ORIGINAL: okcmco
The paratrooper is made to take AK mags. It is not a kalishnakov action at all but the Simonov action. So it is an SKS in every way. It just takes a detatchable mag. They are not that rare. I would see at least a few at every gun show. They seemed to be about 40% more exoensive, but that was back when the prices for Chinese and Russian SKS rifles was reasonable. I saw a chines paratrooper SKS for about 200 bucks, when the Chinese SKS was about $125.00. Of course I remeber when the chinese SKS rifles were hard for dealers to sell for 50 bucks.
okcmco
I just read thatonly 8% of the SKS carbines were made to accept AK detachable mags. I don't know if any of theparatroopers were configured that way though.I havea paratrooper and it has the regular SKS 10rd fixed mag. You're right they are not that rare but strange enough they are more expensive. Mine is a ChineseMil. Type 56 from Factory 26 Imported by CJA Southfield MI. with all matching numbers.I believe the Serial# dates it to the late 1960's
Below is a link, scroll down and itlists the types of SKS's as well as the different configurations and approximate numbers from data that was submitted. Approx. 88% have standard length barrels, Approx. 12% have the 16.5in Paratrooper barrels. Approx. 92% use ths SKS mags and Approx.8% use the AK mags. pretty cool site.
http://www.simonov.net/project.htm
Fun to shoot no doubt.