Yugo Sks vs. Siaga 7.62X39

[deerhunter]

I was thinking of picking up one of these two rifles, mainly because of the inexpensive ammo available for this caliber.  

Both rifles are in the same price range, does anyone have both?  How do they compare to each other?  I'm mainly just looking for a kick around rifle for shooting at the rifle range, so I dont really care about hi cap mags.

[Mikey]

deerhunter:  I've had and shot both.  The Siaga is the Kalashnikov (AK) action.  I prefer the AK action - it has a smoother trigger and the pistol grip stock, at least for me, lends to better accuracy.

I like the SKSs, but in comparison I feel they are old and clunky next to the AKs.  If you can find a long barrelled AK you might be happier.  My favorite is the NHM (Norinco Hunting Model) - it has the SKS length barrel on the AK action - shoots pretty accurately and is easy to handle.  

Lots of fellas I've talked to also like the SKS and a number use them for whitetail in Upstate NY.  Personally, I've been in and out of my AK so many times I prefer that action and trigger over the SKS.  

If you can get a Saiga in the same price range as the SKS, get the Saiga.  You can probably replace the wood with AK furniture and the Saiga has the longer SKS barrel - should be a fairly handy piece.  Just my 2 cents worth.  Mikey.

[Longcruise]

I'll throw in a contrasting opinion of this.

My SKS experience is with the Yugo, Chinese, Albanian and Russian.  All of those shoot better than my son in laws Saiga 7.62X39.  Actually much better.

Not addressing the action differences though just my opinion that the Saiga is not all that good a shooter.  There are probably lots of AK's out there that shoot great.

[His lordship.]

I have owned a Russian, and a Chinese SKS, I thought they both had a nice feel after a stock extension was put on, accurate too.  But the maintenance was more of a hassle after I saw how much easier the AK is regarding cleaning, when I bought my Romanian AK.

Impressed with the Rom. AK, I bought a Saiga AK in December, it has been to the range a few times and shows itself to be an accurate rifle with the WOLF stuff, but the jury is out as I have not tried any of my good Sellier and Bellot 7.62 X 39 ammo in it yet, that is the good stuff! Also the stock is made for a full growned adult.  The front stock screw kept loosening up after firing a few boxes through it and I put some lock tite to keep it from moving.

Another feature is the recoil buffer that I installed in the AK's work better, the buffer you can buy for the SKS does not totally stop the bolt from slamming into the back of the receiver, but it helps some, the AK has the option of a massive recoil buffer, and the SKS is skimpy.

Yea, the triggers are nicer on the AK's, my Romanian AK uses American made trigger parts, and man, it is nice and crisp, I have to be careful to remember that it is so light when I shoot as it does not take much pressure.  The Saiga is heavier, but I may alter that.  My Chinese SKS had a heavy creepy trigger, the Russian SKS was better.

[1911crazy]

I like my sks's and my last purchase was a paratrooper with the shorter barrel. We benchrested it and what accuracy we got out of it.  Of course I have plenty of chinese norinco ammo on hand to try too.  Having the right ammo is the key the norinco stuff is good.                   BigBill

[deerhunter]

Thanks for the input everyone!  I'm heading to a gunshow Saturday, I'll let you know how I do.