Buy an SKS now or wait?

[rainman8819]

Buy now. You'll always hear stories from old members when they bought them for under $100 way back in the day. In the distant future I bet they'll be telling similar stories on the $525 price tag.

[highpower]

I remember when Chinese SKS's could be had for as little as $60, but those days are long gone and prices are only to rise going forward. I recently bought a 1979 vintage Chinese Type 56 in like new condition for $560 which is way more than I ever thought I would pay for one, but this is the new reality we are living in.

My philosophy over the last dozen years has been, if I see something I like and I can afford it, I don't prevaricate and just go ahead and get it. In reality a few dollars one way or the other is not going to make a huge difference in my life.

The OP should contact echo1 and make the effort to travel to the valley and pick up one (or two) if they meet his expectations. If I wasn't totally tapped out until November, I would be contacting him to try and make a deal for one of his Chinese blade bayonet examples and the Romanian.

[echo1]

The OP should contact echo1 and make the effort to travel to the valley and pick up one (or two) if they meet his expectations. If I wasn't totally tapped out until November, I would be contacting him to try and make a deal for one of his Chinese blade bayonet examples and the Romanian.

Some that I may move are in this cabinet.
10 went away over the last couple years or were used as trade fodder. PAX

[onelonehorseman]

I'd wait and try to pick one up at a gun show near you. I always see a few at the shows, sometimes at slightly better prices (if seller is motivated), and you can really inspect it thoroughly in person.

[jcruzin562]

I'd wait and try to pick one up at a gun show near you. I always see a few at the shows, sometimes at slightly better prices (if seller is motivated), and you can really inspect it thoroughly in person.

Gun shows in CA? Like Ontario?

[echo1]

I'd wait and try to pick one up at a gun show near you. I always see a few at the shows, sometimes at slightly better prices (if seller is motivated), and you can really inspect it thoroughly in person.

Yes, wait and see with a fist full of ducats has been my approach, but not limited to shows (particularly in recent Kali). When actively hunting I use all the various gun forums too, with a WTB ad listing what I've got to spend. Never used the auctions though. GunBoards has been the most productive for all manner of iron, Arisakas, FN49, Para SKSs. Takes some footwork to score, unless it's your lucky day. PAX

[kcheung2]

J and G has some at a slightly lower price

https://www.jgsales.com/chinese-sks-type-56-semi-auto-rifle,-7.62x39,-factory-26-surplus,-good,-spike-bayo,-c+r.-p-104081.html

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Whatever hoops have to be jumped through to acquire an SKS will be worth it.
They are great rifles and my absolute favorite milsurps.

[Reno-Kid]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. Adding to the discussion, anybody have any thoughts on Black Market Arms? I've done some basic review searches from them and even found a post from someone who picked up an SKS from them here. They seem GTG but I'm not as certain as if I was buying from a more established shop.

Unlikely, since you can buy SKS local. I bought mine locally and they had wide selection Chinese, Russian or Yugo. I tried out 6 or so and settled with a near new Chinese SKS. Where are you located? Try these two well known shops in California

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/945201143

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/942400448

[cz74]

J and G has some at a slightly lower price
https://www.jgsales.com/chinese-sks-...-p-104081.html

Don't fall for J&G's "matching number" upgrade for extra money, I got one all matching without paying them extra.

[k1dude]

If only they looked that good.

Closes one in a Sportsman is in Rochester NY.

That Sportsman's photo is representative of the ones I've seen at my local Sportsman's. But that was when they first received them. I don't know what they have left now.

[jcruzin562]

Update: SKS ordered from J&G. I didn't pay for matching numbers. Thanks everyone for the feedback.

[Full Clip]

Update: SKS ordered from J&G. I didn't pay for matching numbers. Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Congrats.
The SKS is a great platform and a piece of history.

[CheapBloke]

Kinda related:

A shop in OC has 2 yugo sks avail. 1 without bayonet for 350 and one with bayonet and much better/looking newish for 600.

Thoughts on yugo sks vs chinese?

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[Capybara]

Everyone needs an SKS in their collection! Great, fun, reliable and interesting guns.