THE SKS RIFLE AS A CIVIL DEFENSE RIFLE

My personal SKS is a Russian rifle designated the M45. I bought it back in 1996 in Los Angeles because the commie politicians there were going to make some sort of law or another prohibiting future sales. I don't recall if they did or not. I think they did. So at one point, I suppose I was a criminal for having one. I do know that the SKS was exceedingly popular during and right after the Rodney King Riots in Los Angeles. The SKS was a favorite defensive rifle in the Korean community, and their personal SKSs were put to good use that week, much to the dismay of the urban thugs, gangs - and liberal politicians in L.A. I shot my SKS a couple of times to become familiar with it, and put it away. It was in very nice condition, and probably never used much. It shoots quite well and is very similar in operation to the Kalashnikov, except for the magazine. Now I don't plan to tell you to grab up a Simonov over anything else. What I will say is that for those who do not want or cannot, due to economics or oppressive governments, buy a proper Kalashnikov, that the SKS is a great second choice. It may even be a better choice for those "grey states" whose populations and governors are un-decided on the actual purpose of the Second Amendment, and who still think that guns are for hunting and games. A wooden stocked SKS may appear acceptable to the Elmer Fudd Sportsmen, where an AK in full military trim may get you a disapproving second look from the Range Nazis. If that is important to you, then consider the SKS over an actual sporting rifle (a lesser fighting tool). As a point of fact, my research indicates that there are probably as many SKS rifles in private hands in the US as there are Kalashnikov Rifles, and there are quite a lot of Kalashnikov Rifles. The sights on the SKS are very "Kalashnikov". Regardless of those who can't use Kalashnikov sights, I like them. There is proof that rifle fights in urban areas occur well inside 100 yards. Many happen well inside 25 yards. Most of the SKS use in Los Angeles in '92 was from a rooftop to the street below for example. Having the same sights as your pistol for all CQB (Close Quarters Battle) for all your weapons is a great simplifier. I like and prefer the SKS/AK style sights. History will show that many of the great feats of marksmanship performed by the old west "shootists" were done with sights more like those on the SKS/AK than with those on the AR/M4. The safety is similar to the AK design, but positioned at the trigger guard. It is just as simple to use as that on the AK, and somewhat similar to the M14 placement. The bolt is operated like any other bolt. Pull it back and let it go. Simple - caveman simple - like the AK. The only drawback, for some it may be an advantage in terms of legalities, is the magazine. The SKS has a fixed ten round magazine in place. It is fed from over the top by stripper clips of ten rounds, or one round at a time as if you were loading a magazine except that it was still in the rifle. Not much of a big deal, and even simpler than the AK. Load it - shoot it - when it stops the bolt is locked back - load it again. The only problem is the loading process takes a little manipulation, and you won't do it as smoothly as with your AK. Think of the Garand. It is a similar tactical concept. You put the "clip" of ammo in place and work the bolt. With the SKS you insert the stripper clip, push the ammo into the gun and work the bolt. I find it interesting that those detractors of the SKS's loading system never say "peep" about the expensive sacred cow Garand. Go figure?! Many of our students have elected to go SKS over the traditional lever action rifle. Interesting choice. The SKS is much faster to use (and load) than the lever action rifle. In fact, a ten shot, semi-auto 30-30 may be a good description of this little beast. If you can get past the ten shot issue, and remember there are few ten shot 30-30s out there, you can use this weapon for just about anything you would use a 30-30 lever action rifle for. At the price of the various types of Simonov Carbines, Yugo, Albanian, Russian, and other SKSs, you can keep one in each truck you own, and it would not make a bad "burial gun" for those of you who keep "country retreats". Again. the SKS does not beat a Kalashnikov, but it does beat just about every lever action rifle in terms of "fightability", cost, and reliability. And it is miles ahead of a fragile and finicky Ruger Mini-14 or a Ruger Mini-30. And for the money you save over one of these, you can buy a couple of thousand rounds of good fighting or hunting 7.62x39mm ammo. Try it...and by all means train with it, and bring an SKS to our Rifle Gunfighting Classes, and you will see for yourself how cool the SKS is. In many traditional, or police-based gun schools, if you show up with an SKS, they will laugh you right off the shooting range. Not in my school! We will welcome you with open arms and show you how to fight with your SKS in ways no one else will. Go ahead and bring them to class. I look forward to training with you. __________________ Gabe Suarez Suarez International USA, Inc. One Source Tactical info@suarezinternational.com Office 928-776-4492 Spaniard by Heritage Cuban by Birth Christian by Grace American by Choice