boneheaddoctor -
The AK was primarily designed by M.T. Kalashnikov and Hugo Schmeisser. The SKS was designed by S.G. Simonov. Some SKS carbines are both very well made and accurate. Additionally, some SKSs were designed for use with detachable magazines. There was also a sniper version that used the same (PU) scope that is normally seen on the Mosin Nagant M91/30 sniper rifle. Some of the SKSs from China that were made for export to the US in the late 80s or early 90s are pretty sad. Those made in the 60s can be very nice.
Steve has essentially got it right. Both of these rifle are battle and time proven and essentially idiot proof. Back when I was doing a lot of firearms maintenance we used to joke that it you removed the top cover of an AK and just held it under a faucet then shook the loose water out it would run just fine!
Try this with an AR16 and you'll end up with a frozen up and inoperable rifle!
The AK47 in no accuracy queen but out to a couple of hundred yards it accurate enough for defensive work. It was designed with simplicity and minimal maintenance in mind and this was necessary considering the educational levels of the commie bloc country users plus the insurgent organizations they were passed out to on a wholesale basis.
Bottom Line: they're cheap, functional and require minimal maintenance and made a good choice as a defensive weapon.
Jim
They are no longer the bargains the once were but still sell for lest that an AR16 semi-auto clone.
