SKS vs AK-47: If Only You Could Have One

The SKS vs AK-47: If you could only have one, what would it be? The pros and cons of these two iconic Soviet carbines are discussed. These iconic Soviet carbines were created in the wake of WWII and have been used all over the world. You may be surprised at how much it has changed in the past two decades. Many people can recall the days when SKSs were only $99 at their local hardware shop. Unfortunately, this era is over. The average price of both rifles is now significantly higher, so those looking for a 7.62x39mm gun might have to choose between the two. There are many other factors to consider, including cost. We’ll dive into the SKS vs AK47 debate to help you decide which option is best for you. Photo by Rock Island Auction Company.SKS vs AK-47 DevelopmentFrom its birth, the AK-47’s qualities were compared to the SKS. The Soviet Union was eager to modernize its armed forces after WWII and developed a new family to replace the heavy-duty, bolt-action Mosin Nagants as well as crude submachine guns. The USSR decided to adopt the M43 cartridge, which would make it 7.62x39mm, early in its development. It also planned to adopt four new weapons designed for it: a submachine guns, a belt fed machinegun, semi-auto carbine, and a bolt action rifle for reservists. The bolt-action was quickly abandoned and it was redesigned. Sergei Siminov’s SKS was officially adopted as the new carbine in 1945. Mikhail Kalashnikov’s AK-47 was then adopted in 1949 as the submachine gun. A Viet Cong soldier using an SKS in the field versus a Russian soldier using an SKS during a parade. Photos from Wikipedia. There is a good chance that the SKS wouldn’t have been produced in the number that it did. However, as with all new firearm designs, there were some kinks that needed to be worked out. The AK-47 was not perfected until 1959 when the AKM was developed. This left a 10-year gap in which AK-47s were manufactured with high-end receivers. This defeats their original goal to be cheap to produce. The Soviets decided that the AK could do almost everything the SKS could in an infantry role. Therefore, the SKS was only produced in Russia until the fully realized AK could be made online. After the adoption of AKM, SKS production in the USSR dropped to almost zero. However, the Soviets did issue the SKSs to many troops during this interim period. The rifles were not used much in Russia as it was peacetime. It was primarily used in Russia for ceremonial and parade purposes. Siminov’s carbine lived a more difficult life outside of Russia. The technical data package for the SKS was shared by the USSR early on with many allies, including China Yugoslavia and Romania. The SKS was largely made by China, who called it the Type 56, which is the same as their AK. This allowed the design to see the extent of action it did. The SKS was widely used in Southeast Asia and Africa, when there was frequent conflict. It proved to be an effective weapon that was liked by all its users. The SKS has been involved in major conflicts all over the world since their inception. It is important to remember the purpose of each design feature when comparing the SKS and AK-47. The SKS was intended to be the next infantry service rifle of the USSR, replacing the Mosin Nagant. It was given a traditional rifle design, a fixed internal magazine, and a barrel length approximately 20 inches (the same as the Mosin Nagant M38 or M44 carbines). These new gas-operated weapons were kept semi-auto so soldiers could use good marksmanship. SKSs are made of wood stocks, milled receivers, and folding bayonets. These features were evidently inspired by the Mosin carbines. Rock Island Auction Company. The AK-47 and, by extension, the now-prolific AKM were designed to fulfill a different role. The AK-47 was a selective-fire weapon right from the beginning. It was originally issued with both fixed and underfolding buttstocks. Stalin requested that the SKS have a fixed-magazine (10 round) to save money and simplify logistics. However, Kalashnikov’s design used detachable 30-round mags that were similar to the submachineguns it was replacing. It also received a shorter barrel of 16 inches. Although some might think that the SKS’s longer barrel will give greater accuracy, the mechanical differences between the two designs are negligible. An SKS can give shooters slightly better accuracy than an AK. This is due to the Siminov’s longer sight radius and ergonomics. 7.62x39mm can achieve near maximum velocity with a 16-inch barrel. However, it only gains an average muzzle velocity (about 60 FPS) from a 20 inch barrel. 7.62×39 ballistics are determined by the barrel length. Graph: Rifleshooter.com.Another notable design difference includes the fact that AKs use long-stroke gas pistons while the SKS uses short-stroke. The SKS is still considered reliable, but it’s not as reliable as the AK. Photo: Wikipedia. Photo: Wikipedia.SKS vs AK-47 prices. While the purpose of this article is to compare physical qualities of the SKS vs AK-47’s, it is important that we mention the respective prices. Choosing an SKS or AK was easier when they could be purchased for less than $200. However, that is no longer true. In 2022, the cheapest SKS you’ll likely find for sale will be $400. It will most likely be a Chinese model in very poor condition. It’s still $400 cheaper than the most basic, but decent, AK, assuming it’s mechanically sound. The Romanian WASR falls into this category and is currently available for purchase for just over $800. These rifles are made in the traditional way and look a lot like guns used during WWII. They were always more valuable than they were being sold for. However, international political circumstances made them surplussed for pennies per dollar. The rewards were shared by those Americans who were old enough to have them. However, the price of these rifles is now starting to reflect their quality. If you are serious about getting an SKS, you should not feel guilty about paying a little more as long as it is in good mechanical condition. The price of each rifle is not the only thing that matters. It is common for AKs to come with furniture that needs to be replaced. Many will want to purchase at least a few spare magazines. Most SKSs come with their original-issue wood stocks, folding bayonets, and fixed magazines. This means that you can have one regardless of the reason. Are you on a budget? Are you only interested in collecting or historical purposes? The SKS is the clear winner if you are pursuing either collecting or historical purposes. It is still cheaper and more authentic than the AK versions available in the States. There are some things you should consider if you intend to use the gun for practical purposes. Do you want a varmint gun to carry around on your ranch? A truck gun? A truck gun? The SKS is approximately a pound heavier than the AKM stamped-receiver AKM. The SKS also has a longer barrel, and a fixed stock. AKs can be ordered from the factory with folding stocks, while shorter pistol variants are also available. AKs come standard with 30-round mags, but they can also use five-round magazines to reduce their bulk. The AK is a compact option for a 7.62×39 gun. The SKS is very lightweight and convenient due to its internal magazine that is fixed and the lack of a pistol grip. The winner depends on where you store it. Photo by Rock Island Auction Company. Personal preference can also play a part in choosing which one is best for you. The SKS is the clear winner if you are more comfortable with traditional rifle platforms or prefer a gun that is less intimidating to people who might view an AK gun as “the bad guy guns”. A wood-stocked SKS is the only thing that makes it a “military rifle”, and it can be removed if necessary. The SKS is simple and reliable, so if you don’t have a concern about high ammo capacities, it is worth considering. Faulty detachable magazine attachments can cause problems for any gun. AKs are no exception. You’ll only have one shot rifle if your magazine is lost or damaged. However, as long as the SKS has enough ammunition to keep it running, it can be used as intended. Unfortunately, many states in the United States have banned the AK family or severely restricted its form by banning certain features. An SKS is a better choice than an AK. The AK has a much greater aftermarket for adding optics and other accessories of course, but customizing each gun is a conversation for another day.California-compliant Cugir WASR-10 from Century Arms.Final ThoughtsIn short, when looking at the SKS vs AK-47, the SKS still may be the better choice for you. Despite being more costly than before, they are still much cheaper than a good AK. The SKS also has greater potential for collecting. People who live in areas that have restrictions on AKs and their features should also consider the SKS. The SKS being loaded via stripper clip. Photo: Wikipedia. The SKS can perform in almost any role other than combat or defense. The AK is still a better modern combat rifle than the SKS, even if the gun you want is forced into a tactical role. The final decision is yours. There are too many factors to determine which gun is better. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. Get Free Targets