value of a russian sks with painted metal

[carlrodd]

i saw a russian sks with matching serial numbers in the store the other day. the stock was in decent shape(had been refinished), but the steel had clearly been painted black....even the the charging handle which is normally what appears to be stainless was painted. firstly, what should the value of such a set-up be? they were selling for $230, which i thought was cheap for a russian, though i was skeptical of the paint. secondly, what are some practical +s or negatives to having done that. the clerk referenced soviet soldiers regularly painting their metal black, but i'm not a soviet soldier.

 

[aguyindallas]

FYI, I have an old Russian SKS and by bolt carrier (charging handle) is also painted. I think all Russians were made that way, but could be wrong.

 

[soul_rapier]

i got a russian and the bolt is black to all of the ones i have seen been that way

 

[gm]

I have an early example,a 1951 tula. My carrier is shiny,receiver is shouldered(vs rounded edge by the piston) and the rest of the gun is a deep blued.The bayonet blade is also polished.It has a plain hardwood stock.Ive had it since the early 80s and paid practically nothing for it.They are getting harder to find in original condition.

There are a few variations of it here, there is even a parade version in chromed parts though very rare.The painted versions were the most recent that were imported in.Many of the ones Ive seen took away the audible "click" sound that the safty normally makes,mine came without the "click" as well.


250 including tax sounds about right for the painted version.

 

[BoySetsTheFire]

It's a good price and the Russian SKS is not so easy to find. There are loads of Yugos out there that don't compare to the Russian. I wouldn't be concerned with the metal finish. You can always have it redone.

Personally, I would grab it after breaking it down to check general wear and tear.