SKS...
Russian answer to the Garand?
The Russians had the SVT-40 but it was a complicated weapon so it fell out of favor to concentrate on producing Mosin-Nagants when the Germans invaded.
“Russian answer to the Garand?”
I’ve often thought the same. But other than that I don’t think they should be compared as IMO the Garand is more accurate and much better built.
I think it’d be better explained as the Russians answer to the M-1 Carbine
Russian answer to the Garand?
Nah. More like the Russian answer to the M1 carbine. Remember that at the time of their introduction and most of their wartime use, the M1 carbine had a 15-round capacity, while the CKC carried ten in a non-detachable box magazine that a peasant conscript riding on the back of a T-34 tank couldn't drop or loose; the CKCs had a bayonet, also attached, while early M1 carbines did not. And Privat Ivavovich's bosses felt that the little PPSh *Shpagina* SMGs were a bit underpowered, as was the carbine; the 7,62x39mm M43 cartridge of the CKC cured that problem well enough to also find use in the AK47 and RPD LMG.
We built some 6 million M1 and M1A1 carbines during the war, plus a few full-auto capable M2 and M3 versions. They built some ten million Siminova SKS/CKC carbines and the Chinese probably have doubled that- or more
They already had the SVT 38 and 40
The SKS is, indeed, the Russian M1-Garand. Same bolt feel and quality, although the rest of the weapon is somewhat cheaper-made. Also, I’ve yet to get an SKS Thumb. :)