[MtnClimber]

I have never fired an SKS, but I know their reputation is that they are not very accurate at long ranges. I have an AK-47 and it is not very accurate and was not designed for long range work. I have several rifles that will put 5 rounds into 0.75 inches at 100 yards if the wind cooperates.

Where to get a black market gun out of state? I would not know where to start.

[marktwain]

If you have criminal associates, you start with them. If you have police associates, they can be a great source for guns (confiscated legally or illegally, and not reported).

A classic method is the straw man purchase, where you have someone else purchase the firearm for you.

Then you obtain the firearm, and if you destroy the serial numbers, the firearm cannot be easily traced to the person who purchased it originally.

If you have fake ID, you can use that.

It appears this person's plan was to leave the rifle at the crime scene, as the serial numbers had been removed.

Straight out theft is a method which is a little more risky.

[Axenolith]

I got a Serbian manufactured one around 15 years ago when Big 5 was still doing a lot of “curio/relic” sales. It was $400, and it’s a damn good rifle for its design/age. Mounting an optic on it is sub-optimal, I obtained a mount, but have been insufficiently motivated to grind and tweak on it to place the adaptor, and the optic would just be a dot so I’m leaning towards just staying iron. If I need to hit things way way out there, I’ve got a 24X on my M1A 😎