SKS or AK47 for my trunk?

[pinetree64]

I had a SAR-1, sold it. It rattled and had general loose feel about it. I liked the look, the capacity and (now) the folding stocks.

I do own a Yugo SKS with the grenade laucher. It is milled steal and solidly built. It is very fast to reload with clips. With the extra weight out front and the rubber butt pad is low recoiling and easy to hold on target. I bought this for my truck box, but it is too nice. As were the 3 various Mausers I bought. I will probably pick-up another SKS. The SKS's are a bargain.

What do I carry? A Russian 20g OU in my truck and a Filson game bag with shells. There were in there from a quail hunt and I liked the way the shotgun in the gun sock tucked neatly behind the backseats' headrest. I do shoot shotguns at the range... Of course there is also a compact 1911 handy and a snubby on me.

 

[clange]

When my folder gets here (in the next few days, hopefully) i'll post a pic of a SAR with a folder next to an SKS. The SAR is already like 6" shorter than the SKS with a fixed stock. Now, whether or not that, the pistol grip, and high cap mags are worth the price difference is up to you. Both should be super reliable and ammo is cheap. I cant shoot an AK or an SKS worth a damn, probably because of the sights. With a red dot i can get 3-4" groups at 100yds out of my SAR. Not sure what else you'd need out of a SHTF trunk gun.

 

[SamlautRanger]

my $.02

I would have to agree with a previous post, that a good ole Marlin 336 in 30-30 would be your best option. Can easily find a used one for around $200. Ammo is easy to find and not that expensive. Does not raise eyebrows. Get a 336 and then but a butt cuff on it with extra ammo, and a sling. If you want to make it more "tactical" you can add ghost ring sights or even attach a scout mount to it and add a scout scope or red dot scope.

 

[hammer4nc]

Another low priced 7.62x39 trunk-gun alternative?

Ruger mini-30 stainless; folding stock, discreet and protective carry case. Tape measure for scale.

 

[TGT]

Naaaa....why carry a normal looking and accurate high power Marlin or Remington rifle in your truck? That's old fashioned stuff designed for hunting and sporting purposes. It's best to have a fast firing cheap crap SKS or Ak that every city gang banger or deranged Minnesota mass murderer prefers.

I'd go with the SKS. For $189 it comes with a bayonet too.

 

[mainmech48]

FWIW, you can still get a 20 rd. fixed box mag replacement for the SKS for under $30. Personally, I don't have a problem with the fixed ten-rd. box, as I've found that I can reload it using strippers at least as quickly as I can change boxes. Ditto the 20 rd; just takes two pushes.

For low-buck utility in a semi-auto, it's hard to match. Throw in a surplus chest bandoleer full of loaded strippers for 180 rds, your solvent/oil bottle, C-tool for the sights and a wad of patches, all in one easily toted package.

 

[Zach S]

A mini-30 cost a few bucks more than an AK, and a few bucks more than that for one in stainless (ok, its more than a few bucks, but I cant recall how much). Magazines arent cheap and plentiful as they are with AK variants, even if you count the USA mags which rarely work in, um, anything.

 

[Gewehr98]

Another vote for an AK...

Perhaps a SAR-1 with sidefolder?

 

[epijunkie67]

DMK

Just thowing ideas out, but what about a Kel-Tec SU-16?

I own one. It does fold up great I was just hoping for a bigger round since this is a general purpose weapon. If it was strictly antipersonel I'd use it. You know if Kel-Tec made that thing is 7.62X39 it would fly off the shelf!

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.

Accurate yes, for a revolver. I doubt I'd be taking many 60-100 yard shots with it.

hammer4nc

Ruger mini-30 stainless;

I don't own one but I considered this option strongly. But I've heard so many terrible things about this rifle on numerous forums I was very leary of trying it. I've heard a lot of negative things about the reliability, accuracy, and durability of the ruger mini-30. Which is a shame since it fits every one of my criteria otherwise.

 

[OEF_VET]

Just an FYI, your TN Handgun Carry Permit does not extend to longguns. IOW, you can not carry a loaded longgun in your vehicle. However, it isn't that difficult to slap a mag into an AK-clone and rack the bolt.

If you decide to go with an AK, drop me a PM. I have a hi-cap, no-ban WASR-10 with a metal folding stock that I'm looking to sell.

Frank

 

[klover]

I'd go with a lever in .44 or 30-30. Way more accurate than the sks (I love the sks too), can use matched revolver back up, Big-5 gets you a new one for $300, ammo has no varnish, can reload "on the fly", more politically correct, way lethal in the big hole department of .44, great resale value, better machining and fits, American built, very handy, and just plain neat.

My truck gun is an M-6 in SS single shot .410 with .22! Way small, and usually I have some small pistol around anyway.

 

[clange]

SKS vs. SAR-1 with folder





Just got the folding stock today. Had to work on both the screws (which was a major pain in the ass, until i found the bench grinder). The short screw was too long, and the head on the long screw was too big to fit in the trunnion hole.

 

[lwsimon]

Here's something else to think about: If you need this gun for defense, chances are it will be in a parking lot. If you are under fire, its going to be hard to get a gun from a case in a trunk of toolbox.. I propose welding a steel box a little bigger than your gun, but square in shape. Weld it up under your truck on the drivers side, against the frame, out of view and higher than the sheet metal of the body. Pad the inside, and put a simple latch on it. Inside, put whatever gun you choose, and forget about it. I'd caulk the corners, and maybe see if i couldn't get a gasket. IOW, make it weatherproof. With this, you can drop to the ground, have cover and concealment, get your weapon, and return aimed fire. If you have time to get in your trunk or toolbox, chances are you had time to retreat, and that's not going to look real good in court. Then again, my idea is rather off the wall, and might - well, honestly, almost surely would - label you as a nutjob, but I think you'd have a better chance of demonstrating a justifiable shoot.

Just an idea.

 

[jval]

Things aren't that bad yet (in the parking lots in San Diego). I am more concerned about someone coming into my house/bedroom at night and catching me off guard. My house is my turf and I know my rights...no questions!!

 

[TimboKhan]

Well, for what its worth, I am a HUGE fan of the SKS, if for no other reason than that the two that I have are so reliable as to be dull. I personally am not worried about having to engage targets in a parking lot at distances longer than what my pistol can reach, but I do actually use one of my SKS's as a home defense rifle. Its imported by a company called "Poly-Tech" and comes under the name "Hunter". Its a standard SKS except that the barrel has been cut down right under where the bayonet lug would be, meaning that its about 3 inches or so shorter than a standard SKS. Mine only has a 5 round clip, which isn't ideal, but I am giving up capacity for "handiness", and I can hit very reliably with this rifle up to about 150-200 yards.

 

[Ivy Mike]

The SKS has the Mosin-Nagant beat in almost every area save for the ability to reach out long distances. 54R is just better than 39.
As for using it as a club should you run out, the SKS weighs plenty and old Mosin-Nagant steel butt plates are cheap. Grind it to fit and notch the SKS stock accordingly. Viola, a cheap weapon capable of even nastier butt strokes...not that the wood couldn't do a sufficient job on someones noggin.

You could also cut the big wooden stock of the SKS down and attach a folding stock from something else. It wouldn't be pretty, but it would work. Depending on the length of the barrel, you could also trim that down. Make a knife out of the bayonet just because.
The other thing that appeals to me is should the car be stolen, you're only losing a $100 rifle.

I'd be much more upset knowing that my $300 AK or $300 Marlin carbine got lost...not to mention my car.

 

[Zundfolge]

What exactly is the purpose of a "Truck Gun"?

Is it for self defense (two legged predator)? Typically a handgun will fill that role just fine.

Is if for animal self defense? Then I think a much more powerful bolt action as you probably won't be up against a dozen bears ... more likely just one (and the extra power would be nice).

Is it for impromptu hunting? If thats the case, there's probably rules in your state about hunting with a magazine capacity over 5rds. And again, I'd rather hunt with a 7.62x54r then a 7.62x39.

Is it for impromptu target shooting? Then I'd think the SKS would be just fine...maybe put some Mojo's on it.

Is it for being caught away from the house and your serious guns in a SHTF? In which case I imagine the AK with a bag of mags would be better then an SKS since it may end up being your primary SHTF rifle.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

To answer your question, between your desired choices, I'd take the AK.

Many people have bought cheap SKSs with the intent of putting on all kinds of neat folding stocks, different magazines, etc, and just find out that the SKS isn't very tolerant of that and they go out and buy an AK, spending twice what they would have to just get the AK they wanted in the first place.


Now, a couple of questions: What's this really going to be used for?
If you're keeping this in your trunk, if you have enough time, in a defensive situation, to break cover, stay exposed long enough to opent he trunk, get the rifle and ammo out, load the rifle, etc, then it's going to be hard to justify why you didn't just leave.

If you're thinking of something like the Texas courthouse shooting, the LA Bank of America robbery or something similar, then explain how the much more powerful Mosin would not be a better choice.

If you want to impromptu hunt, the bolt gun, lever action, etc would be better choices. In most states you can "justify" having a bolt or levergun a lot more easily than an AK.

FWIW, most people, including cops, don't know what a Mosin Nagant is, much less associate it with being a military rifle (mine often get mistaken for a frontstuffer as they think the cleaning rod is a ramrod, and the folded bayonet makes more senso to people on a Revolution-era musket than a modern bolt gun.).

 

[Father Knows Best]

I'm a big fan of leverguns, and would generally recommend one here -- either a Marlin 336 or 94 or Winchester 94 in .357, .44 mag, .30-30, etc. I think a significant problem, though, is the one pointed out by OEF_VET -- it is apparently illegal to carry a loaded long gun in your vehicle. That makes it difficult to use a levergun here, because they have tubular mags that cannot generally be loaded very quickly. A detachable box magazine allows you to load and go much more quickly.

 

[benEzra]

Personally, if I were going to keep a rifle in my trunk, it'd be something pretty cheap, since it is likely to rust unless you live in a REALLY dry climate. I once left my stainless Ranch mini-14 in the trunk of my car for a few days while we were in the process of moving from a mobile home to a house in Florida, and the STAINLESS STEEL rusted (fortunately it was superficial enough to clean up with some Rem Oil, a few cleaning patches, and lots of elbow grease).

You also have to worry about theft; think of some way to secure it from someone who smashes your window and pops your trunk release. If you store an unlocked, loaded rifle in your trunk and some clown steals it and shoots someone with it, you could be looking at some significant civil liability. At the very least put a cable lock through the action and around a structural member in the trunk, or install a big eyebolt that you can padlock the thing to (just be careful of the gas tank when deciding where to put one).

Between the choice of a cheap SKS and an AK lookalike, I'd say the SKS fits the bill better solely because it's cheaper. An old M44 may be even cheaper still, and if you stash the bolt somewhere else in your car then it'll be useless to anyone who might happen to steal it, even if you store it with a loaded magazine.

 

[MechAg94]

I would say the SKS, mil-surp bolt, or lever gun. Pick whatever you think fits the bill for your situation. All can be had fairly cheap. All fit the utility required.

BUT, I would say if you are concerned that you might have problems with EBR fright, a lever gun might be more practical in some situations. That may not be a problem in all cases. Some places, they might throw the book at you for any rifle (or at least try).

 

[dasmi]

I keep my M44 in my truck. Unloaded, of course, as per california rules. At $79 bucks, if it gets stolen, I won't cry.

 

[sigma 40ve]

I'll throw in a new loop. What about a shotgun instead? IMO it's hard to beat buck and slugs. You'd be surprised what a field/hunting load will do to a car. A friend used to own a junkyard and about every couple of months 5-6 of us would get an invite to come over for a day of car shooting. I learned to appreciate shotguns for SD there when I seen the results on autos.

 

[garrett1955]

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.

hey thats a cool looking rifle...
since i never seen one before, how accurate are they and how well do the perform??
thanks.

 

[jculp]

hey thats a cool looking rifle...
since i never seen one before, how accurate are they and how well do the perform??
thanks.

I like mine a lot. I bought it from a member of this forum, actually.

Accuracy -- I dunno, I haven't fired it much long-range. I hear it's pretty good, though.

It hasn't given me any problems w.r.t. performance. It's reasonably cheap, it's fun, it takes AR mags. Good stuff.

/lurk again...