discussion: the price of SKS

[neomentat]

For the longest time the SKS rifle was a value and a bargain up until about 3 years ago when it's price started to sky rocket.

I recall around 3 years ago, an Unissued Yugo SKS would be $150 on the internet and $199 @ Turners. Around that time I sold an all Matching Russian SKS with 300rnds of ammo for $300 and I felt that was a fair price.

This reliable farmer's rifle has gone up so much that it rivals the price of brand new AKs. I often see the asking price of a beat up Yugo around $400 and the Russians $500 to some idiots asking $800 on one.

The Obama gun rush is over, price of AR and AK has come back down to reality along with most ammo price. Why is the SKS rifle still so expensive? I think plenty is still being imported to the country and there is no shortage of supply, are we Californians just getting screwed on the price? But the cheapest SKS rifle I see online even cost $299, WTF. Why would anyone in their right minds buy a used SKS over a brand new Saiga or AK for the same price? I don't get this BS, someone please explain this to me.

[Average Joe American]

I see ridiculous SKS prices all the time on backpage.com (the gun friendly craigslist basically) and it just makes me laugh. But I do feel thankful that I picked up a Paratrooper last year for $300 and you cant usually buy one of those for $400 if you can even find one for sale at all?

[thunderbolt]

I would like to know why as well.

I've been casually looking for one (since the middle of the Obama craze) but I can't seriously justify $400+ for one considering what it is. My family occasionally will find one in an out-of-state pawn shop for $260ish but the timing and import hassle always keep me away. Last week I was quoted $380 for a beatup chinese model. Why?

[Rob454]

because there are only so many of them out there, considering how many were bubbafied or simply thought of its only a 80$ gun who gives a s*8t. So with that mentality I bet lots of SKS rifles for just abused. So as supplies dry up demand goes up and a once cheap rifle becomes a expensive rifle. And where are you getting AKs for 400$?

As for the price hikes and gun crazy/panic buys wait till the next presidential election. panic will ensue again

[CSACANNONEER]

It's all about supply and demand.

[!@#$]

IMO a nice matching russian in a laminate stock i'd pay up to $500

i don't like the albanians so i won't even consider buying one.

a chinese is worth $250-275 unless it's a para or sino-soviet then about $100 more.

a romy would get about $300 from me if the stock is in good shape.

i would not pay over $200 for a yugo. they are either way too heavy/junk stuck on them(59/66) or abused and pitted either the 59 or 59/66.

i would pay a premium for a cash and carry C&R.

an sks should have a chrome lined bore...

[PyroFox79]

My Romanian cost like 350 with tax And dros. Supposedly it had a cracked stock but I think the distributor is on crack because the gun was in very good condition. The only thing that sucks is getting all the cosmoline off.

[G-forceJunkie]

In the mid 1990's pretty much arsenal new Russians were $150 all day long and dealers had them stacked floor to ceiling like cords of fire wood. Cash and carry C&R as well. The good old days are gone, no reason to ***** about it.