Yugoslav SKS

[Grinch]

Hello,
I am thinking of purchasing a Yugoslav SKS. I am just looking for some general comments to help me decide on my purchase. If I hear correctly, it is one of the heavier/sturdier SKS variants. I found these two sites on the 'net:

www.aimsurplus.com
www.interordnance.com

Has anyone purchased from either place? Thanks for any feedback.

-Bob

[m39fan]

Bob,
Go with AIM. IO is one of the importers that brought the Yugo's over here but they don't seem to be all that great dealing with rifles in less than case quanity. ALL of the ones I've seen that were bought directly from IO were severely mis-graded (and not for the better) AND overpriced. AIM has some on their sale page right now for $69.95. Aproximately shooter grade, often better, reports have these coming in with some stock wear, usually without the cleaning rods and acessories, metal finish has been between 80% and 100%. My last one was 95%.

AIM's customer service has been second to none for me and many others. Try 'em, I think you'll be happy!

HTH,
Mike

[Grinch]

Thanks a bunch for the reply Mike. Right now I am struggling with my decision as I have a friend who is looking to sell a Norinco paratrooper SKS. However, I am mainly interested in the SKS as an inexpensive plinker that has some historical value. The $70-$100 Yugo fits the bill much better than a $250 paratrooper. I don't really plan on adding accessories/high caps or sinking any $$ into it. I have my Mini14 for that. What do you think of the Yugo compared to other SKS variants??
Thanks again,
Bob

[Timberland]

I have a Yugo and love it. However it is nowhere near stock. I've had about 600 dollars worth of work done to it. Although when it was original it was still nice. Next gun show Im gonna pick one up and keep it original. My buddy has a vietnam bring back norinco. It is also nice. The russians also are great guns. But right now I would have to say the Yugos are the way to go just because of the price. Also they have the flip up night sights which are alot easier to see. You can't go wrong with any of them really. Its just a matter of how much you want to spend

[m39fan]

Bob,
I've really enjoyed my Yugo's. My experience is that the workmanship is second only to the Russian manufactured SKS's and accuracy is better than any other I've tried including my Russian. Recoil is less as it is heavier than the others. Great at the range, might be an issue if you're going to carry it a lot. If you want a gun with historical value avoid the Paratrooper/Cowboy Companion carbines as these were made only for the US market. Also, some of these aren't as accurate as they should be. Badly cut?

IMHO, the only advantage in any Norinco (commercial Chinese) SKS is that they are good to modify if desired as you won't have issues with importation (922b?) laws. Beyond that, avoid them as the quality is noticbly lower (I've owned 3) and the prices are higher.

In a nutshell, my advice would be to take the $250 and buy two very nice Yugo's and some ammo or one and a case of ammo!

HTH,
Mike

[TX_mini]

all sks's have to follow the 922r rules, as well as every other imported firearm like ak's and the like. its a set of laws that dont apply to US made guns, but can be gotten around with the 10 or less game. then and only then after winning the game are you free from the ruling of 922r. 922r is not tied per-se with teh AWB, so contrary to what some may say, 922 is still in effect.

also, dunno how stringent your state, police, and gun range are on rules, but the yugo has another set of rules to follow in addition to 922r. the yugo sks is for some reason on the US curio and relics (C&R) list. this is why you can have all the evil features that it comes with...and still maintain legality. BUT....if you modify the rifle in any way...you void your C&R status, and the firearm automatically becomes an illegal assault weapon under the 922r law. now, there are a few ways to get around this. you can remove the "evil" features such as the grenade launcher, night sights, bayonet and bayonet lug. and it will become like every other legal SKS out there. OR, you can win the 10 or less game, which puts you in the clear of sec 922r, because after you win, your rifle is considered a US made gun, and therefore is not subject to 922r, and keep your goodies that came with it and modify it till your hearts content now that the AWB is done (with the exception of super short barrels and other class 3/regulated stuff). before this, you cannot modify the rifle in any way. im talking, if you change the wood stock out to a syn job, if you remove the grenade launcher, add a detachable magazine, anything that alters the rifle, and it instantly becomes a ticket to the big house.

[Grinch]

Thanks for all the replies. For those of you that purchased Yugo's from AIM or IO, did the rifle have matching serial #'s?? Or anyone who has purchased a Yugo for that matter...??

Thanks again,
Bob

[Crosshair]

I ordered a Select SKS from AIM on Thursday. It should be here in a week. I was going to go with IO, but went with AIM when I read this topic. Can't wait to try it out. Already got some Wolf ammo so I can go strait to the range when I get it. My first semi-auto rifle.

I have a second/third question. What kind of scope should I put on it. I was thinking about going with the 4x25 model that Cabelas has. But does mounting it mean that I can't use stripper clips, or is there enough room to still use them? Other than a scope that is al the mods I am going to do to it. Mabee a 20 round magazine, but from what I have heard is that they are unreliable. Is this true for the 20 round ones or does it only affect the 30+ round mags. 10 is fine for me, but 20 would be better. If I wanted a 30 round, I would have gotten an AK.

[Grinch]

Hi Crosshair,
Let us know how the SKS looks when it arrives, matching #'s, etc. please. I have heard similar things about the 20 rd replacements being unreliable. Sorry I can't help with the scope question.

[Crosshair]

I will post info about the rifle as soon as I get it. I have another question that someone could answer. I know that I need to go to an FFL dealer to get a gun.(Like my SKS). Can I order ammo off the internet without an FFL? There is lots of cheap surplus ammo available on the internet that the SKS would be more than happy to shoot. Can anyone help me???

[Crosshair]

Good news, I picked up the SKS today. :D It is covered in that protective grease. It is in mint condition. The grease has preserved it well, but that stuff must come strait from hell :angry: . I would sure hate to be the soldier who had to clean that crap off......Wait a minute <_< Well anyway while that thing is soaking in a bathtub of degreaser let me say that it has all matching serial numbers and is truley unissued. (That go**am grease can speak to that) For $163 (with shipping) and another $16.30 for the FFL transfer, I have quite a deal. If you want an SKS, get the select ones while you can. It will be awhile to get this crap out, but if it shoots as well as it looks I have nothing to worry about.

[Grinch]

Thanks for the report Crosshair, let us know how it cleans up!

[mrmeyer]

I was considering picking up another SKS. I was thinking Russian or Romanian. I might look into a yugo if the parts match and it is in like new condition though. The price definitely seems right.

I held a yugo for the first time at my last range visit, it seemed kind of muzzle heavy with the grenade launcher and bayonet on it. <_<

[BlenderWizard]

I have a Russian SKS, and I am a bit more comfortable with the chrome-lined barrel. That and I only paid $200 for it.