I finally own an SKS!!

[kingpin008]

Mudpuppy - Tell me about it. Someone's always gonna have a better deal on a newer rifle, with a better action, in better condition. Doesn't bother me a bit - this one is mine, and I love it. I did pay a fair bit, but I was expecting to. They're not near as plentiful as they used to be. Such is life.

I expect to get a lot of use out of this gun, when I get it cleaned up the rest of the way and on the range. I hope that if/when I have kids, I'll still have it and be able to pass it along.

 

[tinygnat219]

Kingpin88,

Congrats on the new rifle. I used to have one of those, but sold it after frustrated attempts to get the gas system to work correctly. However, this was when I first got into milsurps, and my knowledge has expanded 1000 fold (easy to do when starting with nothing!)

283? I don't think that's too high for an unissued one these days. They have dried up from the shows out here in NOVA for the most part. I sold my first one 2.5 years ago for $250.00, and it wasn't in mint shape. Then again, I picked one up with a slight rust problem for 60 bucks recently too. Had to completely replace the gas tube on on it. Sold it for 140.00. As you can see, prices vary for them, and since you are in the merry land of mary, prices tend to be higher. Regardless, if you are happy with it, that's all that really matters.

Some tips:

Detail strip this puppy and get all that nasty cosmoline out of it. Take it out of the stock and put it in a flower trough of mineral spirits and just run a paintbrush over everything. Mineral Spirits works wonders to get rid of this stuff.

For some good reference information, check this site out:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/sks/index.asp

It's got some EXCELLENT references.

Enjoy, and good shooting!

 

[Novus Collectus]

I'll tell you this for sure, the true value of those SKS rifles is a sight more than what you've paid for it

Very true. One thing about the SKS you bought Kinpin008, it is still worth more in quality of manufacture and personal value than you paid for it. Just like a $300 K31 with a crappy wood stock would be, it is still worth it!!!!
The Yugos arre very well made using a very hardy design. Look at it this way, a new commercially made Yugo made new recently, but sold used would cost you much more.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I really like the SKS. They are great rifles.

 

[Bartkowski]

Whoa, $300 for an sks???? My friend got a accurate good looking sks for 110. Id better hope that is the most accurate, smoothest, best looking sks on the market. Oh well, at least you got a new gun.

Ya, $110 for the gun, cleaned from cosmo, an original sling, oil and cleaning can, ammo pouches and some ammo. Shoots around 3 inches are 50yards when I am just pulling them off rather quickly. I got it from a friend so he cut me a deal, anyway you should have a great time with the gun. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[kingpin008]

Tinygnat - Thanks! The guy I bought it from had four sitting side by side on his table, and I just picked the one with the best wood and action. I had a friend there who has an SKS, and he gave me a few tips on what to look for. Tried to talk the guy down to $220, but he didn't bite, heh. No matter.

Thanks for the link - I've seen it before, but kinda forgot about it. Been browsing since I got home. Very good info.

Novus - I agree. It's crazy - I've had it about half a day, but I already LOVE the thing. It's beautiful. Definetly worth the money paid. From what I've heard, Yugo's are widely known for being one of the better variants. As far as I've read/been told, the biggest difference is the lack of the chromed barrel, which doesn't matter that much to me. And damn is it sturdy. I was carrying it upstairs to put it away, and I couldn't get over how..comfortable it felt. Not too heavy, just sort of..solid. Easy to have confidence in a gun like that.

 

[Mastiff4570]

yeah my friend baught a really great one a few years ago for like 100 bucks the same one froma dealer now in good condition that need cleaned is at the least 200 so people realize how awesome they really are i am looking to get one and put a folding stock on it

 

[Scott7891]

good for you on that SKS, I was at the show too. Got myself a Hakim for cheap!

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Congrats, and welcome to the club.

(And I know, this thread is useless without pics. Trust me, they're coming! I'm very proud of my new rifle, of course I'm going to show it off!)

You said it yourself...We'll take a range report as well.

 

[Noxx]

Make sure the firing pin is free floating, other wise, you may have a 10 round machine gun...

My first SKS taught me this lesson in short order only a couple of months ago.

I wouldn't listen to any naysaying about the price you paid, SKS's are all over creation pricewise, esp depending on where you're buying. I paid $250 for a "like new" Russian with very nice wood, and immediately had people telling me how I had been taken.... dude, it's weekend money, it's not as if you paid $500 for a shot-out Izzy Mosin.

Gun's a hoot, enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[kingpin008]

Scott - Oh yeah? Small world, huh? I was really pleased that the show turned out to actually be a good time, rather than a let-down. I'd heard so much about how most shows suck now, but I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

I don't think I've ever seen a Hakim - I've heard of them, but definetly not familiar with them. Where do you shoot? I still haven't been able to get out and find the few outdoor ranges near me (I'm in Columbia). I've heard about the Hap Baker range, and the one behind the dump in Marriottsville, and the Gun Club that's supposedly out that way too. Maybe we can met up and do some shooting sometime!

Bazooka - I know, I PROMISE they're coming! The better half has the camera, and she's out w/ her folks. I swear!

Noxx - Oh, trust me - I'm scrubbing it down like crazy before I go out and put the first rounds through it. I just got back from Dick's, where I finally got a gun vise (made by MTM, I hope I got a good one) and a new cleaning rod/patches/BIG bottle 'o Hoppes/.30 cal brush. I did need a .30 cal brush, right? Sometimes I get that stuff twisted around. Either way, no slam-fires for me!

And I'm not sweating the comments on price - if that's all they've got to say, then good for them. I paid what I paid, because I could pay it. I'm not about to get ripped off - as far as I'm concerned I got my money's worth.

 

[rde]

The SKS is a good choice..especially if you get to choose the one you really want from a selection of them. I have paid a little more for some firearms than some other people have managed to pay for essentially the same thing...except for the very important fact that I bought MINE...MINE have been worth a little more (obviously )

 

[Mojo-jo-jo]

Hey guys, cut Kingpin some slack on the price! Notice he's from "Merry Land" (in his words). A semi-auto anything is expensive there!

 

[Richard47]

When you figure the price of ammo, travel, time sighting in and shopping, a few extra bucks over internet prices is worth it, unless you are an expert on the rifle. One bad purchase and you've eaten up the savings on quite a few future purchases.

Spend your time shooting instead of shopping.

 

[kingpin008]

Rde - I agree. I've wanted one for a long time, just never had the chance to find one I wanted, and to get to a range where I can use it. I shoot at an indoor pistol-only range, and haven't yet found where the local outdoor ranges are. That will be changing very, very soon.

And you're right - I feel much better having been able to hand-pick the rifle I wanted out of the bunch. Out of the four or five he had on the table, this one was the cleanest, with the best wood and brightest metal. I'm suprised it wasn't gone by the time I made the circuit of all the tables and got back to buy it. I only saw maybe 3 other SKS's for sale at the entire show, and none were as nice as the ones the dealer I bought from was offering.

Mojo - Hah! Indeed. People can say whatever they want, I got what I wanted at a price I'm ok with. That's the bottom line. I will admit, most gunny-stuff is more spendy here, but what do you expect from a state that takes it's cues from Massachussetts, Cali, Illinois, and is the state that Sarah Brady calls home? It's tough, but we do what we can.