why is a Yugoslavian sks double the price of a Russian?

As stated, they are rare as hen's teeth... The quality of workmanship is great. I don't agree with the comment about being anal about shooting corrosive tho... Chrome lined will give you a bit of extra time, but a thorough cleaning after shooting corrosive ammo is ALWAYS a good idea, chrome lined or not.

Anyway, send me a PM if you find one and don't want it!
 
They're rarer in Canada because it's cheaper for dealers to bring in piles of Chinese or Russian models, and they're more expensive to import. The US gets most of them because with the exception of the occasional Albanian or Romanian model, the Yugoslavian rifles are the only SKS's they're allowed to import. Chinese and Russian models haven't been allowed into the United States for a long time.

Another reason would be because M59's are less common in general. Most of them were converted into M59/66's in Yugoslavia, and many that weren't were beaten to death in the various internal conflicts going on in that part of the world in the 1990's.

They are also quite well made, but so are Russian and Chinese ones. If you're looking purely for a shooter, I wouldn't say it's really worth the price - A Russian or Chinese specimen will do everything a Yugo M59 will for a lower price tag, but if you'd like to own one for the history, novelty, or because you want one of every model, it won't disappoint. I hope to get one someday so my M59/66 has someone to talk to in the safe - she doesn't speak Chinese or Russian.
 
I paid 3 times the price of a Russian for an unissued unfired Yugoslav 59/66 , oh yea, grenade launcher! Really cool still unfired anyone got practice grenades and blank ammo? ;)
 
Over the years I have had two of the M59 and three of the m59/66ab1 rifles. The 59 is nothing special for fit, finish or accuracy. The two I had had seen use and had frosted/pitted bores (one from "non corrosive" Czech ammo...). The 59/66 rifles were all brand new and worth the 329 at the time. The fit and finish was about par with a decent chinese sks. Accuracy is good, especially with handloads and turning off the gas system.
 
My experience has been different. I had a 59/66 which was easily the most accurate sks I have ever owned - and I had a bunch over the years. It is the only one which I wish I still had.

My 59/66 is quite accurate as well, and the grenade launcher acts as a poor man's muzzle brake which tones down the already minimal recoil by a bit. I like the rifle a lot, even if it is front heavy, unwieldy, and rather try-hard for an SKS.
 
My experience has been different. I had a 59/66 which was easily the most accurate sks I have ever owned - and I had a bunch over the years. It is the only one which I wish I still had.

My understanding is that they don't shoot any better or any worse than a Russian refurb, but that grenade launcher sure is cool. :)
 
Last edited:
My experience has been different. I had a 59/66 which was easily the most accurate sks I have ever owned - and I had a bunch over the years. It is the only one which I wish I still had.

How much did the first SKS cost you way back when? And just curious why did you sell them? I'm a pack rat I don't sell anything but then again I just started collecting rifles last year. I have 16 now.
 
why is a Yugoslavian sks double the price of a Russian?



Because there are a thousand Russian SKS to every one Yugo SKS.
 
Always wondered, is that 22 mm, same as NATO standard ? ;)

Grizz
Yes, they are standard Nato 22mm. Down here in the States quite a few guys buy the new manufactured tough plastic dummy grenades and launch them. The old metal originals that you fastened a regular grenade into also work well. There are some designed to launch golf balls now I hear. I am thinking of getting a plastic one to launch myself.
 
Back
Top Bottom