r/canadaguns • u/Elite0075 • May 12 '26
Buy recommendations Is SKS still worth to buy at today's price
I never owned a sks but shot couple of those at range rental, it is horrible inaccurate and a bit problematic, if a semi auto rifle requires u to manually pull the brass out frequently so it can cycle then it should called a semi/straight pull...(jk that sks prob been thru more rounds than bonnie blue) anyways the cheapest new sks i can find is at tenda for 729cad w a tan ati stock. is it even worth to spend that much bucks to get a sks?
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u/16gaugeguy16 May 13 '26
I have never paid more than $150 for an SKS. If I didn't own an SKS, I would still buy one today for the prices they are going for.
The way I see it, if you had to manufacture an SKS brand new today with the same reliability and quality of manufacturing, it would easily be upwards of $1800 (if not more).
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u/CanadaFootyFan May 13 '26
It is an interesting question and I find people are answering based on a past state rather than current value. It would be like someone always convincing themselves not to buy a house because they were waaaay cheaper 10 or 15 years ago. Of course it looks like a shit deal when you compare it to that market - but it doesn’t really matter because that market no longer exists.
The actual question is whether or not a powerful and largely indestructible semi rifle is worth $750 to you despite its limitations (accuracy, aesthetics, etc). If you don’t think it is then so be it. But the fact that it used to be cheap doesn’t change the math on that equation whatsoever.
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May 13 '26 edited May 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/CanadaFootyFan May 13 '26
Depends what you mean by “serious shooting”. If you mean long distance precision target shooting then you are correct. But it has killed many, many deer and seems to work just fine for tons of hunters.
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u/jollygreengiant1655 May 14 '26
Exactly. Unless you are wanting to reach out past 3-500 meters the sks works just fine.
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u/AlonzoMosely88 May 14 '26
Not to mention the number of world conflicts the SKS has been used in in the last 70 years with the AKs.
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u/Minimum_Leg5765 May 13 '26
Having held one in my hands I decided it wasn't worth 600 dollars. Now, 12 months later, I regret not buying one for 600.
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u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 May 13 '26
> a semi auto rifle requires u to manually pull the brass out frequently so it can cycle then it should called a semi/straight pull...
Something is wrong with that SKS… they’re usually very reliable.
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u/johnnyfuckinghobo May 13 '26
I've blasted a couple cans through mine and it cycled everything except for a single loose round we found in the box of my buddy's truck that looked like shit. That's good enough for me.
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u/Dizzy-Wedding5769 May 13 '26
Yes. For the quality of the rifle, something made in North America would cost far more probably 2K. They are extremely versatile guns that can be modded and are very reliable. People say that they’re too expensive these days. I paid 400 for mine and I fucking love it. If I had to pay $700 plus today to keep it in my arsenal, I would within a heartbeat.
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u/Dizzy-Wedding5769 May 13 '26
That price is worth it although you should shop around to maybe find a wooden stock version. I would not buy one that is shop put into ATI stock because usually they’re the most damaged.
Just buy a nice Russian or a Chinese and be done with it
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u/Iokua_CDN May 13 '26
Agreed. Pay the extra 50 bucks and get a proper stocked one, not the ATI beat up guns
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u/Even-Somewhere-9554 May 13 '26
The best time to buy one was yesterday. The right time is today
Get one. The price will only increase. It is a ridiculous reliable gun not built for precision
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u/22GageEnthusiast May 13 '26
Given the limited selection of semi-auto centre-fire rifles that are currently legal and/or available I'd say yes.
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u/Disada1 May 13 '26
I’d buy a one with a wood stock (it’ll probably be better condition than the ATI one) and mod it yourself. A reliable semi auto was above these prices before the ban. They won’t get meaningfully cheaper in the future based on legislation and supply
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u/PeaceLoveBruh123 May 13 '26
I just bought a $900 Russian sks, 1954, numbers matching with some ammo so some idiots think it's worth it.
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u/FedInformant May 13 '26
It depends. Do you want a reliable semi-auto rifle that shpots an intermediate sized rifle cartridge? Its not going to be ergonomic but its still effective
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u/Dummy_Wire May 13 '26
The number of very, very reliable SKSs absolutely dwarfs the number of shitty, unreliable ones. Like, I’m sure there are completely clapped-out lemons out there, that don’t run well and aren’t accurate, but most people’s SKSs are incredibly reliable and serviceable mechanically accurate (optic mount zeros will vary). Like, I’d say 99%+.
One of mine had issues cycling when I got it, but I bought a new gas piston for it, and I’ve literally never had any malfunction since, across thousands of rounds of the cheapest ammo available. Even my Mossberg 500 will have a hiccup every few hundred rounds, but not my SKSs. And I’m sure plenty of people here will confirm the general reliability of the platform.
If you want a semi-auto centre fire, it is still, by far, the best known value on the market, and it’s not even close. If you just want a rifle, yeah, maybe you’d be happier with a more expensive semi-auto, or a bolt-action, or something. But in its class, it is undefeated and undisputed.
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u/gspotcowboy May 13 '26
My well worn Russian went through about twp thousand rounds of combloc surplus back in the day with about 5 failures to fire (it was the ammo) and a single stovepipe. The firing pin was worn to the point it was getting stuck in the bolt (no slamfire tho) but the rifle didn't care, still went boom.
I've never owned something that reliable before or since. Are they overpriced now? Absolutely. But good luck finding anything that reliable for under $1K in our current market. I've had more feed issues on bolt actions lol
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u/bosnanic May 13 '26
The options for a non-Turkish centre fire semi auto is slim, at this point if you are in the market for one it's either going to be dropping 2.3k for a Makasi or 700 for an SKS.
imo they are still easily worth $700 for the reliability, ease of maintenance, and aftermarket support but I would definitely start holding back if they ever reach over 1k as that's nearing t-81 prices.
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u/MourningWood1942 May 13 '26
Spend slightly more and get a French tickler, not one with an ATI stock. And yes, they are still worth it.
An SKS will outlive any modern semi auto Canadian made shit coming out today
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u/Reptilian_Brain_420 May 13 '26
Personally, no.
I just sold one and, frankly, what I got for it is ridiculous. By far, the best thing about it is that the ammo is still relatively inexpensive for centerfire. Other than that, I just never found a purpose for it. I guess I don't go plinking "for fun", not that an SKS would be useful for that past about 50 yards. Would rather just shoot a .22
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u/Iokua_CDN May 13 '26
Oof that sks sounds terrible.
Mine has shot hundreds of rounds. Zero malfunction. Accurate enough for the iron sights, meaning of my eyes can see it, I can usually hit it.
I think it's still worth it.
It's got that vintage Surplus feel. Surplus guns are getting more and more expensive now.
It's a semi auto in a nice affordable rifle cartidge. Like alternatives are all much more money
Lots of the sks for sale are high quality Chinese unfired guns. Far better quality and newer than lots of old used sks rifles.
Mods exist to make it your own. From AR magazine conversions, to detachable magazines, to some high quality stocks, you got lots of room to modify it yourself.
With those points.... yeah it's not the no Brainer deal it used to be.
Near the same price, you can pick up a cheap Citadel Levtac Lever action in 357. Ammo will be similar (for non corrosive) but the Levtac is going to have higher capacity, be much more compact and be lighter. It also can easily accept a scout scope or red dot. And it's got tons of aftermarket if you want a different stock or something on it. It is lever action vs semi auto though.
Also for near the same price, you can buy a used Europran 3006 Browning Bar. More expensive ammo, but higher power and longer range and likely better accuracy. Semi auto as well. Much less modifying though.
Or for a bit more you could wait and grab an On sale Celik Chimera. They were going for 1k-1.1k around boxing day/black friday. A patient gun owner could wait and snatch one up next sale. Then you'd get 223, pistol magazine compatibility, plus easily mounted scopes and red dots and such.
Or if one gives up the fast firing nature, for the same price of an sks, one could pick out a very decent 1 moa bolt action rifle. Whether you go 7.62 x39 or 223 to keep ammo costs down, or something more powerful like 308, you can get a very good rifle for that price.
So the Sks isn't the Must buy it once was. But it remains a pretty cheap semi auto, with fun Surplus history and feelings, the fun of loading with stripper clips, and a very very reliable action. It's great! It's not a God, or an infallible rifle. It's just a great rifle with pros and cons.
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u/Whispersfine May 13 '26
If you want one, buy today. It only gets more expensive.
If you are looking for a good deal, don’t buy. The good deal expired 10 years ago.
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u/BuyRelevant1000 May 13 '26
As long as you accept it's not going to be some long range precision rifle, then sure. It's fun for blasting at the range when you want something more than a 22.
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u/AsparagusUnhappy5395 May 13 '26 edited May 13 '26
They’re only getting more expensive; and they’ll last far longer than the cope bullshit we unfortunately are stuck with today. I just bought an unfired 1963 Chinese SKS with all matching numbers and a blade bayonet for $900 and couldn’t be happier. Cleaning cosmoline is a right of passage.
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u/Acceptable-Result-85 May 13 '26
If you don’t have 2 already then buy one If you don’t have any then buy 2 If you already have 2 then consider it
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u/Strong-Owl-55 May 13 '26
Depending on the price I got a russian in ati stock for 850 with 500 rounds of ammo gun case trigger lock you can still find them for 400-500$ but ya id get one again
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u/Traditional-Pop-8748 May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26
I've shot a SKS. Fun but honestly not worth the hype everyone seems to be on. Ill take my bolt action in 7.62x39 woth a 4-16 and have more fun hitting targets. CZ 600 with a Arken Epl4 4-16. Just around 1100 rifle and scope
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u/Vikare_ May 14 '26
You simply cannot find another reliable centerfire semi auto at a similar price.
I don't know what kinda piece of shit rentals you shot, but the sks is well known to be super reliable.
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u/AlonzoMosely88 May 14 '26
People were probably asking this same question back in the day when Enfields, Garands, Mausers, and Mosins were cheap. Look where they are now.
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u/OxfordTheCat May 13 '26 edited May 13 '26
They were only marginally worth it on sale at $179 plus 500 rounds.
Which is why most people didn't buy them even then.
They are less worth it now.
... But everyone that paid $500+ will definitely show up and tell you they are still worth it and that they would pay $1000.
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u/Spyrothedragon9972 May 13 '26
Fuck no. A Russian SKS is worth like $250. A Chinese SKS is worth about $180. Go shoot any modern (and we'll designed and manufactured) semi-automatic, centerfire rifle and you'll see how big of a piece of shit the SKS is by modern standards. It's a cope gun because of Canadian gun laws.
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u/KalashnikovParty May 13 '26
I suggest searching for good deals instead. Honestly at the price rn in store idk if it’s worth it
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u/YourLoveLife May 13 '26
I paid $875 for an unfired unissued chinese 1979 french tickler sks.
Yes the price is still worth it.
There’s nothing else like it on the market in Canada, and it’s still a piece of history.
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u/Unfair-Company7135 May 13 '26
Not in any way. The prices were stupid 2 years ago, they are just absolutely asinine now. They run great, they are cool history pieces, they seldom ever break or have issues, the accuracy isn't great but the prices are just pants on head stupid at this point. Save your money and buy a nice shotgun.
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u/Bambam4040 May 13 '26
I used to pick them up for $64 and put 2-5000 rounds in a day when the ammo was $120 for 1500-2000 and just break it so it is done after. Saying that I just picked up one for 250 and it is good and was doing groups of 2 inch at 150 feet until the scope bolts got lose. But like the rifle just wattimg for winter to use to set off some tanirite then will sell it. So saying it is go but not great but ceap
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u/BisonCompetitive9610 May 13 '26
It was barely worth it at $200... Only "worth" was to sell it at whatever people are paying today...
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u/NEUMANN-METALWORKS Neumann Metalworks May 13 '26
What do you believe it would cost to manufacture today? We have cope rifles made of poorly anodized aluminum, shitty internals that break after 500 rounds and are slapped together using cheap labour. And those rifles still cost twice what an SKS currently does.