SKS Current Prices Worth it?

[u/EmperorSlim]

Just got my pal and ive always intended to get an sks, but after 9 months of waiting the prices have gone up quite a bit since originally intending to buy one

in your opinion is the current price range of 700-1000ish$ worth it for an sks? i always see one of the main selling points as being cheap, but if a more modern rifles only a few hundred more at this price point is it really worth buying an sks still?

[u/Iokua_CDN]

I'll share my thoughts and alternatives. So my searching is bringing up several sks rifles in the $650 to $730. For that price, I think definitely buy one. You get a reliable semi auto rifle, a good caliber to shoot cheaply, some heritage and history  and such.  If you want to modernize it a bit, that will cost you extra  though.  When prices start  climbing past $800, that's when I start thinking it's not worth it.

Now some alternatives??

A 3006 Browning Bar can be had for 800 bucks.  Ammo is going to cost more than with an Sks, however a 3006 can  so much more of you are hunting with it. So its a solid option, though worse for plinking. Also much easier to mount a scope. I think it's worth it, but it depends what you want it for. For hunting, I'm picking the Bar every time. For the range? The Sks has the advantage in cost.

The Celik in 223 actually goes for as low as $1000 if you watch. Turkish quality and reliability means it might not be so good,  but then again,  neither were the Canadian made 223 semi autos.  More expensive than an sks, but you do have some pros.  Easy to mount an optic, they already got a rail.  That's like an easy $100 dollars of value as it would cost that much to add it to an Sks.  Also takes 10 round pistol mags. Again that would be AT LEAST a $100 of parts and a whole lot of labour to add that to an Sks. The ability to take pistol mags should not be underestimated.   So if you find one  at $1000, I feel it's a better buy than a $900 dollar Sks.  However prices are often higher on the Celik, like $1250 is common, which I don't think it's worth it at that price. Wait and watch for sales. Also, 223 might not be legal for hunting depending where you live. Something to consider, because and Sks can be used to deer hunt no problem.

Henry Homesteader, similar to the Celik,  when on sale, these  get very close to $1000, however most of the time, price is $1200.  10 round pistol mags as well, though 9mm caliber, meaning this is even worse than the 223 for hunting. Maybe  for hunting small game? No matter, this will be mostly a range rifle then if you pick this one.  No included rail,  meaning perhaps a bit more work to mount an optic but less than on an Sks of course.  If you can get it on sale, I'd say it's worth it. If you want it for hunting or have to pay full price, I'd probably grab the Sks.

Now for some other options, as I think there are some manual firearms that should be considered too.

Starting with, cheaper lever actions. Things like the Citadel  Levtac  go for sale for $800, meaning  The Sks is priced to compete with them now.  A Lil 16 inch  barreled Citadel  will be much lighter, and shorter to carry around. If you go 357, ammo costs will be similar. 8 round capacity is actually better than the sks but it's much slower to load. Hunting wise,  the pistol cartridges will fall behind, however something like a 44 magnum might be better for a close range animal protection. You also will have a much easier time adding an optic. It's not semi auto though,  so it will be slower to shoot. Also, the pistol rounds don't have the range as a 7.62 x39 rifle round.  Something to consider though, I find my cheap  lever action overall to be a more fun gun at the range, and I have better hunting guns so I'm not worried a about that part.

Or you can try a cheaper bolt action.   With  lots of guns with 16-20 barrels, you have a lot of options that will be lighter and more handy than an sks. They will also be far more accurate, with options that can also have larger detachable magazines. Pricewise, the cheaper  Savage rifles, CVA bolt actions, even CZ 600 Alphas are all around the $700-$800 mark, which I think makes them a better rifle for the money than an Sks. With a much easier time mounting scopes and red dots, far more accuracy, and a bunch of calibers to choose from, a bolt action has a lot of pros. The con is they are even slower to shoot than a Lever action.  So unless you really want a semi auto, I think a bolt action rifle, especially in 7.62 x39 or 223, is better.

So you got options. Sks is still a great value and the cheapest way into a semi auto that isn't a 22lr, however it isn't the same no brain decision it used to be. If you watch for sales, the Homesteader and Celik both offer more features  while still shooting affordable rounds. The Browning Bar throws affordable ammo out the window but instead is a very competent hunting rifle. And if you don't need a semi auto, there are a bunch of lighter and shorter bolt actions that will out perform the Sks. So you really got to decide what you want. Sks might be the best option for you, but just consider if it's actually worth while for you.

[u/EmperorSlim → u/Iokua_CDN]

Thanks for the recommendations, in your opinion what makes it worth it in the 650-750 range but after 800 not worth it anymore?

Bias from how cheap its been so many years or its actual shooting\whatever capabilities just dont warrant the price tag?

[u/Iokua_CDN → u/EmperorSlim]

Just the value of it.  Near 700 feels like an OK value for what you get, even a good deal.

Around 800... it didn't feel like a good deal.  Now there are other good guns in that price range that make the Sks a passable deal but no longer a good deal. 

Around 1000 now it's feeling overpriced and actively a bad deal for what you get. 

At the end of the day,  the pros of the Sks is that: 1. It's semi auto 2. It's reliable  3. It holds its value very well 4. Right out of the box,  you can go shoot it.  Irons and an internal magazine mean all you need is ammo.  5. The ammo is still cheap. 

The cons are 1. They are old and used 2. They are heavy 3. You need to buy aftermarket parts to use a scope or red dot.  4. You need to do a lot of work to have it use a 10 round pistol magazine  5. They are not very accurate, like 3-4 moa when even the cheapest guns are 1-2 moa.

So really,  on the pros list,  you can get everything else but not semi auto with less cons in another rifle.  So unless you really want/ need a semi auto,  there are better options