What's the better rifle? SKS or Ak as it relates to the California shooter?

[TonyNorCal]

Which do you think is the better California rifle? And why?

[EBWhite]

I'd say the AK. It can be used with a monsterman stock or without. You have detachable mags and and evil AK name. The parts are a little easier and cheaper to find.

[NSR500]

I'd say the AK...

My reason is because it is the rifle commonly associated with Communism and Terrorism which scares people. Since California is so "Anti" I figure it best for us to own as many as we can, as big as we can, and as scary as we can buy.
LOL!

[The Soup Nazi]

SKS. That bayonet is so evil! Maybe we could sell them as "5000 dollar AK-variations" as the media and LEO like to call them.

[Builder]

Maybe get as many as possible?
Current score: SKS - 1; AK - 3; RPK - 1; PSL - 1.
Eack is a little different. The SKS is stock, the AK's gripless, the RPK gripless, and the PSL fixed magazine.
If it was one or the other? The SKS is probably more accurate, while the AK is more evil looking.
Sorry about not being helpful,
Builder

[TonyNorCal]

Would you say an AK is generally more reliable than an SKS? AKs have the reputation of extraordinary reliability, however, the SKS may be pretty darn reliable and just not have served in as great of numbers. I don't have an answer there, but I do feel the SKS is reliable enough.

I also feel that for the money you get more out of an SKS...
Milled receiver, milled parts, etc. In order to buy an AK of comparable quality one needs to spend quite a bit more.

How does accuracy compare between them? Accuracy varies quite a bit with AKs...a VEPR or Arsenal is going to turn in a better performance than most Romanian AKs.

If you have any thoughts on these questions I'd love to read them.

[jumbopanda]

I say the AK. Why? Well because its the AK...

[paradox]

If you have some real-cap mags from pre2000 like some of us here, the AK hands down. Otherwise the SKS has the edge.

[M24]

My Russian SKS was more accurate than my 20"bbl AK/RPK (Norinco NHM-91). This was shooting cheap Wolf 7.62x39 FMJ ammo, and both were shot off a bean bag/table at 100 yds. The AK seemed to average about 3.5-5" groups, while the SKS was closer to 2.5-3.5" groups (10 rounds each). Both were shot off iron sights. I will have to admit that I wasn't trying to get the most accurate groups out of either rifle, but rather a general comparison.

SKS is a pretty good deal as far as price and reliability (I have owned Norinco, Russian and Yugo). The fit and finish was best on the Russian and Yugo SKSs IMHO. Both have the blade bayonets.

As far as AKs, I have owned Norinco, Maadi, Hungarian (all stamped receivers) and Bulgarian (milled rec). The only problem I have ever had was with one of the Norinco's, which had a FTE/broken shell that got stuck in it by a buddy who tried shooting Brass cased soft-point 7.62x39, I think it was American Eagle ammo? But beyond that, I have shot thousands of rounds through them without any problems. As far as stamped versus milled receiver AKs, don't get too caught up in that. Sure, milled is a stronger receiver, but it's also slightly heavier and more expensive. Stamped AKs are in use all over the world, and there's more stamped ones than milled ones out there.

If I had to pick between the two, overall, I would probably pick an AK over an SKS. Personally, I just like the feel of the AK and the reliability is second to none. Plus, when you throw in the detachable mag aspect, it just makes reloading easier. In the end, you would really need to decide what you want the rifle for, what your budget is and then go out and fire both styles to see which one you liked better.

I guess your original question was for the CA shooter, and in the current climate, the SKS would probably be easier to purchase and shoot. Since 30rd mags cannot be purchased here anymore, and AKs can be challenging to build for the average person, the SKS is a pretty good deal. Plus, you can generally find Russian, Yugo and the occasional Norinco floating around for reasonable prices.

[mblat]

Before convinent way to have detachable mag was discovered (MonsterManGrip) I would have to say SKS. Now I say AK, especially if you have 30 rounds mag....

[Blackgun]

The SKS I would say is a more accurate weapon, where the AK is a "spray & pray" type gun.

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

I'd say the SKS. More control over the expenditure of ammunition. Yeah, having a 30 round magazine is great, but when all of your mags are depleted, what then? The SKS offers both a 10 round charger and the option of reloading single rounds in its internal magazine. I don't like having to do stuff to firearms I own to make it 'California legal'. That's why I will never buy an AR made for this state; I think they are a damn joke compared to what else is out there. I'm not going to waste my money on a neutered version of something just to appease gun grabbers.

[metalhead357]

Originally Posted by Blackgun

The SKS I would say is a more accurate weapon, where the AK is a "spray & pray" type gun.

Nahhhh, you've been firing junk then. While ak's arnt inherently pin-point accurate, they are right in line with many of the SKS or better. The maadi is one of the most accurate AK's I've ever fired.....and my friend hates me for having litterally shot out his barrel

Tuff call Tony, I love 'em both; I'll lean towards the Ak for the simple fact of a detachable mag. WITHOUT a MN I'd still say a (registerd...) AK, but without some kind of grip alternative I'd say if *stuc* with a top loader I'd pick the SKS in a hearbeat........

But hey, I'm the guy that wound choose Mary Ann over Ginger too

[10K2HVN]

Simonov is much funner to shoot!

It's a little heavier, so it takes away from the recoil - not that 7.62x39 is much to handle...

[Mike 56]

I own two SKSs a Yugo 59/66 and a Chinese both are fun to shoot and you can reload then fast with stripper clips. A good rifle CA rifle. On the other hand like the SKS i have always to own an AK. I was even thinking about buying a pump AK before i found CalGuns and found out you can build your own CA AK. I just finished my first AK build and are waiting for Headspace Gauges so i can test fire. I am expecting a case of AK fever. If you collect military rifles both are must have rifles. By the way +1 for Mary Ann Mike

[AJAX22]

I've got one sks (yugo 59) and another on the way (yugo 59/66) both are evil and black, I have two AMD 65 lowers on the way (already have the parts for them) and one AK47 just in case.

the sks can be acurized nicely. I have one with a match trigger and a tapped scope rail that comes awfully close to MOA.

the main problem I have, is that I bought a ton of detachable high caps back in the day, and I can't use them (it would turn them into an AW), and I actually bought good ones that work.

My AMD's will actually be able to use the detachable 40 round mags and 75 round drums that have been soking in motor oil for the last decade.

so its all a matter of aplication.

for 60 bucks for an off list ak lower, and 150 bucks for an sks, why not indulge yourself with both?

[bwiese]

If you get a chance to get a non-Russian, non-Chinese SKS (Yugo, Albanian, etc.) you should do it

[M1A_KICHI]

I say SKS. Sure I can't use hi-caps in it like an AK but then again with the ammo prices rising I really dont mind using my yugo. Really it is like saying which to choose...the blond or the brunette? They are both fun for me .

[grammaton76]

I own two SKSes, and a few AK's.

I think the RPKs may have a slight edge in accuracy over the SKS, but I'm not sure. I suspect that the AES-10 (I'll be taking possession of one soon) will be comparable to the SKS, as it's got a 20" barrel. I want to have some experience with it before I go selling it to folks at the Del Mar show.

So, it really comes down to magazines. If you've got 30+ round mags, then I'd go with the AK. But, the SKS is really nice to load with stripper clips. It's a tough choice as to which way to go, and I will say that you won't go wrong either way.

[Charliegone]

I have both the ak and sks..and I'd say the sks probably be more accurate than the ak. I'd have to say depending on the situation...if it were such like the shtf...than I'd probably go with the ak. Reliable, 30rd mags and here in California, especially, in urban areas would be ideal. My newly built ak @ 100 yds hits a man sized target...good enough.