User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 6:44:36 AM EDT
[#1]
I remember 79 dollar sks and 199 dollar ak deals. Ammo was 79 or 99 for a wooden crate with two spam cans in it. Just about every weekend my friend and I would buy a case and shoot it all away. Our friend with a little more money bought a 700 dollar colt ar15 and he was king of the shooting pit for awhile. That 223 from China was dirt cheap too. I wish I had more money and brains back then.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 7:03:09 AM EDT
[#2]
I paid $210 for my pre-ban MAK90 and was still buying Russian commercial import 7.62x39 for $80/K in the early 2000s. I also bought a $70 Chinese SKS and $50 British SMLEs. Turk Mausers went for as little as $25 each. I bought a $200 M1 Carbine (thought I paid too much at the time) just so I could shoot all that CHEAP USGI surplus ammo that CMP was selling at the time.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 7:19:54 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I bought my first PolyTech Legend for 589.00 in 1989. Damn I miss those days... 
$589.00 in 1989 money is $1,133.61 today. Pre-ban PT Legends are selling for around 2K +/-. Sounds really good but had you put that $589.00 in the bank (let's just say at a average of 3% over the past 26 years) you would have over 10K in the bank unless my math is really fucked-up. Sadly I never looked at it that way either.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 7:21:32 AM EDT
[#4]
Poly M-14s $369 nib
Norinco MAC90 $239 nib Norinco SKS $69 nib .223 $2 per 20, $1.50 on sale. (all gone )
I think I did alright. Oh, yeah...Norinco 1911 $239 nib The Ol' Crew Chief |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 7:35:15 AM EDT
[#5]
Ammo came on stripper clips made for the SKS that worked perfectly. Must have thrown thousands into the garbage.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 7:40:17 AM EDT
[#6]
What I miss most of all is the cheap ($2.00 for a box of 20) Norinco .223. Even less by the case. Boxer primed, 55gr FMJ. We shot that shit by the case on weekends.
I wish we'd have bought a container load.
LC |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 7:44:22 AM EDT
[#7]
I paid $229 for my Mak-90 sadly and paid $89 for a Russian SKS . they were $79 but I wanted laminated stock and it was an extra $10
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 7:45:08 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What would be today's equivalent to yesteryear's AKs and SKSs? The only thing close lately is Mosin's . |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 7:51:23 AM EDT
[#9]
Back in the 80s I had a FFL at my house and told everybody I knew about a special in Shotgun News. AK-47 (Norinco w/fixed stock) and a case of non-corrosive ammo for $299.99 + shipping. When the order came in, UPS had left it all on my front door step. Always wondered what the UPS man would have thought about leaving 10 AKs and all that ammo unattended. I bought a extra 10 cases of ammo just for me, man did we have fun burning through all of that!
Don't get me wrong, $299.99 was a lot back in the day but ammo was stupid cheap compared to today. Me and a buddy would go to the local gunshows in Atlanta looking for Georgia Arms reloaded 223 by the 1000 round case, if we could not find it for $100.00 or less we would not buy it. ( we bought plenty of it for under $100.00) |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:02:57 AM EDT
[#10]
I bought 10 cracked stock SKS's for $29 a piece then bought unissued bare stocks at a gunshow for $10 each. Ended up with 9 perfect and one parts gun.
Stupidly sold all but one when I went on a Enfield buying kick for a couple years. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:14:15 AM EDT
[#11]
I had one of those black stock Clayco AK's, just like pictured in OP post. It was one of the very first Chinese AK's to be imported. I paid $400 for it, but that was the brand new "early adopter" price. About 1988, I bought 3 Norinco SKS for $65.00 each, I still have one of those. Also about that same time, I bought 3 M1 carbines for $125.00 each and an M1 Garand for $195.00. I remember a Roses dept. store in Miami Florida that had literally a couple of hundred M1 carbines in 2X4 wood racks in sporting goods, Any one you want, $129.00 each. I saw stuff that would be high dollar today like 3 digit serial numbers, etc.
In 1989, just before Bush killed the imports, I passed up a brand new FNC paratrooper carbine for $375.00 from a dealer at the local gunshow. Colt 9mm AR-15's were being blown out by SOG or somebody in Shotgun News for $329.00 each. Great days to go to gun shows, I just wish I had a crystal ball back then. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:17:59 AM EDT
[#12]
89$ sks norincos and sub 250$ mak90s in the early 90s...1k of ammo was sub 100$. Tuna cans of 39 were super cheap and already had strippers on them...
I paid 99$ for my norinco para sks. Only because it had a choate stock (sp) Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:18:10 AM EDT
[#13]
I remember buying crates of 6-SKS's for $300 if you didn't mind stripping cosmoline.
A friend of mine took one out of the crate and threw it on the dirt under his porch just to see how long one would last exposed to the elements. Don't rightly recall how that one turned out. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:25:40 AM EDT
[#14]
Heck yeah I remember those Chinese AKs from Norincos. They were superceded by the milled PolyTech AKs.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:46:36 AM EDT
[#15]
How does $379 for a NIB Arsenal milled AK sound? Yeah, it really was like that.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:50:10 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Do you know what the average pay was back then? A hell of a lot lower. That ChiCom side folder would sell today for $743.68. Since pay is a hell of a lot less back then, the high dollar amount is anount is about the same as it is today. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
tag for pics and the 'back in the day' stories before modern reality kicks in depression Really trying to hammer the point home about inflation today? |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:52:13 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
SKS's were $75 all day long....just back around about 12 years ago......prices for that Chinese shit is out of control now. Came to say this! |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:53:56 AM EDT
[#18]
I paid under $250 for a Clayco underflolder, $70 Norinco sks. Good times.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 8:54:46 AM EDT
[#19]
Yes and I completely missed out on it because I was stupid.
 |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 9:04:13 AM EDT
[#20]
Cheapest I remember MAK90 were 159.00. Stacks of them at Knob Creek.
Used SKS for 69.00. I preferred them to the new ones because you could be more sure they worked. They don't get used if they don't work. Standard price for ammo was 1440 rds for 89.00 Before Bush fucked us with the 89 ban, there were lots of really cool rifles to be had for reasonable prices. STG57, AMT, FN FAL, GALIL, Valmets of several flavors, BM59, etc etc. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 9:14:30 AM EDT
[#21]
I used to get shotgun news in the early to mid 80's. You would see new AKs for $169 with all the extras and 3 30 round mags.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 9:19:35 AM EDT
[#22]
Forget Chinese, but yes, there were good deals to be had. In the mid-90's I bought my SLR-95 for about $300. I just looked and I saw one selling for $2300. WTF?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 9:45:40 AM EDT
[#23]
I remember begging my dad to buy a stack of Norinco underfolders. They came in a styrofoam kit, with 3 mags, bayo, cleaning kit for $169 each. I wanted him to get one for me and him and my brother. I was only 16 at the time or I would have bought them myself. My dad said I would just waste ammo. Like 5 years later we each bought a Mak-90 for $169 in the styrofoam kit.
Roses (a dept store long closed, kind of ghetto kmart) used to sell SKS's for $69 and Mosin's for $39. I don't know why I didn't load a truck up with those SKS's. The mosin's were all kinds of years and markings. I went with my brother and picked out a Mosin for him that looked good. Found him one with a good bore and clean markings. He shot some ancient ammo and didn't clean the barrel and ruined the bore. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 10:08:06 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I would love to be able to find a folding bayonet for my AK They are out there, just stupidly expensive...I bought my extras from global trades back in the day for $11 each complete with the attachment rivet. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 10:24:51 AM EDT
[#25]
Yeah, OP I remember it all...And lest I forget all I have to do is open up my safe to take a stroll down memory lane. I bought AK spikers, Type 53's, 213's, a non-import marked with no safety Type 54 pistol, etc. A close friend still insists my safe should light up like Marcellus Wallace's briefcase from Pulp Fiction when I open it.
ETA; Also still have 6K+ of the Norinco ammo. left too. Some in spam cans some yellow, silver, SC, etc. box. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 10:34:34 AM EDT
[#26]
Valmets were only $400.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 10:51:49 AM EDT
[#27]
The closest thing we have today are the PSA-deals ($50.00 lowers/$350.00 complete Premium-uppers). $8.00 Pmags ect. And yet you still have the naysayers who say it's all really crap compared to a "real" AR15, pick your favorite "high-end" brand. It's all going to be a real bargain two-month's into a new Clinton Administration.
I bought a handful of $69.00 Chi-Com SKS's that were fantastic rifles at the time, all while hearing nonsense spoken by the guy behind me that I was a fool for spending "real money" on garbage-guns. Certain people never change. Sorry for the rant..... |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 10:54:11 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm only 31 and I remember 7.62X39 being under 10 cents a round and AKs for $350. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/OldGunAds/AK_Norinco.jpg Is it true there were deals like and AK and a thousand rounds for around 500.00? I hear stories of stacks of these things at gun shows back in the day. Same here except Im not quite 31 yet. I remember driving to CTD around 2004 and buying 7.62x39 for $79/1K. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 10:57:10 AM EDT
[#29]
I was 14 years old in 1986, I was at the Turners Sporting Goods in Culver City, California with my dad.
On the wall was the Chinese, Hungarian, and Yugoslav AKS along with some HK and FAL and other setups. Dad being Hungarian naturally he got the Hungarian underfolder.... It was 339.99. Full Stock was same price. After taxes it was a bit more. End of day.....I have that rifle still.....but I wish my dad would have gotten more Hungarians. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:01:08 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm only 31 and I remember 7.62X39 being under 10 cents a round and AKs for $350. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/OldGunAds/AK_Norinco.jpg Is it true there were deals like and AK and a thousand rounds for around 500.00? I hear stories of stacks of these things at gun shows back in the day. The price of AK's and 7.62x39 have risen faster than the price of gasoline. You don't need to be old to tell a good "I remember when AK's were cheap !" story. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:05:15 AM EDT
[#31]
My first AK was and still is a Norinco Type 56 underfolder and was purchased with a case of ammo on clips for $350 out the door. That came with bayonet, 3 mags, and sling along with the general cleaning pouch.
Ah the good old days. I take her out once in awhile and shoot her, but the folders kind of suck to shoot but do have the cool factor. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:06:52 AM EDT
[#32]
$ 85.00 for SKS
$ 100.00 for Mak 90...J&G sales... 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:12:29 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
$280 AK in 1987 money to 2015 money would be $588. $350 AK would be $733 in today's money. Dunno if that's such a great deal or not. Quote HistoryQuoted:
$280 AK in 1987 money to 2015 money would be $588. $350 AK would be $733 in today's money. Dunno if that's such a great deal or not. Great point. Back in those days, I only had the money to buy SKS's and a Mak90. Sold them and bought a Norinco M1A for $350, still use that one for Elk hunting. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:22:53 AM EDT
[#34]
Think we're going to see a similar thread to this, but about AR-15's, in another 10 years. "I remember when you could buy a decent AR-15 for $500..."
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:25:25 AM EDT
[#35]
My very first gun was a Polytech AKS 762 underfolder with 1000 round for a bit under $500. I wish I had kept it, but the underfolder really didn't do it for me.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:31:29 AM EDT
[#36]
2007 I picked up a single stack WASR in 5.45 for $199, and early 2000's I could still get 960rd case of 7.62x39 for $85, that was nice.
Mosins were $69 in the early 2000s, and I remember getting a Yugo SKS for $99. I can't believe what people pay for Yugo SKSs now. 
that's all I got for my "remember the cheap days" stories. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:35:25 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Cheapest I remember MAK90 were 159.00. Stacks of them at Knob Creek. Used SKS for 69.00. I preferred them to the new ones because you could be more sure they worked. They don't get used if they don't work. Standard price for ammo was 1440 rds for 89.00 Before Bush fucked us with the 89 ban, there were lots of really cool rifles to be had for reasonable prices. STG57, AMT, FN FAL, GALIL, Valmets of several flavors, BM59, etc etc. Holy crap I forgot all about the 89 import ban, in my mind it was all Clinton. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:40:08 AM EDT
[#38]
Ya'll are forgetting the real bargain. AMMO
And this was around 2000-2001, so not that long ago. South African 5.56 was $30/ 300 round shipped South African 7.62x51 was $100/K shipped Portuguese, Aussie, Hirt, MEN, and DAG 7.62x51 $100/K shipped 7.62x39 was $65/K from Centerfire Systems when they had a sale, $79/K normally. These was AFTER the chinese stuff was banned. Wolf ammo Spam cans of 7.62x39 were $51 from Sportsmansguide, 6% rebate through fatwallet, $20 off $200 coupon, and free shipping over $200. Don't forget the 10 for $25 AK mags from Sportsmansguide. Had Fluer de Lis and single ribbed rare mags that collectors would be $100 each for. It was like a lottery. In the mid 90's around here Mak90's were $200 at the local hardware store, SKS's were $79. I remember scoffing at my buddies buying "junk". I was saving for that Colt A2 Hbar that was $660 from Zanders. The Delta Hbar was almost $1K! Never got my Colt either. 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:41:41 AM EDT
[#39]
I paid under $400 for my Chicom sidefolder, and that was a premium. The fixed and underfolders were cheaper. $79 for a 1K rounds of 7.62x39. Of course 7.62 Nato surplus was not too much more.
I sold the sidefolder during the Clinton ban for a tidy profit. I do wish I would have picked up one of the milled Classics way back when.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:43:15 AM EDT
[#40]
Purchased my MAK 90 around 1993/4 for $149.00
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:47:06 AM EDT
[#41]
I bought everything I could when prices were low, best time (price wise) for Chinese AK's was after Bush Sr signed the import ban, NO ONE wanted the clusterfucked AK's that were being sold (MAK 90's, etc..) with the thumbhole stocks so they were almost being given away, $150 retail was a normal everyday price for a MAK 90.
I really miss the early/mid 1980's Chinese ammo, Brass cased Chinese 5.56 for $80 a case was normal & it was "Hot" ammo, not like the underpowered "Wolf" crap that took its place. Spam cans of Armor Piercing 7.62x39, 2 cans per case of 550 rds sold for $69. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:49:56 AM EDT
[#42]
Had a Norinco AK (non MAK 90) that I bought when I was 14... My sister signed for it! Still have the reciept.... $449 out the door NIB!
This was right before the import ban.... |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 11:52:15 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Purchased my MAK 90 around 1993/4 for $149.00 http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/ssrttnfhr/IMG_0429.jpg I bought mine in 1994 with 1200rds of ammo for $189.00 |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 12:01:36 PM EDT
[#44]
My dad bought his MAK 90 during that time. I don't remember what he paid, but I do love that gun. It's the only AK variant rifle I have ever fired.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 12:08:23 PM EDT
[#45]
Quoted:
http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/OldGunAds/AK_Norinco.jpg Is it true there were deals like and AK and a thousand rounds for around 500.00? I hear stories of stacks of these things at gun shows back in the day. I remember when Woolworth's in Reno had vertical racks full of type 56 AK's, and unopened crates of them on the floor under the racks, for $149.95 each. ETA: these were new rifles, not worn out junkers. |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 12:15:38 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What would be today's equivalent to yesteryear's AKs and SKSs? Apex parts kits? They've had some neat stuff lately. Good luck finding a receiver for some of that stuff, but that's the trick. No receivers out there, so we have to sell this stuff cheap. In 5 years when someone starts cranking them out, the same parts kit will sell for 4X what the are selling now. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 12:17:39 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If that much? I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $300 for an MAK90. 1200 rounds of ammo was in the $65-75 range. That was in about 1989 maybe 1990? I paid 85 whole dollars for my Chinese SKS This for me also 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 9/4/2015 2:12:18 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Sigh.... Lo mismo means the same.... I also fixe the aged for me. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/OldGunAds/AK_Norinco.jpg Is it true there were deals like and AK and a thousand rounds for around 500.00? I hear stories of stacks of these things at gun shows back in the day. Lo mismo means the same.... I also fixe the aged for me. I thought you were picking on me somehow so I didn't bother looking up a translation. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
