SKS

The Samozaryadnyi Karabin Simonova (SKS) is a Soviet rifle invented by Simonov in 1945. The SKS is said to be the precursor to the AK-47, but it is of much heavier construction than the AK-47. It is used extensively by Chinese police and military forces. During the Cold War, Russia shared the design and manufacturing details with other Soviet countries and allies. Therefore, many variants of the SKS exist. Some variants feature select fire, gas port controls, and grenade launchers.

A standard SKS has a fixed 10 round magazine which is loaded from the top of the rifle manually or with a stripper clip. Some variants of the SKS accept AK-47 detachable magazines. It fires the 7.62 x 39 mm round, a standard Soviet cartridge also used in the AK-47. The rifle has power, range, and utility similar to the 30-30 lever action carbine.

In most variants, the barrel is chrome lined for increased wear and heat tolerance from sustained fire and to resist corrosion from from high sulfur corrosive primed ammunition. Chrome lining is common in military rifles, although it can diminish accuracy.

Most SKS variants also have a bayonet of the spike or knife style.

The SKS is easily field stripped and reassembled with no tools. The rifle has a buttstock cleaning kit with cleaning rod running under the barrel.

It is not known to be extremely accurate but its ruggedness and ease of use makes the SKS an excellent cheap battle rifle.

Similar style firearms include the SKS Carbine, and the Dragunov sniper rifle.