CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Cabella's has these for sale for $399. Are they any good??? I looked at one Saturday and It looked well put together. Anything I should be wary of????
Zastava's SKS M59/66A1
- Thread starter CAJUNLAWYER
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
sureshotbob
Member
They are good rifles just make sure to clean all the cosmoline out by the firing pin. The only down side to them is the bore is not chromed.
OP
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Is it so much of a downside if you're not shooting corrosive ammo???
Cajun, non-chrome bore isn't much of a concern at all, especially if not shooting corrosive.
rangemaster
Member
Mine had a lousy trigger. Also couldn't get used to the sights and grenade launcher. I like the Chinese and Russian models a lot better.
Arik
Member
Good 50s surplus semi auto rifle. Fairly reliable, fairly accurate just don't expect miracles.
If you're looking to sit at a bench and do little groups this rifle is probably not for you. If you want to own a piece of cold war history and enjoy shooting it then pick one up
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
If you're looking to sit at a bench and do little groups this rifle is probably not for you. If you want to own a piece of cold war history and enjoy shooting it then pick one up
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Might check into these before buying a 59/66. No useless grenade launcher. The Chinese really made some of the best too.
Chinese SKS Type 56 Semi Auto Rifle, 7.62x39, Military Surplus, Wood Stock, C&R. Used.
Chinese SKS Type 56 Semi Auto Rifle, 7.62x39, Military Surplus, Wood Stock, C&R. Used.
I guess the carbine version of the SKS I bought for $75 back in the nineties was a good buy. 
Arik
Member
Conditions of those are pretty bad. Occasionally a few ok ones pop up. They are from the Balkan conflict, very popular with Albanians.
The grenade launcher are only found on Yugo SKS and make it unusual. Not sure how one would judge "best" in this case since both versions were extensively used, with good results, in the Balkan conflicts.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
The Chinese had a lot more practice at making them. I'm out of my SKS phase but of the few I have owned I thought a mid 70's, factory 6602, threaded barrel Chinese was the best of the bunch. I find the grenade launcher on the Yugos messed with the balance of the piece. Now a Yugo m59 is a different animal all together. A lot harder to find than the 59/66.
Of course the extreme purists love the Russians.
I'm out of my SKS phase but of the few I have owned I thought a mid 70's, factory 6602, threaded barrel Chinese was the best of the bunch. I find the grenade launcher on the Yugos messed with the balance of the piece. Now a Yugo m59 is a different animal all together. A lot harder to find than the 59/66.Of course the extreme purists love the Russians.
Last edited:
smithman 10
US Veteran
Sold mine
It's been a good while but I believe I paid around $125 for mine and sold it for twice that a couple years later.
It had beautiful wood and nice metal finish but absolutely the worst trigger on any rifle I've ever owned. Didn't care for all that grenade launching stuff either.
But I'd buy it back if I could (for $125)!
It's been a good while but I believe I paid around $125 for mine and sold it for twice that a couple years later.
It had beautiful wood and nice metal finish but absolutely the worst trigger on any rifle I've ever owned. Didn't care for all that grenade launching stuff either.
But I'd buy it back if I could (for $125)!
scoobysnacker
Member
I got one at a gun show in Gonzales La about 15 years ago, $200 brand new beneath the cosmoline. Very well put together, very solid gun. I recently had the firing pin go, got blown back (I've read they do that sometimes), easy replacement.
Given inflation and all, I'd say they're worth it.
I had a couple of Yugo several years back. I only shot one of them, but it was fun to shoot. I never shot it for groups, but just plinked with it. I hunted with a couple of times, but never shot anything living with it.
I thought the stocks were a little too short, but I suppose they were made with someone wearing heavy clothing in mind, not a guy in a T-shirt.
I thought the stocks were a little too short, but I suppose they were made with someone wearing heavy clothing in mind, not a guy in a T-shirt.
When I was really into the comblock guns, I put together a small collection of SKSs. I still have all of them. The Yugoslav M66 with the grenade launcher is a well put together firearm. As was stated the launcher does look a little different, hanging out there, but the quality of these is excellent. I also have the M59 version without the launcher. Most of these that I have seen come with a stock that seems to be made of a wood that resembles teak. Very substantial, and I understand that it is resistant to tropical field conditions. I also have a Russian, a Chinese, and a Romanian. I missed out on the Albanian and East German versions.
Here is a picture of mine that I was finally able to find:
I might add that the Zastava arms company have been in business since the mid 1800s, and are still in business in what is now Serbia. I also have a Yugoslav “Mauser”, made by them, and it is a beautiful rifle. Same exotic wood in the stock.....the M48, IIIRC they make good guns. The M66 might be a little heavy for the caliber, but quality.
If it seems to be in decent condition, it would probably make a nice shooter for you.
Best Regards, Les
Here is a picture of mine that I was finally able to find:
I might add that the Zastava arms company have been in business since the mid 1800s, and are still in business in what is now Serbia. I also have a Yugoslav “Mauser”, made by them, and it is a beautiful rifle. Same exotic wood in the stock.....the M48, IIIRC they make good guns. The M66 might be a little heavy for the caliber, but quality.
If it seems to be in decent condition, it would probably make a nice shooter for you.
Best Regards, Les
Attachments
Last edited:
scoobysnacker
Member
I own both a Chinese in good shape, and a Yugo in good shape. Personally, I would prefer the Yugo, although the Chinese is nice.
TomkinsSP
Member
If you are able, before you buy. Charge (cock) it, and holding it vertically, drop it on its buttplate from two or three feet. (It doesn't matter if the safety is on, as it only locks the trigger.) If two surfaces are not machined perfectly square in the bolt, the sear will release, firing a chambered round. (So this test is much safer if the rifle is unloaded.) I don't know how prevalent this defect is, but why take chances.
Arik
Member
It's about on par with the 556 as far as practical distance is concerned. It has a bigger arch but is effective out to 400 yards
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
For $400 I would look around at what's available from mossberg or savage, etc. There are some good bolt gun deals on Kentucky gun.
