"I like guns, I like guns, I like guns"

[Jayhawk]

Lots of really neat firearms.  I assume most if not all of you have some ammunition for these.  Do you order them online or go to a hardware store or what?  If online, where?  I would like to order some as I live over 65 miles from closest walmart or equivalent.

Seems like the only deals on quality ammo online require you to buy a lot at one time.  It's an option, just a big one time cost.  Wal-mart is still the easiest and cheapest for me,  Most carry at least 100 round boxes of Winchester White Box or UMC boxes of 250 (I think).  Might be worth stocking up next time you make the trip.

**EDIT** I guess I gave you what I knew for 9mm, I know most have at least 100 round boxes for .40 and .45, not sure about much else.

[Jack16]

[Seraphim]

Lots of really neat firearms.  I assume most if not all of you have some ammunition for these.  Do you order them online or go to a hardware store or what?  If online, where?  I would like to order some as I live over 65 miles from closest walmart or equivalent.

I always order in bulk online, it's the most cost efficient. Usually from cabela's, but you can also check gun-deals.com ,they usually have up to date prices from several dealers based on calibers.

[Serenity]

Well, I'm here looking for an oppinion rather than posting a new weapon.

The time has come for me to buy my first rifle, and I had originally planned on getting a Mosin Nagant because it was all I could afford. However, my budget has just jumped a little higher, (I can spare about $360 on a weapon right now).

The local store in Austin has the following two options:

Mosin Nagant: Bayonet, sling, bolt tool and cleaning kit included, cosmoline already cleaned from barrel and ready to fire, $139 out the door.

Yugoslavian SKS: Bayonet and sling included, all parts matching, cosmoline cleaned from barrel and ready to fire, $329 out the door.

I'm looking for something fun, (Thumping kickback and fireball appreciated, lol) accurate, and relatively cheap to fire. Which rifle would the O'Club suggest?

[katanaso]

Mosin Nagant: Bayonet, sling, bolt tool and cleaning kit included, cosmoline already cleaned from barrel and ready to fire, $139 out the door.

Yugoslavian SKS: Bayonet and sling included, all parts matching, cosmoline cleaned from barrel and ready to fire, $329 out the door.

Any chance you could shoot a Mosin and a SKS before deciding?  The Mosin is going to pack a much meaner punch to your shoulder.

Also, are you sold on those two?  if not, you could venture into the lever action market.  Just something to consider.


mir

[Jack16]

The Mosin Nagant's recoil isn't to bad if you hold it right/tight against your shoulder.

[Serenity]

Any chance you could shoot a Mosin and a SKS before deciding?  The Mosin is going to pack a much meaner punch to your shoulder.

Also, are you sold on those two?  if not, you could venture into the lever action market.  Just something to consider.


mir

I could probably shoot one of Tupac's Mosins, but I don't know where I could borrow an SKS...

The reason I looked at those two were because I want something military surplus and those were the cheapest lol.

As far as taking a solid thumping, I've shot an M1A (Similar cartrige size to the SKS?) as well as frequently shooting 12 gauge slugs, and I'm pretty sure those thump more than a Nagant, but I could be wrong.

Being a young, virile guy with more testosterone than intelligence (But don't worry, that doesn't carry over to safely operating a weapon) I actually prefer a solid thump when I shoot.

[Tupac]

I'll let you shoot the M39, you can work your way up to the M38 or the M44.

(just kidding)

When you get back in town we'll load a couple of em up and head to the range. If you have $300 you might want to consider an M39 or an 8mm Mauser

[katanaso]

I could probably shoot one of Tupac's Mosins, but I don't know where I could borrow an SKS...

The reason I looked at those two were because I want something military surplus and those were the cheapest lol.

As far as taking a solid thumping, I've shot an M1A (Similar cartrige size to the SKS?) as well as frequently shooting 12 gauge slugs, and I'm pretty sure those thump more than a Nagant, but I could be wrong.

Cool.  I'd shoot the Mosin just to see if you'd like it.  It's going to be more thmp than the M1A.  When I shot my friend's Mosin, I had already been shooting a Remington 700 in 300 Win Mag, and the Mosin had more kick than that.  (But it did have the fireball...  ) 

For comparison, the M1A is 7.62 x 51.  The SKS is 7.62 x 39.  The Mosin is 7.62 x 54R.  Take a look at the energy levels of each.

Being a young, virile guy with more testosterone than intelligence (But don't worry, that doesn't carry over to safely operating a weapon) I actually prefer a solid thump when I shoot.

I can relate.  It's how I ended up buying a .50 Desert Eagle some years ago.   

[Nefarious]

Well, I'm here looking for an oppinion rather than posting a new weapon.

The time has come for me to buy my first rifle, and I had originally planned on getting a Mosin Nagant because it was all I could afford. However, my budget has just jumped a little higher, (I can spare about $360 on a weapon right now).

The local store in Austin has the following two options:

Mosin Nagant: Bayonet, sling, bolt tool and cleaning kit included, cosmoline already cleaned from barrel and ready to fire, $139 out the door.

Yugoslavian SKS: Bayonet and sling included, all parts matching, cosmoline cleaned from barrel and ready to fire, $329 out the door.

I'm looking for something fun, (Thumping kickback and fireball appreciated, lol) accurate, and relatively cheap to fire. Which rifle would the O'Club suggest?

If you want an SKS, I would not get a Yugo as a First SKS. I would get any other type of SKS before I bought a Yugo.

That's just my opinion, The reasoning may sound silly but here is why.

1. Non-Chromed Line Barrels. Every SKS but the Yugos (and Early Russians) have Chromed Lined Barrels. If this is going to be the only SKS you buy... Buy a Chromed Lined Barrel!
2. Grenade Launcher is a no-no in some states. Texas should be ok, but other states you may relocate too may not be. (California has to have GL ported)
3. These are military surplus rifles and MOST Yugos saw military service in the Balkans. This goes back to the #1 Issue for me, some barrels might be shot out or dark and pitted.
4. Moving Parts... The 59/66s have a Gas Valve for the Grenade Launcher that can get fouled with Cosmoline and can break internally.
5. Weight... The extra stuff makes them heavier than any other SKS.

If I were you... And I wanted to buy an SKS... I would start with a good Chinese. You can still find these rifles for cheap (Good would be under $250) at Pawn Shops.

If you need some more help, let me know.

[Serenity]

If you want an SKS, I would not get a Yugo as a First SKS. I would get any other type of SKS before I bought a Yugo.

That's just my opinion, The reasoning may sound silly but here is why.

1. Non-Chromed Line Barrels. Every SKS but the Yugos (and Early Russians) have Chromed Lined Barrels. If this is going to be the only SKS you buy... Buy a Chromed Lined Barrel!
2. Grenade Launcher is a no-no in some states. Texas should be ok, but other states you may relocate too may not be. (California has to have GL ported)
3. These are military surplus rifles and MOST Yugos saw military service in the Balkans. This goes back to the #1 Issue for me, some barrels might be shot out or dark and pitted.
4. Moving Parts... The 59/66s have a Gas Valve for the Grenade Launcher that can get fouled with Cosmoline and can break internally.
5. Weight... The extra stuff makes them heavier than any other SKS.

If I were you... And I wanted to buy an SKS... I would start with a good Chinese. You can still find these rifles for cheap (Good would be under $250) at Pawn Shops.

If you need some more help, let me know.

As always, great advise Nef!

The store I'm buying from has these in-stock in Austin, so they're TX legal, and they DO have a chinese SKS in stock as well. He told me it was a paratrooper carbine, (He also said the chinese didn't really have paratroopers, it was just a shorter weapon). Personally, I just don't want a chinese weapon, lol. Any soviet country would be preferred.

Weight isn't a concern (I can call a day at the range extra PT, lol) but I'm not sure about that chrome lined barrel (I stumbled on the info that the Yugoslav's aren't chrome lined and why, but nothing said what effect that had). So what is the actual practical ramification of a non-chromed barrel?

[Motherland]

I've shot an M1A (Similar cartrige size to the SKS?)

Not quite
7.62x39mm on the bottom, 7.62 NATO on top

[Tupac]

If you want a fireball buy an M44

[Flench]

Stay away from the Boss system if you want to keep your hearing ... I don't know why I let the guy talk me into buying a gun with one on it . It work's and is fine on the range where you can wear plug's but not to hunt with .

[Blooz]

So what is the actual practical ramification of a non-chromed barrel?

Jamming.

Military weapons tend to be fired much and only cleaned when the opportunity allows.

Chrome helps to keep the weapon functional between cleanings.