You hit the nail on the head.......... so why pay more????
Which SKS to buy?
- Thread starter CanuckShooter
- Start date
Don't get me wrong, by no means am I saying that some aren't nicer or more desirable than others, but all have been damaged by the government. So super mega gun snobbery is kind of pointless with this weapon. Collecting nice ones, sure.
CanuckShooter
CGN frequent flyer
The only reason I was leaning towards a non-refurb/original was the idea that it hasn't been used. Not for collector value, like I said it means nothing to me. Just the idea of having a rifle that is brand new just appeals to me.
If someone can unequivocally say that the refurbs are the same quality mechanically, and tolerance wise as the unissused rifles then I will buy a refurb. But I just seem to have very bad luck buying anything used, and I am picky.
One thing I have read, which i am not sure if it is true or not, is that most of the unfired refurbs are in nicer condition COSMETICALLY than the unissued/unrefurbs due to the fact that obviously the originals have been sitting around for 60+ years, while the refurbs have only been sitting around maybe 30 to 40 years. Is that true? I am talking about stuff like nicer newer bluing etc etc
My bottom line is a solid rifle, that is as close to new in it's tolerances, and wear as I can get. Considering this... should I be good with a refurb? How dod I know which refurns are blued, and which are painted? I hate ugly coatings/shellacs applied to the steel on a rifle. So if refurbs are painted black or have shellacked bolts or whatever then that is an absolute definite 'pass' for me.
edit: Do any of the Russians have chromed bores?
If someone can unequivocally say that the refurbs are the same quality mechanically, and tolerance wise as the unissused rifles then I will buy a refurb. But I just seem to have very bad luck buying anything used, and I am picky.
One thing I have read, which i am not sure if it is true or not, is that most of the unfired refurbs are in nicer condition COSMETICALLY than the unissued/unrefurbs due to the fact that obviously the originals have been sitting around for 60+ years, while the refurbs have only been sitting around maybe 30 to 40 years. Is that true? I am talking about stuff like nicer newer bluing etc etc
My bottom line is a solid rifle, that is as close to new in it's tolerances, and wear as I can get. Considering this... should I be good with a refurb? How dod I know which refurns are blued, and which are painted? I hate ugly coatings/shellacs applied to the steel on a rifle. So if refurbs are painted black or have shellacked bolts or whatever then that is an absolute definite 'pass' for me.
edit: Do any of the Russians have chromed bores?
All The Russians I have stock are chrome lined. As to all other comments that you point out 
I don't want to make some people angry so I am just going to let my customers talk about my SKS quality rifles.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=437599
I don't want to make some people angry so I am just going to let my customers talk about my SKS quality rifles. http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=437599
-there is no such thing as a unfired refurb , the reason the rifle was refurb is bcos it was used/fired before.
-cosmetically, a refurb will never be as nice as an unissued but may or may not be nicer than a unrefurb, it really depends on how much the unrefurb been used.
-since you said you are picky, then you should buy a non-painted russian or a new chinese military.
-as mentioned earlier , stay away from chinese commercial , you wont be happy.
CanuckShooter
CGN frequent flyer
Thanks for the info. I am narrowing it down. Do you know of anyone who has new chinese military SKS' in stock?
What I meant was unfired since being refurbished.
What I meant was unfired since being refurbished.
- Location
- In the Badlands of Alberta
Trade Ex and Moving Target have new Chinese Military ones.
Nothing wrong with a lightly refurbed Russian either that has only had the stocked swaped during refurb. Check out these from Westrifle # 21,22,24,25,36. Or these two EE ads from weimanjack
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=437925
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439132
Trade Ex might have some nice refurbs left,check with them also
Isn't history part of the allure of the surplus gun such as an SKS? Personally I HATE getting used guns - out of 14 I ever bought only one was used (trade). But I had no problem getting the 'used' SKS because of the nature of it.
- Location
- Central Sask
Frontier firearms also has the new chinese military ones. I got one and i am very happy with it and the service
CanuckShooter
CGN frequent flyer
I find myself preferring the plain hardwood stock, over the laminate stock myself. I've never been that big on the look of the laminate stocks, whether it be an SKS or Savage bolt action.
After reviewing what I can get for the money, I am going to go with a non-laminate refurb thanks to all the excellent advice given to me here. So I am going to head to LeBaron and check out these rifles first hand.
Before I go (probably tomorrow) can anyone offer any tips, or things to look for before purchasing one from LeBaron? For example, do the refurbs all have new barrels? Are there any markings I should stay away from, or any tests I can do in the store to check that I am getting a really nice specimen?
After reviewing what I can get for the money, I am going to go with a non-laminate refurb thanks to all the excellent advice given to me here. So I am going to head to LeBaron and check out these rifles first hand.
Before I go (probably tomorrow) can anyone offer any tips, or things to look for before purchasing one from LeBaron? For example, do the refurbs all have new barrels? Are there any markings I should stay away from, or any tests I can do in the store to check that I am getting a really nice specimen?
Refurbs were done at the arsenal, so if its a fresh refurb, everything will look like new. I took my 54 Izzy apart a few days ago, and apart from the oil being a little brownish, everything look factory fresh - there's no evidence of firing or wear on anything. Just look for a clean, rust free example with no dings on the stock. Refurb marks will be a diamond or square with a slash though it. Or a series of ###Xs on the stock which cover the original serial number. Tula arsenal guns generally have an arrow in a star on the receiver cover, Izzys have an arrow in a triangle.
Call before you go,,,,they might be out of stock, as per norm.....
if the Mississauga does not have any call the Markham store and see
have fun shopping
Look at the butpad and barrel easy to spot rust. Take apart if you can or ask them to do that before you purchase. Listen for rust sound when they/you take it apart.
How are the target sports's russian sks's. Hell at 169$ I'll get one on basic principal. I just wont buy a pair of shoes
I bet it is mixed batch as usual painted and some silver bolts. Feedback please.
The first batch they got in were of much better quality and looked good, I did get one, and none were painted, or full of rust, all were in really good condition.
I was there today, and the batch they have now, are crappy, rusty, some painted, and not of any kind of quality, I walked out and did not get another, and neither did my buddy, it would have been my second one and his first. I told him not to waste his cash, wait and see if they get more in, or get one fom one of the sponsors here at this site.
