Oldnoob
Member
Russian Tula. All serial number match, none or very low round count. $600 firm. Should I?
Have a chance to get a Russian SKS. Yeh or nay?
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orionengnr
Member
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Six.
Hundred.
Bucks.
For an SKS? Wow.
I remember when they were going for $69 each. I know that everything increases in price, but that sounds ridiculous to me...
Hundred.
Bucks.
For an SKS? Wow.
I remember when they were going for $69 each. I know that everything increases in price, but that sounds ridiculous to me...
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Yes! $600? uh.....
You a shooter or collector?
You a shooter or collector?
Oldnoob
Member
Yeh, I know. Sucks to be in California. It apparently is the going price. I have not seem a Yugo sell under $350 nor a Norinco under $450. I doubt I will be able to find another unmolested Russian SKS.
I'm 100% shooter not collector. And my initial goal was to find a Norinco in good shape for under $400. But like I said, It sucks in CA.
I'm 100% shooter not collector. And my initial goal was to find a Norinco in good shape for under $400. But like I said, It sucks in CA.
Inebriated
Member
I tend to not care a TON about the cost of a gun. Obviously I'm not going to get ripped off, but I buy guns to use, and keep. I have never bought a gun, thinking I'm ever going to sell it, and I've yet to look at a gun I may have paid a bit more for, and regretted it. So if that gun still works in 40 years, will you care that you paid an extra $200-$300? Personally, I wouldn't buy it simply because I don't need everything to match, but it sounds like you want it, so only you can decide if you can justify the price.
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That is actually what I paid for mine, Tula also with all matching parts. A local store had a bunch of SKSes in crates still in cosmoline.
The Russians will demand more as there are import issues with them these days. They are sweet though.
The Russians will demand more as there are import issues with them these days. They are sweet though.
Caliper_Mi
Member
That's not just CA, 600 sounds like the going rate for a Russian here as well. But, going rate or not, I voted to buy something else. I paid $400 for a Romanian SKS a few years back and that was plenty. If you've got $600 burning a hole in your pocket, there are AK's for that price and it's not much more for a basic AR.
I bought a Yugo that had almost zero rounds through it for $250 not that long ago. I don't think it's been 2 years but I could be wrong. It was from a lot that had a hairline crack in their stocks. Mine was almost impossible to find and I fixed it where you can't find it with some wood glue and a clamp. It was a 5 minute job to glue it and it sat overnight. Now it's as pristine as they get. I don't think it was ever put into service and I haven't shot it all that much. I just shot it enough to make sure it worked well. I doubt it has 100 rounds through it.
I bought it off the net. I still see them fairly cheap at times. I don't know about shipping to CA though. Some places just won't do it.
For example Samco is selling the M59/66A1, which is a Yugo without the grenade launcher and some other improvements, for $380 but not in CA. Those are the same deal with the crack as mine was. Trust me, it isn't a problem. The M59 is always more expensive than the model with the grenade launcher BTW.
Or how about this. Classic Firearms has Chinese "Chi-Com" rifles for $299. This is the place I bought my Yugo. I think they ship to CA BTW. Be aware that these are well used rifles and have the earlier rough wood stocks. They have been used. I've seen rifles from that batch in several places and they will definitely need some cleanup work if they're like the ones I saw. Still that's a decent price for a Chinese SKS if you ask me. I'm tempted to get another one myself. That place was great to deal with. They gave me a better deal than the web site offered when I called them to ask a question. It wasn't much better. I think they gave me the pick of 5 rifles without charging me for it or something like that. And again I didn't see anything about not shipping to CA. I even put in a CA zip code in the shipping estimator and it didn't complain about the address.
I would read the info on the condition of these rifles carefully though. They are not unfired Yugos like I bought. But the SKS is one durable rifle. And many people look for the Chi-Com models because they are all milled and they were made on the Russian equipment with help from the Russians who originally built the SKS rifles.
BTW I don't think I would pay $600 for any SKS. I'd prefer an AK-74 myself. They are better than the AK-47's from all I hear. Or better still I would buy a Russian Saiga 7.62x39 for $480. That's more than they went for a couple of years ago but it's cheaper than most people sell them for. They can be converted to work like a really good AK-47 (not to mention considerably more accurate) for not a whole lot of money or they work just fine the way they come.
I bought it off the net. I still see them fairly cheap at times. I don't know about shipping to CA though. Some places just won't do it.
For example Samco is selling the M59/66A1, which is a Yugo without the grenade launcher and some other improvements, for $380 but not in CA. Those are the same deal with the crack as mine was. Trust me, it isn't a problem. The M59 is always more expensive than the model with the grenade launcher BTW.
Or how about this. Classic Firearms has Chinese "Chi-Com" rifles for $299. This is the place I bought my Yugo. I think they ship to CA BTW. Be aware that these are well used rifles and have the earlier rough wood stocks. They have been used. I've seen rifles from that batch in several places and they will definitely need some cleanup work if they're like the ones I saw. Still that's a decent price for a Chinese SKS if you ask me. I'm tempted to get another one myself. That place was great to deal with. They gave me a better deal than the web site offered when I called them to ask a question. It wasn't much better. I think they gave me the pick of 5 rifles without charging me for it or something like that. And again I didn't see anything about not shipping to CA. I even put in a CA zip code in the shipping estimator and it didn't complain about the address.
I would read the info on the condition of these rifles carefully though. They are not unfired Yugos like I bought. But the SKS is one durable rifle. And many people look for the Chi-Com models because they are all milled and they were made on the Russian equipment with help from the Russians who originally built the SKS rifles.
BTW I don't think I would pay $600 for any SKS. I'd prefer an AK-74 myself. They are better than the AK-47's from all I hear. Or better still I would buy a Russian Saiga 7.62x39 for $480. That's more than they went for a couple of years ago but it's cheaper than most people sell them for. They can be converted to work like a really good AK-47 (not to mention considerably more accurate) for not a whole lot of money or they work just fine the way they come.
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If the price was better, I'd say definitely buy it!
As the price is... meh.
Having said that, I missed a chance on one once because I wasn't devious enough to buy it as soon as it came into the gun store I was working at. If I'd bought it as soon as it was priced, I'd have had it. Instead, the manager sold it when he got back from his day off.
Stupid, stupid!
As the price is... meh.
Having said that, I missed a chance on one once because I wasn't devious enough to buy it as soon as it came into the gun store I was working at. If I'd bought it as soon as it was priced, I'd have had it. Instead, the manager sold it when he got back from his day off.
Stupid, stupid!
I think SKS rifles are overprices right now due to little supply and a percieved high demand.
Russian SKS rifles weren't cheap when SKS rifles were abundent and cheap and they continue to demand high prices today.
That said, six bones for an SKS rifle is a decision you will have to make on your own.
All I will say is if the rifle gives you that special warm and fuzzy feeling buy it.
You won't soon find another like it.
I have been looking for a military grade late Chinese SKS and backed away from a like new Mil gun complete with accessories priced at $400
It didn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.
Russian SKS rifles weren't cheap when SKS rifles were abundent and cheap and they continue to demand high prices today.
That said, six bones for an SKS rifle is a decision you will have to make on your own.
All I will say is if the rifle gives you that special warm and fuzzy feeling buy it.
You won't soon find another like it.
I have been looking for a military grade late Chinese SKS and backed away from a like new Mil gun complete with accessories priced at $400
It didn't make me feel warm and fuzzy.
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That's the going price?
Do you want it?
Well, all I'm gonna do is gloat about my '54 Tula arsenal refurb (black bayo) that I snagged for $250 five years back, and then tell you that it is the most beautiful specimen of SKS I've ever owned or touched. If you can do it, do it now. ARs are cheaper by the day - milsurps are not.
Do you want it?
Well, all I'm gonna do is gloat about my '54 Tula arsenal refurb (black bayo) that I snagged for $250 five years back, and then tell you that it is the most beautiful specimen of SKS I've ever owned or touched. If you can do it, do it now. ARs are cheaper by the day - milsurps are not.
plmitch
Member
Thats a good price, buy two if you can.
Not to add to the broken record of "well, back in the day...." but I'm glad I got my SKS at $110 in the cosmoline! At that price, I'd buy a couple more. At $600? Nope, I couldn't part with 6 bills for an SKS, not when there are so many other guns I'd much rather own at that price point
Willie Sutton
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- Apr 28, 2013
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- 2,025
Russian SKS is a collectors item now.
Buy it if you want it for a safe queen. Buy something else to shoot.
Willie
.
Buy it if you want it for a safe queen. Buy something else to shoot.
Willie
.
straight-shooter
Member
They are definitely going to be entering the collectible status as far as SKS's go but I bought another one two years ago and still shoot it. Accurate as all get out and while I won't take it with me to the range but maybe twice a year, it will still get used. Otherwise, why have it ?
I just sold a Colt 1911 100 year anniversary that was unfired. I had ideas of it becoming worth more in the future but just couldn't bear looking at it and it never getting used.
Carl N. Brown
Member
Have a chance to get a Russian SKS. Yeh or nay?
The question should be "Have a chance to get a Russian SKS. Da or nyet?"
The question should be "Have a chance to get a Russian SKS. Da or nyet?"
carbine85
Member
I said no. The price is too high. I can still find them for $450 - $500. With that said you didn't provide enough information on the SKS.
aka108
Member
If in nearly new condition, get it. At one time I owned what I guess appeared to be a unissued Russian SKS with a beautiful laminated stock. Very nice performing firearm. I gave it to my Son and he gets some firing time with it in the desert near Lake Havasu City, AZ now. I kept a Norinco for myself. You won't be disappointed.
BSA1
member
Ditto Post 11.
Unless you just have a bad case of "I wants" I would hold off for a few months to see if the downward trend in firearms continues due to the Banic cooling down.
Unless you just have a bad case of "I wants" I would hold off for a few months to see if the downward trend in firearms continues due to the Banic cooling down.
A few years ago I scored a Russian SKS, Tula re-arsenal, black bolt, new condition, all numbers except magazine matching, for $179.00. Yes, I practically stole it. From what I've seen mine would be worth the 450-500 range. I would say one with all matching numbers would be well worth $600. I doubt it will do anything but appreciate over time.
wally
Member
I voted no, assuming you are buying it to shoot, any of the less expensive ones Chinese, Yugo or whatever will do just as well.
OTOH for a collection you need a Russian, price seems a bit high for around here, but in CA you might have to take what you can when you can. So I might have voted yes if I'd realized the OP was in CA initially.
OTOH for a collection you need a Russian, price seems a bit high for around here, but in CA you might have to take what you can when you can. So I might have voted yes if I'd realized the OP was in CA initially.
sauer1911
Member
1993, I was in Libby, Montana. Stopped at the local Radio Shack to get a CB for the ride back to L.A., when I noticed a room adjoining the store. "Thats our gun store, take a look", said the proud owner.
In there I found a Chinese SKS47, folding composite stock, and fold out 3 edge bayonet, $175!
I bought it, brought it back to California. I sold it for $500. Cant remember the laws at the time, but the best part is I had a receipt from Radio Shack for an SKS47 rifle.
It has long faded and tossed out now, but what a neat sound when it fired!
Be safe.
In there I found a Chinese SKS47, folding composite stock, and fold out 3 edge bayonet, $175!
I bought it, brought it back to California. I sold it for $500. Cant remember the laws at the time, but the best part is I had a receipt from Radio Shack for an SKS47 rifle.
It has long faded and tossed out now, but what a neat sound when it fired!
Be safe.
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