SKS

SKS is a Soviet Union made semi-automatic rifle. It was designed in 1943 by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov. In the 1950s it was replaced with the AK-47. The SKS remained in second-line service for decades. It is still used as a ceremonial arm today. The SKS is currently popular in the civilian surplus market in many countries. This includes the United States, Canada and New Zealand. It was one of the first weapons designed to use the M-43 7.62×39mm round, which was also used later in the AK-47.

SKS Media

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  SKS with the magazine closed (top) and open. The magazine release is circled.

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  An SKS-type bayonet in its closed (folded back) and open positions.

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  A field-stripped SKS carbine (disassembled into major components for cleaning).

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  A guerilla of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam, crouching in a tunnel with an SKS carbine.

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  Chinese Type 56 semi-automatic carbine (Chinese SKS).

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  Norinco SKS-M with Monte Carlo cheek-piece stock and detachable 30-round AK-47 magazine

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  Yugoslavian M59/66 with the muzzle formed into a spigot-type grenade launcher and a folding ladder grenade sight behind the front sight.

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  A map with SKS users in blue and former users in red

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  PLAN sailors at Qingdao, North Sea Fleet HQ, parading with Chinese Type 56 carbines.

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  The Independent Honor Guard Battalion of Turkmenistan on parade with Soviet SKS carbines.