would you chose a SKS ove an AK for SHTF

[godlessdustin]

The SKS I think would be a simpler rifle SHTF. NO crap-tastic mags to rock in. In my opinion the SKS is tougher and easier to maintain. Buy another bolt, spring and possibly a piston rod incase anything happens.

What if something bad really does happen? Imagine running off alone carrying a WASR and a bunch of mags. The SKS can be loaded by hand.

So you're saying it is easier to load an SKS by hand than it is to load an AK with mags?

[Swiftytheavenger]

To me yes.

Trying to be ambidextrous and pull an AK mag out of the gun, and rock another one, in is harder than smashing down a stripper clip or pushing down some rounds by hand.

[Beowolf1911]

Flick the mag release with the new mag, rock in new mag reach over top of rifle cycle the bolt.  It takes about 3 seconds with a little practice.

[shawker71]

I have to agree with Swifty, SKS rifles are easier to load in a hurry than an AK. As far as practice, I have quite a few of each and still kid of prefer the SKS for its capabilities.

[Swiftytheavenger]

Ammo is heavy, If you could realistically carry 300 rounds of 7.62x39 It would be alot heavier stuffed in AK mags. What if a mag broke or failed to feed? What if you didnt have enough magazines, you'd carry some packed and some loose? How fast can you load a mag if needed?

Stuck on stripper clips seems more logical for the survivalist, less weight and its ready to go.

[Beowolf1911]

I go jogging in my "SHTF rig" which holds 300 rounds of 62x39 and I don't find it all that heavy.  If there was an issue it is easier IMO to drop a mag, replace the mag and cycle the action then to pull back the action load the clip depress the ammo remove the clip and cycle the action.

Move to show how fact it can be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz5LPaMhlOc

SKS  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJaMRTfjXBA

not even close in my opinion.

to me the benefit of the SKS is the smaller profile, despite the longer range and sight radius.  What I was really looking for with this thread was maintenance and basic operation of the SKS do you think it would be easier fro a rookie to learn on?

[godlessdustin]

With the larger capacity for the AK you would be reloading less often.

[Branth]

Well, you don't end up with partial magazines with a stripper clip...  I don't know how applicable this would be in a survival situation, but if you are in the habit of reloading before you hit the last round, you might end up with a handful of AK magazines with only a half-dozen rounds apiece.  With stripper clips, you can load the internal magazine to capacity at any time.

[wickedwd5000]

id go with an sks...but only because i already have one, LOL....and its all tapco'd out, cut down to para length, with a 20 rd tapco mag.  so basically i turned it into an ak.  only reason i didn't originally buy an ak...i got the sks when a chinese was still $150.  with all the mods im still only in it for $240...these days though....sks's are hi and ak's are low....tuffy....hmmmmm.....

[LRTEKE]

i have both...would probably pick the sks if i had to choose only one.

[Slimshady]

Well, you don't end up with partial magazines with a stripper clip...  I don't know how applicable this would be in a survival situation, but if you are in the habit of reloading before you hit the last round, you might end up with a handful of AK magazines with only a half-dozen rounds apiece.  With stripper clips, you can load the internal magazine to capacity at any time.

To "top off" an SKS with strippers you have to first rack the action open, ejecting the live round in the chamber. While holding the bolt back by hand you then have to manually reach into the action with the other hand and engage the bolt hold open. Insert stripper clip and charge to capacity, manually remove the partially loaded clip then retract and release the charging handle. The rifle cannot be fired until the reload is completed, plus you have to reach down and pick up that live round you may need later. Someone good at Juggling a loaded rifle and a stripper clip may save a few seconds by skipping engaging the BHO and just holding the bolt back manually.

A detachable box magazine, OTOH, can be quickly swapped out with another. Even the AK mag change is 2-3 seconds max with just a little practice. With the mag out of the gun, it can still fire the chambered round should it prove necessary. One can "top off" partially expended magazines while the rifle remains fully loaded with a different magazine.

These advantages are why modern auto rifles all use detachable box magazines.

As far as SKS versus AK for a SHTF rifle, I would normally go with the AK as it is a much simpler design than the SKS, uses hi-cap box magazines, and is very rugged and reliable. Accuracy varies widely among specimens, some are the innaccurate "bullet hoses" that gave them a bad rep, others are just as accurate as many semi auto hunting rifles. Both my MAK90 and Hungarian SA85 are capable of 3" groups at 100 yards using cheap imported ammo, a little better with US commercial ammo.

[shawker71]

I have a MAK90, a few Romanian WASR's and several SKS rifles. That being said, I still say the SKS is more robust and easier to shoot and maintain most SHTF situations. Granted, a detachable magazine is nice but I prefer the fixed box of the SKS. The balance of it in hand is something I prefer as well.

[Ravingbantha]

AK Pro's:
1) Higher Mag capacity
2) typically faster reload times

AK Con's:
1) you'll probably miss the Broad side of a barn with it
2) shorter range
3) Magazines can FtF
4) more expensive

SKS Pro's
1) More accurate
2) longer range
3) Stripper clips are lighter and will not give FtF problems
4) Cheaper
5) possible built in Bayonet

SKS Con's
1) Lower ammo capacity (can be solved with duck bill mags)
2) Slower reload time, but then again reload time can vary with practice


 This is how I see the two weapons, intersting thing is before I read this thread I had planned on getting an AK varient. I think I may go put some money down on an SKS instead.

[wade]

This topic has about 6 different kinds of fail in it.

[Beowolf1911]

This topic has about 6 different kinds of fail in it.

Do tell them.

I think my rookie rifle is going to be a saiga in .223 hear is my reaasoning;
it is a tad lighter then the standard 62x39 AK or SKS
hi cap mag to make up for less then stellar accuracy
it is the simplest weapon to break down and clean
Covers a NATO round which is easy to stockpile
Lower recoil will be easier on a rookie

I will most likely add a set of Tech sights, I have shot a MOA group with my WASR-10/63 with Tech-sights at 100 yds, so I would bet a .223 would be able to match that.  And the tech sights will be harder to break then a cheap scope.