Yugo vs Norinco SKS?

[Kiln]

Hey guys I'm looking at getting another SKS because I think they're probably the last milsurp rifle that is really affordable and of respectable quality. I've already got a Norinco outfitted with a Tapco stock and a few of the Tapco 20 round mags. Before anyone starts yelling about it, yes, I kept the original stock and 10 round box mag in case I want to switch it back to the stock configuration.

Anyways I refuse to pay AR/AK prices for a Russian SKS so it is between the Norinco and Yugo SKS. Based solely on looks I'm wanting a Yugo but the prices are very similar so I'm not really set on either one 100%. Aside from the Yugo not having a chrome lined bore and being equipped with a grenade launcher, is there any other real performance/functional difference between the two?

Which would you prefer and why?

 

[henschman]

Norinco -- chrome lined barrel. Also no goofy grenade launcher attachment.

 

[Cee Zee]

If not for the unwanted accessory I'd consider them pretty equal. I have one of each. I rarely shoot the Yugo.

 

[Davek1977]

The only Yugo I'd own would be one of the models WITHOUT that stupid grenade launcher. I'm not planning on launching any grenades, so thats wasted weight. I have a Norinco I've had for over 20 years that has been nothing but wholly reliable. If I were to get another SKS, I'd be looking for its twin.

 

[Arobbins]

I had a yugo i used a dremel and cut launcher off cut to the threads but not enough to mess up threads then install brake

 

[bannockburn]

Would go with a Norinco (always liked the version with the spike bayonet), over the Yugo variant.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I've got both, the Yugo being a stock M59 and the Norinco is all dolled up in black plastic.

I like them both about equally.

 

[19-3Ben]

Depends on what your purpose is. I have had both a Norinco and a Yugo.
The Norinco would be the one I would grab if I were going on a long hike, as it's lighter.
To take to the range, the extra weight of the Yugo helped dampen recoil. A lot of bashing on the grenade launcher here. Sure I never launched grenades with it, but the extra weight out front did help get very fast followup shots. Weight reduction is nice if the gun will be carried all day, but it's not the be-all end-all for every rifle. I find the Norc to recoil harder than the Yugo.

If it real matters to you, if you really want a Milsurp, the Yugo is the only option as it was actually built for military purposes. The Norincos in this country were all (almost all?) made for the commercial market, rather than actual military.

So it depends on your purpose (hiking/camping rifle vs. range rifle) and how interested you are in a real milsurp gun.

I loved my Yugo and regret selling it for what it's worth. It was a beast of a gun, and even more beastly club!

 

[Godsgunman]

Really just depends on what your use will be. I assume you are wanting it to be kept all original since you already have one Tapco'd out. I would probably go Yugo for an all original. Built like a tank and a longer barrel than the Norinco. The longer sight radius of the Yugo can make it better as a hunter if you chose to do so. You already have a lightweight option for plinking and HD if ever needed with your Tapco'd one so if it were me I'd go for a nice clean Yugo. But whichever you chose will work fine.

 

[1948CJ2A]

Norinco -- chrome lined barrel. Also no goofy grenade launcher attachment.

I actually kinda get a kick out of the grenade launcher. I don't get all the hate on that. It does add weight but I've never hiked longed distances with my SKS and probably never will so that point is moot to me.

I've owned both and would say go for the best deal. In my eyes they both shoot about the same... granted I don't shoot mine all that often.

 

[Cee Zee]

he Norincos in this country were all (almost all?) made for the commercial market, rather than actual military.

Not even close friend. At one time there was a flood of milsurp Norincos being sold in this country. They were so popular the Chinese began building the made for the commercial market stuff. But I have a milsurp Norinco and for many years I never even saw anything else other than the Paratrooper models.

You can identify where your Norinco came from by the markings on it. Yooper John has a lot of information about those markings on his web page He also has info on how many rifles of each type were sent to this country. I'm not talking exact numbers but approximate numbers of course.

 

[P5 Guy]

Yugo '59 yes the grenade launcher 59/66 no. Norinco if I couldn't find a Soviet made SKS.

 

[Cee Zee]

I'd like to have a '59 but I've never even seen one in person. I guess I could order one but I haven't seen that many available and when I do the price is pretty high.

 

[trueg50]

Not sure why all the hate for the 59/66A1, but I live mine, and I'm a pretty skinny guy! It is built like a tank, and certainly falls into the "rifle" category, despite it sometimes being called a "carbine". It is heavy, but has a short length of pull, so its very easy to shoot even for smaller folks. It also has some interesting history, thus qualifying them for C&R status (mine is a 1983 model and still C&R eligible).

Fitted with tech-sights it is isn't a problem to keep all my shots inside of 2-4" at 100 yards.

 

[Kiln]

Is the quality of the metal better on either or does it matter? Do the three dot white sights on the Yugo help accuracy?

 

[19-3Ben]

Not even close friend. At one time there was a flood of milsurp Norincos being sold in this country. They were so popular the Chinese began building the made for the commercial market stuff. But I have a milsurp Norinco and for many years I never even saw anything else other than the Paratrooper models.

You can identify where your Norinco came from by the markings on it. Yooper John has a lot of information about those markings on his web page He also has info on how many rifles of each type were sent to this country. I'm not talking exact numbers but approximate numbers of course.

Glad to be corrected and educated. Thanks, and apologies to anyone who got incorrect info from my post.

 

[trueg50]

Is the quality of the metal better on either or does it matter? Do the three dot white sights on the Yugo help accuracy?

The Yugo's were made by Zastava, and are quite heavily built. Supposedly they were a little more heavily built to handle the slightly hotter Yugoslavian ammunition, and also because Yugoslavia had limited production capacity, so what they made had to last.

Sights are standard SKS sights, but you can flip up the front glow in the dark sight. I swapped my front sight post for a thinner one, and put on rear tech-sights as soon as I bought my rifle because I love peep sights.

 

[Mayvik]

If you are going to pimpshine it, it won't really matter. The Yugo is a bit heavier even after you remove all the GL paraphenalia, and the gas valve can be a PITA is you shoot dirty ammo and don't clean it diligently. I would probably lean to Norinco. For a collector, Yugo 59.

 

[Kiln]

If you are going to pimpshine it, it won't really matter. The Yugo is a bit heavier even after you remove all the GL paraphenalia, and the gas valve can be a PITA is you shoot dirty ammo and don't clean it diligently. I would probably lean to Norinco. For a collector, Yugo 59.

I've already customized my Norinco so this one will most likely remain in stock configuration.

 

[trueg50]

To clear up some confusion:

Yugoslavian M59: Standard SKS, but heavily built

Yugoslavian M59/66: Similar to M59 but slightly longer barrel, a grenade launcher, and a gas shut off valve (for the grenade launcher).

Yugoslavian M59/66 A1: same as the M59/66 but with night sights added (a new glow in the dark front sight flips up)


Allens Armory has some of the m59's and M59/66A1's so you can see the difference.

 

[hartcreek]

Why only two choices......I have a Romanian......no it aint fer sale.

 

[nathan]

I have all the versions except the Romanian. I should have grabbed one when Century had them in limited number for $100 just eight yrs ago in very good condition. My first was the Russian and still have it. It was my first centerfire rifle and had great memories with it. It was the rifle that got me started into rifles. THe very rifle that i shot to kill a wild hog at 7 yrds away. What an awesome feeling as i shot the pig right behind the head while sneaking behind it. And oh, this was in Rule, Texas .

Now i have the Yugo M 59 66 which i really like. It shoots very tight groups and that all that matters to me. Its built like a tank .

 

[mac66]

Variety is the spice of life, Get the Yugo.

 

[Col. Plink]

I can echo what's been said of the Yugo M59. I'd like to get a Romanian or Pole someday.

 

[Ignition Override]

Both of my Yugos are the M59, manufactured Before they used grenade launchers on the 59/66.
Though acquired last December, the rifles are matching (bolts/bolt carriers/actions/stocks) and in excellent condition. All cosmo was cleaned from firing pin channels and other metal components.

The only hiccups were that using Tula ammo, both rifles had popped primers.
In one of them, the firing pin was pushed out the rear of the bolt.

I like them so much that one was sent to Murray's for chamber reaming. The actual work was $30. The next rifle will also be shipped to Murray's in a few weeks.

My Chinese SKS never had any glitches with 3,000 rds. of Wolf, Monarch and approx. 200 rds. of this same new Tula ammo