joejoeshooter
Member
I am still learning - So I really don't know the answer.
SKS or M1 Garand?
Is there even a comparison here?
Thanks.
SKS or M1 Garand?
Is there even a comparison here?
Thanks.
SKS or M1 Garand?
- Thread starter joejoeshooter
- Start date
- Status
Mojo-jo-jo
Member
The only similarities between the two are that they are both gas operated semi-automatic military rifles fed from an internal box magazine.
Otherwise, the comparison is about like comparing a Rolls Royce and a Kia-- They both get the job done, and both run on gas, but there is a night and day difference in the quality of the ride.
Otherwise, the comparison is about like comparing a Rolls Royce and a Kia-- They both get the job done, and both run on gas, but there is a night and day difference in the quality of the ride.
joejoeshooter
Member
So - the Garand is the Rolls Royce here?
joejoeshooter
Member
Kind of always wanted a Garand - mainly for historic reasons. Probably wouldn't shoot it much. Kind of the same for the SKS, but don't know anything about them.
I shoot a lot of pistols and AR...
I shoot a lot of pistols and AR...
Float Pilot
Member
The 7.62 x39 mm SKS is an 10 shot carbine which loads from a 10 or 20 round semi-fixed box magazine, or from detachable box magazines with some modification.
It is a rather simple and by old standards a crude weapon. Due to the caliber limitations and the basic sights, accuracy is non-remarkable past 100 meters and chest size by 300 meters.
The M1 30 caliber Garand Rifle is like the name implies, a real rifle. 30-06 caliber . It loads from an enclosed internal magazine which requires an inserted 8 shot en-block clip. Due to the superior workmanship of the rifle and the fine peep sights, plus the greatly superior power of the 30-06 cartirdge, the M1 has at least double the effective range of the SKS carbine.
Triple plus, with a real rifleman behind the trigger.
Ive got both. I probably wouldn't be caught without both in the safe. If I had to have only one it would be the Garand. Surplus .30-06 runs about what import steel x39 costs. I love the way the Garand feels, the power if has when it goes off, and everything about the history. Mine shoots darn good with the surplus ammo. The SKS is just crude in comparison. The M1 is built well and the SKS is built cheap. Like I said I don't think I would be without either but I will certainly always have an M1 Garand.
joejoeshooter
Member
So is the SKS v. Garand kind of like the age old - -
AR-15 v. AK47???
AR-15 v. AK47???
Not really. What can be said bad about the AR (little bullet, less reliable) doesn't fit. It uses a more powerful chambering and is very very reliable, not that the SKS isn't reliable. Its a situation where you get more with one than the other and price reflects that.
Paladin_Hammer
Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2008
- Messages
- 137
I'll take an SKS over a Garand any day.
Not because its the better rifle. But because I could buy 3 Russian SKS's for the price of a single Garand. If you want to talk ammo, I could then Tapco the three SKS's and still buy the same number of cartridges as the Garand.
So I could equip a small squad or have "the greatest implement of battle ever devised", I just wouldn't have any ammo for it.
Not because its the better rifle. But because I could buy 3 Russian SKS's for the price of a single Garand. If you want to talk ammo, I could then Tapco the three SKS's and still buy the same number of cartridges as the Garand.
So I could equip a small squad or have "the greatest implement of battle ever devised", I just wouldn't have any ammo for it.
10-Ring
Member
IMHO, there is no comparison. Go w/ the Garand
Where are you buying your SKS at today? I can't find them for less than $350 anywhere and at most places(gun shows) prices are pushing towards $450. Outrageous but it is what it they are asking locally. I bought my M1 for $495. Even before the obama rush prices were at or above $250 and when you add that tapco stock along with the required parts to make it legal again you really aren't much cheaper than a $495 M1. Certainly not the 3 to one ratio any more.
bang_bang
Member
I can only speak for the SKS, since I have no experience with the Garand.
Although, both are proven and effective within the common distance firefight in battles. The Garand will do it easily, and then some. SKS is just right for the 300 yard mark.
You have to remember the basis for the build of these weapons. Garand's were built back in the day when high powered 30-06, 8mm, and .303 British weapons were the norm. The Russians new that in order for troops to carry more ammo that has an equal weight they must design a new, semi-automatic rifle that is more suited towards the 300 yard mark without putting too much of it's country's ammo supplies being produced into the 7.62x54r round (a lot of powder and brass per 100 rounds compared to the 7.62x39).
Garands will do anything the SKS will and extend it's accuracy limit and effectiveness in the longer ranges. Garand's were the top end designed rifle in WWII in my opinion.
I will own a Garand one day, almost makes me feel unpatriotic not having one.
Although, both are proven and effective within the common distance firefight in battles. The Garand will do it easily, and then some. SKS is just right for the 300 yard mark.
You have to remember the basis for the build of these weapons. Garand's were built back in the day when high powered 30-06, 8mm, and .303 British weapons were the norm. The Russians new that in order for troops to carry more ammo that has an equal weight they must design a new, semi-automatic rifle that is more suited towards the 300 yard mark without putting too much of it's country's ammo supplies being produced into the 7.62x54r round (a lot of powder and brass per 100 rounds compared to the 7.62x39).
Garands will do anything the SKS will and extend it's accuracy limit and effectiveness in the longer ranges. Garand's were the top end designed rifle in WWII in my opinion.
I will own a Garand one day, almost makes me feel unpatriotic not having one.
MTMilitiaman
Member
No comparison. Get yourself an M1 Garand from CMP. It is a far superior rifle in every significant aspect.
It is likely to be more accurate, just as reliable and durable, and gives up just two rounds with considerable gains in range and power. With practice, the en bloc clip system is faster to reload.
It is an American icon built of, by, and for riflemen. Sights and trigger are far superior to any SKS. If you have the money for either, it would be tragic to pass an opportunity to own an M1 Garand. The SKS is a fine rifle in its own right, but it isn't in the same class as the Garand. In fact, it isn't even in the same school.
It is likely to be more accurate, just as reliable and durable, and gives up just two rounds with considerable gains in range and power. With practice, the en bloc clip system is faster to reload.
It is an American icon built of, by, and for riflemen. Sights and trigger are far superior to any SKS. If you have the money for either, it would be tragic to pass an opportunity to own an M1 Garand. The SKS is a fine rifle in its own right, but it isn't in the same class as the Garand. In fact, it isn't even in the same school.
Reguarding the SKS price comment a couple posts up, Yugo SKS at their peak from good vendors made it up to $229. Classic Arms had marked them up to that in early January and they are back down to $189 now. They have been $199 at our local shows and $229 at local stores.
Titan6
member
Do you want to shoot it dead from far away or just wing it up close? Of course it is never that simple but the Garand is quite superior in many ways.
I don't see them on classic arms website. I didn't see them under the main page or the firearm page. Where are you seeing them at for that price through classic? What local store has them for $199? I would take a few more at that price and certainly haven't seen those prices over the last 6 months, let alone since the election.
I also own both and agree for the most part except for SKSs being ‘crude’ and ‘cheap.’ An SKS is certainly not as refined but it is a robust, well designed rifle. It’s proven to be just as reliable as my Garand.
But yes, if forced to surrender one the M1 would definitely stay.
DawgFvr
Member
SKS vs Garand? You must be kidding? Once you fire a M1, you can never go back to the cheaply made pop-gun SKS. My SKS gathers dust behind the door...it does serve a purpose as a door stop on occassion.
easyrider604
Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2008
- Messages
- 735
For what?
I had both until I sold the Garand last year. I've always wanted a Garand since ROTC days when we trained with it and I had one assigned as my "wife" for three days during volunteer election security duty. I sold it because:
1. I never shot it because of prohibitive cost of ammo. I do not reload rifle ctgs.
2. It only came out of the safe when I watched Saving Private Ryan.
3. It was too long for me.
I kept the SKS because it is reliable and with me shooting, as accurate as my Garand, ammo is cheap and common with my Mini-30, and it fits me well. I will add a Russian version to keep my Norinco company.
When I said cheap I meant the trigger feel and the sights. Those two are much more refined on the M1. The SKS with its milled receiver isn't the cheapest or crudest but it certainly wasn't built to the standards of the Garand. The SKS feels crude when side by side with the Garand to me.
Assuming cost of the gun and ammo are not significant concerns I'd take a Garand over an SKS anytime. I've never owned a Garand but I've fired a few and they're great rifles. I have owned an SKS for many years and it's a great little carbine but it can't do anything a Garand can't do better, with the exception of accurate, short-range rapid fire bursts. With a Garand you're unlikely to need to do that anyway, because a 30.06 is a whole lot of bang compared to a 7.62x39.
yesit'sloaded
Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,662
They both will kill a man out to 500 yards with a rifleman behind the trigger. An original 1950s Russian SKS is about on par quality wise with the Garand. The Garand weighs more, recoils harder, and can only shoot milsurp 30-06 ammunition (M2 ball) or the equivalent without risking damage to the operating rod. DO NOT use modern 30-06 hunting ammo in a surplus M1! The SKS cartridge 7.62x39 has ballistics very similar to the 30-30 with a better BC. Handloads can achieve MOA accuracy in most SKS rifles.
- Status
