Tough decision......or not?

[Godsgunman]

I am debating between 2 rifles and I'm not sure which I should do (both is not an option unfortunately). The debate is between a norinco sks or a Yugo M70. Both are 7.62x39 platform which is cheap and fits the bill for me as a defensive and hunting cartridge. The price difference between the 2 is about $200. I have shot the AK platform and like it but is it worth the extra $200? Is one more accurate or reliable than the other? Thanks for your input!

 

[DeMilled]

As a generalization (take that for what it's worth...) the SKS should be a bit more accurate and make a better hunter.

The Yugo would get the nod for home protection.

Which one do you feel is more import for this rifle?


I think both are about neck and neck for reliability.

If you want to scope that SKS you will want to look into just how that is done
before laying down any cash, it's a whole 'nother topic in it's own right...

 

[Fremmer]

Aren't the yugo's a bit heavier as an AK? If so, then there's not as much weight difference. So you have to decide if 30 vrs. 10 rounds is worth $200.

 

[juk]

Like DeMilled said, the SKS may be a bit trickier to find a solid mount for optics. I've had both platforms and prefer the SKS. The AK ergos just don't do it for me and my SKS was more accurate. You can play around with stripper clips and get them to load pretty quickly. I actually kinda like it.

 

[Palehorseman]

Like DeMilled said, the SKS may be a bit trickier to find a solid mount for optics. I've had both platforms and prefer the SKS. The AK ergos just don't do it for me and my SKS was more accurate. You can play around with stripper clips and get them to load pretty quickly. I actually kinda like it.

Same here as to liking the SKS (mine is a Norinco) over the AK. Also, after having played around with various after markets, I have found the OEM stock to be the best.

 

[MistWolf]

No question- I'd get the Yugo M70

 

[Godsgunman]

It would mainly be a hunter with home defense secondary function as I keep a couple revolvers bedside. Sounds like the SKS is what I will want plus its cheaper. Is there really a difference in quality between a Yugo or Norinco or basically the same?

 

[DeMilled]

I think the SKS would serve you well as an inexpensive hunter.

Ya know, you can install a 20, or 30 round magazine for home defense duty and go back to the 10 rounder for hunting. It'll take you about 5 minutes to make the switch the magazines and that's being generous. Do your research on the higher capacity mags. and get a quality one, some are known to be junk.
(Note: I am not talking about trying to use the "detachable" magazines in the SKS but simply using a larger capacity magazine as a fixed magazine.)


The Norinco is Chinese and have a good reputation but I've never personally owned, or even fired one, so I can't say.

Find a SKS forum and use the search feature; I have no doubt you will find the answers you seek...

 

[az_imuth]

I've had both, but got rid of the SKS since I liked the M70 a whole lot better. However, if the main purpose is hunting rather than "range toy", I think the SKS would be the better choice.

 

[DeMilled]

For a hunter you may consider replacing the stock rear sight with an aftermarket one.
A lot of people rave about them and they are on my To Do List.


http://www.mojosights.com/

http://www.tech-sights.com/

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/458953/williams-wsks-aperture-sight-aluminum-black

 

[Cee Zee]

I've owned SKS's and an AK. The SKS is by far the better rifle IMO. The AK was built as a full automatic rifle. But the ones we get aren't full auto. The SKS was always a semi-auto. You can carry more ammo on stripper clips and load it just as fast as you can swap out AK mags. And you can modify an SKS to make it work with detachable mags if you like. I have a Norinco that has worked almost perfectly for over 20 years. I bet I've had less than 25 failures of any kind on that rifle and I converted it to detachable mags the first day I bought it. And the problems I had were all due to bad ammo or me swapping parts for more advanced parts only to find mixing two new parts caused problems. I switched one part back and I've never had trouble since.

But I'll never switch out my Yugo SKS. Stripper clips are a better way to go. I can carry 200 rounds of ammo in a vest pouch and load it very quickly when needed. Not that I'll ever need that much ammo anyway.

But Norincos seem to be the easiest to convert to detachable mags. Use "USA" brand mags and you'll almost certainly get a working system.

But I'd just keep it using stripper clips though. And I'd definitely take one over an Americanized AK. If I could get a full auto AK that would be a different story. Also in most states you can't hunt with a gun that holds 10 rounds. You may have to find a way to limit how much ammo the SKS holds. Same for the Yugo.

Both my SKS rifles have been incredibly reliable and IMO that's the most important thing in SD. And both of mine are accurate too. They aren't target rifle accurate but they will definitely shoot well enough for a battle carbine. Definitely. AR's are certainly more accurate but they cost more too. I have to admit I bought both my SKS rifles cheap. AR's aren't much more these days. It may be a good idea to save your money and get an AR. I'm locked in to the 7.62 x 39 platform now. I have too much invested to change horses in mid-stream and there isn't a whole lot of reason to do it anyway. Accuracy is certainly a reason but bullet power is definitely better with any 7.62 x 39.