Difference Between AK and SKS

By: | Updated: Jul-25, 2024
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Today, there are many people who have an interest in rifles.

There are those who want to buy one of the AK-47 or SKS rifles. But before making any decision, they should be aware of the differences between these two guns.

The AK-47 and SKS both belong to the same category of weapons, but there are some important differences between them that a person should know about before buying one.

So what are these differences?

The AK 47 and the SKS are both assault rifles, and they are widely used in every country in the world. Both of those weapons are Russian-made.

AK 47, which is also called a manual kalashnikov, was designed by Mikhail T Kalashnikov. In that regard, SKS, which is also called Samozaryadnyi-Karabin system simonova, was designed by Sergei Gavrilovich simonov. In 1945 the SkS was the first thing that they designed, and in 1947 the Ak 47 was the next thing they designed.

AK SKS
Has steel handguards. Has wooden handguards.
Designed by Mikhail T Kalashnikov. Designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov.

Designed in 1947. Designed in 1945.

Difference Between AK and SKS

Difference Between AK-47 and SKS

Appearance

The AK-47 is designed with a receiver that is built on top of a stamped steel body with steel handguards that are riveted to it. The receiver has a front sight post with a hooded post which can be folded down for use as a rear sight. The top cover is made from sheet metal, while the rear cover is made from stamped sheet metal (this piece was also stamped).

The rifle’s side rail assembly has rivets on its sides instead of bolts like in the case of the SKS. On the left side, there is a side mounted sling loop and on the right side, there is a magazine pouch.

The SKS has a receiver that is built on top of a stamped steel body with wooden handguards that are riveted to it. The receiver has a front sight post with a hooded post which can be folded down for use as a rear sight. The top cover is made from sheet metal, while the rear cover is made from stamped sheet metal (this piece was also stamped). The rifle’s side rail assembly has bolts on its sides instead of rivets like in the case of the AK-47. On the left side, there is a side mounted sling loop and on the right side, there is a magazine pouch.

Ammunition

The AK-47 uses 7.62x39mm caliber ammunition which was developed by Soviet scientists in 1943. It was designed to be used in light machine guns such as PPSh-41 and PPS-43 machine guns. But after World War II, it was converted into an assault rifle and used by Russians during the Cold War era. The SKS uses 7.62x39mm caliber ammunition which was developed by Soviet scientists in 1943 too but it was used by Russians.

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