[ar15.com] Get both[/ar15.com]

But seriously, you should get both.

The SKS is a rugged, reliable, fairly accurate*, and pretty inexpensive rifle. It's easy to field strip and maintain, it's not overly heavy, and the ammo is still somewhat affordable and easy to find.

The AK is rugged, reliable, fairly accurate*, and rapidly rising in cost. It's easy to field strip and maintain, it's very light, and ammo, well...see above.

Which to buy? Well, that depends, doesn't it? You won't be ill served by either in most cases.

The AK has the potential to be "banned" sooner than the SKS. The detachable 30 rd mags and the "scary" look make it a target of the gun grabbers. Prices on AK's have jumped since Obama's election. If you're going to buy an AK, buy it now (or more appropriately, you should have bought one by now...)

The SKS is a more benign looking rifle. It's not as "Scary" and as such, it avoided the last AWB. If there is another AWB, I wouldn't count on it being missed this time. Prices are still somewhat reasonable for the SKS, but you can't really find them for under $100 like you could just a few years ago.

I generally find the SKS pleasant to shoot, but it's kind of boring. The 10 rd. capacity doesn't bother me (oh, btw, don't mess with detachable mags for an SKS unless you have an SKS-M or SKS-d designed to take AK mags...it isn't worth teh trouble or reduced reliability), but it's sort of ho-hum shooting. If you're tall, you may find the length of pull too short (you can get butt pads for the stock). Accuracy is generally 3"-6" at 100 yds, depending on the ammo. My Russian SKS is a bit more accurate than my Yugo SKS's.

The AK can suffer from the same LOP shortness. The underfolding stocks aren't really comfortable, but the AK is more "fun" to shoot. They aren't good "bench" guns as most mags protrude quite a bit, and accuracy is about the same as the SKS.

Prices? SKS's cane be found between $200-$350 in most variations. You can find them for less if you really look, but prices are rising.

AK's have been going for $500-$2000 depending on the vintage, manufacturer, pre-ban status, etc. Prices have risen several hundred dollars since November. Century built WASR rifles that were $375 now routinely sell for $500-$600 or more.

Anyway, the final choice is yours. Do you want a traditional style rifle with a 10 rd capacity or do you want an "evil assault rifle"?

Like I said, I have both. My first rifle was a Russian SKS that I bought in 1995. Since then I've added 90+ rifles to my collection, including several SKS's and AK's. I would not hesitate to count on either should a SHTF or survival scenario occur. Add to that that both rifles were made for uneducated peasants to fire and maintain, and you've got perfect guns for new shooters too.


My Russian SKS I think it cost me ~$100 with accessories.




Yugo SKS. I bought two from AIM Surplus a few years back for $165 for the pair delivered (2002-2003). They're slightly more expensive now.


Another Yugo



Polish underfolder build. I bought the kit at Knob Creek from Sarco for $150 in '07, and I've got about $250 in the build, refinish, compliance parts, and receiver.



I didn't like the original Romanian furniture...so I bought a new handguard and refinished the wood a bit.

A 2008 Romanian kit build on a NoDakSpud receiver. I spent $99 on the kit and about $200 on the receiver, build, and compliance parts. This is my knockaround AK that cost less than a Century WASR-10

This is sort of an "AK" but kinda not... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

It's a Finnish Valmet M76 folder. Based on the Kalashnikov action, but with many improvements, it's a 5.56/.223 rifle that is the Rolls Royce of AK's. It does an honest 2 MOA at 100 with surplus ammo and shoots close to MOA with handloads. It's my baby <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Good luck with your search. Personally, I'm in the market for a nice AK74 clone in 5.45....