SKS

For other uses, see SKS (disambiguation).

SKS
An SKS from the collections of Armémuseum, Stockholm, Sweden
TypeSemi-automatic rifle
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1949–present
Used bySee Users
WarsSee Conflicts
Production history
DesignerSergei Gavrilovich Simonov[1]
Designed1941–1944[1]
Produced1949–1958 (Soviet Union)[2][3]
1956–1980 (China)[4]
No. built5,000,000[5]–15,000,000[6]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass3.85 kg (8.5 lb)[7]
Length1.021 m (40.2 in) (with bayonet folded)[7]
Barrel length521 mm (20.5 in)[7]
Cartridge7.62×39mm[1]
ActionGas-operated (tilting bolt)[7]
Rate of fire35–40 rounds/min[8]
Muzzle velocity735 m/s (2,410 ft/s)[7]
Effective firing range400 m (440 yd)[7]
Feed system10-round fixed magazine fed by stripper clip[8]
SightsIron sights graduated from 100 to 1,000 meters[8]
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The SKS (Russian: Самозарядный карабин системы Симонова, romanized: Samozaryadny karabin sistemy Simonova, lit. 'self-loading carbine of the Simonov system') is a semi-automatic rifle designed by Soviet small arms designer Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov in 1945.

The SKS was first produced in the Soviet Union but was later widely exported and manufactured by various nations. Its distinguishing characteristics include a permanently attached folding bayonet and a hinged, fixed magazine. As the SKS lacked select-fire capability and its magazine was limited to ten rounds, it was rendered obsolete in the Soviet Armed Forces by the introduction of the AK-47 in the 1950s. Nevertheless, SKS carbines continued to see service with the Soviet Border Troops and second-line and reserve army units for decades.[9]

The SKS was manufactured at Tula Arsenal from 1949 to 1958, and at the Izhevsk Arsenal from 1953 to 1954. Altogether, the Soviet Union produced 2.7 million SKS carbines.[10] Throughout the Cold War, millions of additional SKS carbines and their derivatives were also manufactured under license in the People's Republic of China, as well as a number of countries allied with the Eastern Bloc.[10] The SKS was exported in vast quantities and found favour with insurgent forces around the world as a light, handy weapon which was adequate for guerrilla warfare despite its conventional limitations.[11]

Beginning in 1988, millions have also been sold on the civilian market in North America, where they remain popular as hunting and sporting rifles.

  1. ^ a b c Ezell, Edward (1986). The AK47 Story: Evolution of the Kalashnikov Weapons. Harrisburg: Stackpole Books. pp. 322–342. ISBN 978-0811722476.
  2. ^ Bolotin, David (1995). Soviet Small Arms and Ammunition. Hyvinkaa: Finland Arms Museum Foundation. pp. 112–117. ISBN 978-9519718415.
  3. ^ Campbell, Mike (12 March 2018). "A Look Back at the SKS-45 Rifle". The American Rifleman. Fairfax. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  4. ^ Wuku, Xiaoyujun (25 July 2018). "关于56式半自动步枪一些班门弄斧的介绍". KK News. Phoenix. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.smallarmssurvey.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference hogg2002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c d e f Gander, Terry (1997). Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1997-98. Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. pp. 135, 166, 731–741. ISBN 0-7106-1548-5.
  8. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference pdf.textfiles was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Beckhusen, Robert (14 March 2021). "Where Russia's SKS Rifle Bested America's Famous M1 Garand". The National Interest. Washington DC. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b Dabbs, Mike (2 May 2023). "Is the Chicom Type 56 SKS Rifle Worth the Investment?". Firearms News. Peoria, Illinois. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  11. ^ Gander, Terry (1990). Guerrilla Warfare Weapons: The Modern Underground Fighter's Armoury. New York City: Sterling Publishing Company. pp. 52, 80. ISBN 978-0806973333.