The standard SKS /w 10 round mag is as good a rifle as the AK, in the reliability department.. except for the trigger's.. SKS trigger is a poor design.. the AK trigger and bolt are better designed..(because the trigger is a direct copy of the M1 Garands design, which is a direct copy of early browning shotgun design.) The AK's gas piston being attached by machine threads and a cross pin to the bolt carrier is also an improvement . A soldier can't loose the piston and or spring in the field with a AK rifle like they can with the SKS.. but one thing nice about the SKS is it can be used as a straight pull bolt action with the gas piston removed.. not sure if that's any advantage to a military but it'd nice when testing new loads. no lost brass.. The Ak doesn't have that ability.. Also the SKS has a longer barrel and a longer sight radius which may make it hit harder (not in reality) but it will likely be more accurate.. the slam fire problems in the SKS were traced back to defective sears and or stuck firing pins which were rusted or packed with grease.. in the forward position, they can be retrofitted by Murray with a spring loaded firing pins... I like both guns for what they are.. the days when the SKS was $79.99 or $149 each were great buys you can't find a better gun for that money.. these days.. except for the moisen negant rifle.. B2B