Russian SKS vs. MAK-90
Mark Sechrest
At the last gun show here, Russian SKS rifles were going for anywhere
between $219 and $279. I saw one dealer selling MAK-90's for $195. So
which do you think is the better deal? If you had a couple hundred dollars
to spend on a rifle, which of these would you choose and why?
Mark
Mark Carlton
#At the last gun show here, Russian SKS rifles were going for anywhere
#between $219 and $279. I saw one dealer selling MAK-90's for $195. So
#which do you think is the better deal? If you had a couple hundred dollars
#to spend on a rifle, which of these would you choose and why?
#Mark
The prices on SKS's are way out of line! At a gun show in Hillsboro, Ore.,
a couple months ago, SKS's were going for $85-$100. The better one's with
nice stocks I believe were Russian. The Norinco Mak-90's were selling for
$205-$219. Since I didn't care for the smallish stock, long barrel and
the fixed 10 round magazine on the SKS, I bought a Polytech Mak-90 for $205.
#From what the dealers told me at the show, the Polytech is a higher quality
rifle than the Norinco. Who knows if that is true or not. All I can say is
that the Polytech I bought is accurate enough for me to hit a milk jug
consistantly at 100 yds.
Mark
gus...@firnvx.firn.edu
#
# At the last gun show here, Russian SKS rifles were going for anywhere
# between $219 and $279. I saw one dealer selling MAK-90's for $195. So
# which do you think is the better deal? If you had a couple hundred dollars
# to spend on a rifle, which of these would you choose and why?
#
# Mark
#
I personaly would go for the SKS. I have seen a couple of really
cheesy AK's. I know someone that his AK blows part of the gun off
every 40 rounds or so. He had me take a look at it. The gun was
really flimsy. The problem though was some of the milling tolerances
in the firing pin mechanism were a bit off. This caused some play
which would allow the case to explode out the side. I told him I
wouldn't shoot it if it were me. Now I know there are really
good AK's out there, but buyer beware, you get what you pay for.
The SKS on the other hand is almost always in the same range of
prices. The only reason some are cheaper is that they are used
(in combat somtimes). I have heard a few horror stories about
the SKS also, but I have purchased ten of them and they have
all been great. I only purchase the unnissued versions and
I clean them completely myself.....
Hope that helps..
Dennis
mhend...@mayo.edu
#
# At the last gun show here, Russian SKS rifles were going for anywhere
# between $219 and $279. I saw one dealer selling MAK-90's for $195. So
# which do you think is the better deal? If you had a couple hundred dollars
# to spend on a rifle, which of these would you choose and why?
#
# Mark
#
I just bought the Mac 90 (today!) and really waffeled over the SKS VS Mac 90. I
think both guns are great, made by the same company, and both are just as
reliable. I pretty much went for looks with Mac 90. The SKS can really look
bad. The other thought was that the Mac 90's are probably a new gun and the
SKS's tend to be 40-50 years old. Since they pack the SKS with loads of
Cosmoline, they are preserved well, but they are really gunked up. The Mac 90
never is packed in Cosmoline since it is newly made. The Mac 90 is a very cool
plinker, and the ammo for both is so cheap.
Because of the media blitz over a crime commited with an AK type gun, the SKS
does have less media attention, and a higher WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).
John.C....@att.com
#I just bought the Mac 90 (today!) and really waffeled over the SKS VS Mac 90. I
I'm sorry, but when I read this I saw this scene: Pulled up to the local
McGuns speaker, ordered a Big Mac, fries, small coke, Mac 90 and 500
rounds of 7.62x39. Heh. I like it!!! Btw: Its "MAK 90"... :-)
Now you want to do what I just did to mine, remove the stocks, sand that
ugly yellow stain off them and re-stain them with some nice dark walnut.
Then add 7 thin coats of polyurethane. Damn this sucker looks good now!
#Because of the media blitz over a crime commited with an AK type gun, the SKS
#does have less media attention, and a higher WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).
"But dear, thats EXACTLY why I wanted it! King Billy Bob Joey Sam Klinton
thinks it too evil for me to own and the media hates it.." :-)
--
"Our safety, our liberty depends on preserving the Constitution of the United
States as our fathers made it inviolate. The people of the US are the right-
ful masters of both Congress and the courts - Not to overthrow the Constitu-
tion, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution" Abraham Lincoln
Ad absurdum per aspera
#The SKS does have a higher WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).
I read this with great amusement, since it was my wife who goaded
me into buying a used Chinese SKS (now on legislative layaway --
California gun dealers will wipe no cosmoline before its time).
She now feels somewhat bitter that I didn't pick up two while they
were on sale. This political gaffe will probably cost me a Russian
SKS, payable at the next gun show. And, since she's the better rifle
shot, untold subsequent humiliation on the firing line.
Obviously I haven't fired that particular one yet, but it looks like
everything you ever wanted in a $50 semiautomatic centerfire rifle,
and more. With Norinco ammo that makes plinking only slightly more
expensive than drinking coffee in front of the range shack for the
same period of time... hey, take two, they're small. :)
--Joe
"Just another personal opinion from the People's Republic of Berkeley"
Disclaimer: Even if my employer had a position on the subject,
I probably wouldn't be the one stating it on their behalf.
Kemasa
In article <28l8vp$4...@fermat.mayo.edu> mhend...@mayo.edu writes:
#Mark writes:
## At the last gun show here, Russian SKS rifles were going for anywhere
## between $219 and $279. I saw one dealer selling MAK-90's for $195. So
## which do you think is the better deal? If you had a couple hundred dollars
## to spend on a rifle, which of these would you choose and why?
The Russian SKS prices seems HIGH. SOG is selling them for $130-$150.
I have also seen the MAK-90 going for around $170 or so.
Personally I would not compare the two (get both). The MAK-90
is magazine fed, which is nice, but the SKS is far cheaper (normally).
#...
#Because of the media blitz over a crime commited with an AK type gun, the SKS
#does have less media attention, and a higher WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).
That is one point to consider. Personally I like the Hungarian version
of the gun, also it is less likely to be banned since they seem to be
focusing on the Chinese versions.
--
Kemasa.
NRA Life Member/Certified Instructor Sierra Club Leader Pro-Choice
Insanity is the best defense. e-mail: kem...@ghost.hac.com
The disappearance of a sense of responsibility is the most far-reaching
consequence of submission to authority.
[Stanley Milgram]