SKS

The SKS is an old-world service rifle of Soviet origin that was developed in 1945. Extremely reliable and simply constructed, the SKS fires 7.62x39mm intermediate rounds, and is often distinguished by it's hinged non-detaching magazine. In the apocalypse, the SKS has become a very popular rifle across the wasteland due to both it's conventional layout and for the sheer amount that can be found.

Design
The SKS has a wooden stock and rifle grip, much like many rifles of it's time. It is gas-operated and has a spring-loaded bolt carrier and a gas piston operating rod that work to unlock and cycle the action via gas pressure exerting pressure against them. The bolt is locked to contain the pressure of ignition at the moment of firing by tilting downwards at it's rear and being held by a lug milled into the receiver. At the moment of firing, the bolt is lifted, allowing the spent casing to be fired. The SKS was an intermediate step in the development of the first assault rifles, being shorter and less powerful than the semi-automatic rifles that preceded it.

Just about all SKS rifles in existence are fitted with a folding bayonet, and is reloaded by unhinging the latch in front of the weapon's trigger and using a stripper clip to insert ammunition.

In the wasteland, the SKS is known as a service rifle, despite it's original classification as a semi-automatic carbine.

Cartridge
The SKS fires the 7.62x39mm cartridge. The cartridge causes significant damage when the bullet begins to yaw inside it's target, causing greater internal hemorrhaging than the average 5.56 round.

Modification
SKS rifles are often modified with increased internal magazines, or with sniper scopes. The simplistic design of the SKS offers much opportunity for gunsmiths to customize the rifle, but few have shown much interest in such projects; primarily due to the straightforward purpose of the weapon.

Statistics

 * SKS (1e)