Picked up an arsenal refurb 1953 Russian SKS for $375

[steveTA1983]

In today’s market I would consider that a steal. Pays to know how to read gun shop sku numbers to see what they paid for something!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Jim]

Regrettably, I don't know beans about "sku-numbers." But I really can't see that having any influence over how low a dealer will go on selling his (hers, it's, whatever,) goods. What he paid is just one of many variables. One biggie is how long an item has been on his shelf, (though if your sku number tells you what he paid I can imagine it would tell you when he paid as well...) Other factors would be his cash flow, time of the month- I find a person is more likely to deal mid-month than they are a day or two before or after payday for example.

Your demeanor plays a big role too. If he senses you're willing to walk out w/out whatever you're bargaining over he'll be more likely to take a lower dollar than if you're standing there drooling all over the item, not so much. Sellers vary as well, some don't mind or even enjoy a little negotiating and price for it. Others are just "That's my price, take it or leave it" grumps. We've all run into them; wouldn't drop a penny to save their life (or anyone else's for that matter). All that's just the tip of the iceberg too.

All that aside, that's a right nice rifle and a sweet deal too. The last time I paid $375 for an sks was a Yugoslav 59/66A1 several years ago. So congrats on a nice snag!

[Gil Boyd]

Good for a 65 year old rifle in that condition, be good to hear how it shoots

[Aragorn243]

A guy at Cabela's told me how to read their tags but unfortunately I have forgotten. I do remember that the tag does include information that can allow you to bargain with them and the lowest they will go is 5% over what they purchased it for but this is only after they have had it for a while.