By EDWARD J. HOFFSCHMIDT
The Russians have used several models of semi-automatic rifles and carbines. They adopted the Simonov rifle in 1936 and the Tokarev rifle in 1938. The Tokarev was used extensively during World War II, but did not prove entirely satisfactory. Shortly after the war, the Simonov carbine was adopted.
The Simonov carbine (also called SKS, standing for Self-Loading Carbine Simonov) is one of 3 Russian weapons using the 7.62 mm. Ml943 short rimless cartridge. Gas-operated, it has a fixed 10-round box magazine and a permanently attached folding bayonet. When it is fired, gas is tapped through a port in top of barrel, and pushes a piston and piston extension rearward. The extension actuates the bolt carrier, which cams rear of bolt upward for unlocking.
This carbine is relatively easy to field strip and maintain, and it functions reliably. It is considered to be effective up to about 400 meters.
The SKS is an excellent weapon and widely used in the Communist nations, but is being replaced by the 7.62 mm. AK assault rifle that better meets tactical requirements of the Russians.
IThc SKS has a fixed box magazine (30). To load, open action by pulling back bolt carrier (18). Insert a loaded stripper clip into clip guides of bolt carrier, and push cartridges down into magazine as shown. The magazine can also be loaded with loose cartridges.
1. Piston
2. Handguard and gas cylinder
3. Piston extension
4. Piston return spring
5. Front sight
6. Front sight seat
7. Handguard catch
8. Bayonet screw
10. Hold open latch pin
11. Hold open latch spring
12. Hold open latch
13. Receiver and barrel assembly
14. Takedown latch
16. Latch pin
17. Rear housing
18. Bolt carrier
19. Bolt
20. Firing pin retainer
21. Firing pin
22. Extractor spring
23. Extractor
24. Recoil spring
25. Spring retainer
26. Large spring guide
2 To field strip, clear the chamber and unload magazine. Depress follower (31) and ease bolt closed. Swing takedown latch (14) up and pull out. Ease rear housing (17) off. Pull out recoil spring assembly (24-27). Pull bolt carricr (18) and bolt (19) to rear and remove.
27. Small spring guide
28. Stock assembly
29. Trigger guard spring
30. Magazine
31. Magazine follower
32. Follower spring
33. Hinge pin
34. Magazine cover
35. Cover latch
36. Latch spring and sear spring
37. Sear
38. Latch stop pin
39. Trigger guard
40. Disconnector hinge pin
41. Trigger pin
42. Safety catch
43. Safety catch spring
44. Trigger
45. Safety catch pin
46. Trigger bar
47. Trigger bar pin
48. Trigger spring
49. Disconnector
51. Hammer
52. Hammer strut pin
53. Hammer strut
54. Hammer spring
55. Cleaning rod
3 For further disassembly, cock hammer and put carbinc on safe. Turn carbine upside-down and push in on trigger guard latch (15) with cartridge nose or punch. When latch is pushed in sufficiently, the trigger guard (39) should jump out slightly. Guard can then be pulled free.
4 Insert point of cartridge into hole of the handguard catch (7) and rotate catch up as shown in illustration. Lift up rear of handguard (2), and pull it free of barrel. Then push piston (1) out of gas cylinder. Pivot bayonet (9) to middle position, and remove cleaning rod (55).
5 To strip trigger guard, place in padded vise. Push down on disconnector (49) and pull trigger (44) to release hammer. [Use care; hammer is under heavy spring pressure.] Use metal bar as shown to force hammer out. Remaining parts can be disassembled by driving out pins. ■
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