[Ruger22lr]

I know that they both fire the same round which is the 7.62×39mm and that one is an assault rifle while the other is semi automatic rifle that's about it. Before I buy one or the other I would like to know a bit more about them. I am planning on buying both but would like to know which to buy first. Things like pros and cons.

[kytowboater]

Please don't refer to it as an assault weapon. It's not. It's a semi automatic rifle. Same thing as the sks.

Anyway, what do you want to do more of?

[Ruger22lr]

Ah it's a semi automatic then knew it was just making sure because everyone says even though it's semi auto it's still an assault rifle, basically the pros and cons of them, maintenance that kind of stuff.

[biggerhunter]

Sks= slightly higher accuracy, few options in the high cap mag department, has good aftermarket parts but they are expensive (trulytactixalsks.com), heavy mofo, high end sks price is around low end Ak price

Ak47= decent to ok accuracy, lots of cheap mags lots of aftermarket options, slightly superior build quality, lighter than ak's, can be waaaay more expensive than a sks

Both reliable and have set the standard in 7.62x39 but its your choice man

[SSGN_Doc]

A lot depends on the kind if shooting you want to do most.

If you are more comfortable with a more traditional rifle then I'd go with the SKS and I'd leave the aftermarket crap off of it. Stock 10 round mags are the most reliable and handy that you are going to find.

If you want tactical with high capacity go for the AK. Fewer small parts. Simpler fire control group. Larger clearances internally.

[Ruger22lr]

Yeah I'm going for the SKS then first I would have to say price being the main factor in it.

[Jpyle]

Originally Posted by Ruger22lr

Yeah I'm going for the SKS then first I would have to say price being the main factor in it.

Now that you have settled on an SKS are you wanting a Russian, Chinese or Yugoslavian variant?

[Ruger22lr]

Differences in the variants? If there is any.

[Jpyle]

Originally Posted by Ruger22lr

Differences in the variants? If there is any.

Quality, availability, desirability and price. Many consider the Russian variant to be the best, followed by Yugo then Chinese (Norinco)...YMMV

[nfafan]

SKS - vast majority are machined recvrs, with threaded or pressed/pinned barrels. Chinese made a few with stamped steel recvrs and p/p barrels.
The Yugo SKS variants follow Zastavan tradition of non-chrome-lined barrels. No biggie as long as you are careful with cleaning after any possible corrosive ammo.

Vast majority of AKs (actually semi-auto AKMs) have stamped recvrs, p/p barrels. The semi-auto "AK-47s" out there would have the machined recvr and threaded or p/p barrels.

Unless you get a pre-89-ban "AK", it will most likely be a "kit" gun (assembled in USA with blend of original and USA parts - like Century's Polish, Bulgarian, or Yugo AKs), or, an imported gun modified-for-922 to reduce foreign parts count so that it can be made into the "AK" form factor (like the WASRs, M-10s, hi-cap Zastava PAPs, FIME SAIGAs, FEG AMDs).

Most common imported "AKs" nowadays are Romanian, Serbian (Zastava), or Russian SAIGAs and VEPRS. Again, Serbian "Zastava PAPs" do not have the chrome-lined barrel.
Chinese AKs havent been imported since the Klinton CHICOM ban.

Bottom line, many find the "rifle feel" and 20" sight radius of an SKS makes for a better shooter, while the "AK" is just plain wicked fun. Let your wallet be your guide.