Please advise on Rusky SKS vs. S&W 586 trade.....

[MIL-DOT]

I traded into a pretty decent 6" 586 a little while ago, but I have a few revolvers already and am considering trading it to a buddy ( if it were a 4" I'd likely not let it go). The revolver is a dash-2, original grips, lock-up is very tight, but has some bluing loss and very small amount of pitting along the right side of the barrel.
Meanwhile,a buddy has a very clean and complete '52 or '53 Russian SKS that I've been a fan of for a while, but he holds it dear, and somehow thinks these things are worth $700+. I've told him that according to numerous examples on Gunbroker,etc. that $450-500 is about tops, but he's wanted a nice, big .357 for a while and has asked to see the pistol again.
Anyway, this would be a deal between freinds, so I don't mind being on the losing end a little bit, but I'm wondering if you guys think I'd be a total idiot for doing this trade.
As always any help is much appreciated......

 

[gkdir]

I guess its all in what you want the most.IMHO the Smith is worth about 3 SKS's. The thought of a SKS being worth $450/$500.00 just stymies me. For the most part, those of us that have shot them for any length of time,,probably paid less than $100.00 for them. I bought 2 at the Tulsa Gun Show last week end for less than $200.00 apiece. Both Chinese Norincos, but decent for what they are. Just my opinion.
G

 

[OARNGESI]

You can get a russian sks for around 350-450 depending on how long you want to look, i bought a really nice one for 300 a few weeks ago

 

[nathan]

Keep the smith. There will be good deals on Russian SKSs out there , most go for $300 lowest in excellent shape. Even CHicom made are already in the $300 s.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Many thanks for the useful replies,guys ...............................

 

[stubbicatt]

Depends. If it is a 49 -50 or even a 1951 non refurb'd it would probably be worth it to a collector of those rifles. Myself I have been searching for one for quite some time...

 

[dogsoldier0513]

The only Soviet SKS, mfg'd in 1955, that I have owned, was $155 in ca. 1996. L-frame S&Ws are increasing in demand among shooter/collectors, especially the blued and nickled variants.

 

[bannockburn]

I think the S&W would hold its value more than a Russian SKS, especially being a Model 586-2. If it's just an SKS that you want there are still decent deals to be had on them, rather than trading for one that your friend puts such a premium price on.

 

[Sam1911]

I really like Russian SKSs, and I don't much care for 6" revolvers. Even so, I don't think that's a fair deal.

If he sweetened it with an extra $100, yeah I might do that for a friend.

 

[sixgunner455]

Keep the Smith. I wouldn't even think about that trade.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Many thanks again, guys. I didn't get any responses to this OP till after I'd already gone to see my freind, but he wanted to "think about it", and within a few minutes, I started feeling relieved that the deal didn't go through. I guess I knew deep down that it wasn't really a great trade for me.
Meanwhile, I have a tentative deal with another guy that has one ( Rusky '53) on Armslist. I'd be trading my Glock 26 and getting $200 cash,on top.
I should be going to check out the rifle later today......thanks again.....