SKS

The SKS is a semi-automatic rifle originating from the Soviet Union, chambered for the 7.62x39mm round. It was designed in 1945 and have been built in over fifteen million examples, mainly used by the Eastern Bloc nations and other Soviet-friendly states throughout history. It is still in active service among honor guards and rebels across the globe.

History
During World War II, many countries realized that existing rifles were either too long, too heavy or had a too high recoil. The Soviet Union managed to conquer this weakness by constructing the small and low-recoil SKS, which was even more lethal than larger rifles. In 1949, the SKS was officially adopted into the Soviet Army, although the design was already obsolete compared to the AK-47 - which was lighter, had three times the magazine capacity and even cheaper to produce. The SKS never saw much frontline service for the Soviet Union, although the East Asian communist nations used the weapon for many decades. The weapon is currently used by a number of guerrilla organizations, most notably the Alexshin Order, in which it is a standard-issue weapon.

Design
A standard SKS has a fixed/hinged 10 round internal magazine which is loaded from the top of the rifle either by manually inserting the ammunition one round at a time or with a 10-round stripper clip. In typical military use the stripper clips are disposable, but if necessary they can be reloaded multiple times and reused. Some variants of the SKS has also been modified to accept detachable AK-47 magazines, although the weapon is far safer using the standard 10-round magazine.

Alexshin Order use
The SKS is the AORA's primary infantry firearm, as it is easy to access in a sporting purpose and does not require illegal purchase. It is by far outdated compared to modern military-issue assault rifles, but is well-suited for guerrilla warfare. A typical AO soldier wears the SKS over his shoulder at all times, which gives the backpack more space for supplies or ammunition.

Specifications
Type: Semi-automatic rifle.

Place of origin: Soviet Union.

In service: 1949-present.

Designer: Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov.

Designed: 1944.

Number built: 15 000 000.

Variants: Type 56 (China), PAP (Yugoslavia).

Weight: 3.85 kg.

Length: 1.021 meters.

Barrel length: 521mm.

Cartridge: 7.62x39mm.

Action: Short stroke gas piston, tilting bolt, self-loading.

Rate of fire: Semi-automatic.

Muzzle velocity: 715 m/s.

Effective range: 500 meters.

Maximum range: Unknown.

Sights: Hooded post front sight tangent notch rear sight graduated from 100 to 1 000 meters.