What Should I Do With This Rifle?

[Inkfreak]

I was given a rifle last night by a good friend. He doesn't want it around his house now that he has kids. It appears to be a SKS semiautomatic with a 30 round mag. Fires well but jammed once.

I am hesitant to keep it tho. It's a bit much for me since I usually just shoot targets with my shotgun or .22 once in a great while. I also have no paperwork whatsoever for it. He got it from an old hunting buddy years ago. It has the serial number (I think that's what it is) and some sorta Chinese (best guess) lettering on it. But I see it says it was made in California. I have some pictures but imugur isn't loading them for me atm. I'll update when I can.

My questions are:
Do I keep/sell it?
Is it even legal for me to possess it in NY?

'
'

[Jgarrick]

1. It was imported by a California company, not made there, hence the marking.

Is it even legal for me to possess it in NY?

The rifle itself, yes, The 30 round magazine, no. Bear in mind NYC has a 5 round limit.

Do I keep/sell it?

Keep it if you like, but you'll have to replace the 30 round magazine with a fixed 10 round. You could sell it on a website such as Gunbroker to someone with a Federal Firearms License in a state that doesn't have magazine restrictions (most of them)

[Inkfreak]

3. Thanks, further questions..

If I wanted to sell the rifle, do I just find an authorized dealer? And what if the rifle has a history? Like it was used in a crime, god forbid. I know my buddy is no criminal and he said he got it from a law abiding friend. Whatever that's worth.

I thought I could make a few bucks. But in nooooo waaay wanna be apart of trouble. Not that I believe it will lead to that. Just curious.

[sir pball]

13. When I sell a rifle, I always do it through an FFL (dealer).

You can either find a buyer and have the FFL broker the sale, or just find one willing to take it off your hands. You'll probably make more selling it directly, since the shop needs to make a profit, but going to a dealer would likely be faster. Once you have a bill of sale recording the date and dealer's info you're clear - if you're extra paranoid I suppose you and the buyer could have it notarized, that should totally immunize you.

If you wanted to make sure the rifle doesn't have a "history" I suppose you could ask the local PD to run the serial. Personally I wouldn't worry about "taking it out of circulation"; all rifles are a tiny fraction of crime guns and I don't think the SKS is even on the top 10 of that sub-list.

[Starboard Tack]

2. My suggestion

See if there is an amnesty program in your state. Hand it in, no questions asked. Much better than putting it back into circulation and wondering what it might be used for. Unless you want to become a dealer, which I doubt.

[gejohnston]

16. How could you?

The first three sentences are OK, even together (although the chances of it being used in a crime is almost nonexistent.)

Much better than putting it back into circulation and wondering what it might be used for. Unless you want to become a dealer, which I doubt.

The two sentences together seems to imply that he wouldn't ask to see the buyer's firearms license, which is required to own all firearms in New York, or violate the 1968 Gun Control Act by shipping it to some guy's house in another state instead of a licensed dealer in the buyer's state. You didn't intend that did you?
If it were a Clerke or RG revolver, I would give him the same advice, but for different reasons.

[Starboard Tack]

19. Just saying what I would do

Didn't even think about it being used in a crime. But it could end up in the hands of a Dick Cheney or some other goofball. If I had a gun and had no use for it, then the best place for it would be either a furnace or the bottom of the ocean. There are plenty of guns out there already for the nutters to get their hands on. Don't need any more.
BTW, we all know that the current laws and licensing is pretty much pointless. Just a lot of smoke and mirrors to pacify the electorate.

[appal_jack]

4. The thirty round magazines are notoriously unreliable in SKS's.

The thirty round magazines are notoriously unreliable after-market additions in SKS's. The rifles were manufactured with a ten round magazine, and that is really the only thing that they should use.

The California name you see on the rifle is the importer, but it sounds like yours was made in China. They are considered reliable, good rifles, and have a chrome-lined barrel and chamber (unlike Yogoslavian SKS'), which helps resist rust when corrosive ammunition is used (nonetheless, it's always best to clean your rifle after every use).

ON EDIT - Now that I see your pictures, you definitely have a CHinese Norinco SKS. It is missing not only its original magazine, but also the original stock and bayonet. So it's worth less than a complete original to most collectors/enthusiasts, but still perfectly functional. Expect to sell it in the ~$200 range, maybe a bit higher in NY, but I would certainly keep it. The jam was probably from that after-market mag.

I am not fully up to speed on NY state laws, but I think that your rifle with a ten round magazine can still be legal. Throw that worthless 30 rounder away, and investigate whether you need to file any paperwork to keep it with an original magazine. I like the 7.62x39 round for its economy and availability. Not the most accurate round in the world, but perfectly adequate for target shooting within 200 yards, and hunting in brushy environments at the 50-100 yard range.

Original magazines are available, such as at this site:

http://www.everythingsks.com/Original-SKS-10-Round-Fixed-Magazine-SKSFXMG.htm

Just pulled that off the top of a Google search for "chinese original sks magazine." I am sure there are plenty of other sources, so shop around...

Best of luck,

-app

[Inkfreak]

6. Thanks! It sure could use a cleaning.

It's a nice rifle tho. I've not had much experience with rifles outside of the Army. So when I 1st fired it, it was pretty sweet. I'm just wary of a rifle with zero paperwork and my general knowledge of NY guns laws is from googling it. Which is unfulfilling at times.

I did try to disassemble it with no luck. I don't believe it's been touched in some time. If I keep it, I'll need to look up some detailed instructions.

[blueridge3210]

7. Have your local LEO check the serial number and make; if clean go ahead and sell it.

Probably no record; rifles have an extremely low level of crime use anyway. If a record should turn up they will probably confiscate it as evidence and it would no longer be your problem.

[Inkfreak]

10. Exactly answer I was looking for, thanks!

[blueridge3210]

5. I would re-sell to an FFL dealer if I had no use for it.

No point in keeping it if you have no desire to use it for target shooting/hunting and don't desire to keep it for self defense. Reselling it to a FFL holder would ensure that if re-sold a background check is conducted. Turning it in to a LEO agency would likely result in it being resold anyway but you would not get any reimbursement, or not anywhere close to actual value.

[Inkfreak]

8. That's what I'm leaning towards.

I could use the $. But, what if a background check comes up bad in some way? Will I be penalized? I have no reason to believe so but no clue what happens if so.

[blueridge3210]

11. See #7.

I can't see you getting in trouble if you bring it in to be checked out; the presumption would be that you were honest for bringing it to their attention. You could be "relieved" of the weapon if a problem comes up but since you didn't pay for it you're not out any money, just time.

[SevenSixtyTwo]

9. I wish someone would just

up and give me an SKS rifle! The SKS is legal to own in NY but not with a detachable magazine IF it also has any of these other evil features.

Folding or telescoping stock
Thumbhole stock
Second handgrip or protruding grip that can be held by non shooting hand
Protruding Pistol Grip
Bayonet Mount
Flash suppressor
Muzzle brake
Muzzle compensator
Threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor, muzzle break
or compensator.
Grenade launcher

I'm not a resident of NY nor a lawyer involved in firearms law in any state. I could be totally wrong but that's my understanding as of the moment. I would think any NY gun shop could tell you with certainty if it is legal to own.
Lock your firearms up to keep the neighborhood sticky fingers from walking off with them!

[Inkfreak]

12. Lol, it was a surprise for sure.

I've done a great deal of work on his house renovating it for his kids. I think he just wanted to thank me. And it's staying locked up tight till I figure out what to do.

[ileus]

15. My first SKS cost me 69 bucks at Roses (maybe 79)

My second one I have now my BIL gave to me 7 or 8 years ago. I haven't ever took it to the range, since it was a gift I'll probably never sell it. Maybe I'll let my son shoot it some this summer, no reason to let it sit around. It's kind of odd because the stock that was on it is a higher grade and much larger stock than normal SKS's come with. From the SN I think I found it to be a 1968 Chinese model.

[sarisataka]

14. I am not an authority on NY laws

but as is I believe it is illegal.
If you want to keep it, the 7.62x39 is a decent deer hunting round. That 30 round magazine ids definitely a no go. Take it to a gun smith and find out what it would cost to make it compliant.
It you don't need/want it, mail it to 2..., never mind Go to a gun shop. The FFL will be able to help to sell it legally at usually quite reasonable fees. I would expect it to go for $400 but it could range up or down by $200. The odds of it coming up stolen are low if your friend is trustworthy.

This may help with cleaning.
http://www.rifletech.net/sksman1.htm

You might have to remove the scope first.

[Straw Man]

17. I've been tracking NY's new laws since their rather shameful inception ...

... in the dead of night, with votes delivered en bloc by legislators who had not read the bill. I can tell you this with relative certainty (since none of this is really certain until it has been tested in court):

-- If you wish to keep it, you must have the transfer done by an FFL in order to be in compliance with the new law.

-- You cannot legally keep the 30-round magazine. An FFL can legally possess it and sell it out-of-state for you if you choose.

-- If it originally had a fixed 10-round magazine, you can re-convert it and it will then be legal to keep without registering it.

-- If you don't reconvert it, you can still keep it as long as you use magazines of 10 rounds or fewer. You must, however, register it before April 15th. The clock is ticking.

Here is the link for registration:

https://firearms.troopers.ny.gov/safeact/welcome.faces

[dookers]

18. It it were me

I'd put it back in its original configuration. Find a wood stock somewhere.

[stone space]

20. Might want to consider having it melted down. (nt)

[Straw Man]

21. Why? (nt)

[SQUEE]

22. That name, SKS..

>shudder<
It just sounds sinister, better not take any chances.

[oneshooter]

23. I just bought a small collection from a Lady.

I was her Fathers, she wanted it to go to a good home. A local shop offered her $2000 for it and she turned it down. I offered her $3700 and she accepted it. Included were 2 SKS carbines. I plan to sell them to make back a small portion of my investment. Would you recommend that I "melt down" these rifles?

[Inkfreak]

24. I'm not sure that's a very good idea.

But thanks for the suggestion. And welcome to DU!