SKS Roundup
Given the tragic hunting trip shooting, the SKS is in the spotlight. Here’s an article detailing some history of the rifle. It gets one point wrong:
Ted Sellers with Northwest Outlet in Superior said even before the expiration of the assault weapons ban the rifle was legal, provided the magazine fired less than 15 rounds.
I don’t think that’s the case. The AWB limited detachable magazine capacity to 10. The SKS typically has a fixed magazine, though after market detachable mags are available.
Another article on the SKS, filled with some hysteria, but points out that the SKS is popular due to its low cost. A buddy of mine ran a gun shop once and I remember when you could buy them in bulk for about $50 each. Since then, Bush 1 banned their import from China and the prices have risen. The article states:
In fact, this gun is not a sporting weapon at all; it was conceived and first built a half-century ago as a tool to kill people, and too often, that’s how it is still used today. The SKS may not be in the same firepower league as the notorious AK-47, but it is easily modified into an illegal high-capacity fully automatic.
First, the gun is probably no easier to convert than any other semi-automatic. Second, it is almost functionally identical to a civilianized AK47 in that it fires the medium powered 7.62X39 round and is capable of semi-automatic fire (one shot per trigger pull).
Even in its original semiautomatic mode, the gun is an apparent favorite of cop killers and wackos. SKS rifles have been used to kill at least five police officers this year. At least eight other officers have been killed by SKS-wielding gunmen since 1998. The guy who sprayed the White House with bullets 10 years ago used the SKS.
Remember, apparent usually means we’re too lazy to check. Because the actual favorite of cop killers is the common handgun, usually the cops own handgun.
Here’s some more history on the SKS.
The Trainer has been documenting his customization of his own SKS.
So, what we have is a popular hunting rifle that is going to be targeted yet the anti-gun groups claim that they’re not coming after your hunting guns.
November 23rd, 2004 at 12:23 pm
Yep – the local news here in Dallas said the hunter used “an assault rifle.” Nevermind it’s a curio & relic piece that you can pick up for about $129 these days, and is a commonly-used hunting rifle. There’s nothing “assault rifle” about it. No pistol grip, no collapsible stock, no flash hider, etc. In other words, it’s functionally equivalent to a Ruger Mini-30 (on which, incidentally, you can get all those scary features). Here’s the real issue: dude was crazy, and he murdered 7 people.
November 23rd, 2004 at 1:34 pm
It’s functionally equivalent to any 30-30 semi-auto, and only shoots a little faster than the original (1893) 30-30 lever action. Contrary to the ranting about “high powered rounds”, the lowest powered .30 rifle rounds are the 7.62×37 (SKS/AK47) and the 30-30.
November 23rd, 2004 at 1:43 pm
Guys, you’re missing the point. You’re trying to use facts and reason here, and that’s just not allowed.
November 24th, 2004 at 2:25 pm
But I skewed the facts to make it more interesting – there were 6 men murdered.