What is a good price to sell?

[USP45usp]

I have a Norinco SKS Sporter which take the AK-47 mags. It was imported in 1992 and has no bayonet lug or bayonet. It is the 16" version, not the scared 20". It has the thumbhole stock, not the monte carlo. It fires well, have had no problems with it.

Anyway, a person came by and saw my SKS collection (I have, with all matching numbers: Albanian, Russian, Chinese(sp), Yugo (not the model 59 yet), Romanian, and the Norinco Sporter) and wanted to buy the sporter. Since it's not C&R and I didn't have to put it in my book, I was thinking of selling it (since the AWB is over, I figure that I may be able to find a pre-84 model with bayonet).

So, what is a good price to sell? I don't remember how much I paid for it but I think I paid too much. I don't wish to sell it for a loss but I don't want to take advantage of this person either (an up and coming friend). I was thinking three bills is fair ($300 for those who don't do slang).

Wayne

*ps, how hard is it to get a pre-84 with bayonet and maybe in the 20" version?

 

[USP45usp]

btt,

Com'on folks, I know you don't like threads like this but it's serious business going on and I really would like your input. If I didn't respect ya'll I wouldn't have asked.

Wayne

 

[dfaugh]

Saw one on Gunbroker or GunsAmerica

I forget which...It was set up just like mine, w/ synthetic "Dragunov" stock and receiver mounted scope...Asking price was $600...Not sure if that's fair or not...but they ARE quite rare, don't see very many for sale...For $300 I'D buy it in a heartbeat, if that tells you anything....I paid $325 for mine (as outfitted) several years ago, and figured I got a deal.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Why would someone pay $300 for it when they can get an AK for that price?

 

[USP45usp]

Lone,

Because in most free states, you can walk in and just grab up an AK, for that price.

He wants it because it's the first that he's even seen, and I might add, the same goes for me. You can get an AK anywhere that you are lawfully able to do so (or just go down the dark ally if you're in a state that doesn't legalize it).

AK's now are a dime a dozen, I did a search here and on the internet, and having an SKS that takes AK mags, aren't.

That, my friend, is the reason. A real gun nut wouldn't have asked such a question .

Wayne

 

[mnrivrat]

Last one I seen sold for $325 and the buyer didn't try to haggle. He just seemed happy to find one.

I'm thinking $300 is a fair price .

 

[VG]

You don't mention where you are or what kind of condition the rifle is in. You also mention there's social currency involved and that you don't know what you have in it, so talking about "serious business" doesn't seem consistent.

If you're both equally unhappy, it's a fair deal.

 

[dfaugh]

As for buying an AK

"Why would someone pay $300 for it when they can get an AK for that price?"

Well, for one thing, my SKS is WAY more accurate than any AK I've ever seen.

And things like a milled receiver, just better constructed than your $300 AK....Now there are better quality AKs out there, but not for $300.

 

[kaferhaus]

I'd have to spend that money on an AK.

people keep forgetting that the only reason the SKS had any popularity at all is because they were CHEAP..

I sold hundreds of them for $89 each, brand new. Russians were selling for under $150.

yeah it was back in the late 80s early 90s but the only thing that drove the price up was the AWB.

The SKS is marginally more accurate than a AK, so what? As with most military type rifles of that era, They're both still pie plate guns in the accuracy dept.

Even the touted "Dragunov" sniper rifles of the era are 1.5-2 MOA guns when you get a good one... your average commercial deer getter is more accurate.

Your SKS is a bit unusual. I'd hardly call it a highly sought after collector's peice though.

I think post sunset $300 would make me take the money and run smiling.

Just think of all the fellows that paid over $1000 for pre ban AKs after the ban became law.... How's a $750 loss grab ya?

Same with the ARs... I know several guys that were praying the ban never sunsetted because of the money they had "invested" in pre-ban guns...Their $1,400 - $1,600 Colts are now worth maybe a couple hundred more than your run of the mill Bushmaster...

Same with Magazines... anyone who believes there was ever a shortage of AR or AK magazines is out of his/her collective minds. However I and alot of other people made a bunch of money off of them...

Fortunately, I wasn't near a greedy as some folks and I sold out 7-8 months before the sunset. Otherwise I'd be stuck with a few thousand AR mags that I'd have no hope of even breaking even on. New ones can now be had for $13 each...

 

[ScottsGT]

I had the same gun (short barrel though) with a synthetic stock and 4 30 rd. mags that I could not get $300 for during the ban. But if YOU feel it is worth $300, then by all means, ask that for it. Nothing wrong with asking what you want for it. Get a feel for the market, and if the buyer thinks that is too much, ask him what a fair price is and go from there.

 

[USP45usp]

Thanks for the replies.

And VG, the rifle is in perfect condition, the wood is perfect, no markings (dents, pits, etc..) on the hardware.

I spoke with the person and $300 was a price that he could live with (He actually thought I would ask around $400). I think I paid around $250 for it new. Since the arms embargo with China on any and all Norinco products, the ability to get more of them is low to none (around here anyway). This one was made at the factory to take the AK mags, not modified after the fact.

I am seeing them going for around $289+ on Gun Broker and Auction sites and when you throw in the FFL transfer (no Norinco's are on the C&R lists), the NICS check, $300 is a great deal.

As for the SKS's being CHEAP and hinting that they are cheaply made, I beg to differ. The are cheap because they are mass produced by many countries (or were), are on the C&R lists (most of them), and the importers are getting them at great prices. The AK is a great rifle, not as accurate as the SKS, but still worth the money. But, at this time I am building up AR's and saving for the M1A so I have more then my fair share of battle rifles. I am also a collector of all things SKS. Call it a low budget collection as I don't have the funds that most here have to collect the more expensive firearms. If you can afford to collect the higher end stuff, more power to you, just don't diss my choice of collections please, I didn't diss yours .

So, to that end I posted this question to ask if the price was a good price, not to be told that I or the other person is wasting our time buying and selling this rifle instead of just getting an AK for the same price.

I do respect your offer of a differing rifle but the purpose of this post was not to get references to other rifles but to get your opinion on what is a good price on the rifle in question.

Thank you,

Wayne