My new addition to my "Military war rifles' Collection. It goes into that collection with the M1 Garand and Mosin Nagant, code named/nick named 'Ugly Sister'. AR15 and 1911 don't qualify, because unlike these 3, who COULD have seen action, they definitely didn't being modern. Found her in an LGS Yesterday, bought her, waited the (for now) Il 24 hour 'cooling off' period, and picked up, cleaned and then shot her today (150 rds) with my son (we also shot the 10/22 Ruger, working on off hand shooting skills). I have wanted one for awhile. I had wanted one for the reliability, CHEAP ammo, and I like semi-autos. But, I kept coming across rifles with corroded to hell and back barrels, or worm eaten stocks, or both, or modified, or Yugo ones with grenade launcher stuff. I didn't want the latter, because, I wanted to make sure it was 'legal' with any of the possible AWBs. The Grenade stuff doesn't pass a few. I wanted a Russian WWII era, but this Chinese one will do .

It has matching serial numbers on all the non stock parts. Has a triangle 326 Factory mark. Serial number puts it as a 1970 made. Barrel looks completely unfired, chrome lining is shiny and the rifling like new. In fact all but the stock is in great condition. Stock has a few small dings. In fact, when I disassembled the bolt, it still had cosmoline in the firing pin channel. Good thing I checked and cleaned. Pin wasn't moving freely, could of had a slam fire. This may have been issued, but it wasn't fired much or at all. In fact, I suspect it was stored for a long time, covered in cosmoline until recently. Even has the original cleaning tool in the stock. Also have the bayonet, but haven't re-attached yet.

So, here is my new/old 1970 Chinese Model 56 SKS.

Son and I were managing 6-7 inch groups, off-hand at 50 yards.

I remember buying Russian SKS's for 77.00 back in the 90's! I just couldn't force myself to keep any. I do have an American made AK though.

When I came home from Vietnam in 1970 I remember gun shows with piles of like new SKS rifles for less the $100. They just never turned my crank enough to buy one.

The SKS is rapidly becoming a collectible gun. I rarely see them for sale in my area anymore. Still see some Mosins but I've had my fun with them.

I don't see how that was possible, any SKS around in 1970 was a vet bring back, so an individual import with associated military paperwork and very few in new condition. Also there was no ammo available except very high priced Lapua. The heyday for the AK's and SKS's was the 90's when trade with China opened up when we had cheap rifles and more important cheap ammo available.

Russian SKSs are bringing big bucks these days.

__________________
Some Might Say.

I need to get one. I had one with all the proper take home paperwork signed and approved. When I got med-evacued from Nam, they didn't include my SKS with my stuff.

__________________
Paul
Salome, AZ

OP: Not an "evil" gun, and I have never seen an "evil" gun. I have owned many guns of different calibers, rifle,pistol, shotgun, semi, full, bolt, pump, break open- none in more than 50 years have ever loaded themselves, left the safe and did something evil. Other than Enfields, Mausers, Springfields from WWII, which have a military history none have killed humans. There can be "evil" in the user, which we see all the time, throughout the world, but a combination of wood, steel, polymer can not be "evil". Despite what may be said in the media & politicians whose ignorance is astounding. Be Safe,

__________________
I BACK OUR BLUE

Evil Rifle? Satire I think... I looked at my AK's and SKS's and other things I found in the house and none of them even upset the guard dog... He MAY be evil and just waiting for intruders of 2 to 4 legs.... I dont ask... Evil is not the "instrument" but what guides the instrument.. Kyle

....where were you going to find ammo for all of them 'furn' rifles that are measured in millimeters or some cockeyed commie names. I could see maybe a Mauser or something but RUSSIAN?

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Congratulations on your new SKS. Got a few myself and like them all just fine. L-R, Albanian, Yugoslavian, Chinese, Russian.

__________________
BCCI Life Member #2068

I remember before they imported all the Yugoslav 59/66 SKS if you could find one they were selling for $1,200+. Afterwards they were like new for well under $200. Non-refurbished Russians and even refurbs have consistently held value and increased.

The Chinese commercial rifles were never very expensive, even in new condition but they too have gone up in price. I think the Albanian models were pretty low numbers as far as imports and have increased in price a good bit.

I believe the Romanian is pretty scarce and even when you could find one the condition was never more than good at best. Usually they were pretty rough.

__________________
BCCI Life Member #2068

I believe Chinese SKSes cannot by law have the bayonet attached. Soviet/Russian models can, and I think there are some others. There is a reason for the bayonet not being attached - it's against the law. This has something to do with the Russkies being Curios & Relics - they meet the criteria for having an integral bayonet.

John

This Soviet-era SKS was manufactured at the Tula arsenal in 1951, and meets the C&R criteria to have an attached bayonet.

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

It is why it was air quoted the word, as in sarcasm. Those against gun ownership like to demonize certain types of guns as evil, or assault, etc. We see bans on Assault Rifles, and yet they often don't include actual military issue like an M1 Garand or an SKS.

Yes, I 100% agree guns are tools, and it is the person that chooses how to use said tool.

Not true. At least it isn't true federally, and not for all states (as draconian as our laws in Illinois are, it isn't illegal here).

All SKS's are holding and raising in value now, now that the Chinese pipeline has been stopped via trade laws, and others (except Yugos) because they aren't any more/many to import.

My late friend had a thing for the SKS. IIRC, He had about 12 of them plus all kinds of accessories. He told me at one time that his goal was to have one from every arsenal that ever produced them. I remember there was a nice Norinco, a brand new Russian and a Yugo that was still in cosmoline and the original paper wrap.
Of course he bought all of his back in the day when they sold for around $100 or less. When I went through his records, I believe the cheapest one he paid $79 for and the most expensive was around $120. Ya sure can't find those prices anymore.

...I still have my $85 Chinese SKS from the 90s...

...I like it...

__________________
A Country Boy Can Survive

What about an East German SKS? I would love to find one that I can afford. I have a Russian SKS that appears to be unissued. I bought from the first lot that arrived. I think I paid $135.

Beg to differ, my friend. "Non-sporting" rifles could not be imported legally after 1989. Its also illegal to build a "Non-sporting" rifle out of imported parts or change an imported rifle (adding a bayo, folding stock) into a configuration that is illegal to import.. ( 922r) federal law.

A post-89 imported Chinese SKS, without C&R exemption, cannot be fitted with a bayo without making the rifle 922r non-compliant. (10 imported parts or less). Provided that the configuration is one banned from importation.

Russian and euro rifles are C&R, and are exempted.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I realize that. About 2 weeks a ago I came into contact with an old friend, that I had not seen in nearly 40 years. A world traveler, fighting the dog meat trade, in the US and Asia, which is certainly a noble cause. When I did not respond to a text in an appropriate time, I was told that I was and old, white, male, conservative, living with my guns in the backwoods. I was told people like me were hunting Brown/Grizzly & wolves from the air in AK and " northwest US". What some one may call me is of no concern, but when I sent AK hunting regs, and tried to explain that it would be illegal, I was told that it was just more lies. This continued for a few days, me trying to explain and give facts, them stating the propaganda and telling me I did not "care" enough!! It was frightening, some one I thought I knew well, refused to listen to facts, not my beliefs or the NRA's, but state gov regulations. They would change their statement as it fit their need, and refused to look at facts!! When I saw "evil", I realized that it would be taken out of context and twisted into yet more propaganda.
Your post is yours, certainly does not need my approval, I just imagined how it would be viciously spouted back. The rifle looks great. Enjoy. Be Safe,

__________________
I BACK OUR BLUE

Sorry I stand corrected as it was later in the 90's.

As I understand it, if the rifle in question was imported prior to 1989 then it is legal to have a bayonet. If after 1989 then it can't. The problem is proving when it was imported.

__________________
BCCI Life Member #2068

This one has earned a place in the safe near the M1's and the 1897's.....
1954 Russian.

DSCF0363.jpg

DSCF0368.jpg

Mine is stamped with the Importer, ACC Intl/Intrac Knoxville Tenn. And, it is a 1970 made rifle, I would assume that means it is pre 1989, as it was stamped by the importer, and is non sporting, and thus couldn't have been Imported after the ban.

The 1970 date on the rifle doesn't prove anything. What matters is when it was imported. If the rifle in question (as you got it) was imported after 1989 and does not have a bayonet, it was probably shipped like that in compliance with the law. Then in all probability, putting a bayonet on it would be illegal, as I stated before. Just having the bayonet but not installing it on the rifle would apparently be OK.

It's a stupid law, as proving the date of importation of any particular rifle today would be next to impossible, and I doubt if the BATF minions would descend like circling hawks on anyone not in compliance. I would think they have better things to do - or maybe not.

Pretty much up to you - to decide if the potential consequences of a misstep would be worth the possible hassle.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

In regards to Paladin's statement about finding the importation date: A person wanted to put a folding stock on a SKS. Since when it was imported matters, I contacted ATF and was told that I could not get that information. I was also told that rifles were shipped by pallets in crates, so you could have SN 23456 shipped before SN 12345 depending on how they were stored. I believe if you place a bayo or folding stock on a SKS, they may be able to then track down the date of importation. for prosecution?? I may be right or wrong, I just do not have any folder SKS's. Be Safe,

__________________
I BACK OUR BLUE

Nice evil SKS.
While not impossible I know it is very very rare for someone to be charged with a violation of anything dealing with 922r. Of course that statement is subject to change with the whims of the BATF.

__________________
Expert at not being an Expert.

Shouldn't, maybe couldn't the importer have the date? They seem to still have an address. I know the date of manufacture proves nothing. I mentioned it because that stamped importer is one of the known bre ban mil importers. They stamped it, which one would assume they would do only if a legal import. I.E. It points, though doesn't prove, to being legit.

Again, I like it without the bayonet on, anyhow.