[synical]

Hey I was wondering if anyone could give me a little history lesson on who invented the SKS and what war's it was used in! I know the Kalishnikof or however you spell it invented the AK-47 in 1947 and then in 1974 it was updated and called the AK-74 or model 1974. They are pretty much built the same right? If anyone knows a little history for me I would like to learn more about both weapons. I do know that military wise the AK-47 is the most used threw out the world.

[c3shooter]

SKS is for Samozaradnya Vientovka Sistyemi Simonova Obrazets 1945g . Mr Simonov being the creator.

Ak is Avtomat Kalashnikov- after Sgt Kalashnikov, the creator (who is still around, I think).

Some info on the SKS for you- Collecting and Shooting the SKS Carbine - HISTORY

They use the same ammo, have a SIMILAR gas piston system, and there, the resemblance stops. Two totally different weapons. The SKS was a bit late for WW 2, and the Chinese got it late for Korea, but were used in Vietnam and later conflicts. It is heavier, intended for semi auto, and with few exceptions, not intended for removable mags. Slightly longer barrel, different trigger system and bolt, good for slightly more range than the AK.

Above is a simplified answer, not an in depth discussion- thee are dozens of variants of the SKS and AK.

[Jake15]

The difference between the ak-47 and the ak-74 is caliber, the 47 shoots a 7.62 mm round while the 74 shoots a 5.45 mm round, the reason for that is during vietnam when the US fielded the M-16 in 5.56 the russians decided that they had to have a smaller caliber assault rifle thus the ak-74 is born, and just so you know the parts aren't interchangeable.

[synical]

hey thanks guys I feel a little smarter now! lol I like learning about stuff like this!

[dglockster]

Also, the SKS was never designed to have a scope or red dot mounted. It was intended to be a strictly iron-sights weapon.

Most, if not all, of the after-market scope mounts for the SKS do not work as advertised.