AK vs. SKS Recoil... Mind or Matter?

[Lostinspace]

I'm just sayin that at my age I am not into recoil anymore and having a little longer arms than most people I kinda get scrunched up on guns so to combat both issues almost every gun I have has a limbsaver slip on recoil pad on them to absorb the recoil and give me another 1" LOP.  Makes all the difference in the world between getting beat up and really enjoying shooting now.  But that's just me.

[Wanderson]

I'm not a fan of the warsaw stock that came with my WASR either, the curve of the stock is wrong for how I hold it in my shoulder, seems the lower edge of the buttplate is transmitting most of the recoil to me. A high mounted red dot helped and for $10 the knockoff grenade pad is pretty comfortable but wouldn't stay in place.

I've never had an issue with the stock on SKSs or military mausers.

[lonewolf]

I'm not a fan of the warsaw stock that came with my WASR either, the curve of the stock is wrong for how I hold it in my shoulder, seems the lower edge of the buttplate is transmitting most of the recoil to me. A high mounted red dot helped and for $10 the knockoff grenade pad is pretty comfortable but wouldn't stay in place.

I've never had an issue with the stock on SKSs or military mausers.

Should probably try NATO length stock..

[Righteous]

I put one of these on my AK and it did wonders. Make it kick about like a 223

[1911crazy]

From shooting big bore magnum rifles the recoil of the mid bore rifles is way less. Isn’t there a slip on shoulder saver butt pad?

[LESchwartz]

Here's one that makes the recoil from an AK non-existant:  https://www.opticsplanet.com/leapers-model-47-combat-butt-pad.html

Larry

[LESchwartz]

almost every gun I have has a limbsaver slip on recoil pad on them to absorb the recoil

I really like the Limbsaver too.  You could go with a medium slip on, as they don't seem to make one specifically for the SKS.  Or you could go the "grind to fit" route.

Larry

PS:  Limbsaver currently is running a 30% off plus free shipping offer.

[JimmyJamesKY]

I have never had an issue with recoil on the SKS, but I did get a slip on recoil pad for the Mosin-Nagant.

You'd think a 9mm carbine's recoil would be mostly non-existent, but my HiPoint 995TS bitch slaps me from time to time, especially with +p.  Definitely some cheek slap on that design.  I added the adhesive pad they sell, which helps some.

[branflakes]

What I have experienced about recoil is, weight mitigates.  The sks has more parts at rest that absorb that inertia pushing back.  The ak also flexes and bends a bit more than the sks. 
Watching the video, I would suggest leaning into the rifle a little more.  Push your right shoulder into the rifle.   Are you able to hold the ak to your shoulder without your support hand?  Try changing a magazine leaving the rifle at ready (shouldered) only using your support hand.  While doing so pay attention to right hand and shoulder contact with the rifle.  It shouldn't really move.  You should also be able to perform all the actions for a mag change without rotating the rifle. 

I am only bringing this up because this has helped me settle the rifle into my shoulder per se.  It has changed my stance when shooting too.  My head is not bent over the rifle anymore and my right hand makes a trinity of contacts.  Hand, shoulder, and cheek weld.  My shoulder was the main change as it is more forward pushing the ak forward.  You won't be as upright and it is a little more unnatural but when shooting it makes up for it.  Faster follow up shots and less felt abuse to me. 

I have not had much experience with compensators, but I have recently installed a bmc comp on my 308 and I will let you know if it made a difference. 

[1911crazy]

I wonder if the sks bolt carrier is hitting the rear of the receiver? Over travel? Maybe shimming the recoil spring or getting a stronger spring.

I have no problem shooting norinco ammo.

[Logan7]

I wonder if the sks bolt carrier is hitting the rear of the receiver?

Sure it is. So, now I'm going to re-open an old flame war for everyone's benefit.

This is not a matter of recoil reduction, but rather noise and vibration reduction.

I use the H-type buffer and think the O-type is pretty useless.

[LESchwartz]

With AKs the bolt carrier is never supposed to hit anything.  They weren't designed for a buffer, I'm told adding one could cause short stroking.  If you see your carrier impacting, it's time to replace the spring.  Letting it continue to impact can cause damage.

I did have one AK where the carrier would sometimes pop out of the rails at the rear of travel.  Replacing the spring didn't help -- maybe the top of the rails were cut wrong.  In this case a buffer fixed the issue and did not cause any problems.  So I can't say a buffer caused short stroking.  Maybe others have had a different experience.

I've never had an issue short stroking when using a H-buffer on an SKS.  But at this point I guess I no longer see the need, and just keep an eye out for impacts.  Impacts would also mean the spring is worn.  However, some folks use the buffer as insurance.  As always, YMMV.

Larry