The SKS in 2025

[JackFrost]

Back in 2008 when I was really getting into firearms and oregon was still somewhat of a free state where you could buy, sell, trade with no bc (before tyrant brownstain) I picked up a couple of sks's and wasn't a fan of either of them.
I don't remember the mfg but one was a wood stock that was in pretty decent condition that was modified to accept AK mags and the other one was polymer/plastic job. Not a fan, they both were rather inaccurate and the triggers were atrocious. Sold the wood one and traded the other for a Ruger 17HMR with a Simmons scope.

 

[mhayd93]

I like the simplicity of the SKS is why I think in my safe they are a favorite.
I have some that I modified to make them operate better, including triggers.
My first was a Yugo that was from Ukraine has markings from there as well.
Got hooked on the history and the rest was history.

I've modified as well the bolts to work on mags better, but those fixed 20's never seemed to work well for me.
As far as parts as many mentioned. I have a ton of parts and cases and cases of ammo for it the AKs and the Bolt action
we have. I actually love the round for hunting, love to go back east and hog hunt.

Started the thread after grabbing the Sig P229 LEO issue ( preban) to wear and looked at the SKSs sitting off to the side and said hmm maybe we could talk about this out here. The threads on SKSs here at NWFA have dried up jus like the surplus.

Regarding hunting: I agree it makes for a great brush gun, and I would imagine the folding bayonet makes for a great way to check whether a downed hog is truly dead!

 

[40nascar]

I have a few, and I do have some genuine affection for them. That said, it's potential as an investment to me seems very suspect. Prices ran up to about $900 for unspectacular Chinese made during Corona, but have since backed down to the $550-650 range.
The very positive things about them are: 1) Very robust and reliable. I have never heard of one breaking down during use. 2) Fairly simple design, and fairly easy to field strip for maintenance and cleanup.
3) Is chambered for a practical if not an overpowering round. 7.62x39 is a good round for training, hunting Hogs and deer, and is a good home defense round.
4) With it's fixed 10 rnd mag, it's legal almost everywhere ( Except for Wash state ).
5) I find their accuracy, on average to be much better than AK types. Typical group sizes at 100 yards are in the 2-3 MOA range with cheap ( quality, not price) steel case ammo. AKs seem to be more like 4-6 MOA.

Downsides:

1) Ergonomics are outdated. The stock length of pull is engineered for smaller, shorter people. The bolt carrier/charger is bulkey and heavy. The fixed ( but notoriously reliable) 10 round magazine makes the design inadequate for a modern military rifle.
2)The design is not conducive for using optics.
3) Overall the rifle is heavy for its caliber compared to current Military rifles.
4) the Bayonet, when attached, is just unnecessary added weight that is not practical in a current military rifle.

My Overall impression:

Despite its outdated nature, it is a fun rifle to own and shoot. The ammo for it is not the bargain it once was, so that does limit the time I spend shooting with it. It is a super reliable gun, that will not let you down when you are counting on it. It would make for a good, robust firearm for hunting and homestead defense, as it is reasonably accurate, especially for an open, iron sighted longarm. It can make for a good truck gun, especially the paratrooper models with the shorter 16 inch barrels. I would not put it number 1 on my list to obtain as a "prepper" or "survivalist" firearm, but then again it is a firearm that usually evades scrutiny as a legally defined "assault weapon" almost everywhere. I would not be willing to pay collector prices, for a collector grade example. I would be willing to pay up to $450 for a well taken care of, and lightly used example, but not much more than that, and definitely not more than $500 in 2025.
If I lived in a state or area that is not very restrictive, I would choose an AR-15 or a Palmetto State Armory GF-5 AK, before I would buy an SKS. The SKS was a great bargain when it was imported in large numbers in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Unfortunately those days are long past, as is the appeal of an SKS to new shooters in 2025.

 

[Koda]

People buy guns like SKS's and M1 Carbines for other reasons now.

IMO, the whole nostalgia with the SKS was a functional defense rifle for $100, for that price you got a whole lot of gun.. Once that went away so did the nostalgia except to those lucky enough to have bought one for that cheap. I cant imagine paying $500 and upwards to over a grand for one now but its strictly for collector reasons now.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1091748318

 

[CLT65]

So many of these guns are in a different class now - SKS's, M1 carbines, Mosins, Enfields, etc..

A lot of us remember buying them for cheap back in the day, and they definitely were a lot of gun for the money. Few people thought of them as historical, collectible guns back then. As such, we would compare their practical attributes to modern commercial rifles. Things like weight and trigger pull aren't that important to people buying them now. If you want a practical gun for practical reasons, forget about old surplus rifles, in my opinion.

Some 25 years ago I was buying Turkish Mausers for $50 or less. A friend of mine asked about turning one into a good hunting rifle. Several relatives had beautifully sporterized rifles from the '60s and '70s, and he thought that might be an inexpensive way to get into hunting. I told him for the cost of having a gunsmith work a cheap surplus rifle over, he'd be money ahead to just buy a modern rifle. He found a really nice used Remington 700 30-06 instead.

 

[Koda]

A lot of us remember buying them for cheap back in the day, and they definitely were a lot of gun for the money. Few people thought of them as historical, collectible guns back then. As such, we would compare their practical attributes to modern commercial rifles.

Exactly. Gun control laws like the 90s AWB and background checks killed the surplus guns. Most had no need but for the price would buy one or two anyways just because, they were purchased for their price not so much their history. I'd buy one now if they were still that cheap even including inflation. The last of the true "truck guns" where if it got stolen you just bought another one. The nostalgia of those days are gone forever.

 

[echo1]

The SKS market has mostly stabilized. Some of the rifles listed here are the best buys in the country, in general for whatever reason. I suspect they're from one-off owners, not collectors and the ammo deal is affecting their reason to retain or not and they're just trying to recoup.
The Ruger 10/22 and the SKS are my 2 favorite weapon platforms. Before I discovered the SKS I tinkered with a few 10/22s, side folders, Drag, bull pup furniture. Then the cheap Chinese rifles showed up. My first SKS was a 70 bucks single shot. Had to take it apart to figure out why, froze gas piston. After that I was hooked and started picking up every cheap SKS I came across, bought barreled actions from SARCO ($80), parts lots from across the country. All told I built about 12 rifles and never sold any over 20 years. Then when the plague panic hit in 2018-19, I had to jump on the band wagon and take advantage of the crazy pricing. When they were flying off the shelf here in Kali for $750, I offered mine for $650 each or 3 for $1500. The first 3 dudes in 2 days bought or traded for 10, including an Albanian and a Romanian at a premium but still less than market. The Alby guy bought 3 Chinese rifle bundle and the Romy fella picked up an 8MM FN49 too. The horse trader got a Yugo 59/66, a commercial SKS, and a home grown Paratrooper for a Luxembourg FN49 that they were asking $2400 for. Since I'd had my iron for decades, I was able to not be greedy and offer mine at a reduction from what others were listed at and still make bank I ended up moving 15 rifles, some C&R, a couple collectors, some mix masters, a few parts builds. None of the buyers balked or complained about price or function. Since then, I've concentrated on collector grade SKS or Paratrooper rifles ad main battle rifles. This where I'm at now., PAX
The Warsaw Wall, Russians, Albanians, Yugo M59C and Romanian
The Paratroopers
Main battle iron
Chines collectables
Some that went away

 

[Aero Denezol]

I've owned both Russian and Chinese. Let me cut to the chase, worst trigger in the world. Sold them all and glad I did.

100% agree, the trigger is terrible.

I still have a very nice matching 1964 /26\ that was in cosmoline. I see the SKS as collector's guns with little practical purpose, esp. since the AR can now do everything.

 

[echo1]

100% agree, the trigger is terrible.

I still have a very nice matching 1964 /26\ that was in cosmoline. I see the SKS as collector's guns with little practical purpose, esp. since the AR can now do everything.

To me, more than the trigger, the safety is the worst mechanical aspect to the rifle. The crappy trigger is part of the safety function. PAX

 

[CLT65]

The thing we have to constantly remind ourselves when enjoying those fond memories of cheap surplus back in the day, is that a hundred bucks back then is NOT a hundred bucks now. $100 in 1995 is more than $200 now, and $20 in 1965 is over $200 now.

Lower-end but functional new firearms are cheaper now than ever. Adjusted for inflation, you can find usable new guns for not a whole lot more than many of the surplus guns of yesteryear. I can't bring myself to say that they're near the same value necessarily, but there are still many options for the budget minded buyer.

 

[Koda]

The thing we have to constantly remind ourselves when enjoying those fond memories of cheap surplus back in the day, is that a hundred bucks back then is NOT a hundred bucks now. $100 in 1995 is more than $200 now, and $20 in 1965 is over $200 now.

Lower-end but functional new firearms are cheaper now than ever. Adjusted for inflation, you can find usable new guns for not a whole lot more than many of the surplus guns of yesteryear. I can't bring myself to say that they're near the same value necessarily, but there are still many options for the budget minded buyer.

Was thinking about this and maybe todays budget AR15s are tomorrows nostalgia?

 

[Koda]

Edit.
usinflationcalculator.com puts $100 in 1991 at $223.24 today.

Not even a budget AR.

 

[hoopharted]

i just need a Romanian and a Albanian

 

[hoopharted]

i found that my SKS rifles love Hornaday Black SST ammo , if you want to squeeze out the best accuracy

 

[40nascar]

The thing we have to constantly remind ourselves when enjoying those fond memories of cheap surplus back in the day, is that a hundred bucks back then is NOT a hundred bucks now. $100 in 1995 is more than $200 now, and $20 in 1965 is over $200 now.

Lower-end but functional new firearms are cheaper now than ever. Adjusted for inflation, you can find usable new guns for not a whole lot more than many of the surplus guns of yesteryear. I can't bring myself to say that they're near the same value necessarily, but there are still many options for the budget minded buyer.

Yes, but in the Case of the AR-15, a $500 one in 1985 is still $500 in 2025.

 

[echo1]

i just need a Romanian and a Albanian

I have 2 Albanian's left, this '69 Albanian. Looks to be a combat vet, all matching, minor trench art, the soldiers name (?), could be for sale. Shown with a French Tickler Paratrooper, also available. PAX

 

[40nascar]

Was thinking about this and maybe todays budget AR15s are tomorrows nostalgia?

Not likely. Probably 25% of the firearm population in the USA is AR-15'S of one flavor or another.

 

[hoopharted]

I have 2 Albanian's left, this '69 Albanian. Looks to be a combat vet, all matching, minor trench art, the soldiers name (?), could be for sale. Shown with a French Tickler Paratrooper, also available. PAX
View attachment 2047981 View attachment 2047982 View attachment 2047983 View attachment 2047984

long time no see , did you ever track down that gas tube for that Albanian?

 

[hoopharted]

how you been Pax

 

[hoopharted]

Not likely. Probably 25% of the firearm population in the USA is AR-15'S of one flavor or another.

have you seen the prices of SP1 rifles these days , anywhere from $1500 to $2500 depending on markings and configuration , seen a CAR rifle $1800 , even Ban era rifles are creeping up