[Jmedwards1]

I have a Norinco SKS with the black folding stock. It has no markings other than norinco made in china so I am assuming it is an export model. Its an ok shooter. I've been averaging around 2 to 3 inch groups at 100 yds.

My question is: do modifications and assessories increase the value of and SKS?

I am looking at doing the drop free bolt mod, duckbillless mag adapter, a new tapco adjustable/foldable stock, a dust cover rail, and a stainless duracoat finish. Will any of this increase the value of the SKS if down the road I decide to sell it?

Thanks.

 

[deadin]

Probably increase just a little less than what you spend on the accessories.
If Norincos ever become "collectible", after market accessories will lower the value.

 

[dad2thebone]

Damn that must have hurt!

 

[fuzebox40]

Please tell me that aint your foot!
And then get that outta here! It's scaring the hell outta me!

 

[Jmedwards1]

Haha not my foot thank the lord! Thanks for the input. Its what. I wanted to hear. Do you guys think that 3moa is accurate as far as the SKS goes? I didn't realize that pic was so large. Will resize tonight.

 

[Jim K]

Is that the latest cure for athletes' foot?

JIm

 

[soundguy]

to me.. an sks is most valuable as manufactured.

if it's a norince.. .. no biggie.. you KNOW it's a norinco.. and pay less.

why take a 250$ gun and put 400$ of sporterization on it.. and have a 350$ gun?

My image, anyway, of an sks is that it's a good compromise survival rifle.

most have a bayo blade or spike.. so even empty it's a hand weapon... it shoots a cartridge that is quite capable of taking small and medium game.. and large game if you are close and a good shot... and will take the 2 legged game in a defense situation, no doubt about it.

wide range of milsurp and commercial ammo available.. and they ain't real picky on ammo.. they will digest just about anythat that will poke into the chamber and come bouncing out the muzzle.

you drop it inthe mud? no biggie.. dip it in the lake shake it and open the bolt..., pour water out.. reload and keep fireing.

they used to be cheap, plentifull, durable and non picky.

the cheap/plentifull wavered quite a bit the last decade...

it is what it is.. and it's good (great) for what it was meant to do.. It's a compromise for anything else.. though i'd take a milled reciever sks over a stamped ak any day....

soundguy

 

[RunningOnMT]

if it's a norince.. .. no biggie.. you KNOW it's a norinco.. and pay less.

soundguy

Huh? A Norinco SKS is a damn good rifle in my opinion. Why do you think it's worth less?

I agree with you about the mods though. I did it to one, then sold it. If I ever had another one, I'd leave it as is, except for possibly refinishing the stock.

 

[Jmedwards1]

The sole reson for the modifications is not to be "tacti-cool" but to modernize the weapon for how I use it. I want to duracoat it to help out with the pitting that happens when I take it out on multiple day camping/hog hunting adventures. I like using the sks for hog hunting and just want to modernize it for easier use. The duckbill less mags help when you run into a herd of the creatures, the aftermarket stock helps the weight, and the holograpic sight and 2 in 1 grip/ tripod help me hit the critters on the run.

I already had an sks and dropping $200 on a rifle that is dependable isn't a hard decision for me anyway.

 

[Alpo]

RunningOn MT, that's how I understood it. Best is Russian, then Chinese. The rest of 'em kinda battle it out for 3rd place.

 

[soundguy]

Huh? A Norinco SKS is a damn good rifle in my opinion. Why do you think it's worth less?

I agree with you about the mods though. I did it to one, then sold it. If I ever had another one, I'd leave it as is, except for possibly refinishing the stock.

if you've ever had a norinco and a russian side by side, or in pieces.. it's easy to see the russion is more of a quality weapon.

assuming both are at the same 'grade' level.

At least from what I have seen.

fit / finish.. etc.

i'd take a russian any day of the week over a norinco....

 

[Alpo]

Well, yeah. I'd take a Ford any day of the week over a Dodge. But if my choices were Dodge or Yugo, I'd take the Dodge.

 

[GunHugger]

TAPCO anything decreases the value to me.

 

[soundguy]

almost like tasco..

 

[targetacqmgt]

well I did an upgrade on my norinco-added a telescopic sight (me eyes ain't that good anymore) a light weight non folding syn stock - I am getting weak in my old age, leather sling I already had, and a couple of tapco mags 20 and 30 rd.

On the whole I am pleased IMO It made the weapon easier to use for a fire fight and the Tapco mags would not fit well into the wood stock- fit fine in syn stock. not interested in value just function.

 

[CloserangeReaper]

TAPCO anything decreases the value to me.

Then it must be really saddening to you that they make some of the best parts for these rifles...

And coming from a gun dealer standpoint, anything aftermarket is gonna decrease the value of a gun you are trying to sell.

While I'm not a huge fan of the SKS, I know the guns fairly well and it seems most all of the aftermarket stocks have fitment issues and most of the mags don't fit the magwell correctly. The TAPCO usually fits fairly well but some have issues also. Just so many of these rifles out there and so many tolerances and differences, it's hard to make parts that fit them all perfectly.

 

[GunHugger]

Then it must be really saddening to you that they make some of the best parts for these rifles...

And coming from a gun dealer standpoint, anything aftermarket is gonna decrease the value of a gun you are trying to sell.

While I'm not a huge fan of the SKS, I know the guns fairly well and it seems most all of the aftermarket stocks have fitment issues and most of the mags don't fit the magwell correctly. The TAPCO usually fits fairly well but some have issues also. Just so many of these rifles out there and so many tolerances and differences, it's hard to make parts that fit them all perfectly.

I don't sell TAPCO so my opinion is different than yours. I also base my opinion on rather buying a gun that is stock rather than one all Tapcoed out.

Doesn't rally matter to me anyway, I owned one SKS back when they cost $80. I wasn't real impressed even at that price.

 

[CloserangeReaper]

I don't sell TAPCO so my opinion is different than yours. I also base my opinion on rather buying a gun that is stock rather than one all Tapcoed out.

Doesn't rally matter to me anyway, I owned one SKS back when they cost $80. I wasn't real impressed even at that price.

I don't sell TAPCO either, just have some general knowledge of their product and competitors offerings. Compared to the others on the market, TAPCO is better.

But I'm not really into the plastic-fantastic look either. I prefer their wooden furniture, the Timbersmith line. All American made products with excellent customer service. I'm failing to see what there is to not like about them. But to each their own.

Here's the timbersmith stock line if you were curious:
http://www.timbersmithusa.com/

 

[soundguy]

i find it hard to NOT be impressed with them.

look at the age of the original SKS.

for what they were designed for.. they were 'perfect'

sturdy, and trustworthy.. took much more abuse and functioned than the vitnam era ar15/m16 types our guys had.

as a battle rifle it was a good workhorse..

 

[nmckenzie]

I am looking at doing the drop free bolt mod, duckbillless mag adapter, a new tapco adjustable/foldable stock, a dust cover rail, and a stainless duracoat finish.

Except for the duracoat finish, it sounds like what you'll end up with is an AK. For what it's worth, the dust cover rail (for a scope I presume) isn't the steadiest platform in the world, and if you remove the cover for cleaning I can pretty much guarantee you'll have to expend a few rounds getting your scope back to center. Why not use your SKS as a trade-in towards an AK? There are certainly plenty in circulation, with just about every stock configuration imaginable, plus they take standard mil-surp magazines (as well as drums), and the scope mount - when present - is mounted firmly on the lower receiver. Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against the SKS, and in fact have an arsenal refurb Tula '54 sitting in the rack behind me. I'd briefly considered the duckbill mag, but then reasoned I can punch in ten rounds from a stripper clip as fast - or faster - than I can change mags. At about the same time I also owned an AK - side folding stock and whatnot. The AK was traded off some time back, but the SKS in its original configuration is a keeper. My only grump about the rifle is its stock length (I'm 6'3"), but that's easily solved with a non-permanent extended buttplate spacer.