You be the judge. I have shot numerous sks's over the years but never really wanted one. However I shot a guy's SKS last fall and got to thinking I should add one to my collection. I traded a k98 for the one without the sling. A nice refurbish with good bore but shoots low. It's a 1954 Tula. When I shot it I didn't have a sight tool to adjust the front site. Hit a local pawn shop before the 4th and low and behold there is the second one for a good price. More heavily refurbished but still nice. It's a 1950 Tula. Fired 10 rds through it and the sites are dead on.