The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I was wondering if you guys could tell me what some of the best starting SKS guns would be. I'm going to buy one in the next week. My gun shop that I go to has a nice Russian one for sale for $289. Is that a decent price? He said if I wanted any other variants he could get them in. I just want an SKS because I love to collect old war guns and I think its time to invest in an SKS because they are really awesome.

I would buy that russian and then run. A real good price these days. If it is not butchered or ninja'd it is a great deal. In fact that price is good for any SKS. I have a chinese myself and love it. I have came close to buying a yugo many times but haven't.

Yeah I just don't know how much its been used. I know it's used but not much more. He said he could get a chinese one in for about $239. Would that be better?

I would think they were the same ..potentialy. If you think the barrel os to worn then you may want to pass. On the other hand i think the russians are running around $450 or so for a matching refurb (not sure). There were 2 russians near me and they both went for over $400 not too long ago. There is a chinese here that is less but has a wierd looking stock on it for around $300. Yugos can be had with accessories for around $350 or so with the condition variable. If it is matching and looks good or not refurbed i would go with the russian. If you are looking for a shooter and the chinese has a better barrel then that price sounds good to me. Not much help i know.

No that was a big help. The russian SKS is all original except it has the banana clip conversion. I'm going to ask the gun shop if they still have the original mag or clip whatever you call those on the SKS. I'll check out the barrel tomorrow and I"ll report back.

Well that is a shame but not a tragedy. If you can get the original magazine that would be worth the effort as they are hard to find. They are easy to exchange.
Good luck. Not sure where the old timers SKS guys are. I think this is really early for bed, for them even

that would be a good price for either one if they are in good shape.the russian would be worth more if it has the original mag. if not you could replace it,

A Russian mag will run around $40 to replace, and they can be found with patience. But a Chinese mag will do in a pinch, for around $25.

It will never be a matching gun, but any Russian for under $300 is a decent deal. Not to worry about how much it has been used, as long as it hasn't been abused.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the help and ideas. I'll go and look at it tomorrow and post pics if I buy it. If not we'll wait for the chinese SKS to come in.

Barrel wear or wear in general should not be that much of an issue, unless it's seen thousands and thousands of rounds, or never cleaned afterward. Most Russians were refurbed at some point to new condition and like the Chinese have chrome bores(except the early ones). I'd go with the Russian, if the stock is original and only the mag is mismatched but, I like the look of the Russian stocks. I would think it would still increase some in value, I mean around here I've seen a mismatched Russian for $400, 289 is a good price.

You may even get lucky, there are no number magazines floating around also, and they are interchangeable, but like Martin08 said a true Russian replacement will take a little time.