The SKS (Samozaryadnyj Karabin sistemy Simonova) Rifle was designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov to fit the purpose of supplying the Soviet Union with high-quality firearms. The SKS rifles were put to test in the early 1945 in the front lines of the battle versus Germany in World War II. The greatness of the firearm created by Sergei played a huge role in the victory of the Allied faction.

After seeing the greatness of the SKS Rifle, several countries started designing their own variations of the firearm. China is the country that has put a lot of effort in designing several variations of the SKS Rifle. But China did not do it mainly for military purposes. They designed several variants for the purpose of selling it in the market particularly to those of the United States of America. Because of the exceptional business skills of the Chinese, they earned a lot of bucks in selling their models.

Design-wise, the SKS Assault Rifle was derived from the AVS-36. Some even consider the SKS a shortened version of the AVS-36, a version made to compensate on the inconvenience brought about by the latter. It was also partially derived from the SVT-40 and the M-44 Mosin-Nagant which was actually being complained about by the military to be a little bit inconvenient to use. So it is safe to say that the SKS rifles were made to combine the capabilities of these models and completely erase the inconvenient features.

Today the SKS rifle is one of the favorites of firearm users. This is because the models are relatively inexpensive due to the surplus of millions of these. Though when the AK-47 was released, the SKS rifles were hastily abandoned. But still, some users prefer the SKS rifle over the AK-47 because of the availability of the parts in the market and it being so inexpensive compared to the latter. SKS rifles can still be found being imported to Russia, Yugoslavia, China, Romania, Albania etc. and this proves that the SKS still lives to its reputation. For gun collectors, the SKS Rifle is the most recommended because these models are customizable without hassle. The simplicity of the design enables users to install add-ons with ease and make adjustments according to their preference. Even if the AK-47 manages to envelope over the SKS models, the SKS Assault Rifle will forever live up to its reputation and will continuously prove that even after several years, it can still manage to become exceptional in performance.

After the SKS managed to shed light in the darkness of war, several countries started making their own variation of the rifle. The country that has put the most effort in designing several variations of the rifle is China. China though did not design the rifles for battling purposes but instead, they designed the rifles for marketing purposes. They sold rifles at a considerable price at first and when their model started to gain fame, they increased their SKS Rifle price to boost their market income. China once again proved to the world that when it comes to marketing, they do best.

The SKS Assault Rifle is one of the most bought rifles out there because of it being inexpensive and it being exceptional in quality and versatility. Versatile because the SKS rifle is highly customizable and can be made according to the user’s preference without hassle. Not to mention that the parts of the SKS rifle are still running rampant in the market and is being sold at a considerable price as well.

Today, prices of SKS Rifles ranges from $100 above. Customized ones reaches prices above $200. These prices are very good considering the SKS Rifle’s, durability, versatility and accuracy. Compare it to the price of the AK-47 where a high-quality one prices $350 and be notified that $450 is already cheap. Why bother spending $450 buying an AK-47 if the purpose can be fulfilled by a $100 SKS rifle? Makes sense right?

The prices of SKS Assault Rifles vary depending on the variations. Yugoslavian and Chinese variants have higher prices compared to the other variants especially the former because Yugoslavian SKS is considered to be one of the best, if not the best SKS model released in public. The famous Yugoslavian SKS M59/66 has fair prices ranging from $250 to $400 depending on the seller, condition, add-ons etc. At first, Yugoslavian and Chinese models actually sold their models for a low price. But when demand gets high, the prices get high as well. But even if the SKS rifle price increases, the high quality performance these rifles provide the users make the prices have a constant vale of “cheap and high-quality”. There is no disappointment in considering the purchase of SKS rifles.

Today, the most popular SKS rifles are the ones made by Yugoslavia particularly the Yugoslavian Model 59/66. Updated versions of this model had a 22 mm grenade launcher attached to it which is a very good addition to boost up the firepower and capabilities of the Yugoslavian Model 59/66. In combination with the 22 mm grenade launcher is a Front Sight with a fold-up ladder for a better grenade shooting accuracy. Because of the addition of the grenade launcher, manufacturers of the Yugoslavian Model 59/66 made adjustments for safety precautions of the users. When the grenade launcher sight is lifted up, the gas system is blocked for safety and the action of the gun must be manually cycled up to get back to its original status. Another means for safety precaution is that the grenade launcher can only be fired if the cartridge is empty. The stock is made up of Beech wood which is actually a fine piece of wood.

There was a time that these Yugo SKS models were imported to the United States of America for military use and it sparked disappointment because the models given were faulty. It had no matching serial numbers, most were not in pristine shape, some have dinged stocks and some scratches which are said to have been done intentionally by the soldiers who issued the models.
Aside from the Yugoslavian Model 59/66, there is also the Yugoslavian PAP M59. PAP stands for “Polu-automatska puška” which means “Semi-Automatic Rifle”. The rifle was nicknamed “Papovka” because if not, it would be identical with the Russian variant. This rifle is known to have exceptional level of accuracy and is able to shoot rounds with quite an exceptional firing rate.

The first releases of the Yugoslavian SKS models were high-quality and still lives up to the reputation today. Newly released models actually had a very considerable price and if not taken as soon as possible, prices may climb to enormous heights and make the model expensive enough to consider. So it is advisable for firearm collectors to hastily purchase one because the demand for the Yugo SKS is actually high. It isn’t really a surprise because the Yugoslavian variants lived up to the reputation they made. They created variants that are very good in quality. They are highly durable, has high accuracy, incredible add-ons, incredible design, probably exceptional in all aspects. For collectors, the Yugoslavian SKS is a must have.

Due to the hard-work China exerted to create their own version of the SKS, there comes the Chinese SKS series. According to most gun experts, the SKS series of China is the most successful of all SKS’ when it comes to marketing. This is because China was able to release a wide range of Chinese variants of the SKS and all are proven to work wonders. This is not a surprise because China is really known for their outstanding skills when it comes to dealing with gunpowder, firearms and such. Not to mention their exceptional skills in doing business.

When it comes to the marketing of firearms, China also did not miss out. As a matter of fact, most of China’s SKS rifles are actually made specifically for the market of the United States of America. There are a lot of Chinese variants of the SKS out there and as expected from the Chinese people who love doing business, they must have released a majority of the models to the market. For example, a firearm called the “Paratrooper” rifle was made by China for the US market as well as a variant called SKS-D that holds on to AK magazines. Considering all these, China must have earned lumps of money from those variants.

Distribution of Chinese SKS series in the market started in the mid-1980s. One would know if the gun is made from China if the label shows that it is made from China and if it includes Chinese inscriptions on the receiver, probably a notification that “Norinco” or a similar company made it for example. Norinco is also called “North China Industries” which is actually a company owned by the Chinese military.

One of the first SKS variants of China is the Chinese Type 56 which is actually quite faulty at first. This variant suffered a lot of tweaks and remodeling just to get some things right which actually still wasn’t enough to satisfy users. All of the type 56 rifles were removed from military hands due to its incompetence but was still held by ceremonial holders. Another Chinese variant is the Chinese Honor Guard which mostly had chromed metal parts. There is also what we call the Chinese Commercial Production variant which actually centered on models to be released in the market. These are mostly models that are able to adapt easily to most cases such as being able to contain AK-47 magazines for versatility. Seeing the expansion that the Chinese was able to do, the Chinese SKS is definitely a very successful SKS series.

For a better understanding on the Russian variant, it is best to discuss first the SKS itself. SKS stands for “Samozaryadnyj Karabin sistemy Simonova”. It is a semi-automatic rifle designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov in 1945 which is able to house a 7.62x399mm round, ready for use. At first, the Soviet Union primarily makes use of the Carbine SKS series but eventually they phases those out to use the AK-47, a gun known for the excellent firepower, accuracy and convenience it provides the user.

The Russian SKS was often used and manufactured between 1949 and 1956. The Russian variation of the SKS includes a Spike-style Bayonet instead of a Blade-style Bayonet though there are models released that actually had the blade-style bayonet. The difference between the Spike-style Bayonet and the Blade-style Bayonet is that the former specializes more on Thrusting capabilities while the latter is balanced in terms Slashing and Thrusting capabilities. Both styles have their own setup to gain an advantage and it is upon user preference if the Spike Style Bayonet will be better than the Blade-style Bayonet and vice-versa.

The Russian variant has a squared-off gas block instead of the usual rounded one. In the early models of the Russian variant (models released around 1949 to 1951), the gun has a spring-type firing pin as well as 3 Gas block changes modes. One thing good about the Russian variant is that it chews any ammunition up and even if the gun is old, it still shows power and accuracy in its firing capabilities.

The cheapness of the surplus ammo is very appealing for the eyes of gun fanatics because no matter how cheap or what type of bullet is inserted for example, a cheap steel case ammo will still release an incredible shot. Another thing good about the Russian variant is that it has very good accuracy. Shoot from a hundred yards away and it is still assured that the accuracy is spot-on. If not contented with the accuracy, installation of scopes can also be made. Add-on installation was made easy by the simplicity in design of the gun. Some guns could not be installed with particular add-ons because the design does not allow it. It is a good thing that the Russian variant is made to accept a variety of add-ons. The Russian variant is really something that a gun fanatic must get hold of before considering other models. The originals always have something good to offer the people. The Russian SKS just never gets old.

Sks Accessories

Some SKS accessories include upgrades or modifications to improve the gun’s capabilities. One known package is the SKS Fusion Rifle System. This system instantly replaces the current stock parts of the gun with lighter materials to offer better handling. It consists of numerous accessories like a hand guard that can either have a Picatinny or Weaver rail. Both sight systems are no longer a hindrance to aiming. Due to the nature of this semi-automatic rifle, a SAW pistol grip may also be included in this package, which gives a more accessible angle and a widened grip so that better comfort and better control can come together. The grip housing of the gun can also function as a mini compartment in this package. These upgrades and accessories work on SKS-D models.

There are also certain accessories that can improve the SKS, and this can include the stock. A certain add-on known as the fiberforce stock can give the user a better sense of accuracy and comfortability due to the thumbhole-gripped stock, the ventilated fore end and the cheekrest that can be adjusted at will. Some stocks like the Monte Carlo Stock feature a virtually indestructible material that can offer adjustable angles and grips that is usable for most users.

Some accessories can be bought that focus on giving the SKS a proper holding grip and better aim. An optional handguard can provide its users with the capability of holding the belly of the gun so that accuracy could be greatly improved. A scope can also be added so that the range of the SKS can be greatly improved. Some scope mounts even feature high-grade optics in order to provide target distinction when looking through a scope. In addition to that, laser pointers and flashlights can be added in order to help in medium-range combat and on-the-go raids.

One of the most sought after accessories would be the bayonet of the SKS. At this time and age, many of these have been modified to be sharper and sturdier that can pierce even the hardest of materials. The bayonet can either be a blade or a spike type. It totally depends on the user.

Some accessories improve the precision of the SKS. Many recoil breakers and stock extenders are available in the market in order to keep the gun stable when firing. This ensures that only the intended target will be hit under a constant firing rate.

With SKS accessories, the already-exceptional features and capabilities of the SKS will be significantly improved, resulting to better handling and better utilization of this firearm.

An ordinary SKS made in Russia is a semi-automatic rifle that features a fixed magazine containing ten rounds, which is reloaded from the rifle’s top by either physically placing the bullets inside one round at a time or by utilizing a stripper clip that holds ten rounds. The stripper clips are normally disposable in military issues. The SKS can even be reloaded and reused many times if it is necessary.

Referring to the mechanism of the SKS, this rifle is a weapon that is operated with gas. It works by utilizing gas pressure that pushes against a gas piston rod and a spring-loaded operating rod. The tilting bolt locking system is a helpful feature that maintains the accuracy of this rifle. The SKS also boasts a higher muzzle velocity when compared to the AK-47, a revolutionary assault rifle in its time and also a direct descendant of the SKS, due to the fact that it has a noticeably longer barrel.

In some variants, the SKS design has been modified to accept and recognize the detachable magazines of the AK-47, although this wasn’t successful most of the time. This was due to the fact that a military rifle like the SKS makes use of a fixed magazine that is often prone to feed jams when modified to accept detachable magazines. This feat was actually attempted by Norinco and has succeeded in creating numerous SKS models that accept the detachable magazines of the AK-47. For these models to accept drum magazines, their wood stock must be taken off.

Most SKS variants have a free-floating firing pin inside the bolt of the gun, whereas some earlier Russian SKS models had spring-loaded pins. Due to the intricacy of this design, it must be imperative that the user take caution in cleaning the gun by making sure that the firing pin refrains from fix in the forward direction inside the bolt. When this is not prevented, an accidental slamfire is known to occur, which is an unrestrained high-rate firing that would empty the magazine as the bolt is released.

Some variants feature a chrome-lined variant so that the SKS can tolerate huge amounts of punishment from heat and corrosion. This can help in cleaning the gun, although it can also decrease the accuracy of the gun. Meanwhile, almost all variants feature the distinctive bayonet attachment at the belly of the barrel, which can be a spike or a blade. Most rifles also include a cleaning kit inside the trapdoor in the butt of the stock.

Due to the mentioned features, the SKS design has been favored and copied by many due to its effectiveness and reliability.

Of course, the original variants were the Russian SKS variants mass-produced from 1949 to 1951. The early models were the spike-style bayonet SKS styles, which were made on 1949. The squared-off gas block was usually seen in the 1950’s, which has a 90 degree gas block angle. The 45 degree angle gas block was used on the second gas block type. The third gas block production series had rounded inward gas blocks. The Soviet Honor Guard makes use of this kind of SKS, which features parts that are made of chrome and a wood stock that has a lighter color.

The Chinese also had a variant of the SKS in their country. In the year 1956, the original SKS was modified by the Chinese. The minor tweaks addressed by these people were the missing milling on the bolt carrier, the lack of a partially- or fully-stamped receiver, and the addition of varying kinds of thumb rests on the gun. The country was known for making continuous revisions on the product. For the guns with serial numbers of nine million and below, they possess a folding bayonet that has a Russian-style blade. These were called the Type 56 carbines. Those guns with serial numbers higher than nine million feature a folding bayonet that has a spike. The earlier guns were referred to as Sino-Soviet guns, which meant that they were made in China. The Chinese Honor Guard also makes use of chrome-made issues of these guns. The Chinese also have made other similar SKS rifles. The Type 68 rifles had a stamped sheet-steel receiver. The upgraded form of Type 68 is called the Type 81, which is capable of burst fire with three rounds. Some of these feature a folding stock. The SKK, or the Type 84, is a semi-automatic-only rifle capable of accepting AK-47 magazines.

The Polish variant is called the ksS, or the karabin samopowtarzkalnv Simonowa.  These models were still used by members of the Polish Army, the Polish Air Force, the Polish Navy, and honor guards of the Polish Police in their ceremonial services.

The Yugoslavian models were also popular. The PAP M59 was nicknamed the Papovka. The PAP M59/66 model was the rifle that had a grenade launcher. The Zastava Arms LKP-66 was a hunting model that had no bayonet or stock. The Albanian July 10 Rifle was an SKS variant that had an AK-47 feel, featuring a hand guard and a longer stock.

There are other less popular SKS variants in countries like Germany, North Korea, Vietnam and Albania . Whatever the case, the SKS has remained one of the most influential rifles of all time.

In 1945, a Soviet weapons designer named Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov designed one of the most influential weapons in firearms history. Named the Samozaryadnyj Karabin sistemy Simonova, this semi-automatic rifle has been arguably considered one of the fathers of all modern semi-automatic rifles made by one of the fathers of all modern semi-automatic rifles. This marked the official start of SKS history, as well as the beginning of all modern rifles to come.

SKS History

During the course of World War II, it was not long until the Russian soldiers realized that the standard rifles, like the Mosin-Nagant, were just too cumbersome and recoil-y and yet their bullets can be made to work on a medium-sized machine-gun in close-range combat with at least a hundred-meter range. That was when Russia, Germany, and the United States of America have simultaneously decided to participate in the race to develop their very own semi-automatic rifle. The Germans ended up producing the Maschinenkarabiner, or the machine-carbine, while the United States made the 0.30 Carbine and the M1. In 1945, a number of the prototype weapons made by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov were tested against the Germans. These were later known as the SKS.

The SKS was legitimately mass-produced in the Soviet Army in 1949. The main dealers were the Tula Armory, which produced the unit from 1949 to 1955, and the Izhevsk Mechanical plant, which had the unit on sale from 1953 to 1954. Looking at the number of years, why did the Russians phase out the unit early?

In all honesty, even though the SKS was flawlessly produced, but it did not fulfill the high expectations of the Russians. A similar design named the Kalashnikov masked the importance of the SKS due to the following reasons: first of all, it was selective-fire unlike the SKS; secondly, it could amazingly carry three times the magazine capacity compared to that of the SKS; and lastly, it was lighter than the SKS. Truth be told, the SKS was only actually produced to “fill the gap” in the Soviet’s firearm production. The operating mechanism and the manufacturing techniques were actually redirected to the monster that made the most impact in firearm history.

Ironically, this became the most important event in SKS history. The SKS actually paved the way to the creation of the AK-47, which is considered one of the most popular and most dependable assault rifles in world history. During the time that the SKS was adopted by the Soviet Army, the Russians were actually testing the AK-47 behind-the-scenes, so that when it wasn’t effective, they could fallback to the SKS.

Even at the inception of the AK-47 into the hall of fame, SKS history has continued to live on. At this day and age, many armies in the third-world countries still consider this gun a reliable weapon in their own fights. But most importantly, even today the ceremonial Russian guards called during very notable commemorations still make use of this unit in order to honor its significance in weapons history.