Lets talk about firearms and air guns.

[Chako]

I thought it was high time I did something of interest to hopefully a few of you out there, and that is to take photos of my various air guns and firearms located in my gun room. Along with the photos, to discuss what I like and do not like about the firearm or air gun, and to generally give my opinion. I will add to this much like some of my older posts, as a serial thing. So lock in your seat belt and come along for the ride. I will add to this thread as and when I can until I have exhausted my little collection.

[Chako]

Episode 1: New England Survivor Rifle in .223 Remington.





This is probably my favourite rifle in my small collection. It is a single shot break action rifle that I bought used at the local gun shop because I wanted an AR style rifle that shot .233 Remington ammunition, but could not justify the high price here in Canada for one, let alone not liking that the largish mags would have to be pinned to 5 rounds max. I just cannot abide a large mag just for show. Not sure why that bothers me, but it does. I ended up with this neat rifle instead. This stainless bull barrel rifle does come with some neat features. For instance, the butt stock is hollow and can hold a survival kit or extra ammunition. The fore-grip also comes off with hidden storage under the barrel. Unknown to me, I had bought the Survivor model which is a neat concept. The whole rifle comes apart in half for easy backpacking or storage if needed. The rifle is a break action single shot affair. When I got the rifle, it needed a bit of oil as the ejector was stuck. With a bit of cleaning the rifle will now toss an empty casing 20 feet backwards.

I have added a few extras such as a sling, a bipod, a 4x16 Barska scope, a butt stock ammo sock, and a hammer extension.

Here are a few links to more info:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/nef_rifles.htm

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/ShotgunsAndRifles/survivor.asp

Pros:
- Simple action
- Strong ejector
- Breaks into 3 pieces for backpacking
- Survivor model has extra storage
- tack driver, and bull barrel makes this a great range gun
- .233 Remington ammunition is somewhat cheap and plentiful
- Low recoil

Cons:
- single shot only
- shoulder stock is not cushioned (not that it is needed with the light recoil .233 Remington ammunition)
- with scope installed, hammer is hard to reach, requiring a side extension
- Will not use Nato 5.56mm ammunition

Overall:
This makes a perfect varmint rifle, or range gun. When I first bought it, it had a 3x9 Scopechief scope and I couldn't see my hits. With the more powerful scope, I can eliminate my range telescope as part of my range setup. The simple action is fantastic for first time rifle users, as it is easy to work. Under a hunting situation, the single shot will force you to make every shot count; which can be a good or bad thing depending on how you want to look at it.  I have found this rifle to be easy and quick to reload. I just like the weight, feel and function of this rifle.

[Chako]

Episode 2: Savage 64F in 22LR.



I bought this rifle at the local Canadian Tire on sale. It was way cheaper than any air rifle they carried at the time. The reason for buying this rifle was to get the girlfriend something to shoot for those times we go to the range together. The original plan was to buy a scope, but we found the iron sights to be excellent, and she didn't want anything to complicate the sight picture. In fact due to its low price, I was prepared to not like this rifle...but it has grown on me over time. I find it doesn't spit powder all over my hands like the 10/22 does. The Savage 64F is based on a Cooey model. I have a friend who has an older Cooey with wooden stock. The only issue he had was the need for a shim in the magazine well for the rifle to work properly with the magazines. Mind you, he has shot this riffle for over 20 years, and a simple trip to a gunsmith fixed the issue nicely.



The 10 round magazines are keyhole shaped, and you need to press a button forwards to release the magazine. My issue is that you have to press that button way forward for it to release. I guess this does eliminate accidentally dropping your magazine when you aren't expecting it. It is a bit fiddly with this rifle however.

The safety is a bit oddly located as well, being high above the trigger. I like the safeties more easily accessible around the trigger guard myself. With that said, the safety is quite positive and visibly labeled. You do get used to the location over time. The Savage 64F is a semi auto. So far, I haven't found any 22LR ammunition it didn't like..knock on wood.



Pros:
- cheap
- eats everything I feed it as long as it is in 22LR

Cons:
- safety is high and not as easily accessible compared to one around the trigger guard
- fiddly magazine release button
- magazine issues

Overall:
A nice cheap, durable, and surprisingly accurate rifle with a few detraction such as the magazine release, and the safety location. With that said, these are minor quibbles when considering the price of this rifle. You can get this 22LR rifle cheaper than most air rifles. So far, I haven't found any ammunition it disliked either.

Some more links for you...

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/64F

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/08/daniel-zimmerman/gun-review-savage-64f-22lr-rifle/

[Chako]

Episode 3: Mossberg Model 385K in 20 gauge.



I found this interesting bolt action shotgun on a day trip to Sudbury. It was attractively priced, and at the time, I wanted something in 20 gauge. I remember asking the seller if the shotgun had a muzzle break, only to find out it is called a variable C-Lect Choke. With this model, it wasn't necessary to carry various chokes to screw in individually. The variable comes into play as the end user twist the device on the end of the barrel to go from modified to full. I thought that was rather neat, and that feature alone sold me on the gun.



The 385K has a very nice wooden stock which does feel a lot better than a nylon one, even though both have their strengths and weaknesses. Wood just feels richer overall. The safety is located on the rear of the bolt, and is very easy to reach for the shooter.





The 385K also has a 2 round box magazine...making 3 rounds total if you include one in the chamber.



Pros:
- No need for individual chokes
- bolt action is silky smooth
- box magazine is easily removed
- priced right
- excellent safety
- 2 3/4 and 3" shells

Cons:
- extra magazines are hard to find
- variable choke may not be the best solution considering you can't used steel shot with it

Overall:
This is a nice 20 gauge shotgun. I liked the variable choke system, but it does come with some downfalls. Mind you, I have as of yet not needed to shoot steel or bismuth shot. Build quality is high, and that wooden furniture is quite nice. This is a good shotgun, and if you can find one for a great deal, I wouldn't hesitate in buying it.



A historical link...

http://www.guns.com/2013/08/21/mossberg-bolt-action-shotguns-odd-never-felt-so-good/

[Lynn LeFey]

Where I came from, I just sort of assumed Savages and Ruger 10/22s were issued to everyone at SOME point. 

[Chako]

Episode 4: Remington 870 SPS Super Mag Turkey Predator in 12 gauge.



I have a love hate relationship with this shotgun. I bought this so that I could compete in 3 gun. I wanted extra rounds, so I bought a tube extension. I quickly found out that I couldn't install it myself as there were 2 nubs in the magazine of the shotgun that needed filing. I thought it would be better to have it done by a gunsmith. Well that was a mistake. The guy who did the job didn't bother placing a rag in the ammo tube...thus all the metal filings fell into my action. I then had lots of issues that only resolved itself after multiple cleanings and disassembly. I also found that my copy was a bit finicky on the ammunition as well. I quickly found out it didn't like the cheap Winchester shells. These invariably caused the shotgun to jam so badly that the only way to clear it was to bang the butt off a wooden table hard. It wasn't a pleasant experience. I also found out that the true-glow red dot sight included with the shotgun was junk. After breaking 2 red dot sights by just firing a few rounds, I quickly decided to keep the third from the manufacturer and replace that with a ghost ring setup. I settled on a ghost ring/barrel shroud combo that works very nice. After burning my hand off the barrel in 3 gun competition once, the shroud was much appreciated.



The shroud also included 2 picatinny rails for red dots or flashlights.



Now, the shotgun is a pleasure to use, and after some teething problems, runs like a Remington 870 should.

Pros:
- can use magnum 3 1/2 shells
- included picatinny rail for sights
- pistol grip  is comfortable
- lots of accessories made for the 870 model

Cons:
- my copy had some teething issues that resolved themselves once the shotgun was broken in
- trashy red dot sight that won't last 10 rounds

Overall:
The folks at the gun club couldn't believe the issues I had with this new shotgun...seeing it was a Remington 870 model. The newer made 870s aren't as good as the older ones in the quality department. Happily, after breaking in the shotgun, it settled down. With the added accessories, I can now have 6 to 7 rounds, a ghost ring, and a barrel shroud which comes in handy when flipping the shotgun over to load in shells quickly during a competition. This particular 870 was designed for turkey hunting. It came with a restrictive turkey choke for very tight patterns, a red dot sight which was utter junk albeit the attachment system does allow for other options, and the camo pattern with special stock. I am now happy with the way I have set this one up.

Here are a few links...

https://www.remington.com/shotguns/pump-action/model-870/model-870-sps-super-mag-turkey-predator-w/scope

http://www.guns.com/2013/08/26/the-remington-870-sixty-two-years-young/

[Chako]

Lynn, both are great 22LR shooters.

[Chako]

Episode 5: Optima Escort Aimguard 14" in 12 gauge.



I was so frustrated with my Remington 870, that I bought a replacement shotgun from the local Canadian Tire. I found an Optima Escort with a 14" barrel. I figure that if I was going to have such difficulties with a known brand, I was going to try something I had never heard of before, and that is a Turkish manufacturer called Hatsan Arms Company. I went for something short and tactical. The only thing I added was a picatinny rail so that I could mount a flashlight. I used this shotgun for 3 gun until the Remington sorted itself out. I found that I really liked the shorter barrel. It made maneuvering around obstacles a breeze. I also really liked the fiber optic front sight. So much so that I never thought of getting a ghost ring setup for it. The shot gun can only hold 4+1 shells, and that was a negative for competition. Best of all, this shotgun ran like a champ from the get go. No teething or break in periods. No issues whatsoever, and it will eat anything I feed it. What a pleasure to use in the field. I was a bit shocked at just how much better this Hatsan was over the Remington from the get go. Even so, I still prefer to use the Remington now that all the bugs have been eradicated simply because I have a heat shield on the barrel, and the few extra rounds do make a difference. Even so, this is a great little shotgun. The added flashlight makes this a great little night time terror. I also added a butt stock ammo sock for quick reloading.



Pros:
- short barrel is highly manuverable
- tactical fixed cylinder for shot or slug
- works silky smooth
- fiber optic front sight a big plus

Cons:
- I can't think of any other than the lower round count...but that is only for competition

Overall:
I wasn't expecting much and I was dead wrong. This is a very nice well functioning shotgun. The pump action, loading, everything is silky smooth. This one is a keeper. With the added picatinny rail, the included flashlight adds functionality. I wouldn't hesitate in buying another Hatsan product based on my experiences with this one.

[Chako]

Episode 6: Thompson Center Impact muzzle-loader in 50 caliber.



I was always fascinated with black-powder rifles. When the opportunity came to buy my first, I liked the look of the Thompson Center Impact rifle. When I bought this rifle, I will admit to not knowing a thing about black-powder rifles in general. For example, I had assumed this would be a standard patch and ball rifle...so imagine my surprise when I got it home and found out it was a modern inline black-powder rifle. This means instead of measuring your charge, you now use pre-weighed pellets. Likewise, instead of a ball, you now use sabot rounds. It does make being consistent in the field that much easier. With all that said, you still get to ram your bullets down the muzzle, so it does give you that old time feel.



The rifle uses 209 shot-shell primers in a removable breech plug that aids in cleaning.



This rifle shoots 250 to 300 grain rounds downrange with the typical smoke and thunder of a black-powder rifle. It is a neat experience. Mind you, the range guys love it when I bring this rifle down as I do get  a bit razzed by them. I have found this rifle to be very accurate as long as you are consistent.



Pros:
- modern inline black-powder rifle makes being consistent with powder pellets a breeze
- uses sabot bullets, eliminating patch issues
- very secure breech plug makes cleaning the rifle enjoyable
- super comfortable stock

Cons:
- breech plug can be a bear to open at times (be sure to use the breech lube...yes...there is such a product)
- various components add up quickly in the carry box

Overall:
I really like the modern inline black-powder system. Use of pre weighed charge pellets, modern sabot bullets, and shot-shell primers make for an easy to use and efficient system. There is just something to be said about using black-powder, the flash, the smoke, and the smell.

[Chako]

Episode 7: Traditions Heritage Deerhunter Side Lock Percussion cap in 50 caliber.



After getting the black-powder bug, I wanted something a bit more traditional. I found this Spanish Traditions Deerhunter percussion cap rifle.  This is what I had in mind when I think about black-powder rifles. Uses .490 round balls and .010 or .015 patches. Also need a powder measure. Quite a lot of fun at the range. If the TC Impact gets me razed at the range, showing up with this one gets the tactical crowd even more worked up. It is all in good fun as I have had a few of the worst jokers ask secretly if they could shoot it...just without their buddies around. 

I haven't taken this rifle out for some time. Looking at this photo, looks like I have a bit of surface rust showing around the ignition point. Going to clean this up after work and re-oil everything.



Pros:
- very traditional patch and ball
- good looks

Cons:
- very traditional patch and ball
- black-powder is highly corrosive...need to clean and oil frequently

Overall:
This is my favorite black-powder rifle. It has those classic lines with the octagonal barrel, wood furniture, and side lock percussion cap. The rifle is a bit difficult to clean thoroughly, and after seeing a touch of surface rust on the ignition point, looks like this one will need some TLC later today. If you can put up with the inconveniences of using a traditional black-powder rifle, the whole methodology is rather soothing at the range. This is not a quick loader, but there is something to be said about the whole process.

[ColoSwiss]

Interesting thread.   

[Chako]

Thank you, I will post more when I can. Right now in the midst of some Russian Hacker taking over my STEAM account.

[captain spaulding]

Excellent reviews which I will read in its entirety later but just wanted to mention something on the Savage 64F. Mine has a storage compartment under the plastic buttstock. If you remove the screws and the plastic piece you will see it. Figured I would mention it just in case you did not know and I’m curious if yours has it as well.

[Pacu]

19 gen 4 by Jason Downs, on Flickr

I carry a Glock 19 gen4.  I bought the 33 round mag just for fun.    It feeds flawlessly everything I throw at it. I almost bought the 17 which is a bigger version of this 9mm but the 19 just felt right.

I have my Ruger 10/22 stainless all weather for skunks around the house.
Ruger single six .22lr with .22 mag extra cylinder. My dad bought this while in the Marines in Hawaii (Oahu) 1974 , gave it to me when I turned 16. Family heirloom pistol.
Mossberg 590A1 - home defense

My dad has my Browning Hipower 9mm in his safe. He also has the family Norinco AK47, Norinco SKS and Colt AR15.

I've been stockpiling .22lr and 9mm. You never know when ammo is going to be hard to find so get it while you can.  Beans and bullets. Can never have too many of. 
 

[Grant Lamontagne]

A friend of mine says that in a SHTF type situation it is better to have stockpiled guns rather than food or toilet paper, because if you have guns you will also have food and toilet paper.... 

Isn't the 33 round mag a bit heavy?  Plus I'll bet it ruins the line of your suit something awful!   

Def

[ColoSwiss]

A long time favorite - the Beretta M92 series.

Originally had the first version of the 92, with frame-mounted safety (non-hammer drop) and a heel-of-the-butt mag release. Very accurate and 100% reliable. Later picked up a 92SB, with hammer-drop safety and and a behind the trigger-guard mag release. Equally reliable and accurate, and my go-to pistol for several decades. In a weak moment I traded it on a stainless 92 Brigadier. The Brigadier was reliable, but didn't group worth a darn, not even after a trigger job. Traded it in on a 92G, with hammer-drop only, and am back to loving Berettas.

Also owned one of the original Brigadiers (M 1951) many years back. Reliable like most Berettas, but with an awkward safety and mag release and a slick-feeling grip. There were also a number of Beretta .22s (1948, 70, 87). Fun to shoot but none of them particularly accurate, and all long gone.

[Chako]

33 rounds in a handgun  ...we are restricted to only 10 rounds max in Canada.

[Chako]

Episode 8: Thompson Center New Englander black-powder side lock percussion cap in 50 caliber.



Here is another black powder 50 caliber side lock percussion cap rifle. Much like the Traditions rifle, but with a bit more modern look to it. Great fun to shoot at the range.





This rifle features a synthetic stock and a rear peep sight.



Pros:
- patch and ball
- synthetic stock and rear peep sight make this a more modern take on the side lock percussion cap rifle

Cons:
- path and ball
- really need to clean black powder firearms

Overall:
Personally, I like the more traditional looks of the wooden stocked Traditional rifle over this synthetic stocked Thomson Center. With that said, that rear peep sight is sweet, and the feel of this rifle is rather good in the hands and when shooting this. Oddly enough, the guys at the club do not rib me much when I take this out...something about a black rifle looking all tactical...that is until they hear the whoosh and see the smoke. Despite the friendly banter, shooting black powder is a fun experience all in all. I highly recommend it.

A historical link...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percussion_cap

[Grant Lamontagne]

33 rounds in a handgun  ...we are restricted to only 10 rounds max in Canada.

If you can't hit what you are aiming at in ten rounds or less, you probably shouldn't have a gun.   

Def

[Chako]

Episode 9: Benjamin Classic .22 caliber single shot air rifle.



I bought this rifle because the wooden stock spoke to me. Hanging along with a few other rifles was this beauty that stood out from the rest. I just had to take it home. I never regretted that purchase either. The Benjamin Classic .22 air rifle is a break action springer. The scope it came with is a rather nice and versatile Center-Point 3x9 40mm afair with an adjustable red/green illuminated reticule.





Pros:
- shots at around 495 feet per second, meaning it is legal to own one in Canada without a firearms licence
- .22 caliber is good for mice control
- wooden furniture is beautiful, and thumb hole is super comfortable
- quality build

Cons:
- 495 feet per second isn't good for rodent control, although the heavier .22 pellets will do the job on mice and such
- heavy and pricey

Overall:
A beautiful air gun that is fun to shoot. I keep going to this one whenever I want some air gun action. It is slow, but then, the spring isn't a killer either to  crank via the break action either. It groups shoots nicely but like most air rifles, things get iffy beyond 20 to 30 meters. I do like the scope that came with the rifle.

Here is a review found online...
http://www.guns.com/review/gun-review-benjamin-classic-22-caliber-single-shot-air-rifle/

[Chako]

True Def, but...

33 rounds + Glock 18 =     

Just saying. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

You are using a 495 ft/second .22 rifle with a scope for mouse control?

What the hell kind of mice do you have in SSM?

And I hope you aren't shooting at mice in the house!   

A .22 is going to blow a poor little mouse to bits.  I can take down rabbits with my .22 pistol without a problem, I'd think that your rifle is a little more powerful so maybe you should set your sights a little higher on it!   

Def

[Lynn LeFey]

The REAL problem with those 33 round mags is... man... your finger gets REALLY tired before they empty out. Ugh.

Not even kidding.

[Chako]

Episode 10: Savage Axis II XP in 30.06.



When I purchased the Savage Axis II XP, I was looking for something in a larger caliber. I took my time and decided that I wanted a 30.06 over the 308. Funnily enough, I liked the 30.06 due to its rich military history...that and several folks told me it would be good to take any big game in North America considering the vast array of bullet weights on tap. Now that I had a caliber in mind, it was time to look for a suitable rifle. I settled on this rifle due to price, features, and strangely enough, although the stock is butt ugly, it just felt right in the hands. This rifle came with the included scope as well as the accuTrigger which allows you to dial in your trigger between a range of 1.6 to 6 pounds This is basically a nice cheap accurate hunting rifle.





Pros:
- cheap and accurate
- accutrigger is a great feature
- weaver 3x9 -40mm scope is not a bad inclusion to the package, but there are far better scopes out there that will probably cost you a whole lot more
- ugly synthetic stock but surprisingly ergonomic and comfortable

Cons:
I honestly can't think of one as it performs way above the price point would suggest

Overall:
This rifle makes a great entry level cheap hunting rifle. The trigger adjustment is awesome. The included Weaver scope is ok for the package deal. If I was to use this for hunting however, I would probably spent some money on better optics. If you plan on shooting this rifle at the range extensively, a bull barrel is a better option as it will wick away that heat.

Some links for you...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfT7asuOcXI

https://survivalblog.com/pat-cascios-product-review-savage-arms-axis-ii-xp/

[Chako]

That is why you need the Glock 18. 

It does the job Def...and I can pick them from farther way so they don't see it coming. Used mostly from back porch to garage with door open shooting.

[Chako]

Episode 11: Crossman Nitro Venom Dusk in .22 caliber air rife.



Having used the Benjamin Classic in .22 for years, I wanted something that not everyone could use in Canada, and that was a higher then 500 feet per second air rifle. You see, anything higher and you will require a firearms licence. I was out of town and not really looking for anything that fit the bill, but then spied a nice looking Crossman Nitro Venom Dusk hiding among all the other firearms. After some inquiry with the employee, I brought one home with me. The Nitro Venom Dusk is said to shoot a .22 pellet up to 700 to 950 feet per second depending on the pellet used. I know that this isn't an easy to crank rifle. This one really makes you work for every shot, especially compared to a 495 foot per second air rifle such as my Benjamin Classic. Come to think of it, the force is such that I must karate chop the barrel to break the seal..then use a lot of force to crank the barrel. These type of air rifles aren't all that good for plinking as your arms will get tired quick. On the flip side, whatever this air rifle hits, it hits hard. This is like playing in a whole new stadium, let alone a ball game.



This is not a springer, but a gas piston. I am told there are a lot of advantages to having a gas piston as opposed to a spring..I just haven't ran across the differences yet. This rifle is overkill for mice, and I am sure Def will be happy to hear I do not shoot mice with this air rifle.



This rifle came with a Center Point 4x32 scope, which is a necessity as this rifle does not come with iron sights. I haven't as yet upgraded the optics, but I do plan on putting some variable powered scope on it in the future.

Pros:
- gas piston as some positives over spring piston
- lots of power

Cons:
- in Canada, you need a firearms licence
- cranking this barrel requires a bit of strength

Overall:
I like this rifle a lot. It is accurate and powerful. A few years ago, my garage was invaded by raccoons. It would have been nice to have something that I could shoot within city limits to do some pest control. As it stood, after several fruitless calls to the city and other "trappers" suggested by the city, I ended up buying several Havahart human traps. Next time, I have the medicine...I just hope I will never have to use it for this purpose.

Some links of interest...
http://airgunmaniac.com/crosman-nitro-venom-dusk-22-review/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIllYUzBr_Q

[Chako]

Episode 12: Ruger 10/22 in .22LR caliber.



Probably the most popular .22LR caliber out there, the Ruger 10/22 comes in many different variations. I wanted something a bit more tactical, especially considering most of the gun club members are tactical nuts. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. When I visited my local gun shop to see their selection, the TacStar Adaptive stock version caught my eye right away due to having 2 extra 10 round rotary magazines stored in the butt stock. I wanted to dress this one up, so I added a fore-grip, a bipod, and an AR Optics AR/223 scope.





My copy also happens to be made on the 50th year of production.



Pros:
- a whole industry producing accessories for this popular rifle
- Ruger dependability and quality
- Tacstar adaptive stock comes with two extra 10 round magazines and a place to store them
- adjustable butt stock

Cons:
- some issues with some .22LR ammunition
- I am a lefty, so this gun tends to spray my hands with powder residue from time to time

Overall:
A Ruger 10/22 is an easy gun to recommend. This semi auto works excellent and is fun to shoot. Currently in Canada, there is a bit of confusion from the RCMP on how they are targeting larger than 10 round magazines. Apparently, there is a Ruger Charger, which is the pistol version of the 10/22. Both accept the same magazines. However, in Canada, a pistol can only hold 10 rounds, and seeing that there are plenty of larger round magazines made for the 10/22, a bit of a gray area is produced on legality. Interestingly enough, in Canada, a .22LR riffle does not have a round limit.

A link for you...
http://www.shootingtimes.com/historical/ruger-1022-history-then-now/

[Chako]

Episode 13: Russian SKS in 7.63x39mm.





In Canada, SKS rifles are a very popular thing. For many years, you could get one for cheap, and there was plenty of surplus Soviet Block ammunition. These days, I have noted that things are drying in regards to the SKS. For example, I have two, and I paid 175 dollars Canadian for them. These days, they tend to run around the 300 dollar mark. This beautiful laminated stock SKS was produced in 1950 by the Tula armory. At the time, this was the only laminated stocked version at the store. I liked the pattern and brought it home with me. The SKS, the precursor to the AK 47, came with a 10 round attached magazine, fed by 10 round stripper clips for fast loading. In Canada, you are only allowed 5 rounds...thus every SKS that came into the country will have some sort of metal pin preventing the magazine floor plate from going past the 5 round limit.



The SKS is odd also in the fact that there is an attached bayonet that swings out via a lug that you push and pull.





Not only do you get a detachable cleaning rod which sits below the barrel, you also get a neat little cleaning kit that fits inside a trap door on the butt stock end.





Pros:
- uses a nice cartridge that can be used on deer in a pinch
- easy to clean and requires no tools
- rifle is very accurate and shoot great with iron sights
- can be dressed up with many accessories

Cons:
- price of gun and ammunition going up
- trigger is mushy and has a crude feeling to it

Overall:
This is a great semi-auto battle rifle that at one time, was dirt cheap to buy and shoot. Supplies are drying up and good examples of the SKS are going up here in Canada. Because this is a nice example of the laminated stock, I have decided to keep this rifle stock. This is a great rifle to shoot. Bayonet an added point of interest.

Some links for you...

http://russiansks.weebly.com/history.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lCKXyuGces

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKllAKFy3i8

[Chako]

Episode 14: Russian SKS Accessorized.



After buying my first SKS with the laminated stock, I was a convert on the likability of this platform. I decided to buy another and dress that one up with all sorts of accessories. I ended up replacing the stock with an ATI Strikeforce 6 position side folding stock. I then added an NcSTAR Tri mount receiver cover/scope/green laser kit, an NcSTAR muzzle break, and an SKS bipod. I kept the magazine the same as I do not like having big banana clips that are pined for only 5 rounds.









Here is the pin modification that prevents an SKS from loading more than 5 rounds as per Canadian law.


Pros and Cons are the same for the above SKS rifle.

Overall:
Dress and SKS and it no longer looks like one. You get modern convenience such as an adaptable stock, combined with the hard hitting dependability of this rifle. What is there not to love...unless your not into black rifles to begin with.

[Pacu]

Awesome SKS. I remember buying a few for 80 bucks packed in cosmoline back in the early 90s, late 80s. You never knew what the stock would look like until you got them all cleaned up.

One was a paratrooper model and had beautiful wood on it. You could buy a case of 1000 rounds for 70 bucks. Fit it with a detachable 30 round clip and have fun all day.

Now they go for 500 or so for a good Norinco.