Yup it was ammo
Let's Track SKS Market Value
- Thread starter The Kurgan
- Start date
Yup it was ammo
As to SKS value, any rifle with a non matching or chopped mag is pretty much a non collector rifle. I see people are trying to talk this fact down and offering their botched up rifles for a premium on the EE. There are lots of nice SKS everywhere. What surprises me is that SKS in aftermarket stocks are creeping up in value. I think this is mostly due to the fact that not many aftermarket stocks are available on the market right now, this can change any day.
The welded mags on some SKS can be salvaged if you grind/sand off the weld just enough to make it look nice and reblue it. Even the SN can be changed if you dremel it off and restamp it. It is not so hard and people have done it. The mag metal is quite thick.
The welded mags on some SKS can be salvaged if you grind/sand off the weld just enough to make it look nice and reblue it. Even the SN can be changed if you dremel it off and restamp it. It is not so hard and people have done it. The mag metal is quite thick.
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A little over 5 years ago I saw a 1950 SKS with a spike bayonet for sale at $400.00. I bought it and found more about it more by serious collectors in the states. Since then I have been on the look-out for another. I have seen a couple that did not look right, example wrong stock ferrule. Last year, i found another (ИM 3) but had to pay $900.00 for it. Inflation or rare, I did not care and paid the price. The first EM717 had a replacement laminate stock with a frankenpinned magazine and the other had a refinished but original arctic birch stock and a proper pinned magazine. And yes there is documentation about 1950 SKS with spike bayonet. Read the last paragraph.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/36996477
https://www.patreon.com/posts/36996477
I have an early 1950's but no spike,(narrow blade), it has the dust cover latch with the hole in it and hand stamped dust cover, flat front gas tube etc. I picked it up too because it was different, they are more rare than a 49 especially with the pig sticker bayonet.
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Still 1200. D models are cobbled together from left over parts by Norinco for export to other countries. They are incredibly picky with mags and have no standard parts sizing. I've owned many. They are nothing special bud. Stick with the standard Sks mags, they are dead nuts reliable.
Ds actually dropped in price. Also, only the original ones are worth looking into because they have a metal magwell insert, so anything with an aftermarket stock will have problems getting the magazine in.
I remember getting the blued, frankenpinned sks from Ukraine shipped to my door for 250$ back in 2015-16. Besides a few scuff marks on the wood and the lousy butcher job on the mag, they were beautiful. Wish I had the sense at the time to buy a crate.
There's a lot of us in that boat. I cant forget the time I had an opportunity to buy a crate of SVT-40's for the same price that a single rifle goes for these days.
Several years ago I sold some 7.62x25 ammo.
Two guys arrived to pick up the ammo.
When I asked to see the buyers PAL, he said that he forgot it in his car, to which I replied, let's go to your car and check it.
We went to the car, he retieved his wallet and opened it, and the first thing I see is a police badge.
Two guys arrived to pick up the ammo.
When I asked to see the buyers PAL, he said that he forgot it in his car, to which I replied, let's go to your car and check it.
We went to the car, he retieved his wallet and opened it, and the first thing I see is a police badge.
I read this with more interest than the average person, as two months ago I was selling ammo on another site, and met up with what presumably was a husband and wife farming couple (so so they said). They wanted to bring a carbine to "test" the ammo in the Bass Pro parking lot and I said absolutely not. I later asked them what carbine they had anyway. He said a CZ Scorpion Evo 3. I said that thing is on the OIC and has been banned since 2020. He had no idea. Worse, he told me he just got it a few months prior (???) and it was mailed to his supposed border-town residence from the US. He even bragged "I got a 20 round magazine as well". He claims he takes his to his range and shoots it and no one says anything. It was his "yote" gun otherwise.
Anyways I ended up meeting them after I told them to bring their PAL and I will be checking it. In every other case where I have sold ammo I usually meet up with the person and do some chit chat and then near the tail end we do the ammo exchange. I always produce my PAL as the seller. Anyway, we drove to the bank and he instructs his wife to take out the money. They come back with the money and I say, "can I see your PAL please?" He looks at the wife and says "did you bring my wallet?" She looked in her purse, the car, etc. and said no. I asked if he had the photo of his PAL on his phone or something. He said no, and said "trust me, I have a PAL". I said I can't sell you the ammo then.
Never have I encountered this before but apparently from talking to other sellers, it does happen from time to time with people buying ammo and even firearms.
In your case, did he show you the police badge or did you just see it with a quick glance?
I now make it a point to do the PAL check for ammo right at the outside before I even engage in friendly chit chat.
I just saw the badge, first thing when he opened his wallet, he did not present it to me.
I checked his PAL, we exchanged the goods for money, that's it.
This might have been just a coincident, but it could have been a sting operation, hence the second person. I had numerous dealings with police officers, never had a bad experience.
Moral of the story, always follow the rules by the book!
I checked his PAL, we exchanged the goods for money, that's it.
This might have been just a coincident, but it could have been a sting operation, hence the second person. I had numerous dealings with police officers, never had a bad experience.
Moral of the story, always follow the rules by the book!
Yep, for sure. I have never had a situation where I was selling ammo and the buyer WERE NOT able to produce a PAL until two months ago. Who knows what even the real story was, but your post gave me room for pause and I am glad I ask for a PAL right upfront now.
Saturday night I met up with another buyer from around the same area - also drove a couple of hours to buy from me but this fellow had a sufficient amount of feedback (unlike the couple who had ZERO feedback and were new) - I asked my Saturday buyer for the PAL even before I said hello. He produced, I reviewed it, showed him mine and we ended up chatting for over an hour, and I explained why I ask for the PAL so upfront. He said believe it or not, there is actually a number of people out there who are clueless about not just what is going on politically with firearms issues, also processes like checking PALs.
But back to SKSes. I do think there is definitely an increased interest in the rifle due to affordable ammo and the reliability of the platform. I have noticed younger shooters buying them up as well for the historical aspect. One lady I sold an SKS to buys only older guns and bought my Tula 1954 because that was when her Dad was born and she just loves Russian history. Her and her husband, both much younger than me, buy milsurps for the collectability aspect
Milsurps can only increase in value, and they are poltically safe, as long as they are bolt actions. Not sure about the Enfield 10 round magazines.
SKSs are great rifles, and the prices are going up, because the good ones are all gone.
Everyone should have at least 1 SKS!
Mine is an Ishevsk with beautiful laminated wood in new condition. I paid $340 for it 10 years ago, which was expensive, considering other SKSs sold in the 200-250 range.
What makes them so attractive is the "cheap" surplus ammo, but this ammo might try up soon, just think of the Swiss GP 11 which tripled in price over the last two years.
All great points. Except for .22LR, there is really not a whole lot of calibers you can shoot for a decent price. I am still using up my 2014 non-corrosive white box Norincos which I bought for an average of $8.50 or so I think - not back then, but still decent. Shot 80 rounds of it yesterday. I am always on the prowl for the Norinco non-corrosive if I can't find Barnaul - there are occasionally deals to be had on Barnauls) - I got a wicked deal on someone's 7.62x39 Norinco 311 20 on another site last week where where I paid an average of $7.06 for a box of red box 311 20.
Awesome about your Izhevsk. I had one too, but needed the money so reluctantly sold.
I bought some from a fellow, who, like a number on CGN, had the foresight 10, 20 years ago to buy by the crateful and got some absolutely beautiful pieces. One fellow I was talking to were buying them 100-120 at a time. Even if the condition varied, the average per unit price was so cheap it was worth it. And I am willing to bet that the weaker units of that litter are still selling for many multiples of what people paid back then.
i mentioned this in another thread
I see SKS's in two very different categories
1) Shooters
2) Collectors
Shooting grade SKS's will be compared in price to what you can buy new that is comparable. (with a discount because its used obviously)
I can't think of another reliable, centre fire, mid size caliber, semi auto that us under $1k. Maybe $800 on sale??
so if you assume a ~20% discount because its used that would put it at $650 - $800
What it sold for before is irrelevant. What would it cost to replace it for something else comparable?
Collector grade is subjective so every gun will have its own price based on what is desirable at that specific day.
I see SKS's in two very different categories
1) Shooters
2) Collectors
Shooting grade SKS's will be compared in price to what you can buy new that is comparable. (with a discount because its used obviously)
I can't think of another reliable, centre fire, mid size caliber, semi auto that us under $1k. Maybe $800 on sale??
so if you assume a ~20% discount because its used that would put it at $650 - $800
What it sold for before is irrelevant. What would it cost to replace it for something else comparable?
Collector grade is subjective so every gun will have its own price based on what is desirable at that specific day.
You should be more careful. Also, do not accept a picture of the PAL.
Personally I do not like to sell ammo because you have to meet up with people. I only do this now with people who have a solid feedback history, either EE or gp.
This is certainly wise advice and I have since adjusted my approach going forward given this experience.
