SKS, the debate. Russian, Chinese or Yugo

[RTFM]

Ok local gun store has had a person sell off several of his SKS's.
They have acquired 2 each of the above mentioned rifles.

The Russians are beautiful with a capitol B! Dark wood, real nice metal, no perceived scratches. $399 each

The Chinese are blond and in very good shape. $299 each

The Yugo's are 66's and standard fare. $179 each

My question is are the Russians worth it at that price, what makes them so expensive?

Would the Chinese be worth the extra over the Yugo?

 

[armoredman]

The Russians are very nice, and the stocks should be a little longer for taller people. The Chinese are usually quite decent, with slightly shorter stocks. The Yugos can be a real sleeper deal, IF unissued. $175 for a used Yugo is way too high - contact J&G Sales in Prescott AZ, $99 used simple good, or $149 unissued, which is what I got, and love it.
If you have money to blow, get the Russian. If you can't really spend a fortune, talk him down on a Chinese. If you are on a budget, and just want a good SKS, get a Yugo, but not there....

 

[cookekdjr]

You're not buying a match rifle. Buy a Yugo online/or phone from J&G or some other reputable dealer (AIM, MGS, Centerfire, etc.).
I think of SKS's as truck guns, trunk guns, SHTF rifles, ranch rifles, ATV rifles, and, oh yeah, military rifles(!) .
Enjoy.
-David

 

[benEzra]

My wife got a beautiful 1952 Tula (Russian) circa 1996 for $99. She suggested we get two at the time and I passed on it. Now seeing Russian SKS prices and wishing we had bought at least one more...

 

[DnPRK]

The Russians are collectible trophies from winning the Cold War. There are no more Russians available and the price of an unissued example will only go up. At that price, they should have matching serials and white bolt carrier. The price is fair if it is unissued.

The Chinese came in different flavors. The most prized were military production from factory 26 (26 inside a triangle on the side of the receiver). They have screwed-in barrels. Price is a little high for a "26". Cheap commerciallyproduced models have pinned barrels. Price is way high for those.

For an unissued 66, the price is typical for a walk-in gun store.

 

[Fumbler]

The Russians are very nice, and the stocks should be a little longer for taller people. The Chinese are usually quite decent, with slightly shorter stocks.

hehehehehehe...

That's funny.

I'm chinese and asian import cars always feel better to me, but all my white friend's fullsized american trucks feel like I'm wearing a size 20 shoe.

 

[rbernie]

I prefer the non-Yugo SKS's because they handle a bit better - thinner barrel, no grenade launcher hanging off the front, and so forth. I have two minty Yugos that cost be about $150 each - $180 sounds a bit high.

Of the Russians and Chinese - I prefer the Chinese if only because I want a shooter and not a collector. Most Norinco SKS go for $225-$300 locally unless they're the variant that takes detachable AK mags. Those (SKS-M or SKS-D, depending on who you ask) go for $325 and up.

 

[RTFM]

Cool, I do want a shooter and not a hangar queen, although the Russian is very nice.

I did forget to mention the Chinese has the side saddle scope mount and a scope also.
Will see what I can do next week to talk him out of the Chinese. I will also check for pins or screw on.

Thanks for the replies, people.

 

[MoeMentum]

The Russians are the granddaddy of the sks, they are getting scarce, and the prices are starting to go up. They are very good rifles.

 

[DMK]

The Yugos are just as good as the Russian or Chinese SKS, in every way except that they don't have chrome lined bores. Realistically, that doesn't make much difference if you are getting a decent bore to start out with.

Many of the Yugo 59/66s are "unissued". If that's the case, then they are the best deal for the money. If they are used, then you need to take a close look at what you are getting. SKS were shot with corrosive ammo and many were poorly maintained. Check the bore condition, look for pitting and worn lands and grooves. Check the gas valve. Look for pitting and corrosion.

Some folks prefer the slimmer stocks of the other SKS varients and don't like the muzzle device and GL sight on the 59/66. If going without them is worth $100 to you, then maybe you'd like the Norinco. They are all good. It's just personal preference.

I have a couple of each.

 

[railroader]

Does the chinese one look like this? This one is mine. Mark

 

[BamBam-31]

I haven't been too impressed with the Chinese SKS's I've seen. Maybe just bad examples.

The Russians are nice, and if $$ were no object, I'd get a Russian. They're just so darn purdy, and they're the originals.

I personally have an unissued Yugo, and I think they're very well built and perfect as shooters. For the price, a Yugo can't be beat.

 

[1911user]

Look into a model 59 Yugo SKS for airsurplus for $160. It should be almost identical to the russian SKS and you could shoot it. I'll admit to not liking the grenade launcher stuff on the 59/66 Yugo SKSs. The nice Russian ones have gotten too expensive for practical use so they decorate gunsafes now.

 

[No_Brakes23]

I am happy with my Yugo. $180 is the Sale Price here in Cali, but it seems high for anywhere else.

I would be tempted to get the Russian, myself.

I don't like Chinese weapons, but that is merely personal prejudice.

BTW, the Yugos have heavier barrels to compensate for not being chrome-lined.

Pick the one that feels the best.

 

[jefnvk]

Unless you have a reason that you want a Russian or Chinese as a collectors, go for the Yugo. If you really don't want the GL, you can get a Yugo 59 for still cheaper than the Chinese or Russian.

 

[RTFM]

Woo hooo!
Made him a deal and purchased the Chinese for $179 with the scope and put the Russian on lay-a-way for $300.

I'm really psyched to get them both.

railroader: Yes that is exactly what the Norinco looks like but the furniture is blonder (if that is a word...)

RTFM

 

[telewinz]

I picked up two Russians @ $100 each at a pawn shop in nice shape 3 years ago and could have gotten 1 more. Having said that, other than being unique I'd buy any SKS based solely on price and condition. They all shoot and function about the same. A $99 Chinese SKS is pretty much as good as a $300 Russian SKS.

 

[rbernie]

purchased the Chinese for $179

That's a good price. Enjoy!

 

[DMK]

Woo hooo!
Made him a deal and purchased the Chinese for $179 with the scope and put the Russian on lay-a-way for $300.

I'm really psyched to get them both.

You did good! You'll be able to pick up a Yugo later, they are still all over.

Best of luck with your new rifles!