Indians For Guns

Hi guys,
thanks for the suggestion for choosing my full size pistol. Next month I am looking to buy my first Semi-Auto Rifle. I have a heavy inkling to get the Ak. Both SKS and AK are in range but then some of AR15's are also in budget. I like the 7.62x39 round,

My options in AK are the WASR 10, I.O. Inc. Hellhound, VZ 2008,Arsenal SGL21,
For SKS are Norinco SKS, and the Yugo SKS

Other options
Century Arms AR15,
Century International Arms C93 (HK93 clone )
Olympic Arms GI-16 AR-15 Carbine
Ruger Mini-14/5P Semi Automatic Rifle 5.56mm
DPMS Panther Lite 20 Semi Automatic Rifle .223

Seems strange that you would be asking advice from people who (mostly) can only dream of owning any of the rifles you mention. I'd say go for the Ruger Mini-30, an SKS, since you like the 7.62x39; or the Vz 2008 if you prefer the "assault rifle" styling.
It always helps if you are as specific as possible in letting people know what the intended purpose of the rifle is going to be. That way it may just be possible to give advice without too much personal bias.

Get a Vz 58. Better built, fewer parts, easier to maintain. Moreover it is better built.

Sandy: you haven't said what you want to use the gun for, so I will just tell you my opinion of what I like, and you can take it for what it is worth to you.

I have both an AK-style and an SKS. Both are Norinco.

Your first choice in what you've listed comes down to a choice between the AK style and the SKS

A lot of people like the looks of an AK. I am not so keen on the 3 piece receiver with the center being stamped. It works; there's nothing really wrong with it, but that's what I think. Lots of guys like the detachable magazine of the AK. For me, it is a nuisance. If I was out fighting battles, maybe the magazines would be a nice feature. A 30 round magazine that's loaded isn't very light to lug around very much. Nor does it make any sense unless you do a lot of rapid fire shooting. I don't, because it's not so fun for me and it is expensive. If you are out at the range, the 30 round clips are long and get in the way on the bench. I also have a pair of 20 round clips -- they are lighter and more practical, I think.

You can get 75 or 100 round drums for the AK. They look cool and I wouldn't mind having one, but they are expensive and very heavy. Not very practical for anything, other than to have, really. There are two kinds: the Romanian style and the Chinese style. The Romanian drums have to be loaded from the top, one at a time. The Chinese ones allow the back to swing down and are easier and faster to load, but they have those clips that can come undone, so are a bit more complex. Now, the Romanians are making Chinese style drums, I see. One good thing about a drum is that you can load them up and not wind them up, so you can store them full with no problem with the spring being compressed. They are cool looking -- maybe you'd like one.

I have no experience with the VZ 58 MoA recommends, but it seems to be of a superior design (rely on those Czechs for clever stuff!) I'd check into that.

I don't care as much for the AK's rotary bolt. I like the SKS tipping bolt design. I think the SKS is more fun to shoot. It has a 10 round magazine that's not so much in the way. 10 rounds is more than enough for my shooting, and it can be reloaded very quickly with inexpensive 10 round stripper clips, if that's your cup of tea. You can buy a bag of them for very little. I keep about 20 or so loaded and laying around. One thing is that the strippers are cheap stamped things and they can have rough edges, so check them carefully and use a file on the sharp ones, if needed.

The SKS magazine doesn't get lost and it doesn't get in the way of things on the bench.

If you get an SKS, get a Chinese one rather than a Yugo if you have the choice. The Yugos come with that grenade launcher that is utterly useless (unless you are launching grenades), adds about 4 inches to the length, and looks ugly.

Also, Yugos don't have a chrome-lined bore. If the one you get has been shot much and not cleaned, the corrosive primers can affect the bore. Chrome bores are much more resistant to this, and most every Chinese SKS has a chrome lined bore.

Some SKSs have a pinned barrel and others have a barrel that's threaded and screwed into the receiver. Mine is screwed in. The screwed in barrel is better, I think, but in real life, I doubt that it makes any difference.

So that's what I think and like. I have both. Maybe that's your best choice, too. Each is fun.

Hi guys,
thanks for the suggestions, I am asking for the suggestion on simultaneous forums, I just wanted a viewpoint from fellow countrymen because there are members here who know quite a lot about firearms.

Intended purpose of the gun: This is intended for weekly shooting, open sights on the range. this will be my SHTF gun.

I have never owned an Ak and will not be able to own one when I return to India, so I want to get one here in states. Although I want to get the Ak , the SKS seems to be a very good option for me now.

Right now this is my collection
Marlin XS 7 0.308 Bolt action
S&W Sigma 9mm
Springfield XD 9mm
Taurus PT92


Next addition I want is an Semiauto Rifle, SKS/AK, and later to follow 12 gauge shotgun, Mosin Nagant (project rifle), Keltec - Carbine 9mm, .38sp Revolver.

TwoRivers wrote:Seems strange that you would be asking advice from people who (mostly) can only dream of owning any of the rifles you mention.

sandy_3126 wrote:Hi guys,
thanks for the suggestions, I am asking for the suggestion on simultaneous forums, I just wanted a viewpoint from fellow countrymen because there are members here who know quite a lot about firearms.

Sorry to butt in like this without offering any advice on the topic but I guess sandy has replied to your comment. TwoRivers what you have said is true but not in absolute terms and I guess there are other aspects too apart from ownership.

Excellent advice from Timmy as usual.Thanks.

Thanks tim.. for the gr88 info... got the SKS norinco for $450 and a marlin 795 .22LR (on sale for $130 ) will be getting both in 10 days.

Thanks guys for the replies...

Have a great time at the range, Sandy!

timmy wrote:Have a great time at the range, Sandy!

Hey tim.

getting the Inter ordinance sportster AK this week. where do you buy your 7.62x39 ammo from?