SKS is better than the AK

[chewbachman]

The SKS is often left in the shadow of the legendary AK series of rifles both in reality as well as video games and this is unfortunate. It is often degraded as the poor mans AK. This is quite an unfair degrading of what could be considered a legendary rifle in its own right. While not as prolific as the AK it certainly has earned its place on the battlefield. In civilian hands where full auto isn't an option, I would actually argue that the neutered AK is a poor, substandard manufactured rifle when compared to the rifleman's fighting rifle, the SKS.

Ergonomics: the SKS pivots along its central axis making it extremely easy to come to bear when compared to the awkward handling of the AK. The SKS has a safety very handily placed next to the trigger. When compared to the AK's barbaric safety there is no comparison. The SKS distributes its weight better when compared to the AK particularly when loaded. The hand grooves on the SKS allow for better purchase of the rifle.

Manufacture: The AK is manufactured entirely of Stamped metal with extremely loose tolerances and it is not uncommon to have the furniture shift or move when handled. In comparison, the SKS is entirely machined with forged steel components, the rifle is solid though not heavy and feels like it could double as a war club. (which it can with its steel butt plate and folding bayonet)

Accuracy: The SKS has a longer sight radius than the AK as well as longer barrel. Almost every SKS I have seen or shot has been an excellent experience. With the integral box magazine as opposed to the banana mag, it is very easy to take prone or supported shots. (bayonet can and has been used as a monopod)

History: It has a reputation as being an exceedingly reliable firearm in the same league as the AK. Most american casualties in Vietnam were due to the SKS.

China completely preferred the SKS series of rifles to AK and had modernized and kept the rifle in the front line well into the 80's.

The below video shows an SKS paratrooper which takes AK magazines. Not the norm for feeding system, but as you can see, the build quality of this rifle is superb.

https://youtu.be/sw6OXjx2X0Q

I just feel like this little rifle gets stepped on so much while the AK is practically worshiped. I feel like some respect for this little rifle is in order. You all have a good night and hope you enjoyed the read. I would enjoy discussing the pros and cons further.

[chewbachman]

Soo... I thought this topic would have generated more discussion. Perhaps it was the late hour?... Or perhaps it was I, a social outcast... woe woe. Alas, I must bump it once.

[Dixon Sider]

Sorry im not interested in guns unless its being powered by electricity. I have bad vision so its not as fun to shoot weapons

[chewbachman]

Indeed, and that is quite fine. I find them fascinating for both engineering and historical reasons.

[WeeHawky]

I'm pretty sure they are both what someone would want in a third world situation over the Colt. Since the Colt needs all that maintenance to make it reliable and was failing in Nam at first cause of it.

[Dixon Sider]

Messaggio originale di chewbachman:

Indeed, and that is quite fine. I find them fascinating for both engineering and historical reasons.

The engineering aspect certainly entertains me. I had to watch a few presentations on rail guns for military applications. It was some pretty cool stuff

[Gus the Crocodile]

Did an SKS write this?

[sage2001]

I didn't see an SKS in one of the best games of the millenium...

Call of Duty Goats 2

Therefore you're wrong.

[pants]

i agree with the OP and also believe that the Israeli Galil is the best AK47 derivative because I have been dropped on my head too many times as a child. and as an adult

[WeeHawky]

What about the AK-74 vs M4 ? In terms of caliber being about the same.

[Dixon Sider]

Messaggio originale di weehawky:

What about the AK-74 vs M4 ? In terms of caliber being about the same.

M4 is the more efficient one, is it not? from what I recall hearing is the AK has more kickback and stopping power. Firing a M4 is so smooth. But I dont have anything to compare a M4 to so IDK. In real life I imagine accuracy >> anything else

[628]

STG-44's full-auto capability changed the game after WW2. SKS must be better than AK in semi-auto shooting, but today's soldiers need assault rifles, or more long-range rifles as a sniper such as SVD and SV-98.
SKS is a great carbine, just doesn't fit what a military needs in these days anymore.

[chewbachman]

Messaggio originale di Gus the Crocodile:

Did an SKS write this?

Yes, I Identify as an SKS.

Nah, just the SKS gets so much crap when it does so many things better while being at a higher base quality level. You get an SKS that feeds out of a AK mag and bam. Better.

[WeeHawky]

Or hell what about a .458 SOCOM ? edit: Seems you don't want to be going up against deer at more than about 150 yards with 458 SOCOM or the HAM'R.

[Dixon Sider]

Messaggio originale di Ryan628jpn:

STG-44's full-auto capability changed the game after WW2. SKS must be better than AK in semi-auto shooting, but today's soldiers need assault rifles, or more long-range rifle as a sniper such as SVD and SV-98.
SKS is a great carbine, just doesn't fit what a military needs.

Military needs carbines for mobility. You dont want to get in and out of a vehicle with an extra foot on the length of your weapon while your getting shot at.

[Hidden]

Messaggio originale di weehawky:

I'm pretty sure they are both what someone would want in a third world situation over the Colt. Since the Colt needs all that maintenance to make it reliable and was failing in Nam at first cause of it.

theres a ton to unpack here, i suggest reading the declassified M16 report

1. The original m16 was touted as self cleaning, which no rifle is, and wasn't designed to be.
2.There was a shortage of proper maintenance kits and cleaning manuals when soldiers got in country
3. Probably the most egregious offense was the US goverment using the wrong kind of propellant in the early ammo, again against the proper design of the rifle

These were the issues with the "black rifle" as it pertained to it's introduction. There really isn't anything in terms of reliability that won me over from the AK side.

As far as the SKS platform goes, I really don;t understand enough about it. I have shot one a few times but other than that I can't say much than what i know off the top of my head.

The AK is more versatile due to the select fire and certainly more iconic as a weapons platform than the SKS. You mentioned the internal box magazine... hooray for stripper clips? Not compared to a banana mag.

The ak mag is itself a monopod. particularly fitted with an optic firing prone form this doesn't have to be an issue.

You reference your personal experience and manufacturing tolerances - both of which can vary wildly. Do you have any accuracy data?

While china may have preferred the SKS, after their cultural revolution caved in, they weren't the ones supplying the majority of aid to north vietnam -the soviets were. who preferred the AK. The SKs was phased out almost immediately because the AK was lighter and had superior capacity as well as fire select.

China and vietnam are different regions too. The sks is somewhat of an early DMR, which worked well for the chinese, but in the dense jungles of vietnam, was outside of it's "comfort zone". It simply wasn't the bests tool for the job.