“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.
Garand was a 7.62x51mm. SKS is a 7.62x39mm.
Not a copy of the M1, it’s a poorly executed 2/3 scale model of the FN49 (SAFN). I’ve owned and used both, know what I’m on about. Given a magazine and cleaned up trigger, and a couple or three inches off the barrel length I’d prefer it to the AK...