Would you give a feedback about purchasing my first rifle? (sks)

[Object999]

Hi. I'm going to buy a rifle in this April.

I'm thinking about buy sks.

because this is cheap (not over $400), has fixed magazine(not over 10), and this is not an assault rifle.

I will buy this gun through online (gunbroker.com) and FFL dealer store.

I'm living in Nassau County, not a NYC.

Would you give to me advice ?

If something I need to know for purchase sks, please leave comment(thread).

I'm not want to make trouble about gun law, so I will appreciate your advice.

Thank you for your favor

 

[GOYABEAN]

None of my rifles have ever assaulted anyone never ever never only one's I've ever owned were modern sporting rifles can't go wrong with the SKS platform

 

[meketrefe]

Just make sure they are in good shape and you are ok with a heavy bulky rifle in a popular yet obsolete round in terms of accuracy and ballistic performance.

Assault rifles are not available for civilians, only military.
Although a musket is an assault rifle just not that popular anymore due to modern tactics.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I used to have one. Great rifle. Never jammed and accurate at 100. When you buy stripper clips, buy the surplus Chinese ones from eBay. The ones that are newly made by NCstar are utter garbage.

It isn’t a tack driver at 300 yards, but it is a durable rifle that can take a beating and is accurate enough for range plinking, hunting, and home defense. Not everyone needs a tack driver that makes cloverleafs at 300 yards. It is accurate enough for chest sized targets at that distance.

Also, if you decide to change the stock, keep in mind that you have to change other parts even though they are not broken to be legal for 922R compliance. This forum below has tons of SKS information.

922(r) Parts Count Info from ATF - 14 Parts!

922(r) Parts Count Info from ATF - 14 Parts!

www.sksboards.com

 

[HEX]

I think an SKS is a perfectly good choice for a first rifle; especially with NY gun laws as an issue. You'll likely want something else in time, but it's a very good platform to 'cut your teeth on'.
The only thing I can't stand about them is the prices they're going for these days. Maybe I'm just stuck in the past, but it really doesn't seem so long ago at all to me that some variants were a $120 to $200 rifle any day of the week in any gun store anywhere. If you can get one for any kind of reasonable price though, go for it.

 

[tony]

First rifle... Buy a decent bolt action .22 and put a decent scope on it. It will be inexpensive to shoot, and will help you develop good marksmanship skills.

 

[Calculon]

The SKS is a terrific rifle. Heavy by today's standards but assuming it hasn't been abused it will be a reliable, sturdy and fun gun to shoot. It's fairly simple to maintain - lots of videos on YouTube about field stripping, cleaning and maintenance. If you use surplus/corrosive ammunition be sure to clean it immediately after range trip to prevent pitting or rusting.

Check out your local gun shops as they may have some in stock that you can buy and take home. May save you an extra transfer fee vs buying online plus you get to inspect it first. A numbers matching rifle is worth more than one that has been assembled from various rifles. Doesn't mean it won't run well, just of lesser value.

Are you looking at a Chinese? Yugo? Other?

 

[IrishMick]

SKS is a good first semi automatic center fire rifle. The good features are maximum mag capacity (under current NYS laws), low recoil, readily available ammo, still reasonably affordable for what you get, milsurp accuracy, well built, reliable, easy to assemble/disassemble and maintain, and lots of fun to shoot. The bad features are fixed mag, sights aren't the best, short sight radius, usually require a massive initial cleaning (packed full of cosmoline), not great for mounting optics, prices are starting to get too high, and heavy compared to modern alternatives. All that being said get one! They are not being imported in the numbers they once were and the supply is getting fixed as to availability (who remembers sub $100. SKSs?). While I feel the prices are kind of high, people are now paying 3-400 dollars for mosins and the SKS can be had for 350-500 dollars without searching too hard. Most importantly they are a blast to shoot! They are made to run cheap steel cased ammo and throw brass 20'! All in all a great gun.

 

[speedkills27]

For a treasure trove of info on that platform you could also check out Survivors SKS boards. If what you're looking for isn't there, there is a good chance it doesn't exist

Survivor's SKS Boards - Index

Survivor's SKS Boards - Index

www.sksboards.com

 

[tony]

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang ! That WAS fun.

I didn't hit the target but I came close...

 

[Toecutter]

Great rifle I love shooting my sks. If your local gun store has a few check the bore look on YouTube for a video on how to check an old rifles out,just to make sure it hasn’t been thrashed. They can also have very different triggers from rifle to rifle. If that matters to you ask the store owner if he minds you checking the triggers.

 

[Marine Cpl]

The SKS is a 4MOA rifle. More than enough for accuracy. With a 4 MOA rifle, you can consistently hit man sized chest targets at 300 yards. It isn’t a precision rifle. It’s a combat rifle. It isn’t for shooting cloverleafs at 300 with a footlong 1 MOA scope so you could pat yourself on the back at the range. But in the real world, you’ll hit your target just the same as a sub MOA rifle. Besides, if you put a combat optic on it, it’ll be 2 or 4 MOA anyway.

 

[repete]

Make the SKS your second gun, get a .22LR rifle first. A bolt always comes in handy for plinking learning and hunting while a semi is more fun. Either can be had for less then the SKS and you can buy a 1,000 rounds or more with the difference and that will keep you shooting for a long time. Good luck and BE SAFE!

 

[BDinPutnam]

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang ! That WAS fun.

I didn't hit the target but I came close...

What do you think the built in bayonet is for?

 

[speedkills27]

What do you think the built in bayonet is for?

kabobs????

 

[Twogunwilly]

Buy two before the supply dries up, you're welcome.

 

[Phauxtoe]

SKS is a fine rifle, but maybe not if its your only rifle.
I always think a 10/22 is a Best first rifle.
cheap and ammo is cheap, its all about amount of rounds shot

Just my 2 Cents.

 

[Object999]

None of my rifles have ever assaulted anyone never ever never only one's I've ever owned were modern sporting rifles can't go wrong with the SKS platform

Thank you for your assurance

 

[Object999]

Just make sure they are in good shape and you are ok with a heavy bulky rifle in a popular yet obsolete round in terms of accuracy and ballistic performance.

Assault rifles are not available for civilians, only military.
Although a musket is an assault rifle just not that popular anymore due to modern tactics.

Thank you for your concern. I am prepared to accept a heavy bulky rifle. Thank you

 

[Object999]

I used to have one. Great rifle. Never jammed and accurate at 100. When you buy stripper clips, buy the surplus Chinese ones from eBay. The ones that are newly made by NCstar are utter garbage.

It isn’t a tack driver at 300 yards, but it is a durable rifle that can take a beating and is accurate enough for range plinking, hunting, and home defense. Not everyone needs a tack driver that makes cloverleafs at 300 yards. It is accurate enough for chest sized targets at that distance.

Also, if you decide to change the stock, keep in mind that you have to change other parts even though they are not broken to be legal for 922R compliance. This forum below has tons of SKS information.

922(r) Parts Count Info from ATF - 14 Parts!

922(r) Parts Count Info from ATF - 14 Parts!

www.sksboards.com

Thank you for sharing your experience. I will use your information well. I think I will get lots of help from that sks forum.

 

[Object999]

I think an SKS is a perfectly good choice for a first rifle; especially with NY gun laws as an issue. You'll likely want something else in time, but it's a very good platform to 'cut your teeth on'.
The only thing I can't stand about them is the prices they're going for these days. Maybe I'm just stuck in the past, but it really doesn't seem so long ago at all to me that some variants were a $120 to $200 rifle any day of the week in any gun store anywhere. If you can get one for any kind of reasonable price though, go for it.

yes, I entirely agree with you. that is quite reasonable even though the price is increasing. lol

 

[Object999]

First rifle... Buy a decent bolt action .22 and put a decent scope on it. It will be inexpensive to shoot, and will help you develop good marksmanship skills.

Thank you for your recommendation. I will consider your recommendation after buy sks. thank you!

 

[Object999]

The SKS is a terrific rifle. Heavy by today's standards but assuming it hasn't been abused it will be a reliable, sturdy and fun gun to shoot. It's fairly simple to maintain - lots of videos on YouTube about field stripping, cleaning and maintenance. If you use surplus/corrosive ammunition be sure to clean it immediately after range trip to prevent pitting or rusting.

Check out your local gun shops as they may have some in stock that you can buy and take home. May save you an extra transfer fee vs buying online plus you get to inspect it first. A numbers matching rifle is worth more than one that has been assembled from various rifles. Doesn't mean it won't run well, just of lesser value.

Are you looking at a Chinese? Yugo? Other?

I am worried about one factor - bayonet and bayonet mount. If my plan will be canceled, it must be due to bayonet. your recommendation; visiting local gun shops will reduce not only the price but also the possibility of the cancellation of the plan.

I don't consider where it made from.
I'm just considering good conditions.
If its metal parts are not rusted, stock(wood) is not corroded, it will be okay

 

[Object999]

SKS is a good first semi automatic center fire rifle. The good features are maximum mag capacity (under current NYS laws), low recoil, readily available ammo, still reasonably affordable for what you get, milsurp accuracy, well built, reliable, easy to assemble/disassemble and maintain, and lots of fun to shoot. The bad features are fixed mag, sights aren't the best, short sight radius, usually require a massive initial cleaning (packed full of cosmoline), not great for mounting optics, prices are starting to get too high, and heavy compared to modern alternatives. All that being said get one! They are not being imported in the numbers they once were and the supply is getting fixed as to availability (who remembers sub $100. SKSs?). While I feel the prices are kind of high, people are now paying 3-400 dollars for mosins and the SKS can be had for 350-500 dollars without searching too hard. Most importantly they are a blast to shoot! They are made to run cheap steel cased ammo and throw brass 20'! All in all a great gun.

Thank you for your advice. I think this cost will be more increasing due to gun laws. before cost increasing more, I will buy one

 

[Object999]

For a treasure trove of info on that platform you could also check out Survivors SKS boards. If what you're looking for isn't there, there is a good chance it doesn't exist

Survivor's SKS Boards - Index

Survivor's SKS Boards - Index

www.sksboards.com

Thank you for introducing a good forum.

 

[Object999]

Great rifle I love shooting my sks. If your local gun store has a few check the bore look on YouTube for a video on how to check an old rifles out,just to make sure it hasn’t been thrashed. They can also have very different triggers from rifle to rifle. If that matters to you ask the store owner if he minds you checking the triggers.

Thank you for your advice. - check the youtube, local gun shops, and trigger.

 

[Object999]

The SKS is a 4MOA rifle. More than enough for accuracy. With a 4 MOA rifle, you can consistently hit man sized chest targets at 300 yards. It isn’t a precision rifle. It’s a combat rifle. It isn’t for shooting cloverleafs at 300 with a footlong 1 MOA scope so you could pat yourself on the back at the range. But in the real world, you’ll hit your target just the same as a sub MOA rifle. Besides, if you put a combat optic on it, it’ll be 2 or 4 MOA anyway.

Thank you for your information. I will consider optics too.

 

[Object999]

Make the SKS your second gun, get a .22LR rifle first. A bolt always comes in handy for plinking learning and hunting while a semi is more fun. Either can be had for less then the SKS and you can buy a 1,000 rounds or more with the difference and that will keep you shooting for a long time. Good luck and BE SAFE!

Thank you for your suggestion. .22LR is also a good alternation.

 

[Object999]

What do you think the built in bayonet is for?

I am worried about bayonet. If I canceled my plan to purchase sks, it must be due to bayonet.
I'm not sure but bayonet and bayonet mount are can be illegal in ny gun laws.

 

[Object999]

SKS is a fine rifle, but maybe not if its your only rifle.
I always think a 10/22 is a Best first rifle.
cheap and ammo is cheap, its all about amount of rounds shot

Just my 2 Cents.

Thank you for your recommendation. 22 is cheap and easy to handle. I will consider it.