Looking for the Makarov of rifles

[grimjaw]

I have three Bulgarian Makarov's. Each is very easy to detail strip and clean. Even with this perk, I haven't cleaned one of them in about 500 rounds and I still can't make it jam or double. They are all steel, simple, reliable, and accurate inside self defense distances. The sights suck, but what do you expect for $175 or less?

I'm looking for a rifle that has the same characteristics. It needs to be very reliable under a variety of conditions, including lack of cleaning. It should be easy to detail strip without special tools. Fewer parts is a plus. Carbine type is preferable. Effective range doesn't have to be more than 200 yards, but exceeding that is a plus. Drilled and tapped is optional, b/c I'll probably be using the open sights more than anything. Would prefer a rifle for which currently manufactured ammunition is available (not milsurp-only like the K31). Used or new, commercial or milsurp, makes no difference to me. Price shouldn't be over $500.

I have two lever action rifles (.30-30 and .357), so I have that base covered.

What rifle(s) am I looking for?

jmm

 

[Number 6]

You are probably looking for an AK or an SKS, based off your criteria.

 

[Teufelhunden]

I would second the recommendation for an SKS. I bought a Yugo for $150 still in cosmoline. If you're sticking with iron sights and are at all used to American battle sights (peep-sights), you can't beat the addition of one of these Tech-Sights . I puchased a T100 about a year ago and found the product and the seller to both be outstanding. There is a T200 available now that adds an elevation option.

My Yugo with the Tech Site will hit 10" steel plates at 200 yards offhand all day long. At 100 yards, my groups hold around 3". For the Makarov of rifles, this is more than satisfactory. Aside from my Springfield XD, the Yugo SKS is the gun purchase I am happiest with.

-Teuf

 

[Spot77]

+3 on the sks.

Ammo is mega cheap, the gun is mega cheap (got one of mine for $100 still in the cosmo), and although I can't see past 150 yards, I'm pretty sure you'll get fair accuracy at 200 yards with it.

 

[Onmilo]

Since you like the Bulgarian Makarov, buy a Bulgarian AK.

 

[Kaylee]

Providing nice milled steel (cheap) is one of the things you like.. again, you're looking for an SKS. For twice the price or so you should be able to find a milled AK somewhere.

If you want a RIFLE-rifle though.... I'd think any of the various Mausers and such out there would work, particularly those rebarrelled to .308. If you cruise the pawn shops enough, you might be able to find an old sporterized '03 or a Sporterized Mauser rebarreled to .30-06.. either might already have been drilled and tapped for glass.

 

[rudolf]

A 1944 Mosin. Compact, and as tough as it gets. Bayonett built in.

 

[DMK]

Russian or Romanian SKS.

Yugos are cheap, but don't have chrome lined barrels, nor are they as light and handy as SKS's of the original configuration.

The Makarov is compact, simple, easy to strip, easy to clean, will take a lot of abuse or neglect(has a chrome lined barrel), is fairly accurate and is just loads of fun. The Russian and Romanian SKS are all that. A good example of a Norinco would do also, but they aren't as nicely made and quality is inconsistent with Norincos.

It will be difficult to find a good quality AK under $500 (unless you buy a used one). The Century Arms rifles (SAR, WASR), while mostly reliable, are not very well made.

 

[Doug S]

Get a SKS. Personally I'd opt for a nice Chinese. Even better if you can find a paratrooper/cowboy companion model. The Yugos are nice, but they would be a little harder to hike with due to the extra length and weight.

 

[Cosmoline]

M-38 or M-44 Mosin. Incredibly tough, compact and extremely powerful. Cheap up-front cost, cheap ammo.

For full length rifles a Mauser '98 pattern from the Turks, Yugoslavia or the Czechs, or full size Mosin can still be had for peanuts and will survive another world war or two.

SKS's are also a good option, though not quite as cheap. AK's are getting too expensive to qualify as the Mak of rifles, which is sad but probably inevitable.

 

[Rube]

"not milsurp only like the k31"
I'm pretty new to shooting within the last few months. I've really got the bug--started with a Norinco SKS--what a blast to shoot. It's fairly simple to break down without tools and it's inexpensive to shoot. Found an m38 carbine--what a monster in a small package. Bought a K31 right here on the Highroad classifieds. For me, the K31 is by far the most accurate. I'm shooting the milsurp GP11 for practice (it really seems pretty decent); however Hornaday manufactures 7.5x5 at about $20/box of 20. I have read that a company named Prvi Partisan has it for about $14/box. You mentioned that the price shouldn't be over $500. Well, I've purchased all 3 of these rifles for $360. That leaves you $140 to purchase ammo to figure out what works best for you.
Rube

 

[VG]

SKS prices are going down, they're available for less than $100 and less than $200 in really good shape for some imports.

They're not light, handy, or accurate, but they are simple, cheap and reliable.

Another choice would be a Ruger Mini 14, which shoots 5.56 ammo.

 

[Farnham]

I'm sitting here looking at three rifles that will fit all your requirements--

In order of my preference,

Yugo 59/66 SKS (cheap ammo, notsomuch range, kind of heavy for what it is)

Yugo 24/47 8mm Mauser (cheap ammo, long reach, fairly handy for a rifle)

Ruger Mini-14 (lighter, handier, 30 rd mags, accuracy could be better)

The Ruger is the most expensive, but still can be found under $500. It's my least favorite, because it's the least accurate (I got a surprisingly accurate Yugo SKS, I think). The Mauser I got for $119, and the SKS for $139.

I've also got a Chinese SKS that I like sitting here, but it's not near as easy to clean as the Yugo, the trigger group takes two men and a mule to kick back into place after disassembly. The good thing about it is that I don't clean it but every thousand rounds or so, and it keeps running. Any SKS won't let you down, IMHO.

S/F

Farnham

 

[clange]

It will be difficult to find a good quality AK under $500 (unless you buy a used one). The Century Arms rifles (SAR, WASR), while mostly reliable, are not very well made.

Well if you base quality mostly on reliability, then they are well made.

The SAR is almost an exact copy of a real romanian AIM, sans muzzle brake and bayo lug, but those can be added. It should be as reliable as any AK. I have three SARs at the moment and all three have straight parts. My bulgarian 74, which should have been a 'better' rifle, has a FSB that is canted a lot. People have reported quite a few problems with arsenal inc rifles in the last few months. You never know.

The worst part about WASRs is mag fit, but as of late, they're coming out tight if anything, which is easy to fix. I'd still want to see one in person before buying, but thats not to say it wouldnt function. Century doesnt build the rifle, all they do is cut out the mag well and add US parts.

When you pay a lot for an AK, you basically get some or all of three things..

1) Better fit and finish
2) Rare features or configuration
3) Maybe a touch of better accuracy if you're lucky

Reliability isnt one of them.

Back to the topic at hand, I'd say a russian or chinese SKS would be the equivalent of a bulgarian Mak. They're authentic military rifles that should take a lot of abuse, and wont cost a lot. All the AKs over here are made for civilians, or they cost $20,000. But, if you forget about the authenticity thing, a SAR-1 or WASR will meet your requirements. They also have a rail on the side for mounting optics, either combloc in origin, or via a cheap AK-to-weaver mount.

 

[foghornl]

Inexpensive and reliable....Hmmmm

SKS (The various AK-xx models seem to be really climbing in price.)


Right now, Dunham's Sporting Goods has the 59/66 Yugo version on sale for $110, Wolf 7.62x39 ammo for 2 boxes/$5 (40 rounds for $5). That is the model with the grenade launcher, g/l sights and big fold-out heavy-blade bayonet.


7.62x39 ammo doesn't get much cheaper unless you buy in real bulk-sized lots.

 

[Bwana John]

SKS

 

[antarti]

My choices:

Cheap AK
SKS
Beater M1 carbine (you may find a deal for under $500, but I would bet against it, otherwise this would be top of the list)

If the "carbine" type weren't mentioned as a preference, I would go with a Rack Grade CMP Garand.

 

[imas]

You're looking for the Mak of rifles. It needs to be under $500.

Thats easy....you want a Romanian AK. The most available right now is the WASR-10. Make sure you get the high cap model. You can buy these from www.aimsurplus.com or look around I got mine for under $300. I also got a Chinese MAK90 for $340. And the quality of the chinese is outstanding.

These prices when compared to an AR or DSA Fal are easily proportionate in price to the Makarov VS Glock, etc...

The SKS is nice but is not nearly as reliable as the AK. They are two totally different designs and the AK is far superior. The AK is much more simple and you can break it down ALOT easier. Working on the AK is easier as well.

The problem I see with the SKS is in magazines. You get a 10rnd capacity with the SKS. You can get detachable mags for the sks but they are more expensive and many suffer from reliability problems with detachable mags. I have had this experience personally and read many reports of this. If you go with an SKS you really need to stick with stripper clips. Now don't get me wrong I love the SKS. But given your requirements and price range the AK fits the bill. I would liken the SKS to the Tokarev pistol and the AK to the Makarov. Just like the SKS my Tokarev is a good reliable gun but finicky about Mags.

Anyway AKs can go and go without cleaning. They are accurate enough for what you describe. If you buy the Romanian model it has a sideplate scope mount attached. For $10 or $20 you can buy a scope base that will attach to this.

The AK is arguably the most reliable rifle ever made.

It has seen more combat or conflict world wide than just about anything else you can buy. It has proven itself to be basically maintenance free. It can stand up to the harshest abuse.

And don't worry about the milled vs stamped debate. Some think stamped is better because it is lighter. Some think milled is stronger. Some think milled cracks easier than stamped. Just don't worry about it. These guns could not have been anymore combat tested and neither has proved to be any better than the other. I prefer stamped receivers myself but it really doesn't matter.

I often call the Makarov the AK of handguns and I think that statement goes both ways.

 

[db_tanker]

SKS


I am liking my new (to me) Chinese SKS...very nicely built...I am ashamed to have been, at one time, a hater of all things communist...they did build good firearms.


D

 

[aerod1]

Another vote for the SKS.

Jim