In your opinion and why

[Bob_The_Student]

Which do you think is more collectible? Why?

Paratrooper or SKS-M

[firstchoice]

Collectible? Since both are in the Commercial section you will be talking Commercial collectors, I suppose. Many of the "Military, as-issued" purists don't get all that excited by the Commercial models, but I do! I like 'em! Some are kinda redundant. Just repeat models of an earlier version with small or incremental modifications. But it's all interesting to me.

The "Paratrooper" versions were modified purely to sell to the American market. The main change to "Para" was to shorten the barrel.(from 20" to about 16 1/4")  Navy Arms and others made other mods like scope rails, bolt hold open features, and other options. Lots of varieties and options. That's a very vague and broad overview of the Para. A shortened 10rd SKS unless you used aftermarket magazine options which were of dubious reliability.

The SKS-M was the ban version of the SKS-30, (formerly called the SKS-D), which was the beginning of the AK magazine conversion guns. (I'm not getting into the rabbit hole of Midwest Ordnance here for the sake of time and sanity.) Instead of the standard SKS stock, they used a Monte Carlo style buttstock with about an inch and a half longer stock for the American market. And again, they shortened the barrel from 20" to about 16 1/4". A shortened Simonov with Kalashnikov magazine capability. Both the SKS-30 and the SKS-M work great when using Chinese "flatback" magazines. Lots of users have difficulty when trying to use various combloc AK mags. Use Chinese mags in a Chinese gun and it works. I will say getting used to mag lock up on the Chinese AK magazine conversion guns takes a little more effort, or experience with the specific carbine as compared to a straight forward AKM mag change. BUT, they're not designed as replacements for the AK. They were upgrades to the Simonov, in my opinion.

To your question of which is more collectible? For me, I have both.    But I have more of the AK-mag conversions. I would probably like to pick up another Navy Arms Para someday to "have it". I wanted my first one for the ability to make it small with a folding stock. It makes a good truck/trunk gun. But it was always confined to the 10rd box mag because I didn't trust the aftermarket mag options.

The SKS-M worked. In it's "original" configuration, it was shorter and had as many (30-40rds) or as few (5rds) as I wanted to slip in at a time. I don't have any FTF or malfunctions. It feeds and runs. It's a fun range gun. I don't consider the SKS to be a self defense gun but if I was in a situation where I had to use it, the SKS-M would definitely have it's benefits. And it seems to be holding its own as far as resale value goes.

I'd have to go with the SKS-M if I was given the choice between the two.

firstchoice

[echo1]

I like the Paratrooper length rifles, and being a Kali occupant, no SKS mag drops for me.
As mentioned, a Para can come configured in several different ways, in wood or synthetic furniture, with bayos (blade or spike) or no ability to mount one, a few models have glass. They are marginally/relatively more accurate and just plain handy to yield. PAX

[Greasemonkey]

If I had to go down the path of choices given, the M. However, if allowed to deviate, the Navy Arms Type 84.

[BMont]

I like them both but I do like the Commercials better actually.  Love shorties... thus my attraction.  The shorties with the scopes are cool looking but not very practical.  As for numbers... I think there are fewer of them than the others... so there is that part of the collectibility.  Choices choices.

[running-man]

I think it's 6 of one and a half-dozen of the other.  Think of the paratrooper as a base model and the M as being the deluxe SLT package.  The M is really a subset of a paratrooper with extra bells and whistles. 

One thing I will say, you could find paratroopers that were in poor to fair shape when they were converted, imported, and first sold, but all the M's were in very good to excellent shape when they were (re)built, given new stocks and had their parts (re)numbered.  There are some really crummy paratroopers out there but far less crummy M's (those only from some M's being abused, bubba'd, etc during their time here in the states)

One final point is that a blade bayo paratrooper in very good/excellent condition is not an easy easter egg to find.  I would think those would be the most collectible of anything discussed here. 

[Bob_The_Student]

O' yeah that's what I'm talking about a full mag load of good info here. Thanks all appreciate the input. 

Honorable mention to RM for that little golden nugget of info, I was not aware of, with the blade bayonet.

[echo1]

One final point is that a blade bayo paratrooper in very good/excellent condition is not an easy easter egg to find.  I would think those would be the most collectible of anything discussed here. 

Some Paras could be optioned with either style bayo. Both my blade units are pinned barrels, which wouldn't be accurate. The really tough ones are early converted units with blades. PAX

[Matchka]

Price & condition being equal, the paratrooper. The why: No desire for a detachable magazine SKS. 

[running-man]

Some Paras could be optioned with either style bayo. Both my blade units are pinned barrels, which wouldn't be accurate. The really tough ones are early converted units with blades. PAX

Yup, pre 10 mil /26\ are what I was talking about with respect to the hard to find blade paras.  All the late ones that were born with spikes, yet got 'new' blade stocks and para blades are really kind of Frankenguns in my mind.  Interesting yes, but not nearly as collectible in my eyes...they just don't quite belong.

[echo1]

Some Paras could be optioned with either style bayo. Both my blade units are pinned barrels, which wouldn't be accurate. The really tough ones are early converted units with blades. PAX

Yup, pre 10 mil /26\ are what I was talking about with respect to the hard to find blade paras.  All the late ones that were born with spikes, yet got 'new' blade stocks and para blades are really kind of Frankenguns in my mind.  Interesting yes, but not nearly as collectible in my eyes...they just don't quite belong.

Paratroopers are Frankenguns to start with. Many are scrubbed or mismatched but still function great.
On another note regarding the Paras, the bayo cut can be done a number of ways as well. I haven't been able to find an early blade unit at a decent price. PAX