SKS or AR-15? Which is better for defense?

[Shrinkmd]

Safety considerations...

I do like the "modern" safety features on the AR, such as being able to either slam in a mag, or keep one in but no round chambered, or to actually chamber a round and use the safety. Imagine wandering around your house/property with the thing in condition one. Wouldn't you rather have the AR safety than what passes for a safety on the SKS? And how about dropping the thing in that condition. I guess you could do the "load ten" and then push down and slide the bolt over the rounds, but then you need to be really sure what condition the rifle is in (and dry fire to release the hammer?) BOOM when you don't want it to, CLICK when you need it to go BOOM.

 

[MechAg94]

If a constant pressure of 2000 psi is applied to steel, nothing happens, even over time. If 2000 psi is applied constantly to aluminum, it will eventual wear and break, being a softer, less dense metal.

I am not sure I would say that with constant pressure. However, when fatigue or alternating stress is factored in, steel is a better material. Aluminum is a metal that has no fatigue strength. Alternating or cyclic stress will eventually lead to failure though it might take a while. For steel, as long as the combined stress is less than the fatigue strength of the steel, it can handle near infinite cylces assuming no other issues. (theoretically, of course and I am probably rusty from not having studied this in 10 years).

However, I believe the main stress bearing components of the AR are steel, not aluminum. The SKS is a tough rifle, but I wouldn't say the AR is weak.

If I had my Armalite and SKS sitting there, I would probably pick up the AR. If I was starting from scratch and had limited money to buy rifle and ammo, the SKS might very well be my choice. As said above, the home defense scenario I was thinking of doesn't quite fit the original quesiton. The AR might actually be a better field rifle to carry around.

 

[Terrierman]

Which one has quicker reloads?

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Aluminum, unlike steel, cannot hold up to the pressures that steel can. As a science teache rexplained it to me: "Say a piece of steel has a maximum pressure rating of 12000 psi. Now say a piece of aluminum has that same rating of 12000 psi. If a constant pressure of 2000 psi is applied to steel, nothing happens, even over time. If 2000 psi is applied constantly to aluminum, it will eventual wear and break, being a softer, less dense metal.

Which is why aluminium isn't used for any of the parts in an AR that are subject to pressure. The barrel, barrel extension, and bolt carrier group are all steel. The aluminium parts of an AR are nothing more than a housing.

 

[BobTheTomato]

As the question is asked my answer is the SKS. From the wording of the question you cannot:
1) Bring up the internet and order spare parts to get FedExed to you if soemthing breaks
2) Get whatever you need to keep it clean/working (oops a mud puddle)

Because of this I will pick the gun I can drop in the mud and don't need to clean.

 

[Stiletto Null]

^^^

Well, you'd probably need to swab the bore out...

 

[Gustav]

I would go with the AR15 any day over any SKS for many reasons among them are the AR15/M16s better ergonomics a much better trigger and sights less recoil and faster time on target between shots lightning fast reloads vs awkward stripper clip reloads also a larger amount of ammunition can be carried for the same weight and don't forget all of the things you can add to the weapon should you have a need to do so.

Parts can easily be had for both and both can easily be field stripped and maintained, this should be a non issue.

A good .22 LR subcaliber kit can be bought for the AR 15 so cheap training is an option.

With the AR you have 20 or 30 rounds with the SKS you have only 10 and yes you can get larger capacity aftermarket mags but are they 100% reliable?

Cost should not be THE deciding factor , spend what you think your life is worth find somewhere else to save money than your rifle who will spend what you save if your weapon gets you killed for not being good enough for the task at hand!:banghead:

The AR5/M16 has its problems but it does the job if kept clean and maintained the SKS is cheaper to buy and simpler built but is not even close to the AR in so many critical areas.

The SKS design goes back to WW II and was only a fair rifle in its day having been replaced by the AK or other weapons long ago.

SKS rifles are cheap for one simple reason name one country that is currently buying them to use as a primary military rifle?

AR15s and M16s are one of the longest serving if not the longest serving rifle in our countries history for one reason like it or hate it they do the job and newly built ones are still being purchased today across the globe.

For home protection use a 40 grain bullet or a Glaser Safety Slug in the 5.56 to limit penetration, The 7.62x39 will go through your wall and maybe into your neighbors house.

Only reason for choosing the SKS over the AR15 as your main defensive rifle is if you are on a really tight budget and simply can not afford a better rifle. YMMV

 

[hankdatank1362]

OH NO!!!! iT'S THE THREAD THAT WOULDN'T DIE!!!!



Oh, well... it's a decent topic. My choice would be an AR, but not an AR-15. I would want an AR-10. Fed the right ammo, it's good from CQB to hunting for food to long-distance engagements. Keep it clean, throw a good 3x9 on top, and worry about other things.







Or an AK.

 

[cameron.personal]

I have both an extremely reliable and accurate SKS and an equally reliable and more accurate AR15...

While my SKS is a fine rifle there is NO WAY I would consider taking the SKS over the AR!



The AR is lighter, handier, faster, more accurate, higher capacity, faster to reload, and fits more people better, and American made rather than a Commie gun.... I'm sorry but that makes a difference to me.



Cameron

 

[GarandOwner]

I choose AR......and I dont like AR's.......but I do like hitting what I am aiming at

 

[buck00]

Why is the SKS so cheap? They can be purchased for $200, while the AR-15 goes for closer to $1000.

Supply and demand.

I can buy a NIB Glock pistol for $495 in the U.S. In Turkey, a Glock pistol goes for $3000 on the black market.

I love SKS rifles, but when I really think about it- if you squared off against a guy in the woods with an AR-15, it might be rough.

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

I'd choose the SKS because that's what I have on hand and have the most experience shooting. We can debate all day about SKS vs. AR, but it all depends on how the individual defines what is "best"

 

[The Deer Hunter]

I says SKS because they have less junk designed to be bolted on

although there is always duct tape...

 

[GotGlock]

I voted sks just because of the round, 7.62x39 is just a better round then .223

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

This is a silly question. The AR15 is better, no doubt. The SKS is a great "value" for someone with little money to spend. The AR15 is the choice of SWAT teams, special forces, etc...

 

[SSN Vet]

I voted the SKS is better, cause for the price of one AR, I can buy 4 SKSs.

That makes it my four people armed with SKSs to your one guy with an AR.

I think there's much merit in this "strategy"

Lot's of cowboys want to Rambo on their own....but a team will go a long ways in a SHTF scenario....

Little things like eating and sleeping expose the weeknesses of the one man show.

For the price of one AR you can equip a "possy".

It seems like SKS prices are right up there with cheap AK prices now, so if I was going to "bury a SHTF box" I'd go with an AK...

Actually....I'd buy 4 Saiga's (at $247 ea.) and a grunch of ammo for the price of one good AR-15.

Make or buy bullet guides and get hi cap. mil. surp mags on the cheap ($12/ea.) and store these seperately.

I doubt 922R will rise to the level of concern in a SHTF scenario.

The AR is undoubtedly a superior rifle....but it aint cheap.

As for as shooting past 100 yds......I can't envision any kind of a self defense scenario where I could ever make a case for shooting someone 100 yds away that would keep me out of prison afterwards.

 

[Val USP]

Which one has quicker reloads?

Depend as fast as you can do that
Both of them have detachable mags - see link bellow

With the AR you have 20 or 30 rounds with the SKS you have only 10 and yes you can get larger capacity aftermarket mags but are they 100% reliable?

Well, AR with 20 or 30 rd, but SKS may have 30 - 40 of them
Check the Gunbroker site.
So, all that questions - are not so important.
If something happen - you should be able to have more ammo - so in US soil - 223 is right choice, if it is in Europe - 7.62 with no doubt

 

[BGlaze250]

Real men use stripper clips.

 

[def4pos8]

My SKS is of excellent quality, being one of the first imported from the Soviet Union/Russia. I tried a few "upgrades" but reverted to the original configuration, except for a Williams rear peep sight and a bright yellow front post.

I have an AR-15 too, but would use the SKS in a SHTF situation. I had to make use of a bayonet post Katrina. . .and it's ALWAYS on my SKS.

I find it interesting that the latest fashion in AR-15 mods is some sort of gas impingement conversion, making use of M-14/AK/SKS features to make an "ultimate" AR.

 

[one-shot-one]

$0.02

for the money i would spend on an ar of the quality i would want, i would get 1-ak47 and 2-sks. and probably some ammo for the same price.

 

[Bartkowski]

I don't know where everyone is getting their SKS's but I can get them for $110, clean in perfect working order, and without a very scratched up stock, just one or two marks on the stock.

I voted SKS because I would rather have a gun firing a cartridge designed to kill someone rather than just wound them. Price of the guns and I would like to have a very realiable gun in my hands to save my life.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I like the AR design better but for home defense, I'd take the SKS - why? Because, after you shoot someone (presumably a criminal), your gun will be confiscated and thrown into an evidence barrel. It won't be returned until after you're cleared of a wrongful homicide. So, why lose a $750-$1000 gun when a $110 gun will do the same job? Be Roman, be pragmatic.

 

[esq_stu]

Commonality parts, accessories, and ammo. There just seems to be more of 'em. Almost a commodity, like milk, unleaded gas, 12 gauge shells.

At the range yesterday, there were more ARs than anything else. ARs on either side of me at the 100 yd and then 50 yd areas. I saw one SKS in the place.

 

[Geno]

Define "better". They are both excellent. I paid $159.00 and $179.00 for my SKSs. ARs, well they do cost more.

 

[Freightman]

Do not have eather at the present, do have an AK would like to have a AR will one of these days, if it is to far away for the ak I can use my Hakim, or M! Garand, if up close I will use my AK. Seems that every time I get the money saved for a AR something breaks, the plumber took it the last time. O-well such is life.