Editing SKS (section)

===Soviet and Russian===
Differences from the "baseline" late Russian Tula Armory/Izhevsk Armory SKS:

* '''Variations (1949–1958)''': Early spike-style bayonet (1949) instead of blade-style. Spring-return firing pin was present on early models, and they did not have chrome bores (1949 – early 1951). The gas block had three changes: The first production stage gas block, used from 1949 through early 1950, was squared-off at a 90-degree angle. The second gas block production stage was instead cut at a 45-degree angle, seen on late 1950 to 1951 rifles. The third and final gas block stage, from 1952 through to 1956, was curved inward slightly toward the action.
* Designated marksman rifle SKS: During the late 1950s, the Soviets expressed interest in adopting an SKS variant adapted for the [[designated marksman]] role.<ref name=SVD1/> Some prototypes were produced with side-mounted scope rails to accept a [[PU scope]].<ref name=Bolotin/> These failed to meet the army's accuracy requirements, and the program was abandoned in favor of developing a new dedicated precision rifle.<ref name=SVD1/>
* '''SKS M1950''': An SKS modified for fully automatic fire.<ref name=Bolotin/> Prototype only.<ref name=Bolotin/>
* '''SKS M1951''': An SKS with a detachable bayonet and detachable box magazine.<ref name=Bolotin/> Prototype only.<ref name=Bolotin/>
* '''SKS M1953''': An SKS with select-fire fire capability, a new muzzle brake, detachable bayonet, and detachable box magazine.<ref name=Bolotin/> One prototype built before further development was canceled due to the decision to replace the SKS in general service with the AK.<ref name=Bolotin/>
*'''VPO-208''': SKS carbine modified with a smoothbore barrel and rechambered for the .366 TKM cartridge for commercial sales.<ref name="Popenker">{{cite news |title=From Russia, with love (and guns) |last=Popenker |first=Maxim |url=https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/from-russia-with-love-and-guns/386702 |work=Firearms News |location=Miami |date=8 December 2020 |access-date=11 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611005358/https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/from-russia-with-love-and-guns/386702 |archive-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>
*'''OP-SKS'''. SKS carbines converted into commercial hunting rifles by the ''Molot'' ("Hammer") factory in [[Vyatskiye Polyany]] (Russian: [[:ru:Вятско-Полянский машиностроительный завод|Вятско-Полянский машиностроительный завод «Молот»]], English: ''[[Vyatskiye Polyany Machine-Building Plant]]'').<ref name="Ribakov">{{cite news |title=OP-SKS: Hunting Carbine |last=Ribakov |first=Vadim |url=https://smallarmsreview.com/op-sks-hunting-carbine/ |work=Small Arms Review |location=Henderson, Nevada |date=May 2001 |access-date=12 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325071737/https://smallarmsreview.com/op-sks-hunting-carbine/ |archive-date=25 March 2023}}</ref> These were labeled OP (OP = охотничье-промысловый > ''okhotnich'ye-promyslovyy'' > "commercial hunting (carbine)").<ref name="Ribakov"/> The OP-SKS continued to be manufactured into the 2000s.<ref>
Ю. Пономарёв
[http://www.kalashnikov.ru/upload/medialibrary/dac/56_59.pdf СКС ОБР. 2000 ГОДА] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722181415/http://www.kalashnikov.ru/upload/medialibrary/dac/56_59.pdf |date=22 July 2014 }}, ''Kalashnikov'' magazine, 2000/4, pp. 56–59
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