Which SKS?
- Thread starter giggitygiggity
- Start date
- Status
IdahoSkies
Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
- Messages
- 549
I have a yugo and I have the hardest time getting it to run with anything other than brass rounds. The steel rounds crap up my bore and cause serious FTE problems. I have to spend some serious time cleaning the bugger to after a range session with steel cased ammo. Which kind of defeats the reason why I bough the thing. I like it, and will proablby buy anouther sks, but it wont be another yugo.
marine 97-03
Member
Mine eats any and everything
rklessdriver
Member
I've got 2 bones to pick here riddled with totally worthless and false info/opinion.....
WRONG.
99.99999% of Chinese SKS's are milled.
The Chinese stamped reciever SKS's are beyond VERY RARE. They bring a very big premium from collectors when they come up for sale. I've seen one come up forsale in 10yrs and I dropped out of the bidding when it went over $550....
Some Chinese SKS's are milled with a pressed and pinned barrel (few) and most are milled with a screwed in barrel. The barrel to trunion attachment method makes no difference. I own one of both designs and they are both great shooters.
As for "Chrome Bore Hysteria"... Do your home work.
There's a reason most modern military rifles have chrome lined bores. True it's not a big deal to most US shooters - but the best deal on surplus 7.62X39 ammo happens to come from Yugoslavia and it has corrosive primers.....
Just take a good look at the ads for the majority of YUGO SKS's for sale right now. Look on SAMCO GLOBALs web site..... Every one of them say "DARK BORE". In not so many words that means:
YOUR BARREL MAY BE A PITTED AND RUSTED SEWER PIPE.
What I don't understand is why pay the same $$$ for less??
Now a little opinion of my own.
Like I said before - When YUGO SKS's were $139 they were a good deal.... Now they are $300 (more for a nice one) and thats not such a great deal.... Russian's can be found for $150 more, Romanina's can be bought for $50-$100 more and Chinese can be bought for the same $$$ (sometimes even less).
Why give $300 for a YUGO rifle with a junk barrel when you can give $300 for a Chinese one with a chrome lined barrel that you will NEVER wear out.
Will
WRONG.
99.99999% of Chinese SKS's are milled.
The Chinese stamped reciever SKS's are beyond VERY RARE. They bring a very big premium from collectors when they come up for sale. I've seen one come up forsale in 10yrs and I dropped out of the bidding when it went over $550....
Some Chinese SKS's are milled with a pressed and pinned barrel (few) and most are milled with a screwed in barrel. The barrel to trunion attachment method makes no difference. I own one of both designs and they are both great shooters.
As for "Chrome Bore Hysteria"... Do your home work.
There's a reason most modern military rifles have chrome lined bores. True it's not a big deal to most US shooters - but the best deal on surplus 7.62X39 ammo happens to come from Yugoslavia and it has corrosive primers.....
Just take a good look at the ads for the majority of YUGO SKS's for sale right now. Look on SAMCO GLOBALs web site..... Every one of them say "DARK BORE". In not so many words that means:
YOUR BARREL MAY BE A PITTED AND RUSTED SEWER PIPE.
What I don't understand is why pay the same $$$ for less??
Now a little opinion of my own.
Like I said before - When YUGO SKS's were $139 they were a good deal.... Now they are $300 (more for a nice one) and thats not such a great deal.... Russian's can be found for $150 more, Romanina's can be bought for $50-$100 more and Chinese can be bought for the same $$$ (sometimes even less).
Why give $300 for a YUGO rifle with a junk barrel when you can give $300 for a Chinese one with a chrome lined barrel that you will NEVER wear out.
Will
I bought a new unissued Yugo 59/66 and LOVE IT! It was in perfect shape..and according to the date codes..it was produced in 1972. Grenade launcher adds to the various conversations I seem to get in to when they see it. After stripping the rifle of it's packing cosmo...I finished it with 5 coats of two different oils..and topped it off with some satin urethane..and it's a BEAUTY. Shoots lights out! I clean it..each and every time I shoot...bore is clean when I'm done and lubricated.
I also have a Chinese variant..not as accurate..not as sexy...!! It was given to me free from a friend. I prefer the Yugo!
I also have a Chinese variant..not as accurate..not as sexy...!! It was given to me free from a friend. I prefer the Yugo!
...and to put a cherry on the top....it doesn't matter which one you buy! They are cheap, inexpensive military rifles. Buy a nice looking one and shoot the snot out of it!! How much can you get hurt by such an inexpensive rifle? Pay 300-450 for an unissued one and call it a day! It'll hold it's value! You ain't gonna lose anything..and if you do..it won't be much! Buy it and shoot it!
Again, for 99% of civilian SKS shooters (who will actually clean their weapons after shooting them), the lack of a chrome bore is a non-issue even if shooting corrosive primer ammo all the time.
There are millions of milsurps that do not have chrome bores and they are juuuuuuuust fine.
Good point that there are also plenty of milsurps out there for sale that all ready have less-than-perfect bores...so the lesson here is not "don't buy a rifle without a chromed bore", it is "buy a rifle with a nice-condition bore" and then with normal maintenance it will stay that way.
There are millions of milsurps that do not have chrome bores and they are juuuuuuuust fine.
Good point that there are also plenty of milsurps out there for sale that all ready have less-than-perfect bores...so the lesson here is not "don't buy a rifle without a chromed bore", it is "buy a rifle with a nice-condition bore" and then with normal maintenance it will stay that way.
I honestly do not know about all the differences. I always wanted an SKS since the first one I handled/shot in Cambodia. Fast forward several years and was able to pick up the Norenco for $300 that was like new inside and out. Shot the rifle and decided I was not wrong all those years ago with my first impression of the rifle. They are fun and my first one was accurate; much more so than you usually hear on the Internet. Then less than three months later a Boarder Patrol guy wanted to sell a SKS that looked like the weapons the Chinese use to use for their white glove parades. I purchased it for $300 also. It had a folding stock but did come with the original stock that I can put back on in 5 minutes. I tend to shoot Yugo corrosive ammo in the SKS and AK variants but I just do not worry about corrosion because all of mine are chromed lined and the barrels/rifling all look deep and new. All the rifles are fun. It is like anything you try and like we tend to stick with tried and true experiences. Think if you hold and look at different rifles one will feel and look pleasing to your eye and whatever you purchase I doubt you will regret it.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I'm not sure I follow. Kind of like saying, "I like the cast iron version of Camero because it handles more like a dump truck."
If you are looking for a 7.62x39 rifle that handles like a rifle that was awfully heavy even for a .30-'06, then I guess you'd be very happy with the Yugo. But excess weight isn't a plus for most shooters. It causes the rifle to handle slowly/awkwardly getting on target and making transitions, is hard for smaller statured folks to hold in field positions, and is no joy to carry in the field.
If you are buying a rifle that will ride to the range in your car, be fired off a bench, and then driven home again, it really doesn't matter how much the gun weighs.
If you're going to use the rifle as a field tool or for any "practical" hunting or competition uses, then extra dead weight is not a help, no matter how much of a He-Man you are.
If you're just fond of excess pounds, no need to have it bolted to your rifle. Just carry a bunch of sinkers in your pocket -- or use these:
I agree totally Sam.....Many people shoot at the range and only carry a weapon from their car to where they decide to shoot that day. Anyone who has had to lug a rifle around all day ( or a few days ) learns very quickly that weight is the enemy. The SKS with a sling and wood stock is much more comfortable to lug around with than many other rifles ( to me ) but even with the stock 10 round mag and a couple of hour hike it makes one think about purchasing a wider sling.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Strangely, this "You should spend more time in the gym if you can't handle a ..." theme gets brought up often. (Usually by folks who can't fathom why our modern soldiers are so fragile they can't "man-up" and carry an M1 Garand into combat any more... )
The issue is NEVER that someone "can't handle" the weight. The issue is that the extra weight presents clear, measurable, undeniable reductions in the best performance ANY individual would be able to achieve.
There is a balance point at which the weight of the gun assists in helping the shooter control that weapon under the recoil produced by the cartridge it is chambered for. Below that balance point, the weapon's recoil is harsh and recovery time between shots is slow. (Or, if full-auto, the weapon is impossible to keep on target.) Above that balance point, maneuvering with the weapon becomes more burdensome, bringing the weapon to bear on a target is slowed, transitioning between targets is slowed, and handling the weapon under field conditions is simply more cumbersome than it has to be.
Not that those tasks cannot be performed with a lard-butt rifle, but that any shooter would perform those tasks measurably faster without the extra ballast.
In the case of the Yugo 59/66, the launcher doesn't add any benefit to the shooter (except for those who do own the appropriate grenades...), and there are plenty of "normal" SKS rifles around without that appendage. Therefore, the only benefit seems to be the low price these rifles command.
)The issue is NEVER that someone "can't handle" the weight. The issue is that the extra weight presents clear, measurable, undeniable reductions in the best performance ANY individual would be able to achieve.
There is a balance point at which the weight of the gun assists in helping the shooter control that weapon under the recoil produced by the cartridge it is chambered for. Below that balance point, the weapon's recoil is harsh and recovery time between shots is slow. (Or, if full-auto, the weapon is impossible to keep on target.) Above that balance point, maneuvering with the weapon becomes more burdensome, bringing the weapon to bear on a target is slowed, transitioning between targets is slowed, and handling the weapon under field conditions is simply more cumbersome than it has to be.
Not that those tasks cannot be performed with a lard-butt rifle, but that any shooter would perform those tasks measurably faster without the extra ballast.
In the case of the Yugo 59/66, the launcher doesn't add any benefit to the shooter (except for those who do own the appropriate grenades...), and there are plenty of "normal" SKS rifles around without that appendage. Therefore, the only benefit seems to be the low price these rifles command.
carbine85
Member
The lack of chrome isnt a problem. Most target barrels are non chrome or stainless. I have two battle beaten yugos that shoot great. If the bore is good now it will be good later if you use normal cleaning methods. Chrome is hyped up and not necessary for the sport shooter.
Sun195
Member
In terms of chrome vs. non-chrome, I believe that early Russian SKS's did not have chrome lined barrels. (or, at least my 1950 one doesn't have it). I think they started getting chrome in 1951.
springer99
Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 416
I don't see where having a chrome-lined bore is much of an asset in most cases. You gotta learn to clean them when you're done shooting; chrome-lined or not, if you want them to last. There are alot of places, beside the bore, inside of any SKS where the primer residue will hide. Those places will continue to rust up if not taken care of.
Right now, there seem to be alot of Yugo 59/66's coming to market that are almost in new condition. The Russians, Chinese and Romanians that I've seen at recent gun-shows tend to sell for more, but are in worse condition. Find any one of them in the best condition and you'll be happy.
Right now, there seem to be alot of Yugo 59/66's coming to market that are almost in new condition. The Russians, Chinese and Romanians that I've seen at recent gun-shows tend to sell for more, but are in worse condition. Find any one of them in the best condition and you'll be happy.
marine 97-03
Member
To me tha yugos just feel better made .....maybe its the little extra weight ....and the yugonians took MUCH pride in there build quality
ClickClickD'oh
Member
I must have gotten a lucky one. Mine shoots skeet off a dirt mound at 100 yards off hand no problem. It's the best SKS I've ever had.
res45
Member
My shooting buddy has three Russian there nice rifles and all shoot very accurately with the right ammo,the roughest one that he has cost him around $250 but it not that bad just some finish coming off here and there and a little wear on the bluing. The Russians are well built and were well maintained,they command a higher price as far as the fixed mag SKS rifles go because there Russians and I guess you could say there the Grand Father of the SKS rifles.
My first SKS I bought several years ago was a refurbished Yugo M59/66A1. I got to handpick the rifle myself from a crate for $149 took me two days to get all the cosmoline out of ever crack and crevice but it cleaned up nice and is a good shooter,the weight doesn't bother me and the grenade launcher make it unique. My Yugo prefers the Golden Tiger steel case ammo as far as accuracy goes but likes my hand loads the best.
My other SKS was a stroke of luck,my gunsmith goes to lots of guns show and buys up batches of gun of all type mostly for the antique American made rifles and shotguns and sells off the stuff he isn't interested in. Well I just happen to show up one evening when he was unloading and he ask me if I was interested in SKS rifle because he had one in a box he got in the group buy at the show. Well it turned out to be a NIB 1965 Factory /26\ all matching all milled rifle I ended up paying about $50 more for it than the going rate for a used Chinese at the time but it was NIB so didn't feel to bad about the extra cash. It pretty much shoot just as well as the Yugo and weighs in about 1 lb. lighter fully loaded. You could tell I was a rookie back then I put the darn sling on backwards.
Good place to find out a lot about SKS rifles. Click on the SKS link on the left. http://yooperj.com/
My first SKS I bought several years ago was a refurbished Yugo M59/66A1. I got to handpick the rifle myself from a crate for $149 took me two days to get all the cosmoline out of ever crack and crevice but it cleaned up nice and is a good shooter,the weight doesn't bother me and the grenade launcher make it unique. My Yugo prefers the Golden Tiger steel case ammo as far as accuracy goes but likes my hand loads the best.
My other SKS was a stroke of luck,my gunsmith goes to lots of guns show and buys up batches of gun of all type mostly for the antique American made rifles and shotguns and sells off the stuff he isn't interested in. Well I just happen to show up one evening when he was unloading and he ask me if I was interested in SKS rifle because he had one in a box he got in the group buy at the show. Well it turned out to be a NIB 1965 Factory /26\ all matching all milled rifle I ended up paying about $50 more for it than the going rate for a used Chinese at the time but it was NIB so didn't feel to bad about the extra cash. It pretty much shoot just as well as the Yugo and weighs in about 1 lb. lighter fully loaded. You could tell I was a rookie back then I put the darn sling on backwards.
Good place to find out a lot about SKS rifles. Click on the SKS link on the left. http://yooperj.com/
Last edited:
maskedman504
Member
I have a Russian and a Yugo. The Russian came to me from my Grandfather, so I haven't touched it except to fire it.
The Yugo came thick with cosmoline- I cleaned it up, sanded the stock a bit, stripped and restained the stock, got a trigger job done, and put on a peep sight. I removed the bayonet also- helps with the weight- in the end it shoots real nice.
The Yugo came thick with cosmoline- I cleaned it up, sanded the stock a bit, stripped and restained the stock, got a trigger job done, and put on a peep sight. I removed the bayonet also- helps with the weight- in the end it shoots real nice.
Ignition Override
Member
Even though no classic SKS (other than the so-called "Paratrooper") seems to handle like a true carbine, i.e. Enfield "Jungle", Spanish FR8 etc, the grenade launcher on the Yugo is interesting and has lots of character, but seems to be even less of a carbine.
Don't get me wrong-though my exposure to the SKS types has been limited, other than my Norinco, the longer Yugo feels like it could have the most rugged action.
But they are just less convenient for this lazy guy.
Don't get me wrong-though my exposure to the SKS types has been limited, other than my Norinco, the longer Yugo feels like it could have the most rugged action.
But they are just less convenient for this lazy guy.
Last edited:
woad_yurt
Member
I owned a Yugo and then bought a Norinco. My Yugo never got shot again. there was nothing wrong with the Yugo but it was like holding a telephone pole comparatively. I later happened upon a Paratrooper model, the short one with no bayonet lug, which prompted me to sell the full-sized one. It is my favorite rifle by a long, long shot. It's light, handy, and almost feels like a Glenfield 60. I put a $30.00 peep sight on it and I can't miss.
For comparison, a regular Norinco and the Paratrooper. I swapped out the peep sight before selling the regular one:
For comparison, a regular Norinco and the Paratrooper. I swapped out the peep sight before selling the regular one:
chromelined barrel makes it even better. The Norinco sks has a slimmer stock which i find unique. The chinese made it so to fit their small hands. THe Yugo m59/66 has the more fatter foreend bec maybe they are a better fit for bigger Serbian hands.
- Status
