The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Okay, once again a Yugo SKS has crossed my path. Owners had it hard to tell how long as he horded rifles away back when they were plenty and cheap.
Unissued and like new priced at $400.oo I know nothing about them and wondering what should I ask him about the rifle ? I've been reading a little online and see a couple different versions right off. I'd like an automatic of some type other then my M1 Garand. Do I want one of these or a AK, or a AR of some type ? I'm totally lost looking at AR's and the different parts to build such a rifle plus I really don't care for the looks of them. If I don't run across anything to buy by spring I plan to save my pennies and buy a Springfield M1A
Thanks !

Check with the online sellers like AIM or SOG. A new batch of Yugo SKS's have recently came in to the country that are unissued and have all the extras and papers to go with them.

J&G has T-56's for $329...I've had 6 of them, damn good rifles. If I had to choose between these or an M1 Garand as the only rifle I could take to battle with me, I take the T-56. I have a Yugo, but I can't say it's better than the Chi-com's. Just the grenade launcher is a plus.

$400 is a pretty fair price for something that you can immediately take possession of. You'll spend that much or more by the time you add postage and a possible FFL transfer. As for AKs, most of the stamped receiver units available now are actually AKMs. Nothing wrong with that-I have a Yugo M59/66 and a Zastava AKM. They're both nice rifles.

400 is average i would say for a yugo sks. Things to check are the barrel and gas valve. Yugos dont have chrome lined barrels and some of them have cycling issues from corrosive ammo and not being cleaned. If it checks out you will have a great shooter that is more accurate than your average sks, love my Yugo. One thing to say is if you want a AK or AR get a AK or AR. I wouldn't try to bridge the gap by trying to make a sks what it isn't, especially a yugo sks that is longer and heavier than its cousins.

If a Yugo SKS has cycling issues, the culprit is usually a worn gas valve. You can test by wrapping a thin gauge wire around the base and test firing. Replacement gas valves are easily obtained. Barrels are rarely a problem-chrome lining is nice but not essential. Minor pitting is to be expected-these are military rifles, not competition guns.

Classic has Yugos for $425 right now that are like new. Comes with a book, sling, oiler & oiler pounch, ammo pouch, and cleaning kit.

What is your opinion on the future price of these rifles? I just traded for a 59/66 SKS in near original condition but now am thinking of getting another.

They'll only go up in value-only questions are how quickly and how much. No more are being made and there is the natural attrition rate to consider. Barrels are subject to rust if not properly cared for as the Yugo barrels were not chromed. Who knows how many 59/66 rifles have had the grenade launcher cut off or countless other non-military modifications made.

TopperT wrote:What is your opinion on the future price of these rifles? I just traded for a 59/66 SKS in near original condition but now am thinking of getting another.

I haven't seen too many milsurplus go down in value. Some may go up more or less than others, but I doubt you will lose money on it if you plan on holding on to it for a number of years. Everything has some sort of collector value to different folks.