need 'nuther rifle

[Coyote33]

SKS, or Mosin?

What is a good one of each, and at what kind of price? I want something which shoots decent, not a matched serial numbers safe queen.

I'm wondering what to look for, and what to avoid.

I consider these essential pieces to a "collection", along with 870, 10/22, 9mm, 1911, M1, M1 Carbine, Thompson (even semi auto), AK, etc. These are obviously less expensive ways to get some more inventory, and some more fun, and head in the right direction with the collection.

Thanks.

 

[ShadeWPI]

Coyote - to me the main differences between the two is the cartrige and weapon length. 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R. The 7.62x39 is a great carbine round for short to medium range and typically SKS's come in shorter overall packages while the Mosin's are typically full to long rifles.

Which are you intereted in? A smaller, intermediate .30 caliber carbine or a full sized, full power 30 caliber rifle?

I have an SKS, it's a great little carbine. Easy to handle, easy to carry, effective to short or medium around.

I have looked at Mosin's but haven't picked one up yet (don't have anything in 7.62x54R) but I already have a .30 caliber rifles and .30 caliber semi-automatic rifles (both 30-06 and .308) I've never had any shooting problems with my SKS, so if you're just looking for a shooter, thats a fine choice.

 

[MassMark]

Don't get me wrong - I love a good SKS, but man - the Mosin M-44 is a boatload of fun and it launches a bomb of a bullet to boot! Nothing like a flame ball the side of a trash can and giant chunks of berm flying about...

 

[SKS Ray]

Get a Chinese SKS before they keep going up in price. Then if you like it, grab a Russian or a Yugo 59/66 still in the grease.

Mosins will be around for a long time and the prices are barely going up. The market is flooded with them and they're still coming in. You won't see any more Chinese or Russian SKS rifles imported again, and its likely we've seen the last of the Yugo imports so whats here now is it.

 

[Mike_Diako]

Chinese paratrooper SKS or an M44 nagant are two great choices. you cant beat the fireball of the M44 though

 

[Coyote33]

What is a typical price of an SKS, and are they all similar? I don't really care (unless you make a good argument I should) whether it is Chinese, Yugo, Russian, or whatever. I don't care about bayonet mount, or other stuff. I just want a decent shooter for a decent price.

 

[SKS Ray]

Your best bet is a Chinese for around $260. There are a lot of Yugo 59/66 models floating around out there with bad gas tubes.

 

[Coyote33]

OK, so I take it that last comment was for me?

So, Chinese for $260 is good. Avoid Yugo 59/66. That's it? Any other pointers?

 

[drumenigma]

The condition of Mosins can be hit or miss. There are lots of mismatched ones out there. If you want a decent shooter just try to avoid the ones with dark pitted bores. Try to find a place that has several in stock so you can examine them and pick the best one. I have a 91/30 and it's fun to shoot. I've also shot my brothers m44. If you like 4 foot fireballs go with the m44.

 

[Pilgrim]

Coyote - to me the main differences between the two is the cartrige and weapon length. 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R.

Did you forget the fact that one is semi and the other is a bolt action?

 

[Garys]

Did you forget the fact that one is semi and the other is a bolt action?

Oh... that.

 

[gerrycaruso]

Do what I do when I can't decide, get both. If you have a C&R, the Mosin 91/30 is about 80 bucks and ammo is relativly cheap.If you don't have a C&R, get one.

 

[Coyote33]

Rethinking this. How does one ID a "Chinese" SKS as compared to any other? $260=$80 is $340, which is not too shabby. Less than an AK or AR for both. Any place in Southern Worcester County have either that you know of?

 

[flintoid]

When I was back home in the heartland over the holidays, I saw 4 Chicom SKS rifles at $350 a piece. And these were in pawnshops at pawnshop prices.

 

[mclina]

My next rifle purchase is going to be an SKS. I've got two Mosins, and they are good, cheap, accurate rifles that are fun to shoot. I've got an assload of 7.62x39 piled up for my Saigas, so I need to have an SKS or two to go along with the collection.

I was checking out some at Rileys the other day. They've got 4-5 sitting on the rack in the ~$350 range, IIRC. I just need to get educated on what I am looking at.

 

[ARV]

Rethinking this. How does one ID a "Chinese" SKS as compared to any other? $260=$80 is $340, which is not too shabby. Less than an AK or AR for both. Any place in Southern Worcester County have either that you know of?

Not sure about made-for-import guns, but mine is Chinese military and has Chinese characters on it. The blond wood (catalpa?) is kind of a giveaway at times too.

 

[mac1911]

http://yooperj.com/ find the SKS link on the right and click it. Some good info and ID's. Also 762x54r.net for the mosin