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Help needed on Russian SKS

5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
edited January 2008 in Ask the Experts
There is a Russian SKS for sale on gunbroker item number #89286512. In California the SKS is legal but it needs the fixed magazine. The item in 89286512 does not show a magazine. So I sent the seller a email asking him if the gun took removeable magazines like the AK magazine or if the fixed box magazine had been removed for some reason because I couldn't tell from the picture if it was a fixed magazine or not. The seller sent me back a note saying it was what it was and he was just selling it and he couldn't tell if it was a fixed or removeable magazine. And I guess fixed really isn't the proper term since it is actually hinged in front. Anyway can anyone help me here?
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Comments

  • Henry0ReillyHenry0Reilly Member Posts: 10,892 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Link to rifle -> http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=89286512

    Links to 5 & 10 round fixed magazines for sale:

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=90169042

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=90222121
    I used to recruit for the NRA until they sold us down the river (again!) in Heller v. DC. See my auctions (if any) under username henryreilly
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  • midnightrunpaintballermidnightrunpaintballer Member Posts: 2,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i don't see a mag in the picture either but i am wondering why it is so expensive. around here in ohio you can buy an sks anywhere for $150-$175. am i missing something?
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  • ammo guyammo guy Member Posts: 810 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All Basic SKS's have a fixed Mag. holding 10 rds. This is so for this gun, for what ever reason someone removed it from the gun. These can be found as replacements at Sarco or Gun Parts Corp(Probably will be Chinese Mfg). The Russian SKS is considered more collectable thus the higher price. This one has had the stock stripped of the orginal finish.
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  • kraschenbirnkraschenbirn Member Posts: 70 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just my nickel's worth but this looks like a "parts" gun; sn's for receiver, bolt, and trigger group don't appear to match and there are no visible cartouche or date stamps on the wood. Practically every piece of my 1950 Tula is marked in some manner.

    Bill
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    OK, so this guy has no FB, he doesn't know anything about guns, he can't answer your question, & the gun is being sold AS IS. The rifle may or may not function, & it may or may not have been altered to the point that it cannot be fixed. The barrel could be pitted, or bulged, or something else. No matter how bad it is, though, you have no recourse because it is AS IS.

    These are all RED FLAGS. Run Away!

    Neal
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  • ruger41ruger41 Member Posts: 14,665 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In CA you can only have the 10 round fixed magazine installed in an SKS. You can buy 30 rounders and the kit to make it detachable but it is illegal to have it installed. I agree with the other guys-that is an awful high price for an SKS.
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  • bobinwisbobinwis Member Posts: 361 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The wood appearance is quite 'new looking' to be original unless it has been arsenal refinished. What type of emblem is found on top of the bolt cover? If Russian, it would be one of two circle/triangle/arrow combinations. If Russian, the year of manufacture should be stamped on top as well. 'CCCP16940' is not a serial number if that's what the seller claims it is. The serial number consists of 2 characters for the last 2 digits of the Russian year and a numeric following. Serial numbers began at 1 each year. On the left side of the stock, the serial number should be stamped. If it matches the receiver id, it is original to the rifle. If there is one that has been x'd out and another stamped on, it has been reworked. Look on the right side of the stock for a small (3/4 x 1/2 perhaps) rectangle with a diagonal line through it. That is proof of an arsenal rework. The sling doesn't appear correct either. Photos are not real good for identification. The cross bolt in the stock right behind the finger groove was used as reinforcement on solid birch stocks. If reworked, the stock was usually replaced with a laminated stock (shortage of good birch) with 2 cross reinforement bolts. Ask the seller for ALL markings in detail. Suggest checking your state laws regarding modifying or replacing original magazines.

    Regards, Bob
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  • scrubberguyscrubberguy Member Posts: 219 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    5mmgunguy:
    I looked very carefully at the photos on the auction site. If you look closely you'll see a magazine release just in front of the trigger guard. It is smaller than you'd find on an AK but it is still there!

    That means this gun was converted to use detachable magazines and, until it is converted back to standard 10 rd Fixed box mag, it is illegal to import or sell in Calif.

    Suggest you look someplace else for a nice sks This one ain't it![8D]
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  • muttermutter Member Posts: 122 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    $400 or $450 tops on original gun.

    The gun is currently over max value on bid due to restoration and lack of original mag.

    Scrubberguy, this is not a mag release in the AK sense. This is the original release to remove unspent cases from the swing down mag box and it has not been modified.

    However, the stock is refinished or not original to a Russian SKS. It should be a dark brownish red.

    Someone removed the original mag and probably used a duckbill 30 round mag in it. The original should be laying some where around the guys house.

    By the way, not all SKS's came with a 10 round mag. I have seen and currently own a post 86 pre 94 original Chicom with a 20 round mag. Same build and function as the 10 rounder but has a star on the side and a bad finish even in like new condition.
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  • Wolf.Wolf. Member Posts: 2,223 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    5mmgunguy,
    Pass on this gun. The seller answered you with a non-answer. That ought to be enough for you to shine him on.

    Whenever one of these auction sellers answers you back with a, "I'm just a poor old country boy from xxxxxxxx and I don't know too much about guns, but.....", rest assured they are to be avoided. Another version of this is, "I'm selling this gun for the wife of a friend of mine that passed away. I don't know too much about guns......".

    Another reason to put your high top boots on when dealing with these people is the old one you just experienced, "the gun is being sold as is.....".

    Still another trick these people use is to post photographs that are too dark to see any detail or they will use a dark background for the gun, making it difficult to make out details. The good ones will post a picture that at the same time is both bright and clear, but has some shadow areas blotting out the gun's faults.

    Simpler still is the guy who posts photos take from so far away you can't make out the critical details.

    When you encounter these people, don't even bother asking them for clarification. It is a big waste of your time and guaranteed to piss you off.
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