Simonov SL Rifle (SKS) [Automatic Rifle]:

In many ways the SKS is the predecessor (it was designed in 1945) to the AK-47 and uses the same cartridge. The full name of the rifle is the Samozaridnya Karabina Simonova Obrazets 1945g, or shortened as the SKS45. The rifle is a self loading carbine, not an assault rifle and was designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov. In 1926 he was an inspector of quality control at the Tula Arsenal, and in 1927 he worked in the Design and Development Department under Federov. During World War II he designed a self-loading antitank rifle, the 14.5x114mm PTRS, scaled-down versions of which became the 7.62x54R SKS41 and 7.62x39 SKS45.

Although the carbine was a bit of an anachronism, the SKS45 still had broad appeal, and was adopted by many Communist Bloc nations under different names, including East Germany (Karabiner-S), North Korea (Type 63 Carbine), Yugoslavia (M59/66 Rifle), and the Peoples Republic of China (Type 56 Carbine). Other nations using, but not manufacturing, the SKS included Afghanistan; Albania; Congo, People's Republic; Indonesia; Iraq; Laos; Lebanon (paramilitary forces); Mongolia; Morocco; United Arab Republic (Egypt); Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and Yemen, People's Democratic Republic.

The standard SKS uses a 10 round internal magazine that is loaded by means of a stripper clip. There are many alternative versions of the Rifle, many made in China, that are of different configuations. Some of them can use external magazines.

Weight:	8.75 (3.85kg) empty.
Caliber:	7.62 Soviet (7.62x39 mm).
Barrel Length:	20.5 in (52.1 cm).
Overall Length:	40.2 in (102.1 cm).
Action:	Gas Operated.
Mode of Fire:	Semi Automatic.
Range:	984 feet (300 meters).
Magazine:	Standard 10-round internal box magazine. Some can use 10, 20, or 30 round external box magazines
Cost:	About $200-400, as low as $150 in some places.
Made in:	Russia /Former USSR (Many Other Nations make copies for their militaries or for sale - Expecially China).
Special:	Reliable, cheap, and powerful.

[ Kalashnikov, Simonov, SKS, AK-47, AKM, AK-74 are copyright of their respective owners. ]

Writeup by Mischa (E-Mail Mischa)and Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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