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I think the OP, Mr. Engine, was not trying to compare the two platforms, but was instead saying he had $500 on hand now and wanted to know if he should "pull the trigger" on an SKS.
or parlay it into a Garand...
SKS. Good cache rifle as well. Buy two. Cache one with 2,000 rounds of fresh ammo and about 100 stripper clips. Like you said, .30 M2 ball is expensive!Ok so looking to get a semi auto mil surp. Have $500 set aside and waiting to find out if and how much for bonus (would be first year so no context for amount).
If the bonus doesn't come through, easy get an SKS.
If the Bonus is HUGE then I could afford both but that is unlikely.
Have always wanted a garand, but ammo will be expensive (at least untill I also save up for reloading gear)
So if things are somewhere in between, which should I get?
Is it better to get something less expensive where ammo is cheaper also, or get the classic that I have wanted but is more expensive to get to the range.
(Peeled $100 off my "first rifle" budget and bought a Marlin 60 so I do have an as cheap as possible shooter on the rifle range)
$900 worth of SKS, $400-$450 of which cachedSKS. Good cache rifle as well. Buy two. Cache one with 2,000 rounds of fresh ammo and about 100 stripper clips. Like you said, .30 M2 ball is expensive!
Be careful. The pressure curve can bend or break the op rod on the Garand. Didn't know you planned to reload. SKS is great for those who don't reload.$900 worth of SKS, $400-$450 of which cached
$400 of cached ammo
Or $650-$750 on a Garand
and use $250-$300 to get reloading and make 35 cent M2 ball that he can actually shoot?
To me, I'm going to choose #2 and save $300 and now be able to reload my own ammo...
Without doubt, you are correct. M1 Garand is much better quality and more powerful and accurate. SKS is good as a cache rifle.I’ve got both. I much prefer the Garand — good trigger and excellent sights.
My first SKS Russian $86, and my first Garand a CMP IH $125, both regrettably gone now... I feel so old.Both.
Believe me.
FWIW, Cabela’s in Berlin has SKS’s for around $400 (yeah, I know - not the $89 deals my old man tells me about...)
And you can get a CMP Garand for as “affordable” as $650 right now...
This way you can get both, shoot both, and really know for yourself
I don't know, it's only 19 hours to the south store, less to the north but the selection isn't as good (so I've been told). Take the drive south and spend a couple days at the CMP Marksmanship Center, there are no ranges like that around here.Garand...if you go the CMP route, it will take some effort and time to get one. You'll eventually own both haha. Priv Partisan ammo can be found online for a decent price.
OP, both are nice rifles. The Garand is awesome and also beautiful to look at.Ok so looking to get a semi auto mil surp. Have $500 set aside and waiting to find out if and how much for bonus (would be first year so no context for amount).
If the bonus doesn't come through, easy get an SKS.
If the Bonus is HUGE then I could afford both but that is unlikely.
Have always wanted a garand, but ammo will be expensive (at least untill I also save up for reloading gear)
So if things are somewhere in between, which should I get?
Is it better to get something less expensive where ammo is cheaper also, or get the classic that I have wanted but is more expensive to get to the range.
(Peeled $100 off my "first rifle" budget and bought a Marlin 60 so I do have an as cheap as possible shooter on the rifle range)
Both.
Believe me.
FWIW, Cabela’s in Berlin has SKS’s for around $400 (yeah, I know - not the $89 deals my old man tells me about...)
Do they add the bayonets when you purchase one?
I stopped by a few weeks back and noticed those b*tches removed all the folding bayonets.
SKS are the only guns im 100% ok with making illegal.
My first SKS Russian $86, and my first Garand a CMP IH $125, both regrettably gone now... I feel so old.
I don't know, it's only 19 hours to the south store, less to the north but the selection isn't as good (so I've been told). Take the drive south and spend a couple days at the CMP Marksmanship Center, there are no ranges like that around here.
OP, both are nice rifles. The Garand is awesome and also beautiful to look at.
I think it is important to understand what you want to get out of the rifle.
You mentioned ammo cost. I am assuming you plan on shooting it a lot. (I know guys that own Garand and SKS and barely touch them).
Now, what type of shooting?
- do you want to challenge yourself and go for longer than 100 yard shots?
- do you want to go to mil surp shoots that might not allow an SKS?
- do you just want a range toy you can beat up, barely clean and do bayonet charges with for fun?
I think your type of shooting will define which one is right for you. Assuming you cant just get both.
OP, xmas has past and I fear this is your fate
But do not be deterred.
Check the next CMP Clinic at Cape Ann Sportsmans Club and learn the ins and out of using the Garand with Norm. I can't seem to bring up their website right now but if the next schedule is in the spring and you want to get your hands on one check with Norm if can do a primer and let you shoot one with club ammo for a fee. I can't say enough good about this club.
Personally I would scrape up the extra $250 and get the $750 Service Grade Garand. I wouldn't be surprised those Service Grades are gone in the next couple of months. Just look at the other non-Frankenstein M1s out of stock circa 2015. Pick up some PPU M2 ball from one of the members here get you by while your waiting for the cmp delivery.
I really wish Cabelas hadn't stopped their layaway program thanks to bAss Pro. Discounted Cabelas gift cards used to be a good way to get a cheap sks from Cabelas but not sure with the current level of bassification. At one point they also had no 7.62x39 for a very long time. Last time I was there I grabbed the last of the RedArmy fmj on the shelf and they had only the pricey domestic ammo left.
Shoot a club Garand at Cape Ann if you haven't already and you'll know if you want one.
I really don't know how anyone could not like the Garand. It's always the favorite when I take out family and
Friends but ammo can be an issue for a new owner.
That said sks will be around for awhile and you can pick one up later. I got my Garand long before I touched any commie sks.
You're gonna want them both, before they are both banned... Hillary 2020
Garand first, then SKS (or a Saiga 7.62x39 )
I think the OP, Mr. Engine, was not trying to compare the two platforms, but was instead saying he had $500 on hand now and wanted to know if he should "pull the trigger" on an SKS.
or parlay it into a Garand...
I have both and I prefer my SKS. Infinitely more reliable, less maintenance, cheaper ammo, simpler operation.
Tbh, I think a lot of people prefer the garand for mostly idealistic reasons.
The SKS is a much better firearm.
OK, well at least you know that.You are just trolling here right? Even the Soviets would take umbrage. SKS might be somewhat handier but oh nevermind I am a boomer and not ashamed.
I have both and I prefer my SKS. Infinitely more reliable, less maintenance, cheaper ammo, simpler operation.
Tbh, I think a lot of people prefer the garand for mostly idealistic reasons.
The SKS is a much better firearm.
Only time it takes is going to ups or bank for the Notary.Garand...if you go the CMP route, it will take some effort and time to get one. You'll eventually own both haha. Priv Partisan ammo can be found online for a decent price.
Russian, though if I ever found one, I'd like an East German.Interesting that you say you prefer the SKS.
Do you have a particular variety you prefer?
I mention the cmp special I posted becauseGood to know you use the x39 stuff more for plunking/mag dumps
Is the rack grade special a better idea than a service grade. Had been leaning towards a service grade but easily swayed by someone who knows better. More money for ammo and accessories is good.
Yeah fairly made up but waiting on funds along with second guessing myself.
Oh and I reread both of those threads while up by the fire Christmas morning!
Since when do you start making sense, lol. God i need a match where we can fling some good old BS around. Apeezas hitah!!!!$900 worth of SKS, $400-$450 of which cached
$400 of cached ammo
Or $650-$750 on a Garand
and use $250-$300 to get reloading and make 35 cent M2 ball that he can actually shoot?
To me, I'm going to choose #2 and save $300 and now be able to reload my own ammo...
what type of maintenance is more on the garand? Honeslty the only have 2 that get any real maintenance. My cmp match rifles.I have both and I prefer my SKS. Infinitely more reliable, less maintenance, cheaper ammo, simpler operation.
Tbh, I think a lot of people prefer the garand for mostly idealistic reasons.
The SKS is a much better firearm.
Reading rifle is 600 yardsWhat range are you going to be shooting the Garand at out to its max range of 1000 yards? Heck, what range in New England are you going to find that goes out to 500 yards?
That aside, what's going to be more fun to shoot? The SKS is a smaller, lighter rifle that's 300 yard capable even with ammo that costs a quarter a round vs the Garand that will costs twice as much to shoot.
The SKS has two weaknesses: its trigger and its sights, both of which can be easily upgraded to improve your results.
Honestly, I would have more fun playing with the SKS vs the Garand. The SKS you're going to want to improve, make upgrades, customize it to your liking, but the Garand you won't touch because "that's the way its meant to be and the way Gen. Patton likes it and who am I to disagree?"
Bottom line is the Garand is a collectors gun, the SKS is a shooters gun.