SKS or mini 30
 

Am looking for a companion gun to my 7.62x39 Arsenal AK. Cabelas has cosmoline crammed Yugoslav SKS rifles for $279. Half the price of the mini 30, but I have never owned an SKS and don't want to be disappointed. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

I've had a Chinese SKS for over 20 years. It probably has a couple thousand rounds through it without any issues. I understand the Yugos are probably a bit better made. My understanding is that SKS's start having problems when people start throwing aftermarket goodies at them. Removable mags being the most common. Mine is bone stock aside from sticking a Tapco stock on it. They are a solid, reliable design. For the money, it's hard to argue against them.
I don't know much about the mini 30. I have been told that there were some issues with the early ones. I don't recall the specifics, however.

I think the Mini 30 is a very cool gun. I doubt if it is as dependable as an SKS.

The solution would be buy two SKSs then you should still have enough money left to buy a case of ammo.

I would look for the Chinese/Norinco SKS; the Yugo is often a truly "surplus" rifle that may have seen a good bit of use. The Yugo's also have that goofy-looking grenade launcher thing on the front. The Norinco's are (to the best of my knowledge) made for export not the Chinese military to use/abuse. If you do go Yugo, look for one of the older M59's to avoid the goofy grenade sight and such https://www.samcoglobal.com/1-sks.html .

I have been very happy with my Norinco SKS. I have had no trouble with my Tapco stock or removable 20 round magazines. I also like my spikey bayonet.

I have no experience with the mini30 other than seeing them on the A-Team TV show.

Thanks all for the advice. I feel an SKS is in my near future. Will update this post with results.

The Russian SKS's are also very nice. Actually they are my favorite.

Keep an eye on the online forum classifieds here and at TFL; some guy sold a nice one for right at $200 not too long ago, IIRC.

I do not think you will be disappointed.


If you don't like the fairly standard sights, Techsights sells some decent peep sights for the SKS. http://www.tech-sights.com/sks.htm (go on MUCH easier with the standard stock)

The SKS gets my vote. I'm a Ruger fan, but the problem with the Mini 30 is the magazine availability and it's reliability.

Well....
Enough cosmoline to lube a tractor, and more numbers and strange markings than a prop from The DaVinci Code, but a well built rifle overall. In and out of Cabelas in less than 45 minutes!!

Can't wait to sight it in!

I picked up a Norinco type 56 about 3 weeks ago... took it out today for the first time and ran 150rds through it. Not a single issue. I was using some cheap Russian steel case ammo to boot.