How many different variations of the SKS Carbine are there?
SKS Carbines were manufactured in a large number of countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. There may be subtle variations between and within a given countries’ SKS Carbines. For the purposes of this FAQ, we will categorize them into three broad categories: 1. Standard fixed magazine SKS Carbines—Built by many nations including: Russia, China, Romania, etc. Also included here is the Albanian (a fixed magazine SKS Carbine variation, which can be recognized by its’ unusual handguard) and Chinese ‘Paratrooper’ (a shortened variation of the standard fixed SKS Carbine, which was produced for commercial export). Most of the information presented herein applies directly to any standard fixed magazine SKS Carbines. In general European manufactured SKS Carbines are on the ATF’s Curios and Relics list, while those of Chinese manufacture are not. 2. Yugoslavian Type 59/66 Rifles—A fixed magazine SKS Carbine variation, which can be recognized by its’ grenade launcher. This variation is given special
