$150 Russian SKS?

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

fatelk

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2006
Messages
952
Location
Oregon
What's a Russian SKS worth these days?

I went to the local gun shop earlier, and saw a Russian SKS sitting on the used rack. It looks to be in good condition mechanically, matching numbers from what I could see (except the stock), 1954. The problem is; someone painted it black- stock and everything. The stock is Russian too: I can make out the markings under the thick paint. The bayonet is also missing.

I'm pretty sure it would clean up nicely (I'm pretty good at that kind of thing), and I've always wanted a Russian SKS. I really can't justify spending the money right now, though. Is this a good deal I can't pass up, or should I pass? Also- anyone know where one can find a blade bayonet?
 
Even with the black painted stock that is a steal. The stocks malfunction is probably one of the reasons for it being as cheap. Russian sks' can range from 300-500 and upwards. If you can get rid of the paint and make it look like it used to it would probably increase its value slightly, plus it would look a lot better. Take a better look and inspect the rifle, mechanical parts and all.
 
Go for it!

Even if the stock is painted that shouldn't be too dificult to remove.

$150 is a great buy, even if its an arsenal refinsih without a bayo that's still a great deal. Arsenal refinshed models have bolts that are black to begin with.
 
Cool, if I can convince the wife.:)

None of the gun shops ever has a range around here, too easy to drive up into the hills and shoot. I'm hoping it should clean up good. Any ideas for stripping the paint off without damaging whatever finish might be underneath.

The bolt cover is painted as well, but the paint is rubbed through on both sides of the top and through the bluing as well. When I get it home and get the paint off, I'll have to see what I can do about that.

I'll have to see what color the bolt is under the paint. I think it says KBI Russian on the side of the receiver.
 
Go for it!

Even if the stock is painted that shouldn't be too dificult to remove.

$150 is a great buy, even if its an arsenal refinsih without a bayo that's still a great deal. Arsenal refinshed models have bolts that are painted black to begin with, its an easy way to spot one.

I have an unfired Russian 1954r but unfortuenately I can't speak to its accuracy because...well its unfired:rolleyes:

Of course it was fired at the factory when produced, the mark on the front sight ("1") indicates that it acheived high accuracy marks when it was tested. Or so I've heard....
Anyway I paid $375 for mine a few years ago and its a nice addition to my collection, it prooves to people that yes, there is such thing as a beautiful SKS:D

Here she is.....
sks2-1.gif
 
Somebody probably bought it cheap and thought they could "bubba" it into a poor man's AR15 with a can of Krylon

The cheapest Russian SKS I've seen around here was $225 in decent shape... and I'm still kicking myself for not buying it. It's usually very hard to find them for under $350.

At $150, I'd be going back to that shop ASAP and offering $125... and be willing to pay their asking price if no dickering is possible. Make a big issue about the spray paint job... they already think it's not worth very much. I'd start with mineral spirits to see if it cuts the paint, then move up to paint thinner if needed. If they used a high quality enamel and not the $.97 Walmart junk, you might have some work ahead of you.

Let us know if you buy it and how the project is coming along.
 
not to say you dont know

but are you using Russian SKS as a description of the firearm in general

or as a specific referance to the nation of origin. many people will say "russian sks" when in reality it may be Chinese/yugo/ romanian etc

the bayonet missing is a common thing among chinese SKS's
 
AARGG!!!
Let me tell y'all a little story about Bubba's mentally handicapped little brother. No, on second thought, that's offensive to handicapped folks. This type of thing could only be accomplished by Bubba Extraordinaire.:cuss:

Bubba Extraordinaire is the type of guy who takes a nice Russian SKS (yes, definitely Russian, 1954 on the top cover, matching numbers on all metal parts, chrome bolt carrier) and he sands metal and stock with sandpaper, then covers up his sins with thick, black paint that's hard to remove.:banghead:

I bought it, price was firm but that was OK. I start to work on it with paint stripper and start to get sick. I will be researching soon all about refinishing. I wish I knew someone nearby that did good reblueing.
 
Before you get too into it, how about some "before" and "after" pics.

Show us what it looks like now so we can tell you what a great job you did when you get it finished;)

Congrats on the new rifle BTW!
 
Well, I'm already into it, but here's a couple photos anyhow.
I'm done for tonight.

I'm unhappy about the marking on the stock. It seems like stripping the paint off has caused them to fade, nearly disappear. Any ideas how to fix this?
I would like to restore this rifle as correctly as I can, or at least as correctly as my budget will allow. I know it needs a proper reblue at the very least (not cheap), and I think I can do the stock myself.
 

Attachments

  • sks 001.jpg
    sks 001.jpg
    124.3 KB · Views: 163
  • sks 002.jpg
    sks 002.jpg
    117.5 KB · Views: 117
I'm unhappy about the marking on the stock. It seems like stripping the paint off has caused them to fade, nearly disappear. Any ideas how to fix this?
Click to expand...

It may come back with a little linseed oil as long as you don't sand it down the markings should still be there.

You know instead of re-bluing it you could try and get all the bluing/paint off the metal and then buff it down and make the gun look like a Russian Honor Guard SKS:D
http://www.simonov.net/ubertypes.htm

Good luck, looks like you are making some progress.
 
It may come back with a little linseed oil as long as you don't sand it down the markings should still be there.

You know instead of re-bluing it you could try and get all the bluing/paint off the metal and then buff it down and make the gun look like a Russian Honor Guard SKS
http://www.simonov.net/ubertypes.htm

Good luck, looks like you are making some progress.
Click to expand...


thats what i would do


i was in poland back in march of this year and at the polish tomb of the unknown soldier they had 2 soldiers with polish honorguard sks and man they were beautiful

it practically made me drool right there
 
Update

Well, I decided to go cheap instead of correct. I figure any collectible value was gone as soon as Bubba got his hands on it. I used several applications of cold blue on the metal, and dark stain and a couple coats of poly on the wood. It turned out pretty good. Also, nwilliams was right; the stock markings came back pretty good.

I know the cold blue won't wear like hot blue, and the stock doesn't look quite original, but I figure for the money it's not bad. Now I just need to get around to ordering a blade bayonet and cleaning rod for it. I know Russian could be hard to find in these, but Chinese or Yugo should work OK, shouldn't they?
 

Attachments

  • SKS.jpg
    SKS.jpg
    98.7 KB · Views: 113
Its cleaned up pretty nicely. Looks pretty good for a "bubba'd" rifle. Its always fun being able to make guns look so much better after being screwed with. As for a bayonet most yugo ones should be fine but a lot of chinese bayonets are missing and if they are present then they usually spike ones. Blade bayonets are on early chinese models that are pretty rare if i can recall. In any event you should be able to get one for cheap.
 
Looks great Congrats!

Glad that worked out for ya, I had a feeling those markings would materialize again without a problem.

That cold bluing stuff may not be as good as hot bluing but I've had some great results with it over the years.

As for a bayonet....

You'll want a Type 45 blade bayonet like the one on mine if you want to keep the Russian appearance. They can be found but it might take some time unless someone knows where to find one.

Here's what you want, just a shame they are sold out:banghead:
http://www.buymilsurp.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=226
 
Looks like the wood was stained green at one point. Kind of like the one I bought in 94 after the passage of the AWB. I thought I was getting hosed for $200 then, when you could still get a Chi-com and case of ammo for $99. Wish I would have hald onto it. Oh well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Russian SKS price
Replies
11
Views
847
Onmilo
Onmilo
S
  • Locked
Russian SKS bayonet question
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
Sam1911
S
Coyote3855
  • Locked
Russian SKS Question...
Replies
6
Views
399
ColtPythonElite
C
M
  • Locked
Russian SKS
Replies
8
Views
857
DMK
DMK
S
  • Locked
Black bayonet recovery
Replies
7
Views
583
stubbicatt
S
Back
Top