Irving Gun Show, and my first SKS

[HarrisonTX]

Decent sized show. Pretty empty. Actually, noone was really there.

I've been wanting a semi-auto rifle for quite a while. As broke as I am, I picked up this guy for $199. I don't know SHIT about SKS's. This is Chinese made, has a threaded barrel, and I believe it has a chromed barrel, although I'm not certain.
I believe $199 was a deal. Agree? Disagree?

[01yz2nv]

I dont know much about the SKS, but that seems like a good deal to me, well done!

[helosailor]

Prices have gone through the roof on them in the last 10 or so years, but that seems like a good deal.
I've had my Chinese SKS for probably 20 years (yeah, I'm an old fart).
It has never once had a failure or stumble of any kind...and I have put thousands of rounds through it. It goes bang every single time.
A few things I've learned about them...
1) They seem to prefer cheapo surplus ammo. High dollar premium ammo is no more accurate or reliable and, at least for me, has shown to be less accurate.
2) Do not waste your time or money with a scope. I have yet to hear about an SKS that won't knock any scope out of zero within 10~20 rounds. The iron sights work just fine, use them.
3) I'm pretty sure they are all chrome lined. Along with this, if you forget or don't bother to clean it between range trips...no big deal. It will still function fine and shoot just as well as the last time you shot it.

Enjoy!

[BP]

I remember seeing people selling brand new, still in the crate and coated with cosmoline ones for $79. I guess those days are long gone. Then again I bought my last AK for $200.

[futant]

Prices have gone through the roof on them in the last 10 or so years, but that seems like a good deal.
I've had my Chinese SKS for probably 20 years (yeah, I'm an old fart).
It has never once had a failure or stumble of any kind...and I have put thousands of rounds through it. It goes bang every single time.
A few things I've learned about them...
1) They seem to prefer cheapo surplus ammo. High dollar premium ammo is no more accurate or reliable and, at least for me, has shown to be less accurate.
2) Do not waste your time or money with a scope. I have yet to hear about an SKS that won't knock any scope out of zero within 10~20 rounds. The iron sights work just fine, use them.
3) I'm pretty sure they are all chrome lined. Along with this, if you forget or don't bother to clean it between range trips...no big deal. It will still function fine and shoot just as well as the last time you shot it.

Enjoy!

pretty good advice. to this I would add -
if youre a DIYer, there are some pretty good youtube videos on how to do a good trigger job on it.
I would highly suggest that, the factory trigger is horrible.
Also tapco 20rnd mags are your best friend.
a tapco stock is a nice addition, but obviously that costs money...
overall ive done a ton of work on my sks mainly just to play around with some gunsmithing. Mine was a yugo. anyway , whatever you do - do not cut the barrel down to 16" !
helps a lot with the weight, but a cut to 17 or 18" is better, and won't screw up the gas system.

doing the trigger job yourself is really nice, and easy. Just requires considerable patience and some testing to get it 10X better.

[Venix]

Glad you found something good at the show. I went on Saturday, and other then targets on the cheap, everything seemed way overpriced with a low selection.