I actually have two of these. One completely stock and the other has an AR stock on it which I am going to change out with a few 20 round magazines. Both I bought off of GunsAmerica.com. 7.62 x 39 is a great round. Good for hunting large game, and well, target shooting, etc. I can tell you I like both of them, except the AR stock on the one. That has to get replaced with a six position stock.
Both of these are very accurate weapons. I don’t shoot them as much as I would like. I think this is a good gun to own. They are relatively inexpensive. I procured both of mine for just about $300.00 — $350.00 or so each, and to me that was a bargain when I looked at the cost of some of the other weapons on the market. These were my first foray into rifles fulfilling my preparedness goals.
I run Wolf ammunition through them. Dirty round, but they seem to do the trick. When I clean the rifles there is a TON of residue, but never get a jam. The ammo is pretty inexpensive as well, even though prices have gone up on all ammo this past year.
As with the Henry reviews. I am not a professional gun reviewer so here are a few reviews I found online to give you a heads up as to the pros and cons of the rifle:
- http://www.viewpoints.com/Norinco-SKS‑7–62-x-39-Semi-Automatic-Rifle-review-065b7
- http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/04/don-gammill-jr/gun-review-norinco-sks/
- http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/russianSKS/index.asp
I used to have one of the short “paratrooper” versions of the Norinco SKS and I really regret selling it. I’ve looked for another one from time to time, but they are getting harder to find. It’s a great little carbine. I also have a Norinco MAK 90 which has performed flawlessly as long as I’ve owned it.
Scott, I have been looking at the MAC 90 and the Romanian AK currently as well. It looks like I will be standardizing on the 7.62 x 39 round in center fire. It wasn’t my intention, but looks that way for the time being.
I like both of my SKS’s however the one with the AR stock has one of those fold out shoulder butts that I don’t like because they are a little long for me. I originally picked it up with that stock so that it might fit in my BOB, but that does not seem to be the case going forward.
If you know of a stock with a fold under shoulder butt, please feel free to suggest, as I will take a look at it’s overall length.
I’ve had an SKS for about 15 years, great rifle but a bit heavy for bugging out. While more accurate than an AK, for potential trouble at less than 100 yards I’d go with the lighter and higher capacity AKs (had two, now sold). Ended up putting an ATI Monte Carlo stock on mine, which I really like. Watch out for folding stocks on SKSs since most are not legal (922®). One of my brother has a Tapco six-position stock for his SKS that you might like.
My brothers and I decided to standardize on the newer (580 and 581 series) Mini-14 in 5.56mm. AK-like reliability, AR-like accuracy, though for ~$700 after FFL fees and shipping (from CDNN, anyway).
@ Suburban Survivalist, I am looking at an AK, to possibly replace one of my SKSs… How long have you had your Mini-14’s… I thought about standardizing on that too, because of size…
Wouldn’t mind one of these, but I think for just a little more a stock Saiga 7.62 would be a better choice. Also, double check the adjustable stock for PRNJ legal issues. I think (might be wrong here)its a no-go regardless of other evil features.
Adjustable stock is NOT legal in NJ, and neither is a muzzle break you put on yourself. It has to be from the factory. Also no magazine above 15 rounds is legal in NJ on any rifle.
Does anyone know how to convert a Norinco magazine so that it will only hold 4 cartridges? Four cartridgtes in the mag + 1 in the chamber will be legal for hunting deer in many states.
I’ve been looking at Williams optic front sight. All the addss say ny gunsmithing required. Yet I just dont see how this is possible as original is a screw in from the top and the Williams is a screw in thru the side. Suggestions anyone
I have had issues finding something to use for the Norinco and optics. There’s a ton of cheap crap out there… Sadly…