My first SKS purchase~walk me through it!

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~after a long period of indecision, I've decided it's time to buy my first SKS. Having shot an SKS an VZ on a few occasions, I was never really driven to own one...but I think I've come around. :) I can't see myself ever buying ammo bulk, just a bit of plinking here and there. ZERO desire to modify it, nor am I buying with any aspirations of it being a collector that will increase in value. With all of that said, I would like to buy a nice clean specimen. New or used. The WTB I posted seems to be attracting (mostly) guys looking to sell me their used Russian re-furbs for $300-$350+, and in spite of my reading the "Stickys"...I feel I'm taking one step forward, and two steps back in terms of understanding what actually drives the cost of these guns up. (besides CGN/EE fever) If possible, I'd like to be in the $250 range all-in....but what does that get you today? Is a chrome-lined barrel really a huge advantage? I can't remember reading where a neglected/non-chrome lined SKS barrel suffered immensely from lack of care. Maybe I haven't looked in the right places! :) I'm usually MORE careful than I need to be caring for my guns.

Anyhow, I figure if the "Deactivated SKS" thread from a kid looking to betray his parents' trust got 46 replies....I'm hoping you guys can chime-in on this one too. If I want a clean gun with no flat black paint on it, nice bluing...low/no mileage..am I on the right track with that budget? Wish there were dealers in the Toronto area that could offer something like this. Seems they're all out west.

Thanks for taking a moment to reply. Sincerely appreciated.
 
Make sure to get chrome lined barrel with nice sharp crown. Numbers matching on mag, bolt and carrier, dust cover and trigger group. Stock and receiver as well. Gas piston and tube will be electro penciled that's normal. Refurbished or not, don't pay attention to that, they are all refurbished to some degree. If it looks good take it. 250$ taxes in will be tough, but doable. Keep it original, keep it clean it will shoot for long time.
 
There are a lot of refurbs around. The blued ones are pretty rare though. Look into weimajack's ads on the EE. He has wonderful examples. Some are non refurb's and some are unfired refurbs. Your price is around what you want to pay these days.
 
You should be able to go into any large gun store and pick out an SKS. Even Wholesale Sports Stores, if you can find a clerk who will let you handle
a few so that you can pick the best one. To answer some of your questions: Some guys like to doll up their SKS, find out that it makes it worse, and
then try to sell it for what they have spent on it. So you are right to be wanting an unmolested ordinary example. $250 should get you one, plus tax.
 
6MT said:
There are a lot of refurbs around. The blued ones are pretty rare though. Look into weimajack's ads on the EE. He has wonderful examples. Some are non refurb's and some are unfired refurbs. Your price is around what you want to pay these days.
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This right here in bold italics. He's got a few beauties on there right now that if I had the cash would be buying. I've bought a couple off him over the years and he doesn't dissapoint.
 
Robert Nicholson said:
You should be able to go into any large gun store and pick out an SKS. Even Wholesale Sports Stores, if you can find a clerk who will let you handle
a few so that you can pick the best one. To answer some of your questions: Some guys like to doll up their SKS, find out that it makes it worse, and
then try to sell it for what they have spent on it. So you are right to be wanting an unmolested ordinary example. $250 should get you one, plus tax.
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Thanks Robert Nicolson...but not here in the Toronto area. Nowhere I'm aware of anyway.
 
Take a field trip to Alberta. Loads of them out here, Canadian Tire, Cabella's. You can get "choice" ones for under $300, and choose from a bunch. C|heck out SKS survivor boards and YooperJ, for good tips and detailed lists of things to look for to educate yourself prior to purchase. Then, enjoy.
 
FreedomIsn'tFree said:
You should have no problem finding what your looking for at the price you stated. It's getting harder to find them without the BBQ paint now a days, so you may have to look for awhile for a used one.
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I think I've never seen one BBQ painted. It seems more like a Russian version of Duracoat or similar. It's tough, you can't get it off even with paint stripper and it is less susceptible to scratches and fingerprints.

If choosing a SKS from a selection in a store I would not only go by first exterior looks but would also check if the receiver sits tight in the stock, if the gas tube fit is good,...
 
I was in the Calgary Wholesale Sports today [picked up two lbs. of Blue Dot...woohoo!] and noticed an SKS marked 'Supergrade' on the rack behind the counter. If it part of the same batch as the rifle I bought last year, it will be a very nice refurb. C$229. Dunno if they ship, or what the cost would be, but it might be a place to start.
 
Tengoo said:
I was in the Calgary Wholesale Sports today [picked up two lbs. of Blue Dot...woohoo!] and noticed an SKS marked 'Supergrade' on the rack behind the counter. If it part of the same batch as the rifle I bought last year, it will be a very nice refurb. C$229. Dunno if they ship, or what the cost would be, but it might be a place to start.
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I picked up one of the super grades at Whole sale Sports in Saskatoon a couple weeks ago. This one looks like it was never issued, not a mark on it and no evidence of any wear or use. It was 229 plus tax. Like Tengoo said it might be a place to start and I think they still have a mail order division.

Chuck
 
Chuck McCann said:
I picked up one of the super grades at Whole sale Sports in Saskatoon a couple weeks ago. This one looks like it was never issued, not a mark on it and no evidence of any wear or use. It was 229 plus tax. Like Tengoo said it might be a place to start and I think they still have a mail order division.

Chuck
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Yes, WSS has had top notch SKS's for years. Even now. They look like the old Ukrainian imports....perhaps they are.
 
I have a Chinese and Russian SKS...and to be honest my Chinese Rifle is amazingly accurate at a 100 yards, you will be very happy owning an SKS fun Rifles all the way around.
 
SKS's are everywhere and $250 all in should put one on your in hands. For $210, I've seen a refurbed laminate that had a brand new barrel, trigger group and magazine. Whatever you get, strip it down and clean it very thoroughly. Ammo by the case is the most cost effective but there are a few places that sell 1/2 case cans. In smaller quantities the price per round gets a lot higher.
 
I forgot to mention, instruction manuals are readily available too. Marstar has the nicest PDF version I've found so far on their site.
 
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