Do what I did and get at least one of each. No need to restate what has been said already but my thought was to have two rifles that can shoot the two most common military rounds out there.

I agree. The Mini 14 easily handles all but the heaviest .223/5.56, and the SKS can handle any 7.62x39. The Mini 30 firing pin can break from firing hard primer ammo made for the SKS/AK-types, and because the pin isn't a drop in part, that's a PITA. I don't have a Mini 30 and there may be pluses to the Mini 30 I'm not aware of. I do have a Mini 14 and an SKS, and think each is well suited if not ideal for its respective caliber.

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Have some carcinogens with your new world order

Damn Free ..we agree on this one !

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Why is it when some idiot goes off on a shooting spree they want to punish those who didn't do it ?

Barack Hussein Soetoro Obama - EPIC FAIL

With a little practice the human mind is capable of amazing feats.

To the astonishment of onlookers, even mine can be, at times.

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Have some carcinogens with your new world order

I had a Norinco that I should have never sold ..May need to find another..s

The Mini is definitelty still in use ain't going anywhere

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Why is it when some idiot goes off on a shooting spree they want to punish those who didn't do it ?

Barack Hussein Soetoro Obama - EPIC FAIL

Man! This is an old thread! I also have one each, Chinese SKS with Tapco M4 style stock,
detachable mags and a Picatinny cover with an Old Aimpoint on it. I bought it back in
the 80's when they were cheap. The barrel with flash hider is just legal length and I
did the trigger job on it. No bayonet. Shoots great! 3 MOA BUIS and 2-2.5 MOA with aimpoint.

I also have a 581 Mini-14 that I bought for my wife and it's got a red dot on it also.
Shoots about 2-3 MOA with the optics on it.

I also have a Windham SRC .223/5.56 AR with about 600 rounds through it.
It shoots about 2 MOA with the optics. I am not a sharpshooter!
Got lots of accessories, MOE, BUIS, Aimpoint and so far with the Mini or the AR, I haven't had one lick of problem except the Mini throws emptys 40 yards!

The SKS has untold 1,000 of rounds through it and I don't recall ever having a FTE or
FTF. That said at this point I would probably take the SKS in a SHTF scenario, with
the AR second and the Mini last. Mostly because of the experience I have shooting
the SKS. The Mini is my wife's gun.
I have 5 20 round mags for my SKS.
I have 6 20 round and 4 30's for the Mini.
I have 1 20 and 8 30 round mags for the AR

I was only introduced to the SKS rifle about 4 years ago. Since that time, and several of them added to my collection, I must say these rifles are some of the most underrated firearms out there.

Given the ballistics of 7.62x39 cartridge, I am very pleased with the accuracy I get from my SKS rifles. With iron sights, I can group nicely at 50 yards; all within a 4" inch group. At 100 yards, of course, it opens up. But again, this is with iron sights.

As far as reliability, I've never experienced a FTF/FTE with my SKS rifles. They are built to run...and run they do. This is one of the obvious strengths of the platform's design.

One could make an argument against using an SKS in a SHTF scenario, based on it's "standard" firepower...because of the 10-round attached magazine. However, there are 20-round options available, as well as stock options to augment the ergos of the rifle.

That said, one thing I do like about the 10-round magazine is that there are no magazines to tote around, and nothing to get lost. It's self-contained. Moreover, for general defensive use, 10 rounds is adequate...not great, but adequate.

Bottom line, the SKS rifle is a great choice for any type of shooting that trips your trigger. I'm a huge fan of this shooting platform.

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