Shotgun as Rifle?

 I own a spanish mauser too, and FR8 and did a scout rifle conversion on it.People that have not shot scout rifles have no idea how cool they are. I used the solvent tank at work to take off the cosmoline. gas does work though but be careful!! I have used it but would not reccomend it. Some carbuerator solvents from a can work great too, I am not sure of their flamability ratings.

Bumpman - re: lignt on the shotgun - Lot's of people recommend these.  If you have a crowded house (or will have, come SHTF) you definitely have to be certain it's a burglar and not Uncle Ned up for a midnight pee.  I've often wondered if it wouldn't ruin your night vision, though.  Come SHTF there might be no streetlights or "city glow" and it gets pretty black without that ambient background level of light.  I suppose it's better to have the light and be able to make the decision at the time whether to use it or not.  You could also put a red filter over the light, like red cellophane with a rubber band.  If you're going to get one, see if you can find a brand that takes regular batteries that you will use for other appliances as well, because oddball batteries are expensive and may be impossible to replace durring or even after a crisis.

Bruss, Et Al. If you want to get Cosmoline off your newly purchased rifle I've found that regular 87 octane gasoline will whip that stuff off in a matter of minutes. I recently purchased one of those nifty Spanish Mausers in .308 and the thing came with just about an inch think of cosmoline all over it! I started with a rag to get the easiest stuff off, then got another rag I soaked in gas. The gas got it off faster than the brake-free I used for my other guns that came in cosmo.

Elizabeth wrote: We just got a Winchester Defender.  My husband picked it out, because he is the one that really wanted a gun, before I decided I HAD to have one for the possibility of social unrest.  He says it will serve my crazy BF purposes, and he can go shooting at the gun range like he's wanted to for years.  We used to have a 38, about 20 years ago, but I made him get rid of it because our daughter always had all the neighborhood kids in the house and I couldn't stand the thought of them getting into it.  Now she's an adult and she will learn how to properly use it also.  She and I will know exactly how to load and fire, and anyone that breaks in and poses a threat had better think twice....

detpat,

We just got a Winchester Defender.  My husband picked it out, because he is the one that really wanted a gun, before I decided I HAD to have one for the possibility of social unrest.  He says it will serve my crazy BF purposes, and he can go shooting at the gun range like he's wanted to for years.  We used to have a 38, about 20 years ago, but I made him get rid of it because our daughter always had all the neighborhood kids in the house and I couldn't stand the thought of them getting into it.  Now she's an adult and she will learn how to properly use it also.  She and I will know exactly how to load and fire, and anyone that breaks in and poses a threat had better think twice....

There's some weird stuff in this thread that went straight over my head, but I'm used to that so I'll ignore it.

But if the question is "What is a decent, reliable, multi-purpose, affordable rifle" (which it wasn't, at least initially), I'll second the recommendation of an SKS, especially over a slug gun.  Surplus models are available at a number of places for $125 to $150 in excellent shape, and they really are a proven platform at a bargain price.

As for removing the Cosmo, it truly can be a pain in the butt.  To do it right, you really have to fully disassemble the rifle.  The wood stocks are easier--just heat them and sweat the Cosmo out, in the warm sun, the oven, suspended over a space heater, wherever.  The metal parts are more critical, especially the bolt.  You can boil them repeatedly in hot water, or try kerosene, or use brake cleaner (which works very well but is nasty stuff--use gloves).  It's important that the firing pin moves freely when you shake the bolt, so don't quit until you reach that point.  If you have to remove the firing pin retainer, good luck, that can be a difficult proposition, especially in the Yugoslavian models, but it can be done, eventually, if you just keep pounding on it.  Remember to lightly oil all the metal surfaces before reassembling.  Don't mean to discourage anyone, these are "best buy" rifles, but removing the Cosmo can be a pain.

along time ago i saw a man shot with 12 gauge birdshot.  the wound was inflicted at approx 4 to 7 yards, and impacted the left side of the head.  he was DRT when we arrived.  even the wad from a 12 can be lethal at very close range.  the shooter was a woman BTW.

  If you are looking for a shotgun that i believe [don't believe me, check] that is legal in NJ [i hate NJ]  try the saiga 12 in it's original import form. even without the PG conversion it's a really great shotgun.  fairly inexpensive, though not quite so much in the current import company's estimation.  it has 2 and 5 shot mags, and you can, if you live in a free state, get 8 round mags.  recoil is light, even with heavy slugs.
  pat

aahhh, I see that the issue has been addressed.  Sorry about that!

Welcome twoolf,

Bruss

Totally agree about owning one weapon that can do both. Actually, having read your (spoon, sohpia, et all) posts I know your knowledge and am impressed. So, that post was definitely not directed towards you or the others, but to folks that are first time owners/buyers (nothing more dangerous than gun ignorance).

That said, I believe I shot the SKS when stationed in Germany as part of our training on Eastern Bloc weapons. If this is the weapon I remember, it was a nice assualt rifle, but like the AK, sloppy at ranges of over 100 yards. But built like a hammer and reliable. The price of $199.00 can not be beat. So, since you own one, how is the accuracy? What's the action like? You talked about surplus rounds?

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Bruss,

JMcB wrote: " Thus, a .410 bore shotgun is a great choice. A 3 inch .410 shot shell fires 3/4 ounce of shot at 1100 feet per second, resulting in approximately 800 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle, and a 2 ½" .410 with ½ ounce of shot produces approximately 600 foot pounds at the muzzle. The delivered energy at the defense ranges considered here are greater than a .357 Magnum revolver cartridge, but the longer barrel and greater weight of the shotgun results in less than half the noise and recoil. More important, the shot pattern is about 8 inches in diameter at 20 feet (full choke), and does not generally penetrate a wall, whereas a .357 Mag bullet pierces walls easily...and unintended victims on the other side"

Thanks Bruss. I appreciate your answer. I didn't notice a kick at all with the SKS that I shot. Of course, I'm not a 120 pound woman either. I'm a big girl so I'm sure that would make a big difference.

bruss01 wrote: SKS with detachable magazine type   That's a very specific type of SKS rifle, to my recollection they were made only in China.  MOST SKS rifles are not of this type.  Right now, very affordable SKS rifles are available from Yugoslavia.  They DO NOT HAVE A DETACHABLE MAGAZINE.  They have a FIXED 10 round magazine that can be loaded using stripper clips.  These rifles are not SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL to the banned ones, because ability to use a detachable magazine is a profound mechanical difference."   Double check with your local gun store to be sure, but I see nothing in the text provided that leads me to believe a normal, garden-variety SKS rifle would be verboten in NJ.

Having a detachable magazine on an SKS will get you thrown in the hooskow in most places. In any case, the SKS with a detachable isn't very user friendly. In my experience, the clips are difficult to get in and out of the rifle compared to the AK, AR or similar weapons designed from the get go to use detachable magazines.

Spoon, I thought no such thing. I've always had my weapons questions answered very thoroughly here. I don't know why I had to state that it was a question from a woman. Probably due to the previous posts.

I am sure that Bruss will have an answer for me. I've contemplated purchasing a SKS and know someone with the plastic stock gun that I have shot (and love) but we can only find wooden stock guns for sale and no way of shooting before buying.

Okay, I have a question about SKS guns. Yes, it's a woman asking a question but I'm quite serious here.  I've shot an SKS with a "folding" stock that I'm wanting to say is made of plastic? I have never shot one with a wooden stock. Does the plastic stock make them quite a bit lighter in weight? I would assume it would but not entirely for sure. The other question I have in comparing a plastic stock and a wooden stock is: Would the gun have more or less of a recoil because of the stock in question? I'm not sure this even makes sense to me. I hope it makes sense to some of you gun enthusiasts.

Oh MY!

that reminds me. .....

 this made my night.

There are no naked people in these images.  The last picture is a view from one end of the crate.  You are looking at wooden stocks.  Bruss was showing the serial #'s.

Editted by me because I'm an idiot.