decisions in life... an SKS
 

Since I tend to be old school, I've decided on an SKS as my final SHTF rifle, but which one? My options:

Unissued Yugo - $289

or

Used in good condition Yugo - $179

Give me your answer and your overall opinion of the rifle itself. SKS owners, have at it!

Remember, the more money I have after the purchase equates into more ammo!

Re: decisions in life... an SKS
 

Hmm, well I would go with the used SKS if it's in good shape. I have a Chinese SKS I have had since 2001, I never fire it anymore since I got my mini-30, but I bought it used and have never had a problem with it.

Re: decisions in life... an SKS
 

My cheap used one is my "I really don't care if I lose it" gun. OK, I care, but not $1000 care.

Re: decisions in life... an SKS
 

I would go with the used one if in good shape, with a caveat...

Since Yugoslavian SKS and AK barrels are not chrome lined...check the bore for pitting/corrosion with a good borelight. Especially at the throat. And the end of the gas rod. If it has been shot a lot with corrosive-primered older surplus Russian military or Eastern Combloc ammo, without a good prompt cleaning afterward...well, then I'd go with the new one.

EDIT: I did buy one for my step-son last year that looked very clean throughout. He loved the heck out of it, but proceeded to crap it out with a Tapco tacti-cool stock...oh well.

Re: decisions in life... an SKS
 

:rolleyes_m: Hmmm...the Yugo's are fine for that price.

I prefer the Chinese versions with the chrome lined barrels,especially the Norinco SKS Paratrooper model carbine which is getting rare and almost impossible to find at a reasonable price.Cheap hardwood stocks,but mine has a milled receiver.

Be careful...some of the post ban SKS models have the low capacity magazines permanently welded to the receiver to prevent magazine changing.

I've saw at least a dozen Yugo's that were imported with welded in place mags.

Ammo is not that cheap,shortages have made SKS ammo more expensive lately.

If you could only pick one SHTF weapon I'd have to vote a reliable 12 gauge pump shotgun over an SKS.

Why not get both ?

:yes::yes::yes:

Re: decisions in life... an SKS
 

On an unrelated note....MGS3 is one of the greatest games ever made.

Re: decisions in life... an SKS
 

And you sir are a gentleman and a scholar. You must also know where my screen-name comes from... Speaking of which, I'm a Dolphins fan, yet I have a soft spot for the Lions, always have. Why does Matt still have a job?:no_ma:

Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to interrogate the used one before I buy. I wouldn't have done so if I hadn't posted on GIM.

The 20 rounders from tapco was what I was going for, and I have a well known ammo source that I can get ammo for VERY cheap that's within driving distance. The stock will not stay stock for long:wink: and the iron sights will be replaced with better ones, with trigger work, etc. I'll post some gun porn when I get it all together.

River Rat, I'll get that covered ASAP:wink:

Re: decisions in life... an SKS
 

Get the used Yugo, spend the difference on ammo.
I also like the Romanian SKS