My new SKS, opinions needed please!

[bengal fan]

Hello all!
I recently purchased this Yugo M59/66A1 not knowing anything about SKS, but this one was just too nice to pass up! After doing some research I learned that there is basically 3 grades of these rifles. Unissued, issued & arsenal refurbished & I actually joined the SKS boards forum & posted this rifle trying to discover if this one was a arsenal refurb or a unissued (original) example. All but one response on the forum was it is a original unissued example. So I'm asking the same questions here. If any of you are familiar with these rifles, whats your opinion?
The reason Im trying to positively ID this gun is if is a original unissued, I'm probably going to put it up or maybe sell it. ( Sorry, but I could never cut that tag off and shoot it) But if it has been refurbished the collector value would be minimal so I'm going to shoot it

Here are some specifics..
When I say this gun is in like new condition that's a understatement. The rifle looks unfired, the bore & chamber are mint. The wood looks unbelievable & the bluing is a nice dark blue. As you can see it still has a Id tag zip tied to the trigger guard & all the numbers match that I can see with out disassembling. Under the bayonet on the barrel its marked Samco, which I learned that's who imported the rifle. Its a S prefix, so that makes it a 1981/1982. That's the extent of my knowledge, but please correct me if I'm mistaken on anything.

Thanks for your help!

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[Arik]

LOOKS unissued.... LOOKS!

However, 2 things.
1. Anything in ORIGINAL condition is collectable. Arsenal refurbished is still original as it is original to the country and how they serviced their weapons. If you start cutting away it's guaranteed to be worth $50 - $100 unless you find someone who just has to have it.

2. Several Yugoslav friends of mine say that after the Balkan wars there is no such thing as unissued

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[Mike1647]

Can't help with your question but it looks very nice. I wish the furniture on my early 90's Norinco looked like yours does.

 

[Culina]

It looks unissued to me, the stock is beechwood on that one. If the serial number is from the early 80's it would have been obsolete for the JNA by that time it was produced since they were already making the M70 (their version of the AK-47) since 1970.

There were plenty of un-issued rifles in the former Yugoslavia by the time the war ended. Most of them were M48 yugo mausers. The communist government made millions of M48's, millions of SKS's and millions of M70's. When one design was obsolete, they would grease them up and stash them in armories. They never destroyed anything. They still had arms of WWII vintage packed away so when the fighting first started it was not uncommon to see M1 Thompsons and MP40's in a firefight.

 

[vonn]

Bought some a few years back and they were even in sequential serial numbers,nice rifles,imported in very large numbers. I think it may be a long time before they become a high priced collectible. I shoot mine and they are awesome. With the results of the election in I think prices will drop.

 

[alwslate]

As already mentioned they have been imported in very large numbers.
Several years ago it seemed like they were everywhere. The local
Dunhams store had them in varying condition for several years. I think
it's going to be a very long time before one of these in any condition is
going to become a high dollar collectable. My understanding of SKSs is
that the 59/66s were all refurbished M59s and modified for grenade use
and that none were original models but I could be wrong. If it was mine
I would look at it as an excellent condition shooter.

 

[sheepdawg]

Saw your post at Survivors SKS forum. You got replies from some knowledgeable members, Prince 50 being one of them.

The best I know over there with Yugo SKSs is a member named Old Outlaw. Might PM him.

 

[DocB]

One of my favorites. Superior to the AK47 which I refuse to own until I can find a Viet Nam War era one. Love the SKS!

 

[Arik]

One of my favorites. Superior to the AK47 which I refuse to own until I can find a Viet Nam War era one. Love the SKS!

Lol ok

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[LVSteve]

Lovely looking rifle.

My only beef with the Yugo SKS is that it does not have a chrome lined barrel. I'll keep looking for an original Chinese piece as they are supposed to be the most accurate. Mind you, I have never actually shot the Russian refurb I have.

 

[4506517]

Nice rifle. I would say that it is in great shape. My opinion is that it isn't refurbished. Typically you can still see nicks and gouges in metal through a refinish. Those internals show little to no wear.

I have one that I bought "new" from a local shop. Mine is a "Z" prefix serial number. Internet "legend" is that these were imported under questionable circumstances and sat in customs for sometime (I think someone said 8 years). They were finally released for sale.

My rifle is very accurate. I think the lack of a chrome aged bore contributes to that.

Shot and enjoy it. One of the neatest things about these Yugoslavian SKSs is how much fun researching them is.

 

[pharmer]

I've owned 2, a 1953 Russian and a Norinco paratrooper with 16" barrel and proper AK release/ mags. Great "tools" and a lot of fun. I've handled several Yugo's but none as nice as yours. Won't be any more coming in (I don't think) so shoot it or keep it new, it's great to live in a country that offers such a choice. Joe

 

[67tempest]

Looks like a very nice rifle. These were everywhere 10 or so years ago at very reasonable prices. Bought a bunch and have them packed away. Nice ones in that condition that I have seen for sale are priced between about $450-$500. It's not like it's something rare so shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Keep a thousand rounds hid somewhere.

 

[Wishoot]

Lovely looking rifle.

My only beef with the Yugo SKS is that it does not have a chrome lined barrel.

Seems like a lot of people give a lot of consideration to this issue. IMO, it's a very minor inconvenience and a non-issue for the most part, if you clean your rifle after every outing.

Shoot it. Enjoy it. Clean it.

BTW... Nice looking rifle.

 

[lebomm]

I've had 2 or 3 Simonov carbines, I think all Chinese. I even gussied one up with a Choate stock, modified the magazine to almost-flush 5-shot, removed bayo mount, etc. I enjoyed each of them, but always wound up selling because I didn't know what I'd use one for, other than as an ammunition disposal system, and when ammo started climbing in price, it wasn't quite as much fun. I consider the round barely adequate for deer, and the smaller critters aren't much of a problem where I live.
All that said, the Simonov is a very user-friendly mechanism, featuring adequate magazine capacity, light recoil, easy, dependable functioning in single shot mode, and is really quite a good trainer as a first centerfire rifle. Current prices are, IMHO, beyond reason, but I may well have another sometime when I stumble across one at a sane price (not too likely, I'm thinking). In sum, I like the platform, but can't see it as good for much beyond shooting people. If caliber conversions were easier, I think I'd probably find it attractive again. YMMV.

Larry