it for a SHTF gun and for that purpose its fine.I have no complaints on it at all.The prices are really going up on all guns these days,if you can afford it,I would get it.You can always get your money out of it.sj

October 21st, 2009, 06:25 PM	#9
Gunnutty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,176	I have three of the Chinese SKS's. They are very reliable as has already been stated. The ammo is still cheaper then 223. My son took his first deer with a short barrelled carbine at a little over 100 yards. One shot. They are not a sniper rifle by any means, but for an all around carbine they are hard to beat. __________________ We will be much better off when we learn to deal with things as they really are, instead of how we wish them to be!

October 21st, 2009, 06:36 PM	#10
sjones Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: waxahachie,texas Posts: 382	I'll have to add also,I took a deer at about 125 yards with one shot from my norinco.I used a soft point and he went down and never twitched.I aimed right at the shoulder and it broke both shoulders. sj

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