What is AK47?
The Automatic Kalashnikov or AK47 is made in Russia. The assault rifle was initially designed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov in 1947. Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov was in the Red Army and served as a Tank Commander. AK47 is one of the most popular assault rifles being operated by gases. The combustion of gunpowder causes the release of gas which is further used in the automatic firing of the bullet from the rifle. Gas assault rifles are mainly of two types. Either it will be semi-automatic or fully automatic.
The bore of the AK47 can be seen chromed by the barrel in most of its variants and is equipped with under folding metal stock. Gas-powered rifles are comparatively easier to use when compared to non-gas-powered rifles. AK47 is widely used by military and army comrades.
Some say that the AK47 is automatic and is equipped with a cartridge that has a space for 30 bullets. Some variants of cartridges even allow up to 45 bullets. This saves the re-loading time and also allows easy use of the rifle and is widely used in the army. The AK47 is one of the major weapons known to cause destruction, being used by terrorists and illegal organizations. The cost of the weapon depends upon the country, distance from the manufacturing site, and the supplier.
What is SKS?
The Samozaryadnyi Karabin Sistemi Simonova more called SKS was designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov in 1945 in Russia. The design of the SKS lies somewhere between the sniper rifle and a typical assault rifle.
The SKS is a semi-automatic carbine and is used in cases of hunting of animals. The carbine used for SKS is made with a wooden butt, a tilting bolt but lacks a pistol grip. The first design was specifically made for an M1943 cartridge with the dimensions 7.62 x 39 mm, the cartridge being later used for ak47 rifles.
SKS is one of the popular assault rifles being operated by gases and is semi-automatic. The combustion of gunpowder causes the release of gas which is further used in the firing of the bullet from the rifle. The SKS allows 10 bullets per cartridge and has a semi-automatic function. The SKS has many variants, some of them equipped with an integrated bayonet and some with grenade launchers.
Difference Between AK47 and SKS
- The Automatic Kalashnikov or AK47 is a semi-automatic or automatic assault rifle while the Samozaryadnyi Karabin Sistemi Simonova or SKS is a semi-automatic rifle.
- AK47 was designed by Mikhail T Kalashnikov in 1947 while SKS was designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov in 1945.
- AK47 has its bore chromed by the barrel and is equipped with under folding metal stock. The SKS has a wooden stock, a short-stroke gas piston, a swinging bolt, and lacks a pistol grip.
- AK47 has a bullet capacity of 30 bullets per cartridge, some variants allowing 45 bullets per cartridge while the SKS only allows 10 bullets per cartridge.
- AK47 is used in military and armed forces while SKS is used for hunting animals.
- SKS can be issued to civilians whereas AK47 cannot.
Comparison Between AK47 and SKS
| Parameters of Comparison | AK47 | SKS |
| Name | Automatic Kalashnikov | Samozaryadnyi Karabin sistemi Simonova |
| Type | Semi-automatic or automatic | Semi-automatic |
| Designer | Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov | Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov |
| Designing year | 1947 | 1945 |
| Features | Bore chromed by the barrel and is equipped with under folding metal stock. | Has a wooden stock, a short-stroke gas piston, a swinging bolt and lacks a pistol grip. |
| Bullet cartridges | 30 bullets per cartridge, some variants allow 45 bullets per cartridge. | 10 bullets per cartridges. |
| Uses | Used in military and armed forces. | Used for hunting of animals. |