SKS Good time to buy?

[dj_justice]

Are SKS's running out? Is now the time to buy? Are they going to go up in price? Should I get a yugo or albanian?

 

[Chaunsey]

well they certainly arent making any more of them, so by definition, yea, they're running out, the only question is when.

the yugos will be available for a while still, but especially in the current climate, i wouldnt be surprised to see them run out soon.

as for what to buy, albanians are much more rare, than the others, there are only any on the market because its one of those lucky one off things where a nation unloads a whole store of a model of gun, when you look at production numbers, there were only ever around 15k albanian SKS produced, and over 2/3 of them were destroyed.

so there are only probably less than 6000 in existance today, and most of them came into the US in recent years, thats the only reason they are available and reasonably priced. in the long run they will be rare and relatively valuable.

so from a collectors point of view, if you want to collect SKS rifles, thats an excellent place to start, if you're mostly looking for a shooter, you're better off with a yugo, plenty of parts, cheaper, and much more available in excellent condition, you can even still get them in unissued condition with consecutive serial numbers.

 

[Machodoc]

well they certainly arent making any more of them, so by definition, yea, they're running out, the only question is when.

the yugos will be available for a while still, but especially in the current climate, i wouldnt be surprised to see them run out soon.

as for what to buy, albanians are much more rare, than the others, there are only any on the market because its one of those lucky one off things where a nation unloads a whole store of a model of gun, when you look at production numbers, there were only ever around 15k albanian SKS produced, and over 2/3 of them were destroyed.

so there are only probably less than 6000 in existance today, and most of them came into the US in recent years, thats the only reason they are available and reasonably priced. in the long run they will be rare and relatively valuable.

so from a collectors point of view, if you want to collect SKS rifles, thats an excellent place to start, if you're mostly looking for a shooter, you're better off with a yugo, plenty of parts, cheaper, and much more available in excellent condition, you can even still get them in unissued condition with consecutive serial numbers.

Excellent response. The only thing that I would add is that, if you are certain you want one, the sooner you order one, the better. These are going up in cost almost daily now (as is any semi-auto). For example, Southern Ohio Guns is out of Albanians and Chinese. They have Yugos at $295 now.

 

[sunset1]

Since the SKS are typically 50+ year old, with an unknown history, do you ask a gunsmith to look at them prior to firing?

Thanks.

 

[yellowsled]

Since the SKS are typically 50+ year old, with an unknown history, do you ask a gunsmith to look at them prior to firing?

Thanks.

These things are built like tanks! Clean it out properly and go shooting.

 

[bkraft]

If its numbers matching, I'd just give it a good tear down and cleaning to make sure everything looks ok. Make sure the firing pin moves freely inside the bolt. You'll likely want to remove it and clean any Cosmo out of there to make sure it doesnt stick and cause a slam fire. You won't want to lube the pin when your putting the bolt back together

 

[Machodoc]

If its numbers matching, I'd just give it a good tear down and cleaning to make sure everything looks ok. Make sure the firing pin moves freely inside the bolt. You'll likely want to remove it and clean any Cosmo out of there to make sure it doesnt stick and cause a slam fire. You won't want to lube the pin when your putting the bolt back together

You should be able to shake it and hear the firing pin clicking freely. If you aren't comfortable taking the bolt down, blast it repeatedly (outside, away from asphalt and the wife's begonias) with spray brake cleaner from the local auto shop.

 

[Tracker]

Yugo's

Samco Global has Yugo's VG for $299-349 and New condition for $399.95 with all the extra goodies. I just ordered a new one. If Feinstein gets her way these will be considered assault weapons and you won't be able to buy one anywhere.

This is all Obamas fault. It's the forth rifle I've ordered this month

 

[Darkemp]

Are SKS's running out? Is now the time to buy? Are they going to go up in price? Should I get a yugo or albanian?

I almost put my unfired Romanian up for sale this summer that I've had for several years but I decided against it. I don't see them being imported and kind of want to see where valuations are headed. It's a good time to buy any SKS, they will go up in price soon.

 

[yellowsled]

I almost put my unfired Romanian up for sale this summer that I've had for several years but I decided against it. I don't see them being imported and kind of want to see where valuations are headed. It's a good time to buy any SKS, they will go up in price soon.

It's hard to find a Romanian, let alone a nice one. I have one all matching. Safe queen.

 

[Darkemp]

It's hard to find a Romanian, let alone a nice one. I have one all matching. Safe queen.

They were over $1K many years ago, but caches were discovered several years back. Mine was a handpick from AIM in a block of cosmoline that took awhile to remove. I think they were somewhere in the $200's when I picked mine up, still it is the most I ever spent on an SKS. Was the rifle I popped my C&R cherry on.

 

[Tracker]

Shooters

I always plan to buy guns as shooters but do have a S&W M29 mountain gun in 44mag that has never been fired. I even bought a $90 Bianchi holster and a pair of custom grips from S&W Custom shop for it. Some day I will shoot that sucker....maybe

 

[Tracker]

I always plan to buy guns as shooters but do have a S&W M29 mountain gun in 44mag that has never been fired. I even bought a $90 Bianchi holster and a pair of custom grips from S&W Custom shop for it. Some day I will shoot that sucker....maybe

Sorry that was off thread got sidetracked

 

[yellowsled]

$570 for a "Cherry's" unissued Yugo SKS 59/66
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=323034018

Ive got one, i know a few on here have a Cherrys too.

 

[Tracker]

$570 for a "Cherry's" unissued Yugo SKS 59/66
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=323034018

Ive got one, i know a few on here have a Cherrys too.

Nice looking rifle but it's sold already. They are going fast folks and so is the ammo. Every place I looked this morning is sold out of 7.62x39. 5-6 week backorders are the norm

 

[Catch-This-22]

Nice looking rifle but it's sold already. They are going fast folks and so is the ammo. Every place I looked this morning is sold out of 7.62x39. 5-6 week backorders are the norm

All sorts of ammo and supplies are going quick. I wish I would have stocked up sooner.

 

[Docster]

Nice looking rifle but it's sold already. They are going fast folks and so is the ammo. Every place I looked this morning is sold out of 7.62x39. 5-6 week backorders are the norm

Well, I found a few places that still have some as of NOW.......

Right now, Graf's has 6 of these in stock:

HRN AMMO 7.62x39 123gr SST STEEL CASE 50/B 10/C
Our Price: $33.59
In Stock
Item #: HRN8078

over 50 of these;

P.C.I. AMMO 7.62x39 123gr HORNADY V-MAX 20/bx
Our Price: $15.99
In Stock
Item #: PC76239

over 100 of these;

WOLF AMMO 7.62x39 123gr FMJ 20/bx 50/cs
Our Price: $5.79
In Stock
Item #: WO762WFMJ

and over 100 of these;

WOLF AMMO 7.62x39 125g SP POLYFORMANCE 20/bx 50/cs
Our Price: $5.99
In Stock
Item #: WO762BSP

 

[Tracker]

Thanks for the tip Docster. Just ordered 100 rds of the Wolf Polyformance to try it out. At least I'll have some around until the backordered big tin gets here

 

[Docster]

Shhhh, don't tell too many. There'll be PANIC BUYING

 

[Sirex]

I gotta say, I love the SKS rifles. Maybe more than my AKs. Maybe cause the SKS was my first. I regret selling my Russian. I regret not being fast enough on the Russian at the LGS the other day. AKs are being made new, Arsenal, Saiga, Vepr, Century, etc. SKSs, are not being made. Well, sort of. Molot sells new ones overseas as medium hunting rifles, but not here. So, as far as SKSs go, new one are not being made, or not in the numbers AKs are. The ones being released are military old stocks, like the Sino Soviet ones, pulled out of storage. I love SKS rifles. I would suggest if you don't have one, buy one now. And don't moderfy it too much. If you do, keep all the original parts.