C&R rifles are going up in value?

Gardner

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On another forum I read that C&R guns, particularly RC K98’s are going up in price, I guess because of the buying “panic”.

I happen to have maybe four that are collecting dust.

I wonder if I should break them out and see if there is interest here or maybe do a consignment at a local gun shop.

Of course the shop takes a healthy cut for their trouble, but they have to deal with the hagglers and tire kickers and the paper work.

Disclaimer: This is not a For Sale post, I’m just throwing this out for possible discussion.
 
Hell is freezing over right this minute....


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Some are. Others are dropping. Japanese stuff is down, as are Italian.

K98s go up and down on the regular, and sks rifles often go high during panics.

Also, that is a Russian sks can't compare them to most of the others as far as price and value. They bring quite the premium
 
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There has been some increase. But from what I have seen, asking prices have gone up locally, but actual sales prices have not really gone up proportionally. The fact that there is not a lot of volume out there on the retail market seems to have driven up pricing nationally, like Cabelas selling rusty wartime 91/30s for $400. That in turn causes folks to start asking silly prices for their stuff. But locally, I don't see anybody paying $400 for a common Mosin. Absent something special or like new condition, Chinese SKS's are also still hovering around $250 - $300. Garands have held steady as well. I think if you sell nationally, like on Gunbroker, you can see some nice gains. But due to years of Roses dumping milsurps on the local market for pennies on the dollar, it seems like on the common guns, everybody that wants one already has one or two and is not gonna give a kidney for another.
 
Lee Enfield rifles have increased the most that I’ve seen. I watched cruddy looking no1 mk3’s selling for $500 at the Dixie show. They were nothing special, just run of the mill mk1’s.

Just a few years ago, you could get Lee Enfield rifles for cheap; it’s not that way anymore. I should have bought a no1 when they were affordable.
 
.......15 years ago.........

Mosin Nagant - $60 and up, depending
K98 - $180 and up, depending
SKS - $180 and up, depending
03A3 - $300 and up, depending
Lee Enfields - $200 and up, depending

I never thought this stuff would ever get this expensive.
 
It really sucks for bonafide collectors. I hate to think what my K98 is worth. As far as RC K98's, they seem to have developed their own niche in the collector market.
 
20 yrs ago:

3-fer $100 Mosin Nagant (Century Arms)
5-fer $100 Turkish Mauser (Century Arms)
$100 Swedish Mausers (various)

25 yrs ago:

Chicom SKS $69 (everywhere)
 
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There has been some increase. But from what I have seen, asking prices have gone up locally, but actual sales prices have not really gone up proportionally. The fact that there is not a lot of volume out there on the retail market seems to have driven up pricing nationally, like Cabelas selling rusty wartime 91/30s for $400. That in turn causes folks to start asking silly prices for their stuff. But locally, I don't see anybody paying $400 for a common Mosin. Absent something special or like new condition, Chinese SKS's are also still hovering around $250 - $300. Garands have held steady as well. I think if you sell nationally, like on Gunbroker, you can see some nice gains. But due to years of Roses dumping milsurps on the local market for pennies on the dollar, it seems like on the common guns, everybody that wants one already has one or two and is not gonna give a kidney for another.

Then you have guys like me who got into the hobby 4 years ago. When I got into it, I didn't know I wanted an SKS. Now I do, but I won't pay that kind of money for a probably used up firearm. It seems like just because it's capable of firing a projectile it's suddenly gained $300 in value on the private market. I know it will shift, but come on.....
 
I thought I paid too much for a nice Chinese SKS 10 years ago for $250. Hate I procrastinated on getting a Czech Mauser or Swiss K31 when they were sub $300.

Especially hate I didn't buy one those 1903A4 clones AIM Surplus had back when.
 
Then you have guys like me who got into the hobby 4 years ago. When I got into it, I didn't know I wanted an SKS. Now I do, but I won't pay that kind of money for a probably used up firearm. It seems like just because it's capable of firing a projectile it's suddenly gained $300 in value on the private market. I know it will shift, but come on.....
Decided I wanted another SKS a few months ago, and spent $400 on a like new Chinese version. It’s more accurate than my Mini 30 was, and has a better trigger. Didn’t really want to spend $400, but they ain’t gettin’ any cheaper.
 
Swede mausers and Swiss K31s have sure gone up since I got the first of both a long while ago.
 
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Then you have guys like me who got into the hobby 4 years ago. When I got into it, I didn't know I wanted an SKS. Now I do, but I won't pay that kind of money for a probably used up firearm. It seems like just because it's capable of firing a projectile it's suddenly gained $300 in value on the private market. I know it will shift, but come on.....

Yeah, the SKS's that are being imported these days were heavily used. I can't remember which country it was that the Chicoms sold them to, who in turn sold them to Century for import to the US.

Prior to the ban on direct Chinese imports (Klinton?) , Century and others imported tens of thousands of new Norinco SKS's, that sold well south of $100 new. Those are the ones to look for on the secondary market, as they were never used in anger and treated poorly.
 
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30 years ago, my dad bought a very nice (Chinese I think) SKS with bayonet, 30rd mag, 10rd mag, cleaning kit, and a wooden case of ammo for about $120.

I was a kid, but I loved that rifle. Every time a relative or family friend came over, I'd wait until dusk and say, "Come outside and see the fireball that comes out of this thing!"

We'd stand in the backyard and I'd fire about 5 rounds up in the air, looking like a drunk Iraqi at a wedding...

I have been wanting an SKS ever since I moved to NC 4 years ago, but I cannot spend the money people are asking for these things nowadays.

Maybe I'll just wait for my dad to pass his down to me. The case of ammo is still half full!
 
I got my Chinese SKS paratrooper via a pistol trade about ten years ago. I didn't really know much about SKSs at the time but it was a good trade. Esp after I found out more about it. Mine is a type 26 and in great condition (with all original parts, plus some extras) for a rifle built in 1964 (verified via serial number). It is rugged and reliable. I once thought of selling it but with the current political uncertainty, I will keep it.

Of course an offer of a couple of heavy gold bars might change my mind.

j
 
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