The SKS (stands for: Self-loading Carbine of the Simonov system) is a semi-automatic carbine with Russian origins. The real life of the SKS began in 1949 when it started to be mass produced up to the late 1950s. During its production it was gradually replaced by AK-47, but it was kept as a reserve firearm for decades afterwards and is still used in ceremonies and conflicts today. Many communist states produced their own version of the carbine with the Chinese version being very popular on the civilian market. All versions combined amount to a total production exceeding 8 million.
The SKS carbine
The gun really came into action during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where it was used in great quantities by the communist forces.
A Viet Cong Guerrilla in an underground tunnel holding an SKS.
SKS carbines are also used the Syrian civil war that is still ongoing today.
Scoped SKS used by Syrian rebel forces
The gun fires the famous 7.62×39mm M43 round, which the AK-47 uses as well. This round is a powerful intermediate rifle cartridge and due to its worldwide proliferation it's some of the cheapest ammunition on the civilian market. Due to mass import to Canada, an SKS can be bought for around $200-$300. The combination of cheap ammo and a cheap market price makes the SKS a very popular firearm among civilians in Canada. The gun is about twice as expensive in the USA due to the important ban from 1994 of Chinese SKS carbines.
The internal box magazine holds ten rounds and is intended to be loaded with a stripper clip. The effective range of the gun is around 500 to 600 meters (~600 yards). Many aftermarket add-on are available, with some modifications changing the whole look of the gun.
An SKS with a tactical conversion kit. Source
To see the carbine in action, watch the video below!
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