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Paco
Lv 6
Paco asked in SportsOutdoor RecreationHunting · 9 years ago

Where is the best place online to get an SKS rifle?

I'm looking to buy another SKS rifle, but the shops around here have simply gotten too simply too high recently. I know I can beat their prices somewhere.... I also realize I will need to have it shipped to my dealer...but I am looking for the best prices online. Can anyone give me some ideas? ... I'd appreciate it.

Update:

The last one I bought, close to 20 years ago, I paid a premium for...225 dollars if I recall (and that was high back then)...but it was in "new unissued" condition. Now they all seem to run around 350 at the gun shops and pawn shops in this area, and they are all "well used", and I am trying to beat that.

Thanks guys... I appreciate ALL your answers and help.... I'll probably get my gunsmith to order me one from either Samco, or Widener's...

Paco

Update 2:

I ordered one yesterday evening from Widener's. They said it should get to my gunsmith in about 10 days, and he said he'd give me a call when it came in.... I'm out a total of 367 dollars for the gun, shipping and handling, and my dealer's receiver fee. That's not too bad...... I do thank both you guys for the help and information.

2 Answers

Relevance
  • august
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Gunbroker, or else try to negotiate with some of the local shops. You might also check pawn shops, and see if they can give you a better deal.

    Once you pay shipping and FFL fees, you'll probably save very little over just biting the bullet and buying locally. Shipping could be anywhere from $15-$75, I would guess, and FFL fees could run about the same. You'll pay at the very least $30 more than the price listed on the website, and that's a very conservative estimate.

    Just as an example, ground shipping on one Yugo SKS auction on Gunbroker was $25. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that local FFL dealers where you live charge a fairly high price for transfer fees. Let's assume $35. Some places actually charge $125 for certain guns, especially NFA items, and as another example, one local store charges $25 from most places, but $50 from Cheaper Than Dirt and a couple of others. So for simplicity's sake, let's say $35.

    $25+$35=$60. Add that to the price tag online. For the same Gunbroker auction mentioned above, the rifle is selling for approximately $379. After fees, you'll pay about $440 for the rifle.

    Yes, you might find one cheaper, but think of the issues you might encounter. For example, when ordering online, you can't really inspect the firearm to confirm that it functions properly. You can't disassemble it to ensure that the gas valve is not corroded (which was the problem with my Yugo SKS). You can't look for missing or damaged parts.

    By all means, search online for an SKS... but also reconsider purchasing from a local source. You never know- if you tell them up front that you'd prefer to buy locally if they can make a deal for you, they might just lower their price. Maybe it won't be as cheap as online, but it might be.

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