Buy an SKS now or wait?

[Capybara]

In retrospect $500-$600 is now the going rate for a Chinese SKS and I can't even imagine what a Russian would go for. Seven years ago I bought a Izhevsk and a Tula SKS at a gun show for $750 for the pair. I think the most I ever paid for a Russian was $450 for this light refurb 1954 Tula from a LGS when I lived in Reno:

Wow, that's a nice look Russian Laminate. I think those are going for $900-$1,200 these days! SKS was and is a damn fine rile. Not a marksman's rifle but fun as heck to shoot and there is something about them that is pretty unique, how they load and function. A really fun gun.

[echo1]

I scored my latest Chinese Spiker in the CG Marketplace last year for $500. Great rifles. I used to own 10 of them but had to sell them all off in a divorce negotiation, a bunch of Russians and Sino Soviet interesting ones from that Albanian import batch. Good shooters, all of the ones I've ever owned. Man, I miss the days of $169.00 SKS from J&G. It wasn't that many years ago either.

I still have a few left from various countries and arsenals in/on this case. PAX

[Tere_Hanges]

Gun prices in general have really increased over the past 1-2 years. Will prices continue to increase at the same rate? Possibly, but hard to imagine if there is a big recession next year. Personally, I'd save right now and wait to see if there is a big recession in the next 12mos. Of course if you find one for under $500, go ahead and jump on it.

Last year Sportsmans warehouse was selling them for $399 during Black Friday/Holiday sales.

They're ok guns. But with 7.62x39 not being cheap anymore, they arent that great of a deal.

I havent shot my sks in years. I prefer shooting my WASR or my 7.62x39 AR.

[Capybara]

Yep, the cheap ammo was definitely a big part of the appeal of Mosins and SKS. That's over. It will be interesting to see what happens to C&Rs in 2023 if the economy does melt down.

[echo1]

Yep, the cheap ammo was definitely a big part of the appeal of Mosins and SKS. That's over. It will be interesting to see what happens to C&Rs in 2023 if the economy does melt down.

Once upon a decade, much milsurp ammo was reasonable, and could be scrounged, but for the most part the cost of Iron has never went down drastically. PAX

[Dan_Eastvale]

Can no longer afford to plink with my four SKSs
Or anything > .22lr
First time in my life.

[Capybara]

Can no longer afford to plink with my four SKSs
Or anything > .22lr
First time in my life.

This is going to continue to affect more and more shooters. They are trying to turn it into wealthy people only. It's an effective way to disarm by just making it too expensive and too much hassle for the average American. .22 LR is still fun to shoot and I have a good supply so I just shoot .22

[Ronin6]

Stay active politically, support 2A groups, vote. This can be reversed even in Kali.

[Capybara]

Stay active politically, support 2A groups, vote. This can be reversed even in Kali.

Exciting developments in Duncan v Bonta from St. Benitez this week! Too bad we can't own the removable mag SKS models here in Commifornia.

[jcruzin562]

Final update here. I just took the SKS to the range last night. Shot about 20 rounds through it with no issue. I still have to dial in the zero, thankfully what I saw on the bore sight matches the actual POI. It's been a nice journey from purchase, cosmoline clean, trouble shooting and replacing rusted and stuck firing pin, adjusting and painting front sight to successful first shots. Thanks for all the input everyone.

[rainman8819]

Thanks for the update. I'm so glad you completed the SKS journey. I enjoyed reading the updated comments every time. Hope more fun is in store down the road.

[SVT-40]

Love the SKS types!

[Capybara]

Love the SKS types!

Damn SVT, leave some good ones for the rest of us! Those are beautiful rifles! My first SKS was a Blonde Tula that looked very similar to your last rifle. Great guns.

[Dan_Eastvale]

Love the SKS types!

Is the last one the precision degree?

[SVT-40]

Is the last one the precision degree?

No, here are a few pic's of it.