Author Topic: what to avoid when buying sks?  (Read 2713 times)

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Offline pigguy

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what to avoid when buying sks?
« on: December 28, 2007, 12:55:51 AM »
I am looking to buy a Yugoslav sks,does anybody know what to look for or avoid when purchaseing one of these guns?

Offline Mikey

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2007, 01:24:46 AM »
The one hidden thing I always look for in a mil-surp semi-auto is corrosion pits in the chamber.  This will foul the functioning of most all semi-autos and turn a potential prize into anchor weight. 

Obvious problems are with cracked stocks, sights that are not properly aligned and actions that do not function (bolt lock back, trigger release, etc.).  HTH.  Mikey.

Offline NONYA

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2007, 03:31:31 AM »
If you are buying used take a good look at the bore and chamber,also check the bolt face for pitting.
If it aint fair chase its FOUL,and illegal in my state!
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Offline STUMPJMPR

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2007, 03:44:54 AM »
Also inspect the gas tube....I bought 2 a while back....One functioned flawlessly...The other would not cycle....I broke it down and the gas tube was pitted very badly.....I replaced it and it worked fine....Some of these guns have seen their fare share of corrosive ammo and the gas tube probably never got cleaned

Offline bluebayou

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2007, 10:35:46 AM »
If you can get the seller to break it down look at the gas tube like the man said, but also look at the shut off valve.  The corrosive ammo can affect the seal of this valve.  There is a fix that you can do with a paperclip if necessary, but better to get one in good conidition.

I have a Yugo 59/66 in excellent condition, wow, what a bargain.  It really is a nice rifle.  Cheap to shoot, dead reliable and pretty accurate, 3" or so at 100 yards with handloads.  Might be better, just haven't had time to work on loads lately.

Also, if you can get the owner to break it down, make sure that the barrelled action doesn't move in the stock particularly after the trigger assembly has been removed.  There is not real bedding on this rifle.  The action is just kind of wedged in place.

Offline sabretip

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2008, 04:15:14 PM »
I am looking to buy a Yugoslav sks,does anybody know what to look for or avoid when purchaseing one of these guns?

I can only advise one thing.............if it's an sks ,don't buy it.

Offline NONYA

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2008, 09:13:18 AM »
WTh are you talking about?A SKS is one of the funnest,cheapest,most reliable firearms avaliable,I have killed deer,antelope,coyote and several other critters with mine.If you get an accurate one its the funnest doe antelope rifle ever made.
If it aint fair chase its FOUL,and illegal in my state!
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Offline kevthebassman

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2008, 09:18:24 AM »
I am looking to buy a Yugoslav sks,does anybody know what to look for or avoid when purchaseing one of these guns?

I can only advise one thing.............if it's an sks ,don't buy it.

Mind telling us why?  The SKS is a wonderful rifle.  Makes a GREAT truck rifle, a GREAT SHTF rifle, and a GREAT deer rifle.

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2008, 09:51:04 AM »
some like a Russian or east block - screw in bbl and forged parts . others like Chinese chrome lined bbl , lower price , newer .
i have had both the Chinese was more accurate .
the main thing to watch is price , $ 120.00 to 130.00 tops for new ! some ask way more and give all kind of BS reasons don't buy it !
think cheap ! and enjoy !
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline navylawdog

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2008, 12:57:03 PM »
some like a Russian or east block - screw in bbl and forged parts . others like Chinese chrome lined bbl , lower price , newer .
i have had both the Chinese was more accurate .
the main thing to watch is price , $ 120.00 to 130.00 tops for new ! some ask way more and give all kind of BS reasons don't buy it !
think cheap ! and enjoy !

+1 on the price I bought mine for $100. It is chinese and is really accurate.


Navylawdog

Offline 30-30man

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2008, 02:26:33 PM »
Finding a new cosmo coated sks for $120 is not going to happen.  Even with a C&R, the prices are more like $179 for used and close to $200 for one in excellent shape from AIM, Century, SOG ETC.....  Store prices in my area are in the $250-300 for a Yugo now in excellent shape.  That is for a Yugo, the others are even higher now.  You may get an individual to part with one much cheaper but if they know the value that is highly unlikely.

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2008, 01:45:01 AM »
The last couple gun shows here had NIB  $ 120.00 - 130.00 used here $ 89.00 up .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline NONYA

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2008, 02:27:13 AM »
i can get them all day long for$90 used and $129 new,cosmo included.
If it aint fair chase its FOUL,and illegal in my state!
http://www.freewebs.com/lifealongthedge/index.htm

Offline bluebayou

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2008, 01:42:30 PM »
Wow, they must be way more popular in Texas and Arkansas.  And on my internet.  Because $180-250 is what I see for excellent to unissued.  These are Yugo 59/66's I have honestly not seen a Russian or Chinese one in YEARS.

Offline NONYA

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2008, 02:16:48 PM »
I can find $5 pc parts on the net for $15 all day long,shop around.The local pawnshops are full of them as low as $75
If it aint fair chase its FOUL,and illegal in my state!
http://www.freewebs.com/lifealongthedge/index.htm

Offline bluebayou

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #15 on: February 05, 2008, 03:08:02 PM »
Alright, I am going to make a point to look in bigger towns.  Maybe it is just because the shops have been in wee little places.  Going to try in Shreveport, Longview, etc.  Maybe they will have some. 

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #16 on: February 06, 2008, 01:35:25 AM »
try a gun show if you have a chance !
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline S.S.

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #17 on: February 09, 2008, 05:47:12 AM »
all I can say is get it quick..
and about 1000 rounds of privi partizan ammo to go with it..
a few months from now your chance may disappear
Vir prudens non contra ventum mingit
"A wise man does not pee against the wind".

Offline mrbgt

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #18 on: February 12, 2008, 06:38:34 AM »
i love my Yugo's , but another thing to remember is the Yugo doesn't have chrome lined bores so a shooter grade will probably have some pitting in the barrel . they can and most still do shoot very well though. for a hunting rig you may want a Chinese or Russian, chrome lined, a little shorter ,and lighter

Offline wsjones

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #19 on: February 12, 2008, 04:44:21 PM »
Nonya:  I'd like to know where!  Samco's price for a new Yugo 59/66 is $249, SOG's dealer flyer is $169 for used/excellent.  Let us know your secret source.  -WSJones

Offline NONYA

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #20 on: February 12, 2008, 06:00:37 PM »
pAWN SHOPS,SPORTING GOODS STORES ECT
If it aint fair chase its FOUL,and illegal in my state!
http://www.freewebs.com/lifealongthedge/index.htm

Offline outdoorman

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #21 on: February 14, 2008, 01:48:19 AM »
Hey Nonya and Shootall,

Where are you guys located?  I'll drive all the way from North Georgia to find a good non-yugo sks for that price!

Offline 30-30man

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #22 on: February 14, 2008, 02:39:38 AM »
I'm not calling anyone a liar but I'd have to see them priced that low to believe it.  Those were the prices 15 years ago in my area. It is not what I've seen lately.  The pawn shops in my town and in others I've gone into want much higher than what you can buy one online for.  $300 is about average for retail shops in my area for a clean Yugo.  Russians, and Chinese models are approaching 4-$500.  That is if you can even find one locally, most shops don't stock them in my area.   Online, the average is about $200 for a clean Yugo, that's the best deal I've seen, even at at gun shows.  The gun shows and the pawn shops have never beaten the online C&R prices from what I've observed.

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #23 on: February 14, 2008, 03:29:09 AM »
30-30 man , get a shotgun news or gun digest and see for yourself .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline NONYA

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #24 on: February 14, 2008, 09:45:41 AM »
Im not calling anyone a liar but i have NEVER seen them priced that high ANYWHERE except the internet,remember we are talking USED,get offline and you will find the cheap ones.Go to Butte MT and walk into any pawnshop that sells guns,$90 skss galore of all makes.Ive got a brand new chinese sks still packed in the cosmoline buried up at the cabin,if they are going for $500 ill dig it up an sell it!
If it aint fair chase its FOUL,and illegal in my state!
http://www.freewebs.com/lifealongthedge/index.htm

Offline 30-30man

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #25 on: February 14, 2008, 04:05:37 PM »
I've traveled all over SC and Ga and that is what most shops here are asking. $500 is what a good Russian Tula brings in pristine condition.  Most Yugo are bringing $200 shooter grade to $300 pristine cosmo soaked.  I've never had good luck in the pawn shops, most of them think they have something made out of gold because not many shops carry the sks long.  They sell like hot cakes here. The prices I've seen are about $100 more than what you can buy online.  If they are that cheap on the west coast, that would be a heck of a business.  You could make $200+ off of each gun.  It just amazes me that there would be that much of a difference.  I'm use to things being much cheaper here gas, groceries etc., I guess the SKS is not one of them.

Offline NONYA

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #26 on: February 14, 2008, 07:49:47 PM »
Im gonna go into the SKS importing business,importing to SC&GA.!
If it aint fair chase its FOUL,and illegal in my state!
http://www.freewebs.com/lifealongthedge/index.htm

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #27 on: February 15, 2008, 03:10:44 AM »
30-30 man , check out KY-imports , if you see something you want have them ship it to a FFL holder in your area . Most charge about $ 40.00 here .
I will admit that competition is strong here 30 min from home 10 dealers an hour over 20 go 1.5 hrs and it must be 30 +
and as far as Russian , go Chinese if you want accurate . for a collection you pay !
4 years ago they were $85.00 new here at gun shows .
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline NONYA

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #28 on: February 15, 2008, 10:42:45 AM »
I have two Chinese and a Yugo,i honestly cant tell there is a difference in accuracy,BUT my uncle has a Yugo that shoots like S$%.
If it aint fair chase its FOUL,and illegal in my state!
http://www.freewebs.com/lifealongthedge/index.htm

Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: what to avoid when buying sks?
« Reply #29 on: February 15, 2008, 10:47:49 AM »
When we could get them for 85 dollars , every one i know got one and they were all ok shooters , all were Chinese !
If ya can see it ya can hit it !