SKS availability Q's

[itisbruno]

I'm prepping for my niece's 18th birthday, and want to give her a SKS as "her" first firearm the day she can legally own one. I'm also looking for a couple of "trunk" guns for me.

I have my C&R license, and was wondering if anyone had a good source for "unissued" SKS's for my niece? She just turned 17, and I think I can transfer it to her when she is 18. I'm even gonna pay the 10 bucks and have her fill out the transfer form at my FFL guys shop so she gets the full experience.

I was poking around and saw some "good to very good" condition SKS's for $79 or 89 bucks, and for the life of me, I cannot remember where the heck I saw them.

Any pointers would be helpful, thanks gang :)

[97guns]

interordnance has very nice ones and century might have the best prices

[m2hmghb]

AIM usually has some.

[m2hmghb]

These are excellent and select grade, 130-150
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Yugoslavian_Model_59_66_7_62x39_SKS_Rifle.html

[itisbruno]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

[Blitzer]

S.O.G. http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplusrifles.htmlhttp://www.southernohiogun.com/images/header.jpg

[aaronrkelly]

Originally posted by Blitzer
S.O.G. http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplusrifles.htmlhttp://www.southernohiogun.com/images/header.jpg

I recently ordered 3 "shooter" grade SKSs from SOG. Two were rusty piles of poop - I had to beat the gas pistons out of the gas tubes, they were rusted solid.

After some TLC and cleaning they did fire without issue.

The 3rd gun was absolutely flawless, numbers matching, tritium night sights still work - easily rated at 98% overall with deep bluing.

I prefer Classic Arms and I would advise stepping up to the next grade of rifle if your giving it as a gift.

[itisbruno]

I concur, aaronrkelly

I bought one from SOG that was supposed to be in excellent condition, and it was not bad, but did have a big spot of rust on it, I was far from impressed with their most expensive SKS they offered.

I'm looking for a "new" vendor for my next purchase.

[cjlandry]

I've ordered several MilSurp rifles and ammo from J&G Sales (http://www.jgsales.com). The prices have been great, the products have been nice, and the service has been friendly.

I plan to try AIM Surplus for some 30.06 ammo for my Garand when it arrives. I'll probably also set them up with my FFL guy so I can get MilSurp rifles from them as well, as I've heard nothing but good about them.

[unlearned69]

I haven't purchased from them yet, but classicarms sell unissued Yugos for $169. That sounds like a heck of a deal to me. I'm going to order one next month.

[Specks]

I'm picking up my AIM 'excellent select' ($150) at my FFL later today. I'll take some pictures and post them so you can see what you can expect.

[itisbruno]

unlearned69 & Specks - let us know what you think of the rifles you get, and post some pics if you can!

cjlandry - I envy you, wish I was gettin a Garand ...

Thanks for ya'all's feedback, I appreciate the help.

[Specks]

okay, took some quick pictures of my sks from AIM. It is the 'excellent select' variety. It's swimming in cosmoline. I'm very pleased with it. All externally visable numbers match.

Right Side - Look it came with the original rubber band on the stock.
http://brianandmandy.bealerfamily.org/images/gt/sks-right-side.JPG

Left Side (sorry it's a bit blurry - this was without a flash)
http://brianandmandy.bealerfamily.org/images/gt/sks-left-side.JPG

And a shot of the gas valve
http://brianandmandy.bealerfamily.org/images/gt/sks-gas-valve.JPG

If you have any requests for pictures of specific parts, let me know and I'll do my best.

[cjlandry]

If it were in the budget today, I'd be searching for a 59 (not 66).

A good friend has a Norinco 59. We took it to the range the other day. The gun is so light it's like holding a BB-gun. And it shoots just as straight as my Unissued Yugo 59/66 (or should I say that mine shoots as straight as his?).

These things are much nicer to shoot than any of my Kalashnikovs.

Specks, that's a good looking one. Looks a lot like mine did when I got it. Goo everywhere!

It took a long time to get all the cosmolene out.

Here's how I got it out of the wood:

http://landry-family.com/milsurp/cosmocook.jpg

And here's what it looks like now:

http://landry-family.com/RKBA/strippers.jpg

[paccw]

Aim

[aaronrkelly]

The gun store nearby has an absolute MINT Norinco, numbers matching.....not a scratch anywhere, 100% bluing......utterly perfect. Price is $190......I keep passing it by but I get weaker everytime.

[m2hmghb]

190 is a decent price, got mine years ago for 99. It's a mix master now, trigger group went downhill(bought it used) and the stock was dry rotted. I have been thinking about drilling and tapping it for an original style scope and getting rid of the bayonet lug.

[Nicky D]

AIM:thumbsup: I have purchased many rifles from AIM and all have been as described or better, highly recommend them.

[MrWithasee]

How about a Russian? Any ideas where?

[aaronrkelly]

Originally posted by MrWithasee
How about a Russian? Any ideas where?

Gunbroker or private party sells.....thats about it.

I havent seen Russians for mass sale....well, never.

[MrWithasee]

Originally posted by aaronrkelly
I havent seen Russians for mass sale....well, never.

What about parts? I have a Tula that was changed over to accept the 30 round retachable magazine. I want to revert it back to the original attached 10-rounder but finding the mag itself has been tough. I want to keep Russian parts on it. Any thoughts?

[aaronrkelly]

Originally posted by MrWithasee
What about parts? I have a Tula that was changed over to accept the 30 round retachable magazine. I want to revert it back to the original attached 10-rounder but finding the mag itself has been tough. I want to keep Russian parts on it. Any thoughts?

e-gunparts.com lists the part you need but when you click on it they use the same part number for the Yugo....so its probably not going to be a true "Russian" part. I really dont think anyone is going to notice though....cant say I can tell the difference between my Yugo and Russian with regards to the magazine.

[itisbruno]

Specs and cj, thanks for taking the time to post the great pics!

Looks like I'll go with everyone's AM recommendation.