I had trade purposed to me the other day

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Waterboy3313

Waterboy3313

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Long story short I have a Russian SKS letter D rifle. I've had it for about 20 years it's numbers matching minus the stock which had the old numbers xed out and the restamped with the current numbers.
I paid about $120. I have no desire to keep it or shoot it. My gun safe is overflowing and I would let a few rifles go but not as sale but trade only.

My rule is I don't get rid of guns but I am willing to occasionally make a trade if it's something I want. I haven't been interested in Russian stuff since I was a teenager. I now have better rifles that shoot better and the SKS is more or less in my way.

I talked with an old friend that has been interested in my SKS for years but never was willing to make a deal. Now all of sudden I run into him after not seeing him for a while and my SKS is the first thing out of his mouth.

I told him I won't sell it but I'm willing to make a trade. He asks me what I want and I tell him several different rifles I would be interested in. One being a bolt action .223. so he says he has one. It happens to be a savage axis. I'm not sure it's a fair deal but I think I would rather have the bolt gun.

I have my reasons. One I have several AR style rifles and reload for .223. the 7.62X39 I don't reload for and have zero desire to reload for let a lone take it to the range with me. I just feel that old Russian rifles are sub par to what I prefer as far as accuracy goes.

My question is does a straight across trade make sense. To me and the money I have into the SKS is Penny's on the dollar to what they go for now. The savage I have no experience with and figure they leave something to be desired. The big end of things is I have wanted a bolt 223 for a while I just haven't acted on it. Plus I have ammo and the ability to reload with the supplies on hand.

I'm curious on some thoughts of what other people might do. Last time I was at a LGS I saw the SKS going for about $800. I know that price is stupid and getting that for what I have is probably not going to happen. What would you all do?
 
As we all know, anything is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. I love the SKS but would never give $800 for one. No way! I would say if you want a 223 bolt action do the trade. Or sell your friend the SKS and go buy a 223. Either way you both get what you want.
 
I shoot better groups at 200 yards with my dad's SKS than I do with my brothers scoped axis .308 and the trigger is weird. I've heard nothing but good things from other people though. Trade if ya want but I would value a .223 axis with one mag at $450 max and a very clean russian SKS at $750. You could get a new Tikka for what your rifle is worth but if you want the axis id try to get him to throw some cash or ammo in with it unless it's got a $300 scope on it.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
Long story short I have a Russian SKS letter D rifle. I've had it for about 20 years it's numbers matching minus the stock which had the old numbers xed out and the restamped with the current numbers.
I paid about $120. I have no desire to keep it or shoot it. My gun safe is overflowing and I would let a few rifles go but not as sale but trade only.

My rule is I don't get rid of guns but I am willing to occasionally make a trade if it's something I want. I haven't been interested in Russian stuff since I was a teenager. I now have better rifles that shoot better and the SKS is more or less in my way.

I talked with an old friend that has been interested in my SKS for years but never was willing to make a deal. Now all of sudden I run into him after not seeing him for a while and my SKS is the first thing out of his mouth.

I told him I won't sell it but I'm willing to make a trade. He asks me what I want and I tell him several different rifles I would be interested in. One being a bolt action .223. so he says he has one. It happens to be a savage axis. I'm not sure it's a fair deal but I think I would rather have the bolt gun.

I have my reasons. One I have several AR style rifles and reload for .223. the 7.62X39 I don't reload for and have zero desire to reload for let a lone take it to the range with me. I just feel that old Russian rifles are sub par to what I prefer as far as accuracy goes.

My question is does a straight across trade make sense. To me and the money I have into the SKS is Penny's on the dollar to what they go for now. The savage I have no experience with and figure they leave something to be desired. The big end of things is I have wanted a bolt 223 for a while I just haven't acted on it. Plus I have ammo and the ability to reload with the supplies on hand.

I'm curious on some thoughts of what other people might do. Last time I was at a LGS I saw the SKS going for about $800. I know that price is stupid and getting that for what I have is probably not going to happen. What would you all do?
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Axis or axis2?
 
I have an origional axis in 223 and i can tell you it is a fantastic shooter. It gets consistent .75 moa with 55 grain fmjs when i do my part. HOWEVER, the trigger is creepy and heavy, the stock sucks and it took alot of wearing in for the action to get really smooth (although it is quite buttery now). If you wanted a 223 axis you could get one for 1/2 of what you could sell that sks for although its not a bad rifle by any means.
 
And Axis doesn't equal a Russian SKS in value. Several years ago I traded a Chinese SKS for a NIB Aimpoint, value 400+ at the time. These are the trades you should be looking for. Trades with a stranger? You should take every advantage. Trades with a friend? Both sides should walk away happy.

An Axis, good gun, for a Russian SKS, would not make me happy.
 
I guess I'll offer the counterpoint. I had a similar SKS and never really liked it. Back in the day I paid $99 for it. You paid not much more for yours. If you're not interested in keeping it and not really wanting to sell it, and since you don't have much into it, I'd probably make the trade. You'll never miss the SKS; despite the current inexplicable market for the gun you didn't really like it for a good reason.
 
Any other SKS...maybe. A Russian SKS...not for any Axis ever made unless it has a VERY nice scope attached. Maybe for a good older M70 or M700, but not an Axis. Look at the going (sold) prices for each and base your decision on that. It should clear up any questions that you currently have.
 
A lot of good points here. I have not seen the axis yet. So I'm not sure if it's an axis or axis 1 or even a two. With all the talking we have done back and forth we have discussed many different rifles that he has. He also mentioned having a chassis and some decent scopes. Like I said he talks so much I can't keep it straight.

Between the two of us being busy all of the time we talked about trying to make time to get together this weekend so I can see what he has. I have zero experience with savage other than maybe walking past them at a shop. It seems the reviews are all over the board. I will admit I have put very little thought into buying one some time ago for a cheap range plinking toy. I just never actually acted on it.

Going gun shopping just hasn't been a high priority on my list of things to do lately.
 
The conundrum of every trade, ever.
What is the definition of a good deal?
Each person walks away happy
or
Each person walks away thinking the other person got screwed

Currently, I would sell the SKS and wait out the overpriced gun market.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
He also mentioned having a chassis and some decent scopes. Like I said he talks so much I can't keep it straight.
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That would be more along the lines of what I would do. I’ve only had a couple of Savages and was underwhelmed by both of them. They are gone.

Since he’s so hot to trot, make the pot sweet for you. Had a similar deal. I had an unfired Russian that an acquaintance wanted real, real bad. Kept bugging me to buy it. I felt guilty that he readily accepted my offer at $369 which included a hundred rounds of ammo. Now it’s worth 3x that

At the rate they’re going, the SKS will be over $1,000 in a year or two. Whatever you get will decline in value.
 
I haven't heard from the guy yet today. If wants to come over and look that's fine with me but I think will tell him I want cash. I will still trade with him but I still want cash.

Here is the kicker. I have a synthetic stock, rear receiver cover with a rail and and 700ish rounds for the SKS. I'm thinking he should probably consider buying an SKS else where if he thinks he is going to get one over on me. Those parts don't do me any good so they WILL be worked into the deal or I will keep it for another 20 years.

I don't particularly like it or want it anymore but I have seen the value climbing over the years. We will see what happens. I just need to make the time and go spend the money on a decent bolt 223.
 
Waterboy3313 said:
I don't know what changed all of a sudden.
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It may be that your bud just checked the prices on GB or the like.
SKS are threatening AK prices of late.
And especially so in places that are less-friendly to detachable magazines. Like CA.

Question: Under current CA law would a Russian SKS be a regulated firearm? It would seem to not have any of the "evil" features. That, alone could make it a lot more valuable in CA.
 
Question: Under current CA law would a Russian SKS be a regulated firearm? It would seem to not have any of the "evil" features. That, alone could make it a lot more valuable in CA.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure all firearms are regulated in California. In original configuration they are treated as normal rifle. If you change the configuration to a detachable magazine you committed a felony. Throw on a stock with a pistol grip or thumbhole and I'm not sure but you probably committed a list of felonies.

6-8 months ago I was in a LGS talking with one of the employees. I think I was actually looking for a bolt 223. I mentioned my SKS after seeing the prices. The employee urged me to keep it and advised me to wait until after the election.
 
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