SOG Yugo Report :|

[REDSTAR]

Got my Yugo today, nothing to get too excited about, not too bad but not outstanding. The bore is a little dark.

Plusses:

Dark black finish except some wear on the mag, other than that the finish is primo.

Teak wood looks great, no initials carved. I'd rate as good though because there's two substantial gouges. If it wasn't for those I'd say the stock was VG to excellent.

Very tight fit and high quality of manufacture.

Gas piston is brand new, must be a replacement. No carbon what so ever.

Minuses:

Semi-Dark bore with a little pitting. I'm still working on cleaning it up. It's getting better but NOTHING compared to my new Yugo. The new Yugo has a mirror bore so bright it looks like it is chrome lined. This one is kind of medicore.

No cleaning kit in buttstock. Yes, I did get a rod.

Bolt is not original to rifle- man I hate that shit. The rest of the rifle is matching. The carrier and bolt are numbered the same but not the same as the rest of the rifle.

Overall- right now I'd rate the rifle at a flat good. I'll reserve final judgement for when I take it out and shoot it. It's about the same as most romanian SKS's that were going around, I've seen worse Romanians for the same price. The rifle functions fine, everything is there, no cracks in the stocks, a SKS through and through. A good solid rifle that I hope will shoot well.

My opinion- never order from SOG what you can get from Century or AIM; and NEVER pay them a hand select fee.

This rifle is no comparison to the new one I have, I'm happy I got that $300 one now, it was worth it and I'm certain the price will hold on that condition.

Final word- wait for AIM, order direct from Century, or get the new rifle from I/O. Note the I/O new rifles don't have teak stocks. I think they're elm.

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Thanks Redstar....Guess I'll be sending something back after Christmas.......I should have waited for AIM.....Check your mail on your car.

[TheBigCA2x]

Excellent review Redstar. I'm going to try for the AIM products. SOG will be getting a notation on the list.

CA out.

[zouavexx]

My opinion- never order from SOG what you can get from Century or AIM; and NEVER pay them a hand select fee.

I will stick to that rule!

BTW the word on the street is that AIM's good Yugo's are in stock now and the Excellent one's will be available right after the new year.

[whos2kno]

I'm sorry it was not what you expected.the only reason I did not send mine back was the bore looks brand new.Ive got a M-48A unissued condition and the shine looks the same.If you look down the barrel of it you would think it was chrome lined.

Now on my gas piston I thought mine was dirty but it was pitted all to hell!!!!!!
this is a pic of it after about a hour grinding and polishing it

on my cleaning kit this is what it looked like. I think it's broken,it has no way of closing or holding together.Does anyone have a pic of what a good one looks like.I tried to put one in from my ak collection and they where to big

I called them today to get a few things replaced.
#1 cleaning rod which was bent
#2 the lever that hold the cleaning kit in
#3 the gas piston
they said they will be sending my these in a few days.
whos2kno
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/p12453df8347a8b6c2bc4735ecd5300c1/fe0ffd63.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/pd25537a0cc9a1103677a66980c46d970/fe0ffbd1.jpg.orig.jpg

[TheBigCA2x]

That's one ugly gas piston!!!

Can you send back just parts for replacement???

[whos2kno]

they told me they are just going to send me the parts . i do not have to send them back the bad parts.
whos2kno

[REDSTAR]

Dang, I've never seen a piston in that bad a condition. And the piston on my rifle is brand new- go figure. The bore cleaned up nicely, not mirror but acceptable. I'm not really disappointed. The rifle is decent for the price. I wouldn't have wanted to tack on a $35 transfer fee to it though. All in all I'm happy.

[VonFatman]

Hmmm....
Redstar, thanks for a terrific review!
OK, so tomorrow when I pick mine up at UPS I'll just keep my fingers crossed!
Oh well, I only paid the $149.00 price, so I guess it can't be more than a $149.00 mistake if the gun's a mutt!
I think there's a "silver lining" in there somewhere?!
I'll report my findings tomorrow (after we finish goose hunting).
VF

[REDSTAR]

Sounds good VF, let us know how she is. Just keep at the bore if it looks bad, mine cleaned up pretty good after ALOT of scrubbing. I need to get a brass brush today and do some more scrubbing.

I also forgot to mention the bolt carrier is badly tarnished. I need to take some steel wool to it.

[VonFatman]

NOT Good! SOG did me no favor sending me this gun.
I will take a few photos to post in an hour or two, it's certainly NOT in "very good" to "excellent" condition. The reciever is badly pitted, the stock is not so hot either. It will be returned Monday or Wednesday.
On it's best day, perhaps average- condition...!!!
VF

[Sooner]

Over the years I've seen alot of guns that came from SOG, and have never been real impressed with them. Their's just always seem to be a cut below everyone else's. They fall into the Tom Forrest, Sarco, Inter Ordnance, etc. catagory of my least favorite companies to deal with.

[VonFatman]

Not good REDSTAR.
I've attached a couple photos. The reciever is pitted enough that I'm not going to waste a patch on the bore.
Dang...I'm going to ship it back to SOG tomorrow or Wednesday.
I remember the SOG rating for these guns to be very good or better initially...when I ordered. Now they have them as good to very good. I guess they saw what they were buying.
I would not give mine over an average.
I trust I'll be taken care of. I bought a CZ-52 from SOG in July and that transaction went fine. The gun was just what I expected...it had not even been shot!
This deal is not the same.
Happy Holidays!!
VF

[whos2kno]

Originally posted by VonFatman
Not good REDSTAR.
I've attached a couple photos. The reciever is pitted enough that I'm not going to waste a patch on the bore.
Dang...I'm going to ship it back to SOG tomorrow or Wednesday.
I remember the SOG rating for these guns to be very good or better initially...when I ordered. Now they have them as good to very good. I guess they saw what they were buying.
I would not give mine over an average.
I trust I'll be taken care of. I bought a CZ-52 from SOG in July and that transaction went fine. The gun was just what I expected...it had not even been shot!
This deal is not the same.
Happy Holidays!!
VF

damn VonFatman that's one ugly receiver cover.sorry it did not go the way you expected.mine turned out ok except for a few things.all and all I'm happy with mine. I'm the 1/20. I think ill get another one when AIM gets them in.
whos2kno

[REDSTAR]

Damn I wish these people wouldn't waste out time like that! They must think we're all suckers. :mad: It's a real pain in the ass to send stuff back IMO. I think SOG and I are going to part our ways...I'm happy they're taking care of you W2K but they shouldn't send turds out to people and hope they keep it. It's dangerous even if they do put their little disclaimer on the rifles. NO MORE SOG for me. That rifle sucks from what I can see VFM.

That receiver cover is horrible. i can see your carrier is tarnished too, so was mine. But not pitted. My cover and finish were in great shape. Just a dark bore and the two gouges in the wood. The bore looks pretty good now though and the rifling is crisp. I need to shoot this thing and see what it does.

Word to the wise: When SOG says good to VG one should expect fair to good. When they say excellent you stand a chance of a VG to excellent. If they promised you a VG to excellent VFM thats what you should get.

[zouavexx]

When in doubt, wait for aim surplus!

[Gonzotwp]

I'm going to wait on the excellent's from AIM. I've had too many bad experiences from SOG and IO. If I can't get it from AIM then I usually wait until Allan Schisel or Dennis Kroh at Empire has it. Dennis charges more but at least he inspects the item thoroughly and tells you exactly what your buying! Allan is the best IMO!

[cwalker3]

Damn guys, that sucks. I thought I paid way too much for my 'like-new' from IO, (and actually I'm still a little embarrassed to admit I paid $300 for an SKS), but after seeing these pictures I'm not too sure. My rifle is bee-a-u-tee-full.

Does anyone know what AIM will be charging for their excellents?

[REDSTAR]

AIM told me $199.95 but they've told other people they aren't priced yet.