Simonov SKS

SKS is a self-loading Carabine. It utilizes a short-stroke gas piston with its own return spring, and a tilting bolt locking, where a bolt tips down to lock onto the floor of the receiver. Charging handle is attached to the right side of the bolt carrier and moves when gun is fired. Safety switch is located inside the trigger guard. The early model 50 weapons are shorter and are usually found without the bayonet. The SKS was an extremely reliable, simple constructed weapon with two unique distinguishing characteristics: a permanently attached folding bayonet, and a hinged non-detachable magazine. However, it was incapable of fully automatic fire and limited by its ten round magazine capacity, and was rendered obsolescent by the introduction of the AK-47 in the 1950s. The SKS was only briefly a standard infantry weapon in front-line units of the Soviet Armed Forces before being replaced by the AK-47 . The weapon was in service with several armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be found in many countries in Asia and Africa. The SKS remains popular on the civilian market as a hunting and marksmanship arm in many countries, including the United States and Canada.