General Discussion

Straw Man

(6,947 posts)

87. SKS ...

Sat Jul 9, 2016, 02:37 PM

Jul 2016

... was developed in WWII by the Russians, but didn't go into service until the late '40s. It didn't last long in Red Army service; the advent of the AK-47 made the SKS obsolete by virtue of the AK's detachable magazine and full-auto capability.

The SKS is not by any definition an "assault rifle," since that military definition designates a rifle that can fire in full-auto mode, nor is it an "assault weapon," since that legal definition only applies to semi-auto rifles that have detachable magazines. The standard SKS does not. If modified to take a detachable magazine, it would be classified as an "assault weapon" in some states and in proposed federal legislation. Hence the interest in the configuration of the Dallas shooter's rifle.

The SKS is functionally identical to the American M1 Garand, a WWII-era rifle that has been sold to US civilians through the government-chartered Civilian Marksmanship Program ever since it was phased out as military issue in the late '50s.

Both the SKS and the Garand are semi-auto rifles that have internal fixed (non-detachable) magazines. The Garand holds eight rounds, the SKS ten.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

146 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Rifle identified in Dallas shootings as an SKS. Semi-auto - typically 10rnd fixed mag EDIT - OR NOT. [View all] jmg257 Jul 2016 OP

. RandySF Jul 2016 #1

Ah - heavily modded...thanks! Nt jmg257 Jul 2016 #2

. RandySF Jul 2016 #3

I realize that has a detachable magazine Travis_0004 Jul 2016 #4

Is that the actual rifle used in the Dallas shooting or just an example of a modified one? aikoaiko Jul 2016 #6

So far, I have not seen any official image (nt) LongtimeAZDem Jul 2016 #8

I assume the actual one is pretty damaged from the robobomb AntiBank Jul 2016 #16

Maybe so but that could have been the gun he bought on Armslist aikoaiko Jul 2016 #22

OMG! That poor SKS! Heeeeers Johnny Jul 2016 #86

I don't know who Ivan Chesnokov is, but I want to to shake his hand. Chan790 Jul 2016 #114

Ivan is a purist. Heeeeers Johnny Jul 2016 #123

Who Knows? SuperDutyTX Jul 2016 #5

Yep. Obviously he used its lethal capabilities. I wonder how many gun yahoos will be buying one or Hoyt Jul 2016 #9

SKS Info. SuperDutyTX Jul 2016 #10

Truthfully, your lethal weapons knowledge is not impressive. You might want to try the Gungeon. Hoyt Jul 2016 #13

It wasn't SuperDutyTX Jul 2016 #14

Depends on the subject. Hoyt Jul 2016 #15

I respectfully disagree SuperDutyTX Jul 2016 #17

Enjoy your gunz and the damage they do. Hoyt Jul 2016 #18

Post removed Post removed Jul 2016 #19

Gun grabbers love ignorance Travis_0004 Jul 2016 #25

Pointing out an SKS a 70-yr old design isn't what they want to hear NickB79 Jul 2016 #70

That would be a ridiculous statement no matter what the topic. Truly. nt Mojorabbit Jul 2016 #106

Hence, the preoccupation of media outlets after a fatal stabbing to identify the weapon as a... LanternWaste Jul 2016 #134

I'm 100% against any of these being legal, but this is petty. MirrorAshes Jul 2016 #32

I agree Esse Quam Videri Jul 2016 #35

SKS ... Straw Man Jul 2016 #87

An AR-15 Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #103

Stop harassing DU members for discussing the OP topic aikoaiko Jul 2016 #38

The Gun Nomenclature game is a waste of time, we've heard it before from you guys. Hoyt Jul 2016 #52

We've certainly heard your shtick ad nauseam, but no one tells you to take it GCRA. aikoaiko Jul 2016 #55

Hoyt doesn't post in GCRA. n/t oneshooter Jul 2016 #96

That wasn't the point, but thank you. aikoaiko Jul 2016 #99

Right. Instead, let's ban something without defining it. Straw Man Jul 2016 #83

If you expect to regulate firearms, you must be specific in definitions in order to do so. MohRokTah Jul 2016 #97

So knowledge is bad, who knew? Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #60

Anti-intellectualism in American culture. Igel Jul 2016 #74

Gosh, wouldn't it be just strange SheilaT Jul 2016 #7

If I recall, that was the main argument back in '94... Use of AWs against LE. jmg257 Jul 2016 #11

Actually, given the incredible SheilaT Jul 2016 #12

Has the number of civilians killed by cops increased? Recursion Jul 2016 #51

I think it's more the widespread use of cellphones and video capability NickB79 Jul 2016 #71

from fivethirtyeight puffy socks Jul 2016 #78

I'm under the distinct impression that SheilaT Jul 2016 #82

There are many, many people in LE at all levels DemonGoddess Jul 2016 #30

YES. Almost any gun control measure is strongly supported by LEOs. MH1 Jul 2016 #42

Exactly DemonGoddess Jul 2016 #50

Gun control needs to include LEO's Calculating Jul 2016 #72

are you saying you want police to be banned from carrying guns? frankieallen Jul 2016 #95

A vanilla SKS is an excellent rifle Bonx Jul 2016 #20

Excuse my ignorance but Esse Quam Videri Jul 2016 #33

The terms can be a little confusing, but here is a decent explanation. aikoaiko Jul 2016 #44

Just keep the firing pin nice and clean.... Adrahil Jul 2016 #62

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2016 #21

Dude hit 12 cops and killed 5 alcibiades_mystery Jul 2016 #23

Explanation. Straw Man Jul 2016 #24

Nor would this weapon TeddyR Jul 2016 #57

sure sign of a gun humper Skittles Jul 2016 #107

I heard he was shooting bulletproof vest piercing rounds. B Calm Jul 2016 #26

Are those available to the public?? DCBob Jul 2016 #27

Not suppose to be. B Calm Jul 2016 #29

Yeah. Thats what i would suspect but you never know in this country. DCBob Jul 2016 #41

Most centerfire rifles will pierce soft body armor. Calculating Jul 2016 #75

My Remington 700, and scores of similar "deer rifles," will pierce the best armor. Eleanors38 Jul 2016 #90

You must be so proud. DCBob Jul 2016 #91

Of what, DC? Quit trying to be coy when the mere recitation of facts is made. Eleanors38 Jul 2016 #92

Your cop killing guns stink. DCBob Jul 2016 #93

You seem quite hateful. My rifle is standard equipment for hunting deer. Eleanors38 Jul 2016 #94

I only hate guns that kill innocent people. DCBob Jul 2016 #100

I hate alcohol that kills innocent people Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #104

Alcohol sale and use are heavily regulated as guns should be. DCBob Jul 2016 #110

They are Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #111

Those regs help but clearly we need more. DCBob Jul 2016 #113

Nice you admit they are regulated Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #116

The purchase of alcohol requires a background check? Marengo Jul 2016 #122

Alcohol can used by minors and carried openly on public streets? DCBob Jul 2016 #125

Consumption of alcohol by minors has been reduced to zero? Marengo Jul 2016 #127

Anyone ordering a Coors Lite oughta be checked. Eleanors38 Jul 2016 #129

My contempt is directed toward those who kill innocent people. Eleanors38 Jul 2016 #128

Police vest are designed to stop handgun rounds Travis_0004 Jul 2016 #34

So do we need better vests for police? B Calm Jul 2016 #36

Its not an issue of cost, its an issue of bulk and weight Travis_0004 Jul 2016 #37

I know you are right about how heavy they are. My neighbors son B Calm Jul 2016 #39

At least it offers more protection than the useless flak vest I had to suffer LOL Marengo Jul 2016 #85

A modern vest with slapp plates will weigh a little over 30lbs. oneshooter Jul 2016 #105

No soft vest would stop any rifle round Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #61

A hunting bullet from a bolt-action deer rifle will penetrate a vest NickB79 Jul 2016 #73

skss are an assault weapon .. stonecutter357 Jul 2016 #28

Not by any definition by law are stock SKSs considered assault weapons.... aikoaiko Jul 2016 #40

Sounds like it is just a matter of changing the definition. MH1 Jul 2016 #43

Yes and no. If you include the standard SKS rifle in the definition of an assault weapon, you would aikoaiko Jul 2016 #46

I'm sure a clever and motivated intelligent person could solve that problem. MH1 Jul 2016 #47

Go for it because we don't seem to have any clever or motivated intelligent people in congress. aikoaiko Jul 2016 #49

Unfortunately (ok not really) I have a day job that pays well. MH1 Jul 2016 #54

My idea would be this hollowdweller Jul 2016 #59

Don't worry about the billions in circulation? Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #63

There are 2 problems with this suggestion Calista241 Jul 2016 #142

Of course we are not just talking AR magazines Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #143

Clever people have tried for decades with no success NickB79 Jul 2016 #76

seems legit ! stonecutter357 Jul 2016 #45

Even in the great anti-assault weapon state of California, standard SKSs are not assault weapons... aikoaiko Jul 2016 #48

Those are great points TeddyR Jul 2016 #58

Descartes: I think therefore I am. Igel Jul 2016 #77

I can't think of any assault weapons ban ever proposed that would include them Recursion Jul 2016 #53

yup - and it usually has a folding bayonet jpak Jul 2016 #56

Easily removed to make it a non assault weapon Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #65

5 dead LEOs do not agree jpak Jul 2016 #66

Typical non response Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #68

Typical non-response to assault gun massacres jpak Jul 2016 #101

Irrelevant. Straw Man Jul 2016 #79

You can get them with detachable magazines jpak Jul 2016 #84

Once more, with feeling. Straw Man Jul 2016 #88

assault weapons = mass murder weapons = no place in civilized society jpak Jul 2016 #89

because you say so. frankieallen Jul 2016 #98

Because of evidence - and graves jpak Jul 2016 #102

So an SKS with a fixed magazine Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #112

5 dead LEOs jpak Jul 2016 #137

It appears to not have been an SKS Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #139

Here we go 'round the mulberry bush. Straw Man Jul 2016 #124

Again - gunners do not control the vocabulary any more jpak Jul 2016 #138

The law does Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #140

The LAW sez DuckHunters are limited to 3 rounds in their magazines jpak Jul 2016 #141

Of course I don't hunt Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #144

Go ahead and put it into a proposal. Straw Man Jul 2016 #145

"Control the vocabulary"? Straw Man Jul 2016 #146

Post removed Post removed Jul 2016 #31

Not an assault weapon? Matrosov Jul 2016 #64

ALL semi-autos "do the exact same thing" as an AR. They ALL self load the next round jmg257 Jul 2016 #67

The function is the same as as any semi-automatic weapon Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #69

Correction. Straw Man Jul 2016 #80

I stand corrected Duckhunter935 Jul 2016 #81

+1 Rex Jul 2016 #117

I don't give a flying fuck what it was Stinky The Clown Jul 2016 #108

+1 Rex Jul 2016 #109

Or a way of writing effective legislation. "Killing device that spat bullets" might be tough to work jmg257 Jul 2016 #118

How about a law that reads "No Fucking Guns" Stinky The Clown Jul 2016 #119

NOW you're talking - straight and to the point. No guess work, no loopholes. nt jmg257 Jul 2016 #121

My guns don't fuck! Eleanors38 Jul 2016 #130

It's time to screen people, not guns... Sancho Jul 2016 #115

Big majority of pro-2A DUers favor universal background checks. Eleanors38 Jul 2016 #131

Background checks as currently done are pretty useless at the point of sale.... Sancho Jul 2016 #132

Way too unconstitutional. I do support a proficiency test for carrying in public... Eleanors38 Jul 2016 #133

Everything here is constitutional.... Sancho Jul 2016 #136

I have an SKS that was given to me 10 years ago...never shot it. ileus Jul 2016 #120

Not really all that surprised. Wayburn Jul 2016 #126

Since this cropped again - new info says this was an AK-74, a typical assault weapon. nt jmg257 Jul 2016 #135