Are the days of finding a nice SKS for $350 over?

[Ignition Override]

Considering that 7.62x39 ammo has been back to .25/rd. for months, a bit over $400 might be a decent deal.
Noticing the prices for an AK clone, Vz-58, why not buy an SKS? With the original mag, you might consume less ammo.

For an extra $60 to easily install a Tech Sight TS 200 aperture sight, nobody is limited to the original leaf sight, which can be re-installed.
The SKS is much more accurate with the Tech TS 200.

 

[nathan]

I love SKSs. In fact i sold a nice Albanian still in cosmolene for $475 last month.
THe local buyer act as if its too expensive but he paid anyway. SKS is a really great design and it has come full circle for people to know its a great all around medium caliber rifle. It is worth the price of what is priced now. They dont make them no more . They are solid, simple to operate and no hassle free.
And the bulk ammo price of 7.62 x 39 is not going to burn your wallet.

And for those who thinks sks ought to be cheap, then get you a Ruger 10/22. Now that is cheap gun.
The prices are only going to go up for the SKS, so might as well find a nice piece for which you can afford. All thing s dont stay the same especially they dont make them no more.

 

[ball3006]

Last winter I picked up a SKS barreled receiver in a nice stock for 60 bucks. I had enough parts in the box at home to complete the rifle. It is mismatched but a great shooter. The bayo lug had been removed and I installed a 5 round mag I had. No "assult rifle" here......chris3

 

[barnbwt]

And for those who thinks sks ought to be cheap,

They need to remember that the SKS is actually made quite a bit better . Milled receiver, more rigid overall, cleaner workmanship, and more expensive to make parts.

There's a reason they went to the AK to build a zillion of and give away to half the world instead of SKS's redesigned to take box mags (like the Chinese did)

TCB

 

[tarosean]

and minimum wage was under four bucks. It's all relative.

using an inflation calculator 69.00 in 1990 its only 123.47 today.

http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

 

[nathan]

SKS is also perfect to train youngsters the joy of shooting their first centerfire semi auto rifle from a bolt .22 LR rifle.
NO fumbling of inserting the mags but rather the old top loading of a 10 rd stripper . The practice of basic iron sight alignment is key then they can progress to more advance sighting systems like red dot s and riflescopes with other rifles.

The cheaper bulk ammo of the 7.62 x 39 will give you more bang for your money, too. Just a thing we needed in these days of high inflation.

 

[BCRider]

Sometimes it pays to be up here in Canada. I can still get armory re-furbished and as issued SKS's for under $200C. The odd thing is that I'm really not that keen on the SKS. Especially up here where it has to be pinned for the mag to hold no more than 5 rounds.

I've seen and been slightly interested in some 1953 offerings since the rifle was born the same year as me. But I keep passing on them since I just don't get a big kick out of the rifle.

 

[KYamateur]

I found a nice looking SKS for $300 finally. The wood looks great, and the parts look almost new. Not one part has matching serial numbers but everything seems to function right. I think I am going to buy it. It almost looks new it is in such good shape. I can live with mismatched serial numbers, it is basically just going to be a shooter anyways.

 

[nathan]

if i can find a nice Romanian SKS, that be my hope someday.

 

[justice06rr]

Yes and Yes.

On a side note, all these "I remember When" posts are pointless. I remember gas at $.80 and soda at a quarter, but I don't keep dipping in the barrel of memories about it.

The SKS is a battle-proven semi auto that shoots a respectable round. If a 10/22 is fetching $300, why shouldn't an SKS?

To the OP: yes, you can find them for under $350, but it's tough and those days may be gone. I passed up a Tula refurb last month that had a $395 price tag on it and I'm still kicking myself. As one poster said, keep an eye on pawn shops.

That gave me a chuckle. It is completely pointless to remenisce those prices. Gas will never be less than $1 again, and Mosin's and SKS's will never be that cheap again. Unless some miracle happens...


Inflation for one, and demand are some of the reasons why they have gone up in price. The last 2 SKS's I bought were about $350 each, and I'm not complaining. I wish I gotten into this game of buying AK's and SKS's when they were under $300. Right now if you can find one for under $400 buy it ASAP.

 

[HexHead]

And back in the 60's a Porsche 911 was a $6500 car. What's your point?

 

[Kiln]

Yeah I overpaid for my Norinco SKS seven years ago when I shelled out $275 for it but now that'd be a great price for a Norinco SKS in perfect condition.

I see them all the time going for $350 or so now.

 

[9thchild]

So is the $300 Type 56 on Atlantic a good deal? This will be a project rifle.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Armslist still gets flooded here and there with $300 Yugos.

 

[Sam1911]

So is the $300 Type 56 on Atlantic a good deal? This will be a project rifle.

I'd say probably ok. For a "project rifle"? I'd imagine with a Tapco of Choate folding stock and some of those nifty duckbill magazines you could build it into a $200 rifle quite easily!

 

[silicosys4]

Shoot, I paid $550 for my sks at the beginning of summer, and its not even Russian! It does take AK magazines though...

 

[lewk416]

You poor buggers! We get a crate of 10 for $1800 here. The only problem is most of the 'fun' add on stuff comes from you folks which we either can't have or pay dearly to get. Be nice to get rid of this cross border firearm crap!

cheers,

 

[aka108]

I had 5 SKS at one time. Gave one Russian with a laminated stock to my Son. Sold 3 and kept the Norinco. The Norinco was the most accurate of the bunch.

 

[9thchild]

I'd say probably ok. For a "project rifle"? I'd imagine with a Tapco of Choate folding stock and some of those nifty duckbill magazines you could build it into a $200 rifle quite easily!

I was thinking more like refinishing the stock, coating the metal parts, tech sites, removing the bayonet, a safari sling, and maybe the tapco gas system replacement that has a rail to mount a red dot.

This would primarily be a hunting rig.

 

[Sam1911]

Sure. But by the time you've done all that, you'll have several hundred more into it. Now it's a $500-600 rifle only it's mother (meaning you, of course) could love!

Not saying it wouldn't be worth it to you, but seems like a little looking around could snag you one that was "pre-bubbad" for a bit less. There should be about a million floating around that have already had the bayonet cut off, the stock replaced, etc.

I know, though, everybody thinks their "custom" SKS is worth just as much as Atlantic wants for an original Type 56.

Tough call.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Sure. But by the time you've done all that, you'll have several hundred more into it. Now it's a $500-600 rifle only it's mother (meaning you, of course) could love!

Sam,things have changed. SKSs have a BIG following here and folks are paying big money for deck out-dolled up SKSs especially Norincos. The more plastic hanging off of them the better. There is a trade forum locally that is for SKSs only and the hundreds of members think nothing of paying $400-600 for tacted out Chinese rifles.

 

[Sam1911]

OMG, that's hilarious! Cool news, though, for an awful lot of folks who spent the last 10 years or so regretting having butchered a pretty nice rifle.

I think there's an Irish (or Chinese?) blessing for that occasion, "May ye find a willing buyer for all your past mistakes!"

 

[Kiln]

Yeah you can actually sell the SKS rifles modded with Tapco gear these days. People love them. I put up the original stock on my SKS after taking it off so if I ever decide to sell it I can sell it as a set or sell the Tapco gear seperately.

Honestly though I feel as though I brought my SKS into another era when I slapped on the new stock and higher capacity mags. I appreciate the adjustable shoulder stock the most, the old stock was too short for comfort. I doubt I'll ever be inclined to get rid of it.

 

[WolverineFury]

What MrMustard said, I see all different kinds of SKS's posted on ArmsList in KY for $300 - $350 (I occasionally see someone ask more). They've definitely gone up the last year though. They were asking around $250 last November.

 

[lewk416]

Here's mine. Started out as a Russian refurb. Thought I'd sporterize it a little for fun. The optics 'were' a cheap knock off of an Eotech. Crapped out after the first 3 shots! Busted every cheap plastic internal part. Replaced with a spare 3x9 Burris scope.