First SKS

[Taquito971]

I've been looking at SKS recently and thought I'd see what you guys recommend for a first time SKS buyer. It's not my first gun but it would be my first SKS. I've been looking at Yugos because most are un-issued and are in great shape. But the C&R status is a little intimidating if I ever wanted to modify it.

I live in CA so some have already been "converted" to remove the grenade launching ability, anyone have an idea if this already removes the C&R status, and thus would allow me to add whatever junk I wanted to?

Also, I'm a CA resident so some laws are obviously more stringent here but when I read the Roberti-Roos Act it starts with centerfire rifles with the capabilty to accept a detachable magazine and any other "evil feature" are controlled. The SKS doesn't have a detachable magazine so it wouldn't be covered right? Am I missing something?

For clarification I'm looking at an SKS that I can shoot, modify(somewhat), and it's got to be less than $200 out the door including tax, DROS($25) and shipping if applicable. I'm just doing homework right now and I wouldn't be buying one until early next year, probably late January, Early February. Any tips for a new guy? I've already perused Simonov.net and a few others and found a good set of details on what to look for in an SKS, but I'm really looking for personal opinions right now.

Brian

[Timberland]

I don't live in The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia, so I can't help you with all the legal issues. I do know SOG, AIm, and the other sights won't ship you one unless it has the grenade launcher and bayonet removed. This doesn't hurt its C&R status. But you lose the collector status, so it doesn't matter what you want to do to it,(refinish it, change stock, ect), plus it sounds like you want to shoot it alot anyway,so collectability will be gone.

I would try southernohiogun.com, Aimsurplus.com, centerfiresystems.com. If you email them, they can help you out with any further questions. For the price you are looking at spending, unless you look hard and get real lucky, you are going to have to get a yugo. But They are great guns and you can do alot to them. I wouldn't get a shooter grade from those websights, cuz the barrels are ussually pretty ruff inside. And the $5 handpick charge is worth it.

[YourLocalNerd]

Taquito971, I got what appeared to be an unissued Norinco(sp? not enough motivation to unlock the gun cabinet and check :P) for 125 at a gunshow. They "claimed" it was brand new. It still had cosmoline everywhere(and I do mean EVERYWHERE!! The barrel and action were packed with the stuff) and to my eye it was 100% condition both in stock and metal. So I tend to believe that it was new. This was only 3 years ago so it may be possible to replicate that deal. Although I have heard that Norinco's have crapy accuracy, but to that I cant say anything b/c mine averages 2 1/2" at 100' w/ Yugo FMJ ammo. That in my book is pretty good for a rifle not designed to be a tack driver. It does pull to the right a bit by an 1 1/2" but I havent taken the time to set the front sight yet; but I know that is easily fixable. Point is, keep your eyes open, and a the right deal will probly come along.

You cant go wrong with an SKS m8. It is my favorite second only to my mini14s. Very light recoil, dependable, good all around plinker, and a good short range hunting rifle. You cant beat it!!

[Taquito971]

Thanks for the tips. I figured the Yugos were the best compromise for price and durability. I'm indeed not looking for a collector rifle. It's one I'm going to shoot.

Brian

[guncats]

are you talking about the calified Yugo sks? I heard they are also not fully legal since the Yugo's were importable soly because the C&R status, once one take off the grenade launch and put a brake on it is no longer in original configuration that qualifies the CR.....so with a launch it is not legal for cali, and without a launcher it won't remain CR, either way it might bring you trouble in cali.

There are people that chop Yugo to 16"bbl to make sporter, but they are probably not in CA so it might not be a big deal in their state. and I suppose you are in Kali so....be careful B)

Is that why my local big-5's suddently have a whole bunch of calified Yugo sks on sale? I assume those are all previous intended for cali market and somehow big-5 decided to sell them in other "federal" states.

Now if you get a calified Yugo SKS from a big-5 store in california, then it should be safe. Big-5 is a big company, they have the money to hire good lawyers to investigate the situation and they play safe. if it is available from big-5 then it should be fine.

[Crosshair]

Here is a Completly legal Kalifornia SKS from AIMsurplus. (http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Yugoslavian_Model_59_SKS_Preorder.html) It even has an evil bayonet. :P I went with AIM for my SKS. Just be warned that it will probably come packed in cosmolene. Be ready for several hours of hot water, paper towles, and "Drunk Irishman who just hit his thumb with a hammer" style language. After that you will have a perfectly legal SKS. Be carfull though, in Kalifornia those guns like to walk off and kill someone. :lol:

BTW if you are wondering, this is the SKS I got, worth every penny. (http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Unissued_Yugoslavian_Model_59_66_7_62x39_SKS_Rifle .html) It will eat Wolf ammo like jello shots at a frat party.(without the hangover :D ) Only real differance is the evil gernade launcher. I have mine equiped with deadly tennis ball gernades. :lol:

[Taquito971]

Thanks for the tips. I'll likely go to my local gunshop for the SKS. He says he's got a couple from most every country. This weekend I hope to cruise over and see what he has. I won't pay more than $200 out the door though. I can order them online for cheaper as you mentioned. If I got one of those Yugos I'd have a heck of a lot of goofy stuff to do in order to modify it at all though... I'd prefer one with the GL so I could shoot some rifle grenades though! I can see the look on my dad when I attach said rifle grenade and launch it through the target!

Brian

[BlenderWizard]

Don't be TOO hung up on the $200 price tag. I got a really nice Russian (check the gallery) for $199.00 plus tax, so that was like $210. I would buy another Russian for that price if I could find it.

[Taquito971]

Well, I went to my local gunshops and found 4 SKS models, all with matching numbers. A Russian for $300, a Chinese (milled reciever) $325, Romanian for $325 and a Calified Yugo(no accessories, MB instead of GL) for $275.

These prices seem high, am I right? I was hoping to get into an SKS for around $200 OTD. As much as I like to support the local mom 'n' pop shops it looks like I'll be shopping online for this purchase. What do you guys think?

Brian

[Taquito971]

Originally posted by BlenderWizard@Dec 15 2004, 06:44 AM
I would buy another Russian for that price if I could find it.
I would too!

Brian

[lendell]

I've always wondered what was so evil about being able to mount a bayonet. Has there EVER been a crime committed with a bayonet? EVER? Are liberals that idiotic? What am I saying, of course they are.

[BlenderWizard]

Originally posted by Taquito971@Dec 15 2004, 08:31 PM
Well, I went to my local gunshops and found 4 SKS models, all with matching numbers. A Russian for $300, a Chinese (milled reciever) $325, Romanian for $325 and a Calified Yugo(no accessories, MB instead of GL) for $275.

These prices seem high, am I right? I was hoping to get into an SKS for around $200 OTD. As much as I like to support the local mom 'n' pop shops it looks like I'll be shopping online for this purchase. What do you guys think?

Brian
Well for one, it seems odd to me that the Russian is cheaper than the Chinese. Also, their prices are half again as much as they are near me. My local gun shop has 2 SKS-D models for $400 each. This is the same place that I got my $200 Russian over the summer.

[Taquito971]

Originally posted by BlenderWizard+Dec 15 2004, 07:18 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (BlenderWizard @ Dec 15 2004, 07:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Taquito971@Dec 15 2004, 08:31 PM
Well, I went to my local gunshops and found 4 SKS models, all with matching numbers. A Russian for $300, a Chinese (milled reciever) $325, Romanian for $325 and a Calified Yugo(no accessories, MB instead of GL) for $275.

These prices seem high, am I right? I was hoping to get into an SKS for around $200 OTD. As much as I like to support the local mom 'n' pop shops it looks like I'll be shopping online for this purchase. What do you guys think?

Brian
Well for one, it seems odd to me that the Russian is cheaper than the Chinese. Also, their prices are half again as much as they are near me. My local gun shop has 2 SKS-D models for $400 each. This is the same place that I got my $200 Russian over the summer. [/b][/quote]
I might have gotten the two mixed up. I just thought that $275 was about 100 more than I wanted to pay for a Yugo. I figure if he won't come down on it I'll order them online and have on of the other dealers do the transfer for me. Won't be until February though.

Brian

[guncats]

If you can find a good-plus condition Albanian sks, get it. The Albanian ones are the most accurate sks I have seen at range, and they are all in such a bad shape, yet shoot so great!

But there is no "mint" condition Albanians, good to very good is about as good as you can get. Only 6000 or so were produced, and I think only 4000(?) or so survived over the years and got imported into the US. :blink:

[Sniper]

Well for one, it seems odd to me that the Russian is cheaper than the Chinese

Since the Clintonistas put a halt to firearm and ammo importation from China the price has gone way up. Even for the stamped and pinned models. Had a Russian one time, it was not as accurate as the ChinaPoly models I have now.

Taquito, when you get the rifle I suggest getting a couple of cans of brake cleaner. If it's packed in cosmoline the stuff will be in every nook and cranny of the weapon. Oil 'er down after you're done.

:sniper:

[BlenderWizard]

Originally posted by Sniper@Dec 31 2004, 07:46 AM
Well for one, it seems odd to me that the Russian is cheaper than the Chinese

Since the Clintonistas put a halt to firearm and ammo importation from China the price has gone way up. Even for the stamped and pinned models. Had a Russian one time, it was not as accurate as the ChinaPoly models I have now.

Taquito, when you get the rifle I suggest getting a couple of cans of brake cleaner. If it's packed in cosmoline the stuff will be in every nook and cranny of the weapon. Oil 'er down after you're done.

:sniper:
Glad I'm not the only one who uses brake cleaner on my guns to clean them...

[Sniper]

I figure seeing what it will do to clean the brakes on a vehicle, it oughta work great on firearms. Especially the military stuff that's packed in grease. One other thing, the first coat of oil I'll spray it to make sure oil gets back into the nooks and crannies. Let 'er set and wipe off the excess.

:sniper: