SKS or a Mosin

[TenDriver]

I've got a chance to buy either a Mosin or SKS. The SKS is around $200, most likely Chinese, no bayonet, looks to be in good shape. There are plenty of Mosins to choose from for $100 (I know they're less expensive online, but FFL transfer and shipping negates it).

What to do? I enjoy shooting anything, recoil is not a consideration, and either would be used for plinking / target shooting. I believe I would happy firing either.

Of course I'd buy both of them, but money dictates otherwise. Opinions are appreciated!

 

[leadaddict]

While the ammo is cheaper for the SKS you will end up spending more on ammo if you buy the SKS because you'll shoot more rounds. It's inevitable with an auto-loading rifle.

Both very fun, but very different. Hard to compare.

 

[eight433]

Go for the SKS. They are drying up quicker than a Mosin. This coming from a guy with a 91/30 and an M44, but no SKS. I want one... I want one bad, haha.

 

[Pony Express]

I'd opt for the Mosin. both guns are fun to shoot and reliable and tough, but its hard not to respect the raw power that the 7.62x54r round has to offer. Initial cost is lower, plus you can pick up 440 round spam cans for around $80 + shipping.

 

[wnycollector]

I have both. My SKS's gets shot more often but the MN puts a bigger smile on my face when I pull the trigger You will end up getting both down the road, but if I had just one rifle it would be the SKS. It is tough as nails, puts a nice .30 caliber hole in stuff out to 200 yards and is VERY accurate with the addition of a tech-sight. I can pick off scavenged clay pigeons (from my clubs trap range) all day long at 120 yards.

 

[shaggy430]

SKS, duh.

 

[Red Tornado]

I'd go with the Mosin, primarily because the SKS is Chinese. I'd prefer a Yugo or pretty much any other country's SKS, due to my bad experience with a Chinese SKS. It always worked, but was the least accurate rifle I've ever fired...by far. It was possibly an exception, but I got rid of it and haven't replace it yet. Mosins I got, and they're great fun!
RT

 

[Ignition Override]

MN 44 accuracy can be very hard to predict, and varies with Czech, Polish, Bulgarian ammo etc. The 91/30 should be better.

For a fairly handy rifle which is considered to be much more consistently accurate than many 44s (with bayos extended), and can easily equal the MN 91/30, the surplus 8mm Mauser is an all-time favorite and has a much smoother action.

But if the semi-auto 'bug' has bitten you and the fever can't be cured, the SKS might be the best value of any 30 caliber semi-.

 

[stubbicatt]

I dunno. I like them all, but my use is very limited. Maybe go to the range and blast at tin cans or something. I prefer the Mosin Nagant, but the SKS is a neat little package from a technological point of view.

 

[grimjaw]

After having several of both, I'd take a M91/30 or a Finn rebuild over an SKS most days. I had much more fun tagging gongs at 450+ yards with a Mosin than I ever did blowing through a magazine of 7.62x39.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AGi8gKCLkM

 

[Karl Hungus]

I'd prefer a Yugo or pretty much any other country's SKS, due to my bad experience with a Chinese SKS. It always worked, but was the least accurate rifle I've ever fired...by far.

A friend of mine had a Chinese SKS - same thing. Absolutely horrible.

I've shot a couple Mosins - they look like crap , but shoot surprisingly well.

I'd take a nice Finnish Mosin over 3 SKS's.

 

[leadcounsel]

SKS for $200 is a steal in today's market, esp for a Chinese one. Buy it. It's at least a $300 rifle provided it's in decent shape and works. And then buy my $30 Monte Carlo stock to put on it!

 

[Tenacious B]

I had much more fun tagging gongs at 450+ yards with a Mosin than I ever did blowing through a magazine of 7.62x39.

I've never blown through a mag of x39, but I agree with this. I just love working an old bolt action (or a new one too )

 

[jimmyraythomason]

SKS no Mosins for me. I never had any accuracy problems with my Chinese.

 

[gunsandreligion]

I'm having the same problem, exept for it includes the k31. I guess it comes down to your taste. For me, a semi gets boring suprisingly quick.

 

[Bearhands]

another vote for the Mosin.... I just got one and am thrilled with the performance of a 78 yr old piece of history.

 

[Cosmoline]

I can't find any x39 around here, and what there is has shot up three times what it was a few years ago. 54R is still easy to find.

 

[GunsBeerFreedom]

SKS. You can scrounge up another C-note for a Mosin in another 6 months. They'll still be around.

 

[vector248]

it deepends a lot on what you intend to do with it. an SKS is loads and loads of fun to shot. The mosin is comfterable to shoot (the 91/30) and spirited in the carbines. but the plus side of the mosin is you can hunt just about anything in the lower 48 with it if you choose to. 7.62x54r is cheaper to shoot right now. take some time and really look at the SKS before you buy. I have both, and love both, but since i am not a hunter, assuming the sks is in good condition i would go with the SKS.

 

[Carter]

I have a norinco sks that will shoot a bullseye at a hundred yards and I shot a friends mosin that would go all over the place at a hundred yards. But with either its hit or miss due to them being surplus. Sks is a lot more fun to shoot though.

 

[twkremer]

Personally, I recommend getting both!

 

[Ignition Override]

leadcounsel:

My SKS mostly zaps targets against a river bank, about 40 yards max., as with most of my guns (Mini 30, LE #4, #5, Yugo Mauser).

Have read about the new Tech Sight rear peep, which can be attached to an SKS or AK clone, but does the plastic Tapco stock help accuracy at 100 yards etc? Am well aware of problems with aftermarket mags, if that is 'the angle'.

 

[WaywardAce]

If you can get an SKS for $200, you might wanna grab it now. Mosin prices have been pretty stable as of late.

 

[shotgunjoel]

SKS.

 

[Driftertank]

I have both a Norinco (chinese) SKS and a Mosin-Nagant M44. My SKS shoots as straight as one could expect a semi-auto 7.62x39 to shoot; I can hit a 6" gong at 300 yards a third of the time, but my eyes are the biggest limiting factor in that. My M44 shoots REAL straight, and gets me funny looks at the range from people with .22's...on account of it goes BOOM! But if I could have only one, I'd say the SKS. It's more versatile.

If you're buying from a private seller, see if you can shoot it first. If not, you're probably SOL as far as finding out if it shoots straight or not.

For reference on noises, an AR goes CRACK, an M1A goes POP!, the M44's BOOM! is a deep, visceral sound that you feel in your chest even if you're not the one shooting.