SKS or AK47 for my trunk?

[epijunkie67]

I want to keep a general purpose rifle in the trunk of my car. Since it will be general purpose I decided against .223. I want it to be small since it will be stored in my trunk and I've pretty much decided on a folding/collapsing stock as my best option. It has to be reliable and I don't want to spend a ton of cash on it. It should also be reasonably accurate out to about 200 yards.

Given all the above criteria I've decided to go with 7.62X39 since most of the .308 stuff is pretty pricey. So given my chosen caliber I'm left with the SKS or an Ak/AK varient. I realize if I go with an SKS I'll have to play the 10 or less game when I switch out the stock. I found a 16" Paratrooper model SKS in decent condition for $175 in a local store. Is this a reasonable price?

Or I could go with a folding stock Ak but I've never owned one and heard they tend to have accuracy issues. What could I expect to spend on an accurate folding stock AK with 16-18" barrel?

I'm willing to spend up to about $400-450 on this but would hate to go higher. I know I can get an SKS and parts for that if I look around. Am I missing any good options? Given the above two options which would you chose?

 

[rbernie]

I found a 16" Paratrooper model SKS in decent condition for $175 in a local store. Is this a reasonable price?

Sure is.

For a trunk gun (presuming that you've addressed the legalities of carrying such a thing around), I'd recommend the SKS over the AK based primarily on cost. Either will work reliably under virtually any circumstances you can subject 'em to, but the SKS is so much cheaper that it's a better 'knock-around' choice IMO.

 

[Ash]

And if you end up on the news, the won't be able to say AK-47 ASSAULT RIFLE. They will, of course, say ASSAULT RIFLE, but everybody knows that AK-47 is the mark of the devil.

Ash

 

[Chipperman]

SKS is synonymous with AK47 in the media.

 

[epijunkie67]

(presuming that you've addressed the legalities of carrying such a thing around)

I've got a CC permit and I'm the only one who drives my car so it shouldn't be an issue. I plan on storing it in a mounted case.

 

[JShirley]

The little "Paratrooper" SKS carbine is a great piece. If you can find a 20-round mag that will work reliably, I think you'll have about the right combination of firepower and handling ease. I loved mine.

Nothing wrong with the AK family, though if you were carrying it in the trunk- as opposed to carrying in-vehicle, with frequent dismounts- I believe I'd keep a fixed stock on it. I just happen to have a very nice AK for sale in the FS forums.

Good luck,

John

 

[jefnvk]

SKS. Buy a couple, if you ever get one confiscated, you won't have to worrry about it. Why spend $300+ for something that works as wel as a $100 rifle?

 

[JShirley]

jef,

I don't believe it's fair to say the SKS "works as well" as an AK. Yes, it does work as well- for the first 10 rounds! If any type of potential defensive usage is anticipated, the advantages of a sturdy detachable magazine with commonly available and economical mags can't be overstated.

Personally, I would view "general purpose" as including possible defensive use, in addition to things like putting down animals injured by traffic, or meeting a feral dog pack outside city limits with clear fields of fire, or just finding a couple of hours of daylight left, when you live in the right places: just grab a 5-round mag for that AK and a hunter orange vest, and you're ready to meet Bambi.

John

 

[Bane]

Go with the AK. Get a fixed stock Wasr10 for just under $300. A few 30rd mags and you are ready to go!

 

[Lonestar.45]

I own both SKS's and an AK, and I like them both. But given your desire for something smaller, preferably with a folding stock, the AK is really the way to go. You won't lose much accuracy over an SKS, you can get a WASR with a folding stock for $350 or less new, and it'll be legal, so no having to play the 10 or less game. Also, the convenience of being able to buy $10 30rd mags and having spares is nice.

But, they're both good durable guns, I don't think you'd go wrong with either as a truck gun.

 

[epijunkie67]

But given your desire for something smaller, preferably with a folding stock, the AK is really the way to go. You won't lose much accuracy over an SKS, you can get a WASR with a folding stock for $350 or less new

Whats accuracy/reliability like for something like a WASR? I've never owned or fired one before. Do they take standard AK mags? Anyone disagree with something like this in favor of the SKS?

 

[jefnvk]

Good point, forgot about the 10-rd mag.

I'd still rather have a $100 gun in my car at all times though, opposed to a $400 gun. If it is ever stolen or confiscated, well, it can be replaced on the cheap. Not expecting that to happen, but I always like to think ahead.

 

[DMK]

Not to cast a dissenting vote...

Personally, I'd rather go with Mosin Nagant carbine. They are only like $60 and 7.62x54 hits a lot harder than 7.62x39. Keep a couple clips of softpoints and a couple of FMJ. The rifle is also heavier and has a steel buttplate making it an excellent physical contact weapon.

The bolt action won't look as bad for you as an "assault weapon" should you ever need to use it, God forbid.

My second choice would be a cheap SKS.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I personally woundn't store any gun in my car. I would rather have it on my person rather than in the vehicle. Sometimes when CCWing you have no option but to leave it in the vehicle. Then it goes into a non discrete lock box but for only the time I am in the non CCW location. Cars get stolen like crazy down here and I dont want to leave a weapon for the bad guys if at all possible.

 

[Fred Fuller]

One more vote for 'neither.' I wouldn't get a milsurp boltgun either.

The most innocuous possible choice IMO is a decent used Marlin 336 in .30-30 with a solid set of aperture sights. Yes, everyone sneers at such a choice. That's the point. There won't be a lot of 'buzz' over it compared to any military design, or even a scoped bolt action sporter.

It's easy to shoot, ammo is widely available and not horribly expensive, it's a bit more powerful than the 7.62X39, with a good set of aperture sights it will likely be more accurate too. Cost with good sights added would be a bit more than an SKS, but not out of reach. In your part of the country there should be lots of them around, most everyone recognizes it as either a cowboy gun or a grampaw gun. Better to be thought a redneck than a terrorist should you have to unlimber it...

lpl/nc

 

[epijunkie67]

Personally, I'd rather go with Mosin Nagant carbine

I already own one but this will be in the trunk of my car and the Mosin takes up a lot of room. And god forbid I do use it defensively I wouldn't be comfortable using a bolt action. Anything I get involved in would have to be close range or I'd just drive away and that calls for semiauto.

The most innocuous possible choice IMO is a decent used Marlin 336 in .30-30 with a solid set of aperture sights.

I considered this actually. Partly I wanted something I could fold up due to space considerations in the trunk. I could get a short lever action I guess but it will still never store as small as a folded SKS or AK (or WASR). Aside from that it's a great round.

 

[Lonestar.45]

"Whats accuracy/reliability like for something like a WASR?"

Well, with my Yugo SKS, I do about 2 - 3" groups at 100yds. With the WASR, about 3-4", depending on ammo. The WASR does take standard doublestack AK mags. I can get 30rd mags for $10 each at the gunshow once a month if I want. The WASR is definitely not a top of the line AK, but it is very durable and shoots well. I don't know if I'd leave mine in my trunk or anything because I would be afraid to leave a $350 weapon in my vehicle all the time. But one with a folding stock would probably be easier to store than an SKS, if that's what you want to do. Here's what I'm talking about:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/AK_WASR_RIFLE_w__Folding_Stock__Bayonet_Lug__Break.html

In all honesty, if I were looking for a truck gun, I'd probably get a Mossberg Defender 12 gauge with a pistol grip (it's legal where I'm at) for a lot cheaper than a WASR and be done with it. Durability is not an issue with this weapon, and you would devastate any threat 50 yds or less.

 

[clange]

If this is just going to be a beater, get a WASR-10 low cap. Convert it yourself and save $100 or more. You may even do a better job than the guys at CAI. Then toss on a $50 romanian folding stock (worlds better than the tapco pos). I like the 20rd hungarian mags. They look better (IMO) and they're smaller. Easy to find, around $10 new. Edit2: I think the low cap WASRs dont have any US parts? If so you'd need to add some US parts to keep it legal when converted. Cheapest would be a G2 fire control group from tapco ($40), and some US made mag floorplates and followers. The high cap model already has a US fire control group, pistol grip, and gas piston.

Edit: Basically this, but he's had the barrel cut down so a normal wasr would look a little different on the muzzle end. But you get the idea with the folder and 20rd mag.

 

[MAKOwner]

The only folding stocks for the SKS I'm aware of are the ATI pieces of crap, I had one, garbage IMO. The SKS wasn't meant for a pistol grip style stock and with very few exceptions they're pretty lackluster. Crap like too long a reach from the trigger to the pistol grip due to the way the trigger assembly attaches to the gun, etc. The typical aftermarket stocks are also in no way shape or form a rugged military piece. They're all cheap plastic/composite including the folder mechanism and I wouldn't trust them.

I'd go with the WASR or other cheap AK variant and a Romanian side folder stock. That would be a solid setup (I would not get one with the Tapco sidefolder in the add above however, it's also all plastic I believe). True I wouldn't want to lose a $350 gun either but that's still pretty cheap for a rugged reliable gun...

My Romanian AK (SAR1) shoots virtually identical groups to my full size SKS BTW. I think you'd be hard pressed to tell much difference between the two, especially if you're talking about a SKS with the same 16 inch barrel as the AK. The longer barrel on the standard SKS is it's only plus IMO, the trigger is worse, action isn't quite as simple/well designed IMO (though still plenty good compared to most), etc.

If you ditch the folding stock idea and just go for cost the SKS would be fine though IMO. Keep it loaded with the chamber empty and a couple loaded stripper clips in a pouch on the sling or buttstock or something and you'd have a quick handy cheap solution, just a little bigger...

 

[jobu07]

Just my opinion, but of your choices, i'd go with the AK.

 

[cookekdjr]

shooter grade sks. 100 bucks. cheap ammo. dependable as a hammer.
the way to go.

 

[Vic303]

Or you could get a No4 Mk 1 or II Enfield, with 10 rnd magazine & you CAN get extra mags & pre-load them. Makes an excellent club if needed, and has the smoothest fastest action of ANY milsurp bolt rifle, period. Cost is in like with an SKS. If you desire a semi auto, get the SKS, IMHO.

 

[DMK]

... this will be in the trunk of my car and the Mosin takes up a lot of room. And god forbid I do use it defensively I wouldn't be comfortable using a bolt action. Anything I get involved in would have to be close range or I'd just drive away and that calls for semiauto....

... Partly I wanted something I could fold up due to space considerations in the trunk. I could get a short lever action I guess but it will still never store as small as a folded SKS or AK (or WASR)....

Just thowing ideas out, but what about a Kel-Tec SU-16? You can find the basic model as cheap if not cheaper than an AK at gunshows and gun shops now that that everyone wants the newer "tacticool" models.

For close range and in populated areas, I think I'd be more comfortable with the better fragmentation performance of a good .223/5.56 round anyway. Although, the 7.62x39 would probably be better for shooting through a car or some other kind of cover.

 

[DMK]

However, if you are really stuck on 7.62x39, a SAR1 with a folding stock is probably about as compact at you can get without going NFA, expecially if you stuck a Hungarian 20 round mag on it. You could probably find a used one cheap,

It's a cool toy, but personally, I don't think they shoot well enough for serious use. I'd rather put my faith in the AR carbine or one of my SKS. I know I can hit something at 100+ yards with them.

 

[rockstar.esq]

I know this is the rifle part of the forum however it seems to me that what would solve most if not all of your problems would be a .44 mag revolver! If you are really looking for a personal defense/ hunting rig, it's pretty hard to beat and it's a whole lot smaller than any rifle. Not to mention it's very accurate. Taurus makes reasonably priced revolvers that you can find used for around $300. Just a thought.