AR VS SKS
If your choice were an AK-15 or an SKS which would you pick and why.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
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Need more specifics as to application. If i were looking for something low priced (or lower priced) to toss in the back of the trunk or drag around out in the field then I'd go for the SKS. For other applications the AR would be better. 0 -
I have both finally. (Finally built my AR)
For grins and general plinking, I like the SKS. It's a trip to shoot and the perfect rifle to knock around with. Can't really mount a scope on it, but general accuracy is okay. Definitely not a match rifle.
The AR is more accurate and you can mount just about anything on it, but I fear the day I drop it.
EDIT: As Beantown says, he has both and as I and many do. When it comes to shooting, it all depends on what you plan to do with it. I already have three uppers for my AR and working on another lower. The AR is a perfect kit gun with all the components available.
For some reason, when I go out for plinking, I always take two rifles. My 10/22 (which I've changed the barrel and stock on) and my chinese SKS. I primarily use the AR for competitions and tactical shoots.0 -
Depends on what you want to do with it.
Big advantages of the SKS are that they're inexpensive, reliable, relatively powerful, and because they lack detachable magazines and vertical pistol grips, NOT considered "assault rifles", making them legal just about everywhere. Its hard (but not impossible) to scope an SKS.
AR-15 is more expensive, but more accurate and far more customizable (including caliber conversions). It also has significantly higher capacity (30 rd detachable magazine vs 10 round fixed for SKS). In usual configuration its lighter in weight than an SKS, and the .223 ammo is lighter too, meaning you can carry more of it on you. Scoping an AR-15 is relatively easy.
If I'm going into a gun fight, I'd rather have the AR-15. For hunting SMALL things, its probably a better choice.
For general "fun" use at the range, a "truck" gun (that isn't too expensive and gets beat up bouncing) or for hunting DEER, I'd rather have the SKS.
I actually do have both, and guess what. . .I actually shoot the SKS more!
Edit #1: I also dislike the SKS safety. . .its practically a "criminal" design since all the safety does is lock the trigger. It doesn't lock the firing pin or sear meaning an SKS rifle can still go off if dropped with a loaded chamber and the safety engaged. Lesson here is not to carry an SKS with a round in the chamber if you can help it.
IMO worst thing about SKS rifles is the often heavy and gritty trigger pull, though these can be improved with some gunsmithing.
On sights, a company out of Hartsville SC called "Tech Sights" makes an excellent "peep" rear sight for the SKS that replicates the sight picture of a standard AR-15.
In bulk, steel case Russian 7.62x39 ammo is about 2/3 the cost of typical .223 ammo, which partly explains the popularity of the SKS for recreational shooting. The 7.62x39 round itself is ballistically similar to the old lever-action 30-30 round, partly explaining its popularity as a short-medium range deer round.
Edit #2: On caliber conversions, there is (or was) some outfit that actually makes a .50BMG upper that fits on an AR-15 frame! There is another that makes a CROSSBOW (yes you read that right) upper so you can fire ARROWS from your AR-15 if you like. .22LR conversions are popular and readily available, and its also possible to convert to a number of pistol caliber rounds if you like. So the sky is the limit in terms of what "can" be done that way.
There is one big issue with caliber conversions: They ain't cheap!
If you want to put a 7.62x39 upper on your AR-15 to take the same cheap ammo as your SKS, you can do that. . .but just the UPPER will run you about $450 (or more), which is more than an entire SKS rifle, and similar in price to a low end AK rifle.0 -
AR 16" Hbar with collapsible stock for most uses. I seriously dislike the SKS safety, it's sights, and it's mediocre accuracy. The SKS is OK for throwing bullets at a large target at fairly close range. 0 -
I never thought SKS's would become so popular.
I remember when my neighbor started buying them for 39.00 retail.
His had screw in barrels.
Ammo was cheap too.0 -
I have a SKS tucked away in my workshop for a just in case rifle.I have an AR in my gun safe. Both rifles are good for their specific use. 0 -
A better comparison would be between the SKS and Mini 14 in 7.62 x 39.
Comparing an SKS's to a AR15 is like comparing apples to oranges.0 -
I have a scoped SKS that I could put all 10 rounds into a playing card at 200 yards with my loads. I can't since I lost my right eye but maybe I should consider working up a load for my son with it.
Semper Fi0 -
TEUFELHUNDE,
Well, there are several angles to look at things. The first, is what would you want to do with it?
The only problems I see with the SKS, and AK-47's are, first, what you have, is what you got. There is no changing upper recievers for caliber conversions. You can change the furniture a little, but that is it. I do own a few AK-47 clones, but not an SKS...mostly for the safety reason, Beantown mentioned.
The AR-15...yes it cost more. The old saying that you get what you pay for holds true here. You are getting a lot more rifle here, than either an AK-47, or SKS, can offer. You can have a match rifle one instance, and 10 minutes later, have a M-4 style carbine.
They are very versatile, as far as chamberings go. There is Olympic Arms who has introduced a version of the WSSM case necked to 30 caliber. It is in the same power spectrum as the good old 30-06, and the 7.62 NATO. So the AR-15 is capable of taking very large game. It is fully capable of deer sized game, as it comes from Uncle Sam, with the right bullet...the Barnes TSX.
My vote, if I had to pick...the AR-15.
Best0 -
with alittle work a SKS can be turned into a fine rifle. With a little work an AR-15 can be turned into an excellent rifle thats capable of switching between a half dozen different rounds..
The SKS was designed to be used with open sights and stripper clips. Most, but not all detachable box magazines will cut the reliability of the SKs in half over the long haul..
The AR-15 with a flat top is designed to be used with optics, or iron sights, or both and with the right hand guard night vision can be mounted in front of a day optic. large night vision devices and red dots with night vision or magnifiers can also be used easily.
The 556 AR can be fed with anything from a 150 drums to 20 round magazines reliably. You can even get belt fed uppers, as well as uppers in dozens of different calibers from .17rimfire to 20mm vulcan and even convert it into a crossbow.
The AR-15 is a fine gun. Its like the swiss Army knife of guns.
An SKS is a fine gun to..
If you have a eye problems, an left handed AR-15 with a holographic sight might make shooting more pleasant.
shooting an SKS left handed is just asking for trouble, if you shoot steel cased ammo.0
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