SKS vs 44 mag lever action rifle

[IlikeSA]

Well, I was talking to a friend today and he is trying to get rid of his 44 mag Redhawk, and I made an offer to trade him my XD9SC with ammo and some cash for the RH and his ammo. We're still thinking about it...but now, I am debating getting rid of the SKS for a lever action rifle in 44 mag.

I realize that the 44 mag can shoot much heavier rounds at a slower speed than the lighter rounds of the SKS at a faster speed, but want some opinions. I also realize the slower reload speed of the lever action rifle. The usage would be for SHTF, hunting, and home defense. My wife and I are planning to move to Colorado and I figuired I could use something with a bit more wallop out there. Anyway, is there anything I am overlooking in the advantages and disadvantages?

BTW, I cannot keep both...my wife is reining in my spending for grad school.

 

[Jason_W]

I'd go with the levergun based on ergonomics alone. The .44 will likely be more accurate out to 100 yards than the SKS.

 

[CaliCoastie]

got the exact setup your looking at a rh with a marlin 336 in 44mag, lots of fun and trying to find a load that works with both. only thing with lever gun is that the 44mag is good for about 100yd, lots of energy but just means you have to get close.

 

[JTH]

Is this a want to have or a specific use rifle?

Unless you're looking for a specific use (hunting) rifle or just want a 44 mag lever action and money is not much of a concern. I'd get what I want. OTH, unless you have reloading equipment, ammo price is going to eat you up. I would think for cheaper parts, I'd stay with the SKS but you never specified, if you have a specific use intended for the rifle. What other weapons-rifles do you have already and ammo stash? Your budget and availabilty of ammo is a concern unless you have several rifles and the SKS is expenable. We all come across weapons we just want to have. With the times we're in everyone if possible needs a good cross selection of rifles/pistol for a specific use and ammo stash. If you live in a rural area, you probably have this already covered.

Don't know by your user name if you're from San Antonio but I was born and raised there and lived there until I was 41. S.A. has lost it's small big city charm and is now a metroplex, with a population larger than Dallas just not nearly as big of a metroplex population area. I'll never live in a large city again and the more rural the better. I'm in the forests of SE TX. Good luck!

JT

 

[chicharrones]

I think there is some law about gun owners in Colorado being required to own a lever gun.

If I just had to get a replacement of what you are mentioning, I'd keep the XDSC if you can CCW and I'd trade in the SKS for the lever gun.

That's just because I have an SKS and would love to try a .44 mag lever gun for a while.

 

[briansmithwins]

SKS

1) If you think 7.62x39 has a rainbow for a trajectory, try .44 Mag.
2) 7.62x39 is significantly cheaper to buy ammo for.
3) Strippers. The SKS's ammo is carried in easy to carry 10 round packages that can be reused.
4) Reload speed. The stripper clip system of the SKS isn't as fast as a magazine change, but it's light years ahead of feeding individual rounds, one by one, into a loading gate. Now try that in the dark, with hands numb from cold, and wet...
5) Semi-auto vs repeating. Ever try to work a lever gun from prone? Ever need to shoot something close really, really fast?
6) Easy field strip w/o tools. You can take the SKS down to get mud or sand out of it using only a bullet point as a tool.
7) Cleaning tool stored on rifle. With the exception of the oil can, everything you need to keep a SKS running is stored right on the rifle.

BSW

 

[336A]

I have owned two SKS rifles and currently have a Marlin 1894SS .44 magnum. I would pick the .44 carbine over the a SKS any day of the week. The .44 mag is limited in range when compared to the SKS, but the .44 will make up for that by being more accurate out to 100 yards. It is true that the SKS is faster on follow up shots if needed as well as reloads. However most of the folks here that have never used a lever action would be very surprised how fast one can get off accurate follow up shots from a lever action rifle. The other advantage of the lever gun is it is a legal hunting implement in all states, the same can not be said for the SKS.

While it is true that 7.62x39 ammo is cheap, by and large most of it is FMJ. Yes there is SP ammo for hunting but the most common is the 123gr SP which is fine for deer. On the other hand there is by far more quality hunting ammo for the .44 magnum that covers everything from deer to bear. Federal has the 300gr Cast Core and has now started offering the excellent 280gr Swift A Frame bullet. IIRC Win still offers the 250gr Partition round along with the excellent Platinum Tip and Dual Bond line. Then there are companies such as Double Tap, Cor Bon, and Buffalo Bore which also have some real heavy hitters.

Fast reloads is a mute point at best. I have never ever needed to conduct a hasty reload in all of my 20 years of hunting. Even though reloading a lever gun is not as fast as charging the SKS via stripper clips, you dan't have wait for the gun to go dry in order to top it off. Nor does one have keep track of stipper clips either. In a HD scenerio where multiple assailants are involved I highly doubt anyone will stick around once they find the homeowner has a firearm. Even more so once they find out the homeowner knows how to use it or thier buddy takes a round COM.

Folks can fantasize all they want but in a SHTF scenerio I highly doubt anyone will want to get in a running gun fight. The main priority will be and should be getting to safety and avoiding such a situation. If not and someone thinks they are a Rambo wannabe don't expect to be on this earth for very long as will find yourself out manuvered in short order.

 

[CraigC]

I agree with 336A. Ditch the el cheapo combloc conscript rifle and get a good .44 levergun.

 

[briansmithwins]

I highly doubt anyone will want to get in a running gun fight.

Sure, and everybody always gets exactly what they want...

I've shot a SKS at rifle matches where the other guys had ARs and AKs. I did ok but against magazine fed weapons the SKS is at a disadvantage when you have multiple targets. The SKS (or any 7.62x39 weapon) is also at a disadvantage when the range opens up.

With a .44 lever gun you get a weapon that's slower to reload with crappier ballistics than the 7.62 Sov. Sure, they look cool, but I really don't care about that if I really need a rifle.

BSW

 

[Sam1911]

Get whichever you want, of course, but this one's a toss up -- probably coming out slightly in favor of the SKS.

Lever guns are REALLY cool. .44 Mags are REALLY cool.

But it isn't going to do a darned thing than an SKS can't (except drain your pocket if you shoot factory ammo much for practice), and the SKS can do a few things a bit better (a lot better, actually) than a lever gun can.

In small-medium game hunting (up to white-tail deer at least), neither offers much of an advantage if you've practiced and can place your shots.

In self-defense uses, neither offers much of an advantage except in that 1 in a million chance that you'd need a few more shots and have to reload. (Then the SKS is the winner, by a long shot.)

To be much good with either, you'll want to practice -- lots and often. Reloading will make that much less painless either way, but if you shoot factory ammo ... SKS hands down.

If you want to put a scope on it, the Marlin will be a bit easier.

 

[Slimbo]

Just based on you saying SHTF, sks. 7.62 will be a LOT easier to find in that type of situation, who doesn't own an sks or ak? I've got a few hundred rounds of fmj and hp laying around...

 

[gunnutery]

Consider this if no one has mentioned it.

I chose the option for getting a lever gun, HOWEVER, if you really have to cut back on spending, I would keep the SKS due to the really cheap ammo cost.

But if stocking up with some extra .44 mag is doable, go for the lever gun.

I say go for the trade on the pistols if you're still debating it.

 

[Dr.Rob]

If you're on a budget, the sks is cheaper to shoot. Lot to be said for a rifle you can afford to practice with.

I got to spend an afternoon with my uncle a few years back shooting an sks and a Marlin 44 mag rifle side by side. I was so impressed with it that I bought a Marlin. His Yugo sks was no slouch, but the 44 was just more fun to shoot.

 

[Clint C]

The usage would be for SHTF, hunting, and home defense.

I would feel safer with the SKS in any of those situations. Levers are a blast, I love them, but don't let a want talk you out of a good rifle, something I have done to myself several times. The only reason I would consider a trade like that is if I stood to make money on the deal.

 

[IlikeSA]

Maybe I should have clarified. I already own the SKS, and have shot it just a few times over the past 4 years, mainly because Ive been overseas. It's been a good rifle, but it is heavy because it has the dragunov stock and a scope on it. Im not pleased with the trigger and I tried looking at the pro's and cons online, but found little in the way of direct discussion, hence this thread.

As to the CCW, Im a 1911 man and bought the XD as backup when I was a police officer, but rarely carry it anymore.

The other rifle that I want is in 30-06, but I need to finish grad school first.

 

[ball3006]

You should have done what I did, buy several SKS when they were 99 bucks, now 300-400, and a lever gun, Rossi 45lc for 200, now 350. SKSs are not cheap any more. They are fine battle rifles for what they were designed for.....You will never wear one out unless you abuse it......chris3

 

[Clint C]

If you aren't happy with a gun then more than likley you wont shoot it. Guns that don't get shot don't last to long around my place. Trade it and enjoy the lever, they are a lot of fun.

 

[bluetopper]

Ya know, just reading this thread has given me the notion to sell my Russian SKS. I shoot a lot, but rarely ever shoot the SKS.
I've wanted a lever action 44 Mag anyway and already reload for the 44 Mag cartridge as I have two Smith 44 Mag revolvers.

My Russian SKS and my nice stash of ammo for it will be a nice chunk of change to purchase something else I will truly enjoy shooting.

 

[harqueb.us]

Once you switch to .44, a whole world of fun and interesting firearms will open to you.

 

[Tomcat47]

.44 Lever....Like why think about it?????

WARNING THIS IS MY OPINION! LOL


I would trade an SKS for a box of .44 Ammo! are you kidding.
Websters should define SKS this way......JUNK - Buy American!

Seriously though I would trade for the .44 Lever and Trade for the Redhawk and have a matched set of toys in same caliber and have a hay day, not to mention more accuracy on the .44 Lever especially if its a Marlin.


Good Luck on your relocation and trade!

 

[IlikeSA]

Well, after much hemming and hawing, I decided I am going to keep the SKS. Sure, it's range isn't great, but it is double the range of the 44 mag lever gun, and then some with practice. It is also cheaper to get ammo and to some extent faster to reload. Perhaps I'll try to find a lightweight stock to put on it.

 

[JTH]

Being in the miltary, you're not a wealthy person. Glad you saw the ammo price issue. I started looking for the prices of this ammo, not pleantiful and not available in quantities. Good luck.
Thank you for your service to our country!
JT

 

[Pete D.]

Why, why, why....Oh, why do so many of us go to the SHTF scenario so quickly....especially since - of all likely situations - it is the least likely to occur.
The SKS is a military rifle - even though you could hunt with it; the .44 lever gun is sporting goods, a hunting rifle - even though you could use it in a fight. Which purpose is more to the point for you?
I own an SKS and enjoy plinking with it (I suggest that is the most common use for these guns.) but there are better tools for hunting - a .44 lever gun is one of them.

I've shot a SKS at rifle matches where the other guys had ARs and AKs.

SKS and AKs at a rifle match......now that's a concept.
Pete

 

[oldfool]

ah well, to each their own

methinks - for Mutant Ninja Turtle invasions, go with the SKS
for everything else there is the leveraction (38/357, 44mag, 30-30, BLRs, whatever)... and VISA if need be

"SKS and AKs at a rifle match......now that's a concept."
ROFLMAO, yup, that's a good 'un !
(yeah, I have shot 'em, too... some of my good buddies worry more about turtles than I do)

 

[oldbanjo]

I gave my Red Hawk w/Scope to my brother, too heavy, never liked it. I wouldn't sell my SKS for any amount of money, have shot Deer with it. Have a folding stock, would never put a scope on a SKS. LOVE it.