Purchasing SKS for first gun, what to look for?(purchased now, pics post 98)

[Cb750k]

http://www.tradeexcanada.com/conten...nian-762x39-surplus-ammo-combo-special-free-s

This is not a bad deal though ;-)

It's a good deal if you have to order online, I won't deny that. But lever is $379 for the same deal if you live in the lower mainland, plus you get to pick out your sks. Both are great options, win win for either.

 

[Suther]

I think Reliable Gun offers a price match policy these days. Wouldn't hurt to give 'em a call.

International Shooting Supply is in Surrey, on 104 just down the street from Guildford Mall... I bought my 22 from there, but I can't comment on their sks.

 

[Phat Eagle]

If you can wait, there's the annual 2 day gun show happening in Chilliwack in March. I'm sure Corwin Arms is going to be there as well as some other vendors. See if you can get him to bring a beauty down and hold it for you.

This is great advice... Martin always has gems and you'll save on tax/shipping at the show... March 7/8 in Chilliwack.

 

[Fretman]

Just pay Tradex Canada $179.00 for a nice Russian SKS delivered to your door. Then clean it thoroughly, test fire it. Best SKS deal in Canada now.

The SKS was free shipping end no tax?? I cannot see this deal on their website.

Prices must have gone up today from 179.00 to 199.00 for the hardwood SKS.

Look under Triple AAA Specials at Tradex Canada website.

Free shipping is in the one with ammo see below:
Russian SKS with hardwood stock and 1320rd case of Romanian 7.62x39 Surplus Ammo Combo Special FREE SHIPPING OFFER!!!. A few exceptions may apply.

$399.00

Of course there is tax! We live in a free country don't you know.

Now that these have gone up I would get one from Lever with the Murray's spring already installed for $225.00.

 

[Fretman]

http://www.tradeexcanada.com/conten...nian-762x39-surplus-ammo-combo-special-free-s

This is not a bad deal though ;-)

Thanks for posting the link that is the Triple AAA ammo and SKS rifle special I meant. Prices went up today it seems.

 

[cornelunc]

Thanks for posting the link that is the Triple AAA ammo and SKS rifle special I meant. Prices went up today it seems.

Price is up for sure: yesterday morning 179$ and in the evening 199$.

 

[Rifter]

Purchasing SKS for first gun, what to look for?
Something else.
If you want to learn to shoot, and shoot well, there are better choices.

The issue is to practice you have to be able to afford to shoot it, and nothing comes even remotely close to the price of surplus 7.62x39. Even .308 and .223 are many times more expensive per round.

 

[skneub]

Prices must have gone up today from 179.00 to 199.00 for the hardwood SKS.

Look under Triple AAA Specials at Tradex Canada website.

Free shipping is in the one with ammo see below:
Russian SKS with hardwood stock and 1320rd case of Romanian 7.62x39 Surplus Ammo Combo Special FREE SHIPPING OFFER!!!. A few exceptions may apply.

$399.00

Of course there is tax! We live in a free country don't you know.

Now that these have gone up I would get one from Lever with the Murray's spring already installed for $225.00.

What its this spring ?
I have never done anything to my sks other than clean and oil it
Over 7000 rounds and the pin has never been touched

 

[Suther]

What its this spring ?
I have never done anything to my sks other than clean and oil it
Over 7000 rounds and the pin has never been touched

It is a spring-loaded firing pin. It replaces the whole firing pin, and has a spring. Early model (49 and some 50) SKS had a spring loaded firing pin, but they decided to eliminate it for whatever reason.

The Murray has a mediocre reputation though. I have heard of numerous reports of pins breaking. When I first got my SKS last year, I did tonnes of research as to "upgrades" for it... And didn't end up doing a damn thing to it. Removed cleaning kit/rod, and bayonet, and I bought a slip-on recoil pad from Walmart for like $11 to increase the length of pull. Thats it. I want to get a red dot or reflex sight on a scout mount one of these days, but other than that Im leaving it alone. An alternative to the red dot would be a tech sight and a skinny front post... But I have been hesitant about doing anything that is a permanent modification to the rifle...

 

[mikethebike]

I would recommend you order from Corwin-Arms or Westrifle instead of going to Lever. Or from Weimajack here in the Equipment Exchange.

All three of them have forgotten more about SKS's than most of us will ever know, and are reputable enough to only sell good quality examples.

Lever Arms lost their import license a while ago, and the ones they have in stock are second picks from dealers who can still import.

This is the best advice on this thread!

 

[Fretman]

It is a spring-loaded firing pin. It replaces the whole firing pin, and has a spring. Early model (49 and some 50) SKS had a spring loaded firing pin, but they decided to eliminate it for whatever reason.

The Murray has a mediocre reputation though. I have heard of numerous reports of pins breaking. When I first got my SKS last year, I did tonnes of research as to "upgrades" for it... And didn't end up doing a damn thing to it. Removed cleaning kit/rod, and bayonet, and I bought a slip-on recoil pad from Walmart for like $11 to increase the length of pull. Thats it. I want to get a red dot or reflex sight on a scout mount one of these days, but other than that Im leaving it alone. An alternative to the red dot would be a tech sight and a skinny front post... But I have been hesitant about doing anything that is a permanent modification to the rifle...

Apparently there were some of the Murray's Generation 1 firing pins with spring had problems but apparently the Gen 2 has the bugs worked out.
A properly cleaned SKS rifle and bolt should not slam fire but if the bolt gets too gummed up that the firing pin starts to stick in the forward position then it will slam fire. The pin springs should prevent this but are not an excuse to not properly clean your SKS after each use especially if you are using corrosive ammo.
Murray's firing pins can be ordered directly or from HI-Cal one of our site sponsors. Lever Arms has a few available already installed in some SKS' offered. Not sure if Weimajack or others offer this option.
Suther makes some good points buy an SKS keep it thoroughly cleaned and oiled and do not waste any money on any upgrades because it will always be a $200.00 SKS.

 

[Rifter]

Just an update, my PAL is now in the mail, and I have contacted corwin arms and will likely purchase my SKS through them.

 

[howard2]

Maybe you can confirm this for me too, I was told the number stamped on the front sight post on the russian sks refers to the accuracy of the gun in question. Meaning a SKS stamped with a 1 is more accurate than one stamped with a 5. Any one else confirm this?

 

[ljones]

Maybe you can confirm this for me too, I was told the number stamped on the front sight post on the russian sks refers to the accuracy of the gun in question. Meaning a SKS stamped with a 1 is more accurate than one stamped with a 5. Any one else confirm this?

There has been this rumor for ages. Never has been confirmed. Truthfully we will never know what those numbers mean. Could be inspection stamp of some sort, or the line it was built on. To say a number 1 is more accurate than a 5 or that a 1 is sniper grade (which has been espoused more than once I have read) even though the SKS was never designed or used as a sniper rifle. There has never been any confirmation on what those numbers mean. Also I have seen many without a number on the post. Does that mean they can't shoot at all, or can shoot around a corner, or maybe into space. In reality it is speculation at best.

 

[Rifter]

There has been this rumor for ages. Never has been confirmed. Truthfully we will never know what those numbers mean. Could be inspection stamp of some sort, or the line it was built on. To say a number 1 is more accurate than a 5 or that a 1 is sniper grade (which has been espoused more than once I have read) even though the SKS was never designed or used as a sniper rifle. There has never been any confirmation on what those numbers mean. Also I have seen many without a number on the post. Does that mean they can't shoot at all, or can shoot around a corner, or maybe into space. In reality it is speculation at best.

Yeah I saw this talked about as well when doing research, never found anything concrete confirming or denying it.

 

[Butcherbill]

Just an update, my PAL is now in the mail, and I have contacted corwin arms and will likely purchase my SKS through them.

Good choice, you won't be disapointed with anything you buy from Martin.

 

[Philthy1]

Maybe you can confirm this for me too, I was told the number stamped on the front sight post on the russian sks refers to the accuracy of the gun in question. Meaning a SKS stamped with a 1 is more accurate than one stamped with a 5. Any one else confirm this?

Don't worry about the numbers. I've fired enough 1s, 2s and 3s and there is no difference. It is apparently a parts grouping code and nothing more.

 

[satanshollow]

My first centrefire was also a SKS from Lever, I still have it. Can't beat the price of it or the ammo. I think I have whats called a "parts bin" SKS, so no bayonet, short barrel. I think at the time it was $149, this was 10 years ago though.

 

[jasonseven]

what LarryG said.

 

[Rifter]

Just got my PAL in the mail today, have emailed a copy to corwin arms. I dont think ive ever been this excited in my life.... lol cant wait to get out shooting, hopefully im good at it lol