SKS questions

[Guvnor]

Whats the going price these days (at a gun show) for a Russian or a Chinese? I have some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket. Did they come down a bit since last year?

 

[Ifishsum]

I have a Yugo 59/66 I bought a few years ago - and I wish I had bought 2 or 3 after seeing what the prices are now. They are still a good deal for what they are, but when they were selling for $130 they were really a steal. Mine has a nice shiny bore and is reasonably accurate - I can hit a 14" steel target 8/10 times at 150 yards. Eats all the cheap commie ammo I can find for it. I also have an AR15 but honestly, if the SHTF I seriously think I would grab the SKS and the ammo can with 10 stripper clips and 800 extra rounds. I really feel like this gun would run through thick and thin, with minimal maintenance or cleaning.

Cons: it's definitely on the heavy side for a "carbine", and if you're not good with iron sights it's not very easy to solidly mount an optic sight.

 

[Ignition Override]

If you want the extra useless weight and forward 'cg' of a Yugo, then they are reportedly just as practical.

But they are good for launching grenades.

 

[devildog32713]

I found out that they make a golf ball launcher for Yugo SKS's, cause they already have a grenade launcher on the front, looks amazing really. I am good with Iron sights, dont mind weight, (I jog with dumbells in my rucksack,) I really dont wanna chinease "commercial" SKS, I like older guns in general, just my personal preference.

 

[Al Thompson]

Read up on the Yugos - some had/have gas port corrosion issues, as mentioned.

FWIW, nice Chinese SKSs around here are 250 - 300 (+) bucks.

 

[svaz]

IMHO, SKSs are badly over priced right now. That said, it is a great knock-about rifle and should be, along w/ a bolt .22LR, issued to every American as they leave the hospital nursery. I've had a Norinco & it worked flawlessly everytime. Easy peasy to clean, too, thanks to the chrome-lined barrel.

 

[leadcounsel]

Yeah, the SKS is a notoriously great rifle. It's a semiautomatic fixed magazine 10 round rifle firing, in my opinion, the best all around caliber for average use (light enough to carry a bunch, capable of stopping man and beast). It is a solid and reliable weapon. To produce one new today would probably cost twice what they are currently selling for, around $300 for a Yugo version.

I first learned of the SKS back in about 1998, when I first shot one and my buddy told me that he got his for about $60 from a crate of 'em. Darn I wish I could have bought crates of 'em then, back when they were "commie junk."

Would have been a great investment.

I did buy a bunch of them back in 2005, for about $150 each. At the time it seemed steep. I gave many of them away as gifts to friends, Christmas presents, etc. Was a great gift. I kept a select few cherry ones for my collection.

At $300+ each they've become pretty rare and I can't afford to buy 'em as gifts.

Anyway, they are fantastic rifles. The only real downside is that they are very long and cumbersome. You can make some modifications to it, but it's not very modifiable friendly either.

 

[Golden_006]

I've seen SKSs go for about $350 at a South Florida gun show . . . what rifle compares to that in that price range?

 

[Rshooter]

Not much more that can be added. I own an AR and M1A but I still love to shoot my SKS. It is a good "truck, fun, plinker" gun.

 

[oldwheelieguy]

I bought an SKS in 1996 I think for 69.95 new in box. Had to clean the hell out of it before shooting it. For a long time shot the stock clip and NEVER hung a shell. Found a steel 30 round clip and have put a 1000 rounds though it with the 30 rd clip and never hung a shell. It simple fires everytime. I don't thing I'd take it deer hunting. Not too accurate over 100 yds or so.