Buying an SKS rifle.

[fisheerman]

I am planning on buying an SKS rifle at the gun show coming up in a couple of weeks.

Can anyone give me some solid advice on which variant to buy and how to identify it as well as prices expected to pay?

Ive read a lot on the internet about them but would like to hear from someone that has purchased one in the show environment.

-fish

 

[TallBill]

Haven't bought one in a show environment. Expect to pay $250+ for a chinese or russian, $125 or so for a Yugo. Dont expect a miracle. Its a decent rifle, but if they were so great, they wouldn't have been replaced by the AK, which itself isn't so great.

 

[pontifex]

speaking of gun shows, are they generally a good place to purchase guns?

I was only ever at one once. I was with my dad and I was probably like 12 or so.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Not to threadjack, but I was going to post the same thing just for an AK next time I see a gunshow around me. Any thoughts on the best AK variant are appreciated.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: pontifex
speaking of gun shows, are they generally a good place to purchase guns?

I was only ever at one once. I was with my dad and I was probably like 12 or so.

My new favorite place to buy guns is gunbroker.com Plus the fact that a local FFL does free transfers to me or my wife because I'm a veteran. So that shaves off about $25 off of the total internet cost.

 

[jacob0401]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: pontifex
speaking of gun shows, are they generally a good place to purchase guns?

I was only ever at one once. I was with my dad and I was probably like 12 or so.

My new favorite place to buy guns is gunbroker.com Plus the fact that a local FFL does free transfers to me or my wife because I'm a veteran. So that shaves off about $25 off of the total internet cost.

how are the prices on gunbroker.com?

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: jacob0401

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: pontifex
speaking of gun shows, are they generally a good place to purchase guns?

I was only ever at one once. I was with my dad and I was probably like 12 or so.

My new favorite place to buy guns is gunbroker.com Plus the fact that a local FFL does free transfers to me or my wife because I'm a veteran. So that shaves off about $25 off of the total internet cost.

how are the prices on gunbroker.com?

i look there and at gunsamerica.com occasionally but prices don't seem to be that good compared to a dealer, at least for new guns. haven't really checked for used ones.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: pontifex

i look there and at gunsamerica.com occasionally but prices don't seem to be that good compared to a dealer, at least for new guns. haven't really checked for used ones.

Its probably better for new guns, but no local dealer can beat their prices. Perhaps an online dealer, but no brick and mortar store. I bought a 99% maybe 50 rounds fired P226 for $508 shipped (plus free transer!). Those go for $750-800 new, and slightly less used.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: pontifex

i look there and at gunsamerica.com occasionally but prices don't seem to be that good compared to a dealer, at least for new guns. haven't really checked for used ones.

Its probably better for new guns, but no local dealer can beat their prices. Perhaps an online dealer, but no brick and mortar store. I bought a 99% maybe 50 rounds fired P226 for $508 shipped (plus free transer!). Those go for $750-800 new, and slightly less used.

i dunno, i've seen many new guns listed at more than the price you can get them at a dealer.

 

[Analog]

I bought a laminated stock Russian SKS back in '98. I got to choose through a dozen or so on a table before picking that one. I think it cost me $99 back then. Still in the cosmoline. Has the blade bayo etc. Its actually quite pretty with the laminated wood and machined blued steel.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: pontifex

i dunno, i've seen many new guns listed at more than the price you can get them at a dealer.

If you are referring to a local dealer then you are just lucky. Theres no place by my home that really offers lower prices. I've bought one out of 6 firearms locally, only because it wasn't anywhere online yet.

As far as auctions go you just have to watch. Its not a place for an impulse buy, but if you watch over time, you WILL find a good deal. I was the only bidder on the Sig auction. Minimum bid, and won.

 

[Boo Boo]

buy one thats not hot any why would you want a ugly sks? get a ak variant or a ar

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Boo Boo
buy one thats not hot any why would you want a ugly sks? get a ak variant or a ar

complete sentences make words do better?

Because an SKS is cheap and still fun. A quality AK or AR is going to be 5-8 times more expensive.

 

[userman]

Yugo.
My dad owns several SKS rifles (Russian/Chinese) and then he bought a Yugo two years ago and hasnt used any of the others. He said that out of the box the yugo was dead on and it was still in the packing grease. The stock was alot better made than the others that he bought.
I would go for an AK myself over the SKS.

 

[alexeikgb]

I have 3 SKSs, I paid in the range $160-250. Check the bore make sure it is not pitted, check the serial #, if they all match thats a plus, amount of cosmoline (my first m59 was pretty dirty but after cleaned it and re-finished the stock, it's now my favorite).

I'd recommend getting a Yugo m59/66, they are cheaper than the Russian/Albanian/Chinese and there are more of them out there. Plus there is a good chance they are pretty new.

Or go to http://sksboards.com/ , ppl there are pretty good and there is a lot of info on the SKS.

 

[alexeikgb]

Originally posted by: userman
Yugo.
My dad owns several SKS rifles (Russian/Chinese) and then he bought a Yugo two years ago and hasnt used any of the others. He said that out of the box the yugo was dead on and it was still in the packing grease. The stock was alot better made than the others that he bought.
I would go for an AK myself over the SKS.

Here in MD I can buy an SKS and walk out with it same day, AK = 7 day wait, so if you go to a gun show you will have to go to the dealers shop later for the AK.
I love both AK and SKS but after my first SKS I kinda got hooked on them... now I am 3:1 in my SKS:AK ratio.

 

[TheNinja]

I can't comment on the SKS but as far as gun shows you have to be careful, but you can get good deals. I live in the communist state of California so you can't buy anything good. But if you go to a gun show and see people walking around with guns, you can always ask "buying or selling?". many times they are there selling their guns privately. They are just looking for some cash and a handshake and it's yours. Not that I would do it b/c it's illegal and you'd have no paperwork

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I can't comment on the SKS but as far as gun shows you have to be careful, but you can get good deals. I live in the communist state of California so you can't buy anything good. But if you go to a gun show and see people walking around with guns, you can always ask "buying or selling?". many times they are there selling their guns privately. They are just looking for some cash and a handshake and it's yours. Not that I would do it b/c it's illegal and you'd have no paperwork

You can't do FTF sales in California? Wow.

As for SKS advice, I'm just echoing everyone else by saying to look for a Yugo. They're cheap and built like tanks. The same goes for Yugo underfolder M70 AKs. They're pretty damn sweet.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Boo Boo
buy one thats not hot any why would you want a ugly sks? get a ak variant or a ar

complete sentences make words do better?

Because an SKS is cheap and still fun. A quality AK or AR is going to be 5-8 times more expensive.

i have a norinco chinese sks. its a stellar rifle for the price, i paid 99 bucks for it back before they jacked the prices up over 200. i also got the composite folding stock for it before they axed the sale of those. its a great rifle, lots of power for messing around, and looks cool with the 35 rd mag in it. the spike bayonette looks pretty neeto keen too.

as for your question, i have no clue, havent been to a show in years, so i have no idea what the prices are like. the russian and chinese are so similar, i dont think there is a real difference in them other than cosmetic for the most part. im not an authority by any means, so there may be some very distinct differences that im not aware of. i do know that i like the chinese 7.62 rounds much better than the russian hollow tips. the chinese solid core fmj were a much smoother round, and didnt carry the load kick the russian ones do. they would pierce 4" or so of concrete too, which was always a fun time.

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: upsciLLion

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I can't comment on the SKS but as far as gun shows you have to be careful, but you can get good deals. I live in the communist state of California so you can't buy anything good. But if you go to a gun show and see people walking around with guns, you can always ask "buying or selling?". many times they are there selling their guns privately. They are just looking for some cash and a handshake and it's yours. Not that I would do it b/c it's illegal and you'd have no paperwork

You can't do FTF sales in California? Wow.

As for SKS advice, I'm just echoing everyone else by saying to look for a Yugo. They're cheap and built like tanks. The same goes for Yugo underfolder M70 AKs. They're pretty damn sweet.

I'm not sure what you mean by FTF, but I believe you cannot buy anything that is considered an "assault rifle" or anything larger than like a 10rd clip. I'd have to check the specifics.

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: TheNinja
I'm not sure what you mean by FTF, but I believe you cannot buy anything that is considered an "assault rifle" or anything larger than like a 10rd clip. I'd have to check the specifics.

FTF = face to face (when talking about selling guns). And you're right, CA has an assault weapons ban, but the SKS isn't covered as long as the grenade launcher is removed and a muzzle brake is permanently attached.

 

[OFFascist]

If you are going to get an SKS you should probably get a Yugoslavian one since it is so affordable.

I wouldnt recommend getting the chinese ones that take AK magazines because they usually end up costing almost as much as an AK. At that price it would be better just to get an AK.

 

[pontifex]

man...so many guns i want, so little money...

I'd love to get soem WWII rifles like an M1 Garand and one of the Lee-Enfields.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: pontifex
man...so many guns i want, so little money...

I'd love to get soem WWII rifles like an M1 Garand and one of the Lee-Enfields.

Enfields are really slick, you can run the 10 rounds through that action in no time. I haven't shot mine since I ran out of the South African surplus .303. I haven't found a line on any other cheap .303 milsurp. For M1's, look at the CMP. You can even look at about 50 rifles maybe that they set out at the store in Perry. That's what I did when I got mine. Got the paperwork done ahead of time (definitely have to do this) and stopped off at Camp Perry on my way out to the East Coast. Picked up a Springfield Armory M1 and a bunch of Lake City ammo. Really good buy.

 

[Billyzeke]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Not to threadjack, but I was going to post the same thing just for an AK next time I see a gunshow around me. Any thoughts on the best AK variant are appreciated.

I would recommend a milled reciever rather than stamped in whatever variant you choose.
The stamped recievers are made from stamped steel and are recognized by their light weight and rivets.
Milled recievers are machined from a solid block of steel and are much heavier and stronger although they are more costly. I have a milled Bulgarian AK that rocks and rolls.