I have been looking at getting a SKS rifle. There is one I am looking at that looks to be in good condition, its a Chinese norinco and has 2 30rd detachable magazines but doesn't have the original 10rd fixed mag. Is there any modifications done to use the 30rd mags? I want a stock SKS so I will have to find a 10rd mag. It is also missing the bayonet but has the bayonet lug so I will have to find a bayonet. he is asking $400 obo. I might try to offer $300 or $350. does this sound like a good deal?
looking for a SKS
- Thread starter javjacob
- Start date
- Status
I'm not sure how much a fixed 10 round mag costs but it seems like an ok deal, not great. There are Chinese SKS rifles floating around now for about $300 online, but they are pretty worn. Factor in S/H and transfer and $400 for a decent SKS sounds alright.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
The SKS rifles poured into this country with 10 round magazines and wood stocks. Anymore half of the rifles I see have an aftermarket 30 round magazine hanging out of them and plastic furniture. Somewhere in a black hole I figure all the original magazines and stocks exist.
Most original rifles I see today average in the $300 to $400 price ranges. If I were shopping for one I would be looking a good clean original rifle and not have to go looking for the original parts.
Ron
Most original rifles I see today average in the $300 to $400 price ranges. If I were shopping for one I would be looking a good clean original rifle and not have to go looking for the original parts.
Ron
You can buy a Chi-Com Norinco for $319 at Classic Firearms. These are very early models of the SKS and some say they are better because they were made on the original Russian equipment and with the help of Russian advisors who were the actual workers who made the Russian models. They will be pretty well used and the wood on them is rougher than later models. But you should have a real good starting point.
BTW not all detachable mags are junk. I have a bunch of them that have worked perfectly for over 20 years. I mean they haven't failed even once through thousands and thousands of rounds of ammo. But not all detachable mags are created equal. The old "USA" brand mags are the best I've seen by far. But they stopped making them during the AWB. Still you can find them floating around sometimes if you look. If you just want a true to form SKS I'd suggest getting the Chi-Com model for $319. You know what you're getting more than you would know from buying from an individual IMO. Unless you know the person real well that is. If you have a chance to shoot that one you're looking at and it works well with the detachables I might think about keeping it if I were you. You can find an original 10 round mag pretty easy I would think. I'd keep the detachables for later in case you ever want to sell the rifle. Or you could sell them if they work well. The original mags seem to be all over Bay but they seem pretty pricey to me. I remember when you could buy them for $10.
BTW not all detachable mags are junk. I have a bunch of them that have worked perfectly for over 20 years. I mean they haven't failed even once through thousands and thousands of rounds of ammo. But not all detachable mags are created equal. The old "USA" brand mags are the best I've seen by far. But they stopped making them during the AWB. Still you can find them floating around sometimes if you look. If you just want a true to form SKS I'd suggest getting the Chi-Com model for $319. You know what you're getting more than you would know from buying from an individual IMO. Unless you know the person real well that is. If you have a chance to shoot that one you're looking at and it works well with the detachables I might think about keeping it if I were you. You can find an original 10 round mag pretty easy I would think. I'd keep the detachables for later in case you ever want to sell the rifle. Or you could sell them if they work well. The original mags seem to be all over Bay but they seem pretty pricey to me. I remember when you could buy them for $10.
I just recently picked one up for $250. It came with a lot of extras and missing some parts. Overall I think it was a good deal. a couple of years ago i found one i really like for about 250... you almost have to take the chance when you get it or else the next time you see one the price may be higher and the quality lower. that's the case with mines.
Dmitri Popov
Member
The Norinco's can be good guns. You want to try to get one that has machined parts, not stamped. Not saying the stamped ones won't work, they're just not as nice, and don't have the value of a fully machined rifle. Also is it able to use detachable mags due to original design (some chinese
SKS rifles could) or because of modifications? A couple of years I would have said $400 was an absolute ripoff for a Chinese rifle, however the current market in my area dictates that is about where they are priced at to start, and then people generally haggle a bit to somewhat lower. In the condition you described I personally wouldn't pay more than $300, probably much closer to $250, bit then again I've already got a nice SKS. It's a 1954 Russian from Tula. I'm not exaggerating when I say you can outshoot some AR's with this rifle. Might just be a good one, but I attribute it to the quality of the rifle.
SKS rifles could) or because of modifications? A couple of years I would have said $400 was an absolute ripoff for a Chinese rifle, however the current market in my area dictates that is about where they are priced at to start, and then people generally haggle a bit to somewhat lower. In the condition you described I personally wouldn't pay more than $300, probably much closer to $250, bit then again I've already got a nice SKS. It's a 1954 Russian from Tula. I'm not exaggerating when I say you can outshoot some AR's with this rifle. Might just be a good one, but I attribute it to the quality of the rifle.
How hard is it to restore a beat up SKS? The classic firearms sounds tempting but those guns are really beat up and ugly. Are new parts still available? can I get a new wood stock for one? If so the classic firearms wouldn't be a bad one if I can fix it back up.
Dmitri Popov
Member
You should be able to get original stocks pretty easily for the Norincos. Parts are still readily available, and most parts can be made very easily, very simple machining. Seriously the VC made these things in tunnels in the jungle with simple, even hand powered, tools.
Rail
Member
SKS's are going for more than I would have thought on GB these days. Any particular reason you are looking at the Chinese versions as opposed to the Yugo for example? That may find you one you hadn't expected and a decent milled receiver at that.
Dmitri Popov
Member
Agreed, if at all possible try for a nice yugo or something milled.
wally
Member
I believe you've got it backwards, the stamped SKS being much rarer in the US, command higher prices as collectibles if in original condition.
Main negative with a Yugo is lack of chrome lined chamber and barrel -- if you don't plan on shooting corrosive ammo its not really an issue.
Rail
Member
"Main negative with a Yugo is lack of chrome lined chamber and barrel -- if you don't plan on shooting corrosive ammo its not really an issue."
A valid point - I don't shoot mine a lot and so buy decent ammo. But then again, I own and shoot and clean my early (and Yugo) Mausers with a bunch of WWII corrosive that I picked up a while back and you do have to be diligent.
A valid point - I don't shoot mine a lot and so buy decent ammo. But then again, I own and shoot and clean my early (and Yugo) Mausers with a bunch of WWII corrosive that I picked up a while back and you do have to be diligent.
Dmitri Popov
Member
Perhaps in your neck of the woods the stamped ones are worth more, but from the research I've done and the practical experience I've had, the machined recievered rifles are more desireable because the are generally nicer guns.
And as for chrome lined, I wouldn't sweat it. If it has a good bore when you get it, you'll be fine. Actual "corrosive" ammo is kinda hard to get now. Most of what you'll probably be shooting is Tula stuff, and its just fine. No need to feed an SKS expensive brass cased stuff. They are easy rifles ro clean too, so just get the nicest one you can find.
And as for chrome lined, I wouldn't sweat it. If it has a good bore when you get it, you'll be fine. Actual "corrosive" ammo is kinda hard to get now. Most of what you'll probably be shooting is Tula stuff, and its just fine. No need to feed an SKS expensive brass cased stuff. They are easy rifles ro clean too, so just get the nicest one you can find.
Dmitri Popov
Member
I'd definately consider a yugo. They're good guns.
Dmitri Popov
Member
They're definately pretty. Not sure I'd put that kind of money into an aftermarket stock because I generally prefer military rifles original. But thats purely my taste. This will be Your rifle, so get what tickles your fancy. One thing to realize is that the SKS is not a precision rifle, they're can be accurate, don't misunderstand, but don't expect sub-moa groups either. So sinking a bunch of extra money into it with accessories that won't really do anything for the value or function of the rifle isn't what I would advise. That being said, I do love a good thumbhole stock, that coupled with the round used would make one super comfortable plinker!
greyling22
Member
the ramline stocks for sks's are great, especially for a tall guy like me. I love the increased LOP. Only problem is the gun is then front-heavy. It's even worse on the yugo's with that grenade launcher attachment. The sks was a spectacular gun at anything less than 200, but north of 300 I would seriously consider something else. Unless I could find a deal on a paratrooepr model. That version handles so much better.
I like the norinco guns, once the sear engagement is fixed. They can be a little scary as is.
I like the norinco guns, once the sear engagement is fixed. They can be a little scary as is.
There are limitations that come with a thumbhole stock. It's hard to aim at anything up higher than you for one thing. I don't really understand extending the stock which makes the rifles unbalanced and going with a thumbhole stock on a battle carbine type rifle. I love thumbhole stocks for target shooting but the SKS isn't a target rifle. I like the short stocks on the SKS because of the better balance and I'm not exactly a small person. I'm 6'1" and the short stocks don't bother me. If I was 6"5" or more I can certainly see it being a problem though.
I LOVE my Chinese Sks. Factory /26\ is the only Chinese Burundi worth getting - they were built to military specs under Russian supervision and machinery. Bought mine last year for $200 cash (very good condition, matching, complete, extra 10 round, reciever cover, and 30 round mag). Mine was a very lucky situation though. Expect upwards of $400
Ignition Override
Member
javjacob:
Even though my Chinese SKS functioned really well with over 3,000 rds. of Wolf/Monarch and recently about 150 rds. of Tula, you might want to be cautious and avoid Tula.
With recent Tula, each of my Yugo M59 rifles suffered a popped primer. Both all-matching rifles are in very nice original condition. I did Lots of reading about this issue.
Mr. Ben Murray, of Murray Gunsmithing in TX is very informative. He stated that various makes of SKS seem to have differing amounts of
chamber "free space". His low-cost work can prevent an SKS from having any more popped primers.
Guys using heaps of Wolf or Golden Tiger experience far fewer popped primers, based on seasoned SKS owners' comments at "SKSboards.com".
Even though my Chinese SKS functioned really well with over 3,000 rds. of Wolf/Monarch and recently about 150 rds. of Tula, you might want to be cautious and avoid Tula.
With recent Tula, each of my Yugo M59 rifles suffered a popped primer. Both all-matching rifles are in very nice original condition. I did Lots of reading about this issue.
Mr. Ben Murray, of Murray Gunsmithing in TX is very informative. He stated that various makes of SKS seem to have differing amounts of
chamber "free space". His low-cost work can prevent an SKS from having any more popped primers.
Guys using heaps of Wolf or Golden Tiger experience far fewer popped primers, based on seasoned SKS owners' comments at "SKSboards.com".
- Status
