So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

I know very little about guns. I am planning on picking up a rifle tomorrow. I have two choices essentially. Here's what they had (sorry for the bad descriptions, like I said I'm a huge noob)

Norinco SKS with some sort of black composite stock ($329.00 used conscription)
Saiga 7.62 (349.00 used with no magazine conscription)

These seem pretty freakin expensive to me but this is all they got. Maybe the SKS has some more work done on it that warrants the extra money but I dunno. I have 411$ total to buy on my first rifle.

Or should I just order one on the internets? What would you buy? I want to get this bought ASAP because I think the next 'terrorist' attack is coming very shortly.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Consignment? Not bad deals in this market TBH.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

I have a Norinco SKS and I think the world of it. Of course I only paid 200 for mine back in the day. But trust me its like a bullet hose.

Does it have the Monte Carlo stock on it?

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Apparently consignment means that the guns are actually owned by a third party and that the gunshop is just doing the service of selling them for the third party.

(This is what my friend said, I don't know if he knows what he's talking about though)

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

I pulled up a pic of the monte carlo stock and it sure looks like it.

(I was sort of leaning too the SKS as well but damn it is pricey)

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

I know this is beating a dead horse...

but just get a shotgun with combo barrels. I have the Remington 870, but the Mossberg 500 is basically the same.

That's too much for an SKS. If you don't already have a shotgun, you should get one.

If you spend $400 on a shotgun with a rifled barrel - you can do anything you want. Hunting, self-defense, it's pretty much covered.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

The Saiga can be converted to accept AK magazines. You may need to spend some $$ buying parts to do this. But it'd be about as close to an authentic AK-47 as you're going to get.

I love my Norinco SKS but not sure I'd pay $300+ for one.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

I'd get the Saiga 7.62x39 and convert it to an AK-47 or at least add a bullet guide to take AK mags.

Then go here - www.classicarms.us and get some mags.

Then read this

http://www.cross-conn.com/Saiga_Conversion/index.htm

parts
www.dinzagarms.com

www.k-var.com

If you want the minimum for a functioning rifle, you can go to dinzag and buy the bulletguide kit so you can use the high cap mags. It's 28 bucks or so so that would run you 400 total for a high cap rifle. Maybe you can find a gunsmith to do it for you if you don't want to do it.

However if you really want to do some work you can convert it to a fully functional AK and add the bayonet lug, cleaning rod, pistol grip, folding stock, etc. Cost about 700-800 total.

You have to buy the parts now though because they are going fast and there is some work involved.

I just wouldn't want to bother with a rifle that holds less than 20 rounds, you don't need a gun in 7.62x39 to shoot a burglar; whoever your facing probably doesn't arm up at antique shows.

You want something with reasonable firepower but if I had to choose between a 10 round SKS and a 10 round Saiga I'd get the Saiga, they are very accurate as rifles in this caliber go.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Saiga.....but do some research on the internet. You might find a better deal but at least you'll be in a better position to make a decision and negotiate.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Get the saiga and use it as-is. No need to modify unless you really want the AK look.

Buy as many magazines as you can find.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Considering the post-election inflation, that's not a bad price on the Saiga. Keep in mind, though, that you'll have to score mags for it, and 30 rd Saiga mags will run you around $45 (maybe more nowadays). That's if you can find them.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Id grab the Saiga, or shop around locally and internet gun sites.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Cool thanks everyone. Saiga it is!

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Another Saiga link

http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=4&f=80

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Deal em down at least $50 for the missing mag or get them to throw in one.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

I have one too. My favorite rifle. Rugged and dependable. Simple. Shoots nice.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

You can get 1 for 22 or 3 for 60 right here........ load up while you can :ok:


http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=453884

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

The bullet guide kit is only $30, then you can use the AK mags.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Go for the Saiga. That's a decent price even used. 30 round Surefire mags are available from Mississippi Auto Arms for $37.99 each and they ship fast.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Mags are too expensive on the Saiga. Also, the AK-47 action on a monte-carlo is not ergonomic -- it requires the forward hand to reach to be in front of the magazine.

Before Obama Chinese SKSs were going for $300 -- that one is NOT a bad price (chrome-lined barrel). If it has a monte-carlo synthetic stock it might be a rarer import or a modified one. Was the barrel 16" or 20"? Was the bolt carrier brushed steel or parkerized? Whose import stamp was on it? Was the barrel threaded or pinned?

Answer the above questions correctly and it is a STEAL of a deal.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

If you dont have a good shotgun yet, get one of them first. Otherwise, go with the saiga, its value will increase faster, especialy if the AWB really start to get steam.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

also available in 308.
good luck

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

I recently paid too much for a Norinco SKS but I'm happy with the added distributor of 7.62x39 so I'm not complaining. Kinda like pm's now, the price is what it is.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Wow awesome deal! thanks ta

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Alright I am now the proud owner of a saiga 7.62 my first rifle.
I went to Green Mountain guns here in Denver. I accidentally filled out some of the paperwork wrong. One of the questions started with "Are you an illegal resident" or something like that so I just skipped ahead and checked "no." The guy acted like a pretty bid douche about it. I was pretty pissed and was gonna right a bunch of really negative reviews and post them all over the internet but he chilled out and acted decent when I went back in to pick it up after I passed the background check. So whatever I guess.
Grand total was 409.00 for Saiga and 1 box of 357 for my revolver. I probably payed too much but I am happy :)

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Sclorch, you didn't over pay at all. You got a good deal on the Saiga.

I would get a couple of the factory mags because they work great, a few Pro Mags, and a few Surefire.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

Damn, I am jealous at the rifles you guys get to own in the "fun" states.

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

WHAT...no pics?

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

what about ammo for those 762=39 their getting harder to get your hands on , the gun shop i go to ken told me he got a boat load of guns coming in an no ammo for them , ar15 an ak47, most of they guns are sold already

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

You don't get to choose where you live?

Re: So walked into a gun shop today and these are my choices:
 

sclorch.

And to think you could have had SLV's SKS that had ALL the tricks done for near that price.

But you paid what I would call 'fair money' in today's firearms market.

Now, having said that, this coming weekend is the Tanner Gun Show over at the Merchandise Mart (I-25 & 58th ave). You can find almost anything you want there. I'm supposed to be going on Saturday. We will see, as I've got a buddy coming down from Cheyenne to compare some prices on SKS vs Ruger Ranch Rifle.

There was a guy selling SKS's between $250 - $300 but that was a couple of months ago. Times change. The prices have been rising exponentially.

Here in Colorado, the CBI has done more background checks for CCW in the first three months of 2008 (LAST YEAR) than they did the whole year of 2007. And I'd be willing to bet money they did WAY more than that since November 2008. I've heard that CBI has been doing roughly 1000 background checks a day for firearms sales for the past four months. Though things have slowed down somewhat. We in the gun culture seem to have bought up most of what was for sale and the manufaturers are running two or three shifts and STILL can't keep up with orders/backorders.

But again, you paid fair money. Was it more than a year or two ago? Yes it was. And Green Mountain Guns has been around a LONG time. They are good people who are very fair to their customers. A little 'hidden' back in their corner of the shopping center they are in, but definitely a good store with fair prices.