Navy Arms “Assault Carbine” Norinco Type 56 SKS 7.62x39mm – ORIGINAL MAG

The SKS, designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov, with the express purpose of upgrading the Soviet arsenal from the obsolete Mosin-Nagant. Simonov was inspired by the design of the Soviet PTRS anti-tank rifle and the continued interest of the Red Army in developing an intermediate rifle cartridge. The SKS would finally come to fruition in 1944 when Simonov chambered his self-loading carbine to fire the now iconic 7.62x39mm cartridge. The SKS would be officially designated as the Red Army’s carbine and was adopted around the same time as the AK-47 and RPD. However, due to a change in Soviet doctrine opting for more Mechanization the SKS found itself overshadowed by the AK-47, not by any fault of the rifle or its design. The Chinese would begin licensing the SKS in the mid-50s, designating it the Type 56 Carbine. Over the course of its service the Type 56 would receive some changes, most notably the Bayonet, which was changed to the Chinese spike bayonet from the Soviet blade style. In the late later quarter of the 20^th century Chinese guns began flooding the US market and began a major arms race between US importers, each trying to outdo the next and even asking Norinco to make custom alterations prior to export. Navy Arms developed their “Assault Carbine” this was essentially a Type 56 SKS which already had been cut down to the “paratrooper” configuration and added their own proprietary conversion kit which allows the SKS to feed from AK47 mags. Imports of these converted SKS rifles are estimated to be fewer than 500 rifles, and as such are hard to come by. This example, serial number 2303787, was produced by Arsenal 116, and comes with its hand fitted serialized magazine which corresponds to the serial number on the receiver. The Navy Arms kits feature a manual last round bolt hold open (found on the top of the charging handle) allowing the shooter to top up the AK mag with SKS clips or swap mags. These Navy Arms conversions are the only SKS rifles where you can have all three, a bayonet, 16.5” barrel, and feed from AK mags. These Rifles are rarely seen in the wild, especially with their corresponding mags. Detailed specifications and pictures are below. Thanks for looking!