AK vs. SKS Accuracy

[bdcochran]

carbine

I googled the word "carbine". The carbine was originally a lighter, shortened, rifled weapon developed for the cavalry, for whom a full-length musket or rifle was too heavy and awkward to fire from horseback. Some sources derive the name of the weapon from the name of its first users—cavalry troopers called "carabiniers", hence French "carabine". Carbines were usually less accurate and powerful than the longer rifles of the infantry, due to a shorter sight plane and lower velocity of bullets fired from the shortened barrel. With the advent of fast-burning smokeless powder, the velocity disadvantages of the shorter barrels became less of an issue (see internal ballistics). Eventually, the use of horse-mounted cavalry would decline, but carbines continued to be issued and used by many who preferred a lighter, more compact weapon even at the cost of reduced long-range accuracy and power.

[RossA]

Good historical info, bdcochran. However, it still refers to carbines in rather general terms such as "lighter" and "shorter." There must be some sort of guidelines as to where the lines are drawn, since we see guys posting that a certain rifle is or is not a rifle or a carbine. Apparently some people have some guidelines they use as to where the lines are drawn.

[pathfinder3081]

[QUOTE=RossA;21597]This, of course, is just MHO, always subject to debate (just ask my wife). I believe the M14 to be the finest combat rifle ever designed.

My passion for M14? My father was in Vietnam with the M16. THis was before the forward assist was introduced to the rifle. He hated the weapon and missed the M14. I was issued M16a1 when I was in the Corp, this was before Picny rails, cool sites and all the bells and whistle you guys have on them. (I want one sooner or later) There was a shorter version of the M16 I would see the Recon Rangers use and ever so often I would see them at other places.

While the M16 would do well in my arms on the range in a prone position with Iron sights, "tight at 500m", It was where I shot best with the weapon, I never had to test it in combat. One day at the range when we were pulling off the feild the snipers came in with their 30-06 and two M14's.
They were attached to my weapons company and I was able to shoot a few rounds at 500 and 600 yards. The love started then and there. I have own one for a number of years. My father told me that they use to remove the "selector" switches from them unless you were a designated Auto-rifleman. Even then, the heavy bipod should be attached. It will climb on you too hard on Full-Auto. I am sure it will, even in rapid fire mode you gotta stay on top of it. It gets heavy in the field though, it dosn't strip down as well (untill you get use to it) but you either like them or you don't. PF

[OneBadPig]

Unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules as to defining what a carbine is. By that i mean there is no government or firearms industry association standard as to what factors make a carbine.(that i can find) In contrast, there are well defined federal rules as to what defines a pistol or a "short barrelled rifle" Its like with vehicles...statutes define what is a car/truck/light truck ,etc. But trying to get some of my buddies to agree on what makes a car a "sports car" could lead to a brawl.
Originally,as bdcochran related, a carbine was any shortened version of a infantry rifle. The problem here for defining a "modern" carbine is that many old rifles had 30" or longer barrels plus stock and long bayonets...often the carbine version of an old rifle is longer than what we consider to be full size rifle today!!!
I guess the definition of carbine is similar to what someone said about defining pornography..." i can define it but i know it when i see it"

[vinnie]

I'm happy enough with the accuracy of my sks(5 inch at 100yds). I like 20 rd magazines with stripper clips. I have something else that does the same at 500 yds. Vinnie

[olscool]

Something you might want to look into is a set of tech-sights available on line from company of same name. Gives you the same sight pic as a m16 peep sight cost is about 70 dollars plus change and it really tightened my groups, very easy to install and besides there is going to be alot of donor weapons out there when the flag goes up. I have owned two sks and have loved both as long as you keep the bolt wet (well oiled) it will shoot forever. My present is what is known as an sks/d meaning it was modified at the factory to except the ak mag. They made just a little over 5000 of these and mine is in the high numbers

[DAVE KI]

RossA your right neither is a tack driver,however the SKS is more so than the AK. As I also have an SKS I can agree with voodoo.

[DAVE KI]

They kick butt.

[DAVE KI]

Never shot an M-14, how were they?

They kick butt.Little on the heavy side but that's OK.

[Patriot_Flamethrower]

I have some AK-47s and I had an SKS. The SKS had a cheap scope, and it was still VERY accurate. It made me look like a sharpshooter when I was at the range with my buddies.

Let's face it, the AK-47 is a helluva assault weapon, but like ALL assault weapons, the accuracy is in direct proportion to the distance of the target.

I love AK-47s. They are virtually indestructible, and "simple" in every way. The most amazing thing to me about AK-47s is that they are 1/2 to 1/3 the price of an AR-15 or similar, AND the 7.62x39 ammo packs a lot more punch than the .223 ammo.

[Chefsimms]

I have both AK-47`s and SKS`s I like them both, but I like the price of The SKS Better. You can modify a lot with the money you save. The accuracy is about the same for me, and I bought several SKS`s for $89.00 a piece, but that was years ago…I don`t know what they sell for now.

[RICHFL]

If you are buying this for one purpose (Security) go with the AK; it has cheaper parts, and the rifle was designed with a removal magazine! The SKS has to be modified.

The AK magazine goes in smoothly compared to the SKS magazine. Faster reload with the AK.

[Chefsimms]

If you are buying this for one purpose (Security) go with the AK; it has cheaper parts, and the rifle was designed with a removal magazine! The SKS has to be modified.

The AK magazine goes in smoothly compared to the SKS magazine. Faster reload with the AK.

I agree changing the mag on the SKS is not that easy so if it is for defense, I agree with RichFL

[mtnlioness]

Holy cow Chef...how the heck old are you? $89.00 must be a typo.........
My husband has an SKS and we just bought him an AK47......he can't seem to make up his mind which one he prefers but has mentioned the reloading is easier with the AK. I have a Norinco Ak and just love the thing. Accurate, reloads really easy and has that don't mess with me look to it. The boss stuck a lazer sight on it. Guess he was afraid I'd miss or wanted to scare the crap out of anyone encroaching on the property in a SHTF situation. Red dot.....oh oh...holes next.

[Chefsimms]

Holy cow Chef...how the heck old are you? $89.00 must be a typo.........
My husband has an SKS and we just bought him an AK47......he can't seem to make up his mind which one he prefers but has mentioned the reloading is easier with the AK. I have a Norinco Ak and just love the thing. Accurate, reloads really easy and has that don't mess with me look to it. The boss stuck a lazer sight on it. Guess he was afraid I'd miss or wanted to scare the crap out of anyone encroaching on the property in a SHTF situation. Red dot.....oh oh...holes next.

$89.00 is correct, for the SKS`s. it was not that long ago, the early to mid-1990`s. I am getting up there in age, but still in my mid 50`s. You also have to remember that the cost of living is most liley less in TN...as well as the pay??