SKS: What do you guys think?
- Thread starter ShouShu
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Valkman
Member
Is there a link? Price? Something? 
jobu07
Contributing Member
Yeah, we need a price to really give you any advice. But those russians are getting scarcer adn scarcer. I'd grab it if it were a decent price.
I have two Russian Sks's. One has a shiny steel bolt the other a black bolt. The black bolt one is also parkerized and dated 1954. It is a sharp looking firearm and pretty accurate. They are not all that uncommon and I have seen them for as little as $250 lately. Most are selling in the $300 range.
jefnvk
Member
Understand completely.
If yopu think the price is good, and you want one, I'd grab it.
If yopu think the price is good, and you want one, I'd grab it.
I think $250 is a good price for a Russian in mint. Obviously, if you are not collecting, you probably can get a Yugo for a bit cheaper. IMHO, the Yugo has a better workmanship.
The only advantage for a Russian is that it is eligible for C&R from out of state, if you are in California.
-Pat
The only advantage for a Russian is that it is eligible for C&R from out of state, if you are in California.
-Pat
As a general rule...if the bolt is shiney it's original, blued it's a rework. Myself I have two and both are russian reworks (to me, no big deal). I'll take the Russian made SKS to any other, I paid $200 for each although more often I see them going for $250 and up at the gunshows in VG to excellent condition (re-work or not). Besides, I removed the blueing from the bolts and now they are both "shiney". Since they cannot be imported into this country, the supply is limited and prices will continue to go nowhere but up but they still can be found without too much difficulty.
Since they cannot be imported into this country, the supply is limited and prices will continue to go nowhere but up but they still can be found without too much difficulty.mainmech48
Member
IIRC, almost all of the Russian M45s that've been imported were arsenal refurbed when they were withdrawn from active service and replaced with AKs. I've seen them with both bright and blued/blackened bolt carriers and/or bayonet blades.
One give-away as to whether it's been FTRed (Brit term: Factory Thorough Repair) or not is the presence of a second reinforcing bolt in the stock at the rear of the receiver, especially on the laminated stock models. If it's there, it has.
I have a Tula '54 that I bought several years ago. I knew that it had been refurbed, but it didn't bother me as I bought it as an artifact that I could shoot and compare with my Polytech T56.
IMO, unless one is a 'serious' collector the rework is a plus. At least you can be relatively certain that things were returned to spec before it was put into reserve storage. Whether the bolt carrier was left bright or blued/blackened likely depends on how the surface polished up after it was turned in or SOP wherever it was done.
I only paid $169 for mine, but that was several years ago when there were lots of them coming in. $250 doesn't sound all-that-unreasonable for one in excellent condition now.
Personally, I prefer my Polytech for shooting. It will group into half what the Tula will regardless of the ammo used. While it doesn't have the milled trigger group housing or screw-in barrel that some insist are 'better', it's demonstrably superior where it really counts. With that chrome lined chamber and bore, I doubt that anyone is likely to be able to shoot enough to wear it out, so 'pinned, or not' is pretty much moot from a practical standpoint.
One give-away as to whether it's been FTRed (Brit term: Factory Thorough Repair) or not is the presence of a second reinforcing bolt in the stock at the rear of the receiver, especially on the laminated stock models. If it's there, it has.
I have a Tula '54 that I bought several years ago. I knew that it had been refurbed, but it didn't bother me as I bought it as an artifact that I could shoot and compare with my Polytech T56.
IMO, unless one is a 'serious' collector the rework is a plus. At least you can be relatively certain that things were returned to spec before it was put into reserve storage. Whether the bolt carrier was left bright or blued/blackened likely depends on how the surface polished up after it was turned in or SOP wherever it was done.
I only paid $169 for mine, but that was several years ago when there were lots of them coming in. $250 doesn't sound all-that-unreasonable for one in excellent condition now.
Personally, I prefer my Polytech for shooting. It will group into half what the Tula will regardless of the ammo used. While it doesn't have the milled trigger group housing or screw-in barrel that some insist are 'better', it's demonstrably superior where it really counts. With that chrome lined chamber and bore, I doubt that anyone is likely to be able to shoot enough to wear it out, so 'pinned, or not' is pretty much moot from a practical standpoint.
A Tula Arsenal for $250! Snap it up! Collector's piece. The Russians only made SKS's for about ten or fifteen years (since the AK was accepted for service in '47 and began mass production in '49, the SKS came out in '45... probably out of service with frontline units by '55 or '60 considering the size of the Soviet Army... there's always one unit that gets screwed out of the new gear.....)
Case in point, I knew a NG unit in CA that was using M16A1s in 1998. 13 years after the M16A2 came out, and this was a round-out unit for an active division (supposed to have all the new toys, and they mostly did. New LBVs, etc).
Case in point, I knew a NG unit in CA that was using M16A1s in 1998. 13 years after the M16A2 came out, and this was a round-out unit for an active division (supposed to have all the new toys, and they mostly did. New LBVs, etc).
ShouShu, the C&R license is difficult to NOT obtain. $30 for 3 years(although it is often the most expensive $30 you'll ever spend). Simple record keeping requirements, no zoning regs. You print the form(make 2), fill it out, send one copy with your check to ATF, the other to your local CLEO, then wait.
Your state may be stricter, but the fed. requirements are pretty simple...
Your state may be stricter, but the fed. requirements are pretty simple...
mack69
Member
22/22mag
Member
Just bought a SKS Nonrico 7,62 x 39 made in China in Ex, cond.The bore perfect .Was told unfired.Have shot 80 rounds of hollow and Fmj and the gun aims very well.Only thing is that I need to be carefull when loading the 10 rds or the last 2 jam together if they just thrown in. Have ordered 2 - 30 rd mags for $12. ea.Bullets cost me $2.50 for 20 rds.Fun rifle to shoot cost was $150.00.
TooTaxed
Member
22/22Mag, you got an exceptional deal!! Do they have any more?
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Get it get it get it get it get it!
I saw a dog of a Russian SKS in a Pensacola, FL gun shop for $375 a year or so ago. They are getting pretty rare, indeed. Sheesh, I've seen Chinese SKS's for $250.
My wife has a beautiful 1952 Tula with a black bolt. The wood and metal are both in beautiful condition. Workmanship is first-rate.
I saw a dog of a Russian SKS in a Pensacola, FL gun shop for $375 a year or so ago. They are getting pretty rare, indeed. Sheesh, I've seen Chinese SKS's for $250.
My wife has a beautiful 1952 Tula with a black bolt. The wood and metal are both in beautiful condition. Workmanship is first-rate.
CommanderPoopyduX
Member
I say skip the SKS and go for an AK!!!!
CommanderPoopyduX
Member
sorry. I feel your pain......have you thought of moving.....there is always the ROM-AK single stacks.....or are they banned? forgive me for not knowing California's laws all that well
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