new to sks looking for buying advice

[Phat Eagle]

Westrifle does have really nice SKSs with the mag pinned on the follower and intact mag floorplate number, i have bought a few off them. The 1954 and newer russian SKSs have chrome lined barrels , might be a better option if you shoot corrosive ammo .

^^ He's right that the mag pin job Westrifle gets is better than ANY OTHER out there. Doesn't effect how they shoot (nor does matching numbers), but does make it a little more collectible IMHO. That said, mrbeil is correct in his 5 steps of buying an SKS...

I've always found fit to be better on Russian vs. Chinese, even though they are most often refurb. The Chinese just didn't bother rounding the corners off...

Bottom line: buy one, shoot the hell out of it, and enjoy!