Based on experience gained during World War II, Soviet weapon designers developed the M43 7.62 x 39mm intermediate cartridge for use in a new bread of gun, the assault rifle. The first adopted weapon t fire this new cartridge was the SKS self-loading Simonov, a gas operated, 10-shot carbine that resembled a conventional bolt-action rifle in its outward appearance.

 

 

Equipped with a hinged folding bayonet under the muzzle, the SKS was certainly build t last. Laminated beech woodwork and heavy steal enabled the carbine to stand up to rough treatment on the battlefield, and the new cartridge offered powerful and accurate firepower to a range of 450m, which was ideal during an ambush.

 

 

The Viet Cong made extensive use of an SKS copy during the early years of the Vietnam War, receiving their supplies of the Chincom Type 56 carbine from communist China. Simple to operate and maintain, the robust Simonov semi-automatic was eventually superseded by the ubiquitous and more compact Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle.

 

 

SKS Simonov Carbine Stats: