A key element of the ShKAS' high rate of fire is the revolving drum (feed cage) that holds ten rounds and provides a very smooth, progressive removal of the cartridges from their disintegrating link belt.

The feed, somewhat resembling a grooved revolver cylinder, is an integral part of the gun, and the cartridges remain axial throughout the entire operation.

A small folding handle held on the top side is used to rotate the feed drum when filling with cartridges.

Camming the round slowly out of the belt with this type of feeder causes practically no drag when the weapon is fired at high speed.

"[4] Initial production consisted of cable-charged wing-mounted and turret-mounted ShKAS with a synchronized version entering service in 1936.

[7] Soviet archives indicate the following production volumes, by year:[8] In 1939, a small number of Ultra-ShKAS were produced featuring a firing rate of 3,000 rounds per minute but these saw only limited use due to reliability problems.

The ShKAS was the fastest-firing rifle calibre aircraft armament in general service in World War II.

Soviet machine-gun technician Viktor M. Sinaisky recalled: The ShKAS machine gun had a high rate of fire but it also had 48 ways of jamming.

[9]Although chambered in the 7.62×54mmR, the ShKAS guns used cartridges specially built for them to smaller tolerances; to distinguish them from the regular 7.62 ammunition, the Cyrillic letter "Sh" (Ш) was imprinted on the bottom of the cases.

[11] Some military historians believe the feed system of the Mauser 213C (the seminal revolver cannon for Western designs) was inspired by the ShKAS.