Why do Chinese SKS' typically cost more than Russian?

MuthaFunk

MuthaFunk

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All of the Chinese SKS's seemed to be priced higher than the Russian ones. Anyone know why? With the Chinese stamped parts vs the Russian milled receivers and parts not to mention only 7 years of production in Russia vs 30 years in China, I would have thought the Russian ones would be worth more.

Does anyone have insight or thoughts on this?
 
Supply and demand. Plain and simple.

Others will chime in about unfired/new vs. refurbished, and Chinese being more accurate, blah, blah, blah...
The Russians are better made, have nicer wood, and are nicer finished, and if you can find a mint non-refurbished example, even better!
Now, the current mega-shipments (yes, NO shortage folks!) from Westrifle are not like they were 2 years ago, but some are still nice.

As an aside, I always get a kick about meaningless price comparisons when it comes to the SKS, when I spend more on ammo and small accessories for other rifles. Who the hell cares about a +/- $100 (at most) difference between a pristine Russian, a Chinese, or a typical refurb Russian? If you intend to use it as a bullet hose, buy an average Russian refurb and treat it like the b*tch that it is!
 
This is the case currently - for over a decade Chinese SKS were cheaper than Soviet SKS (at least for standard models). Most people didn't want to touch Chinese SKS rifles as some of the commercial firearms and Norinco brand gave them a poor reputation - Military Type 56 rifles are just as good and perhaps even better than Soviet SKS rifles in my opinion.

Chinese are worth more now - simply because you cannot find them (supply) so demand has somewhat increased and as a result price has increased - basic economics.
 
As I've read online, (disclaimer here as I've had no real world experience with Chinese SKS') they have stamped metal trigger covers and receivers.
 
Just go on the American SKS forum and see the MEGA price difference between the crappiest, most beat-up, mismatched Russian refurbs vs. ANY Chinese SKS.
Supply and demand at its worst!
 
As said, Supply and Demand.

Interesting though, the Chinese sks rifles were made with the exact same machines ( and factories) as the Russian rifles. The factories were moved by train from Russia to China along with Russian engineers. I have several of each, one does not shoot any better than the other.
 
Its the reverse here in the US, most Chinese go for 300-400 USD and the Russian for 500+, could be the so called embargo,all i know is i got my '52 Tula from a local store for 425.00 only due to the importer stamped made in china and changed the top cover to a Sino-Soviet to hide its origin, from what i looked into that has happened quite a bit lately here, I almost went back and bought the '60 Romanian for 450.00 but the wife said no more toys for a while. Oh and the Chinese did change from a threaded barrel to a pin on to make them cheaper, those seem to be more prevalent here
 
MuthaFunk said:
As I've read online, (disclaimer here as I've had no real world experience with Chinese SKS') they have stamped metal trigger covers and receivers.
Click to expand...

Its different from one Chinese SKS to the next. Stamped receivers was just an experiment and never made it into mass production. Some have a stamped trigger guard while others don't. There is also a stamped part under the hinge of the magazine while its milled on others.
 
I prefer Russian due the fact that they created this rifle. Bit of history and all plus nicer wood and I prefer the Russian blade bayonet. But in my limited experience of shooting these,, (prob 10Russian and 3Chinese), my groups were tighter with Chinese
 
I can remember buying Chinese SKS's for $150, while Russian ones sold for $1K, then we got a bunch of Russians and the Chinese went to an all time low of $75, now they're back up again, as mentioned, supply and demand at work.
 
BeaverMeat said:
Yup... Chinese SKSes posted for under $300 don't last too long on the EE.
Click to expand...

Edit: factory /625\ SKSes don't sell to fast... build quality is a bit rough.

enefgee said:
I can remember buying Chinese SKS's for $150, while Russian ones sold for $1K, then we got a bunch of Russians and the Chinese went to an all time low of $75, now they're back up again, as mentioned, supply and demand at work.
Click to expand...

If you get a case of ammo and pay out the butt for shipping. People always forget that little fact.
 
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