"Vintorez" VSS: technical characteristics. Rifle VSS "Vintorez": device. Silent weapons of special forces: automatic machine "Val" and sniper rifle "Vintorez Rifle VSS" characteristics

Today, like a thousand years ago, only infantry can gain a foothold in captured positions and put a victorious point in a military conflict. Therefore, close attention is always paid to the equipment and armament of an infantryman. Weapon designers will most carefully improve weapons for a special category - snipers. Their skill depends both on training and on the availability of modern individual weapons. In the production of high-quality models of sniper rifles, Russia has achieved high results. In addition to the well-known SVD, the Russian military also has other, no less high-quality models of sniper weapons. One of these samples was the VSS Vintorez rifle.

What is a model?

"Vintorez" VSS is a silent special sniper rifle used by special forces. The place for the development of weapons was the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering in the city of Klimovsk. Chief designer project - P. I. Serdyukov. The name of the development - the VSS Vintorez weapon - was often used in design documentation. Being a silent sniper complex, in the process of design work it was still listed as BSK. Main Index artillery control: 6P29.

History of creation

In the 1970s, soldiers of the special forces of the USSR used modified combined-arms models of small arms and grenade launchers, which were equipped with special cartridges with subsonic bullet speeds. Additionally, silencers were attached to the weapon.

Using the AKM base, the Silence complex was created, and on the basis of the AKS74U, the Canary. These complexes of automatic silent pistols had a number of disadvantages, including:

• Increased size due to the screw-on muffler (PBS).
• Changed combat and reduced effective range. Unlike their counterparts, the silent versions of the weapon were notable for poor aiming range and accuracy.
• Weapon resource limits. This is explained by the wear of the PBS attachment points.

The leadership of the KGB and the General Staff of the GRU of the Soviet Union set the task for the designers of the Central Research Institute TochMash to create a special model of a weapon for a narrow purpose. In addition, the leaders of the special services wanted the new weapon to enable the fighters to covertly operate behind enemy lines. Thus, the designers were required to assemble an integrated sniper rifle-automatic. Thus, the development of a new sniper weapon "Vintorez" of the VSS began, the tactical and technical requirements for which were very controversial. This was the reason that the design work was delayed until 1983. By this time, it had already been decided what qualities a sniper weapon should have.

What was required from the weapon?

Specifically to hit manpower enemy, and the VSS Vintorez sniper rifle was created. It must have the following qualities:

• Sighting range not less than 400 meters. From this distance, the fired bullet must pierce the enemy's helmet. For the Dragunov sniper rifle (SVD), the firing efficiency was up to 800 meters.
• Compactness and lightness. Up to four kilograms with full ammunition and sighting device weighs VSS "Vintorez". The Dragunov sniper rifle has a mass of 4.68 kg. Compared to the SVD, the new VSS is more compact. Dimensions "Vintorez" VSS: 20 cm - the length of the barrel, and no more than 894 mm - the length of the entire weapon. The size of the SVD is 1 m 22 cm. The length of its trunk is 62 cm.
• Possibility of quick disassembly and assembly.

How was Vintorez VSS created?

In 1980, under the index RG036, the first version of a sniper weapon was created, using reinforced cartridges of 7.62x39 caliber. Due to its length (850 mm) and weight (1.8 kg), this model looked like a toy. In addition, the designers noted that, despite the subsonic speed, the 7.62 cartridge is not capable of hitting targets using advanced personal protective equipment. Design work on RG036 was discontinued.

In 1980, the SP-5 (special cartridge) caliber 9x39mm was developed. The fired bullet of this ammunition is capable of developing an initial speed of up to 300 m / s. Its weight was 16.2 g, which is twice as much as that of the 7.62 mm cartridge. The bullet also had the required subsonic speed and high muzzle energy, capable of penetrating a sheet of steel 0.2 cm thick from a distance of 400 meters. The RG036 was redesigned for the new SP-5. This ammunition became the main one for Vintorez. VSS can also use SP-6 ammunition.

Special rifle testing

The test of the new sniper rifle was carried out in 1985. As targets, special mock-ups with personal protective equipment - 6B2 bulletproof vests were used. The test "Vintorez" VSS showed good results. During testing, parameters such as power and accuracy of hits were evaluated.

According to weapons experts, this rifle, with its ability to silently shoot, light weight and compactness, can be attributed to melee weapons. This is explained by the fact that modern sniper weapons, when firing at a distance of one hundred meters, must have an accuracy not exceeding 0.5 MOA (as the minute of arc is indicated).

The use of optical sights when firing from a distance of one hundred meters provides Vintorez with an accuracy of hits above 1.0 MOA. The VSS Exhaust, which uses 12.7x55 mm ammunition, has the same indicator. Both special rifles count as good weapon for shooting at close range: "Vintorez" has an effective aiming range at a distance of 400 m, the "Exhaust" has a distance of two hundred meters more.

The ASVK "Kord" rifle, using 12x108 mm ammunition, has an effective range at a distance of one and a half kilometers. At the same time, experts noted indications of hit accuracy exceeding 1.5 MOA.

For all Russian-made sniper rifles, accuracy when firing at a distance of one hundred meters is at least one minute of arc (MOA). For the 1963 Dragunov sniper rifle, the accuracy rate is 1.3 MOA. According to weapons experts, given type SVD weapons have an insignificant effective firing range - up to 800 meters. Even a small weight does not compensate for this disadvantage.

Who uses silent rifles?

This silent weapon first appeared in 1987 among the fighters of the Main Intelligence Directorate and the State Security Committee of the USSR. At one time, this silent rifle was widely used in two Chechen wars. They use Vintorez today Airborne troops, FSB, GRU and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

VSS "Vintorez" for hunting

The Russian manufacturer Molot Arms created civilian samples weapons that have become in great demand: smooth-bore carbines "MA-Vintorez-7.62", using cartridges of 7.62x39 mm and "MA-Vintorez-366" with cartridges of 9.5x37 mm. Unlike military models, civilian weapons do not have a silent firing function. The silencer in these samples is fake. In civilian rifles, it performs the function of a PBS simulator to make the product realistic.

The principle of operation of military weapons

Rifle automation uses the energy of powder gases. After the shot, they pass through special holes in the barrel and accumulate in the gas chamber. Rifle automation works due to the kinetic energy generated from these gases. The trigger mechanism allows the rifle to be used both for single shooting and for firing in short bursts. Ammunition is located in a two-row sector store in a checkerboard pattern. With the help of the shutter, they are fed into the chamber. Extraction of spent cartridges is performed by a special spring-loaded ejector.

Rifle device

The weapon consists of the following parts:

• Chromed stem. It has special grooves with which mufflers are attached to it. Due to 54 holes in the muzzle, the generated gases are transferred to the muffler.

• Detachable skeletal type stock. For its manufacture, multilayer plywood is used. In its form, it is very similar to the stock in the Dragunov sniper rifle.
• Silencer. It is equipped with a special die-welded cage, which contains a bushing, cage, washers and inserts. There are two chambers in the silencer body: a compartment for a muzzle silencer and an expansion chamber into which powder gases are discharged.
• Sights. Depending on the purpose for which the weapon is used (as an assault rifle or a sniper rifle), an appropriate sight is selected. For "Vintorez" optical and electro-optical are provided. The PSO-1 day sights for the VSS are very similar to the sights for the Dragunov rifle. They differ in that for the sight of a silent rifle, a remote scale is provided, designed for a special cartridge SP-5. In addition to daytime sights, night sights were created for the VSS: MBNP-1 and NSPU-3.

Conclusion

According to many weapons experts, the developers of TsNIITOCHMASH managed to achieve success in creating silent weapons thanks to the right path: design work was started only after all the tactical and technical requirements were formulated. This is what allowed Soviet weapons designers in the 80s to make a real breakthrough in the creation of silent rifles.

The intensification of the confrontation between the USSR and America in the 70s of the 20th century, local clashes and undeclared wars necessitated the emergence of special types of weapons. One of these types of weapons was the VSS (special sniper rifle), which ideally combines all the technical and tactical requirements of that time.

However, in our time, "Vintorez" is very popular. It is included in the arsenal of almost any computer "shooter", serves as a personal weapon of heroes in many feature films related to military stories. But most importantly, the Vintorez sniper has been serving faithfully in special army units for many years.

The history of Vintorez

The special troops of the Soviet Union were quite often involved in armed conflicts localized on the territory of friendly states. To counter enemy sabotage operations and carry out reconnaissance missions, it was necessary to create a new sniper kit. Since at that time the entire arsenal consisted of powerful but noisy guns.

Interesting. It is believed that the name "Vintorez" was assigned to the sniper rifle during its testing. It was a working term that collects the phrases: "rifle" and "rifled barrel" into one word. In the documentation, the weapon is referred to as a 9 mm sniper rifle or product 6P29.

RG036

The designers were tasked with creating a model of a highly effective rifle that can be used in covert special operations. The first prototype of such a weapon was designed by engineer V.F. Krasnikov chambered for 7.62US. It was named RG036.

However, the simplified scheme significantly reduced the reliability of the application of this model, and it did not receive further advancement.

RG036

RG037

At the beginning of the 80s, tactical and technical requirements for a new rifle were put forward, it had to combine the following characteristics:

• be able to conduct semi-automatic fire, with maximum noiselessness and lack of flame;
• Mandatory presence of special fasteners for installation optical sight;
• combine the possibility of an aimed shot and penetration of a steel head helmet at a distance of up to 400 meters;
• the design should have a small mass and be compact, if necessary, quickly assemble from the main elements and disassemble.

In 1981, a new modification RG037 was created. It was small in weight and size. To remove powder gases, side holes in the barrel were used, and the extensive and muzzle chamber dampened the sound, which significantly increased the noiselessness of the shot. The rifle made it possible to penetrate steel, 1.6 millimeters thick, at close range, but this was not enough.

VSS

In 1985, the designers received new inputs, the weapon was supposed to pierce the bulletproof vest on the enemy from a distance of 400 meters. Such characteristics were not suitable for the RG037 cartridge.

The next modification of the rifle, using the 9 × 39mm cartridge, became the basic modification of the Vintorez. In 1987, it was put into production and adopted by the BSK (silent sniper complex), which includes:

• VSS (6P29);
• SP-5/SP-6 sniper cartridge (9mm);
• optical sight (day PSO-1-1 or 1P43, night 1PN75 or MBNP-18).

VSS (special sniper rifle) is designed to engage enemy targets during covert group operations for attack or defense. It is designed to destroy manpower and disable the technical devices of the enemy at a distance of up to 400 meters (day) and up to 300 meters (at night).

On a note. For SP-5 and SP-6, a modernized cartridge case from 7.62 × 39 cartridges is used. Its muzzle has been re-crimped for new ammunition. To test the Vintorez units for strength, special cartridges SP-5UZ are produced. They are used only in the factory, because they have a powerful charge. For training apply - SP-5UZ.

Specifications BCC

TTX "Vintorez":

• Caliber - 9 mm;
• used cartridges - 9 × 39 mm (type SP5, SP6);
• weapon length - 894 mm, barrel - 200 mm, optical sight - 375 mm, night sight - 340 mm;
• weight without ammunition and optics - 2.45 kg, optical sight - 0.58 kg (with power supply - 2.1 kg);
• shooting mode - single / automatic;
• bullet speed (initial) - 290 m / s;
• rate of fire - 800 - 900 rounds per minute;
• rate of fire - from 30 to 60 rounds per minute;
• range of an aimed shot using optics - 400 m, night time - 300 m;
• store - 10/20 rounds.

Sniper rifle VSS "Vintorez"

Killing power and aiming range

The impact force of the VSS when using the SP-5 cartridge pierces the steel two-millimeter protection from a distance of 500 meters and causes damage to living targets. With SP-6, a four-millimeter steel sheet and body armor 6B2 (Zh-86-2) make their way from 400 meters.

Despite the fact that the maximum required distance for a silent shot is considered to be a distance of 300 meters, the Vintorez with additional optics is able to overcome a 500-meter distance with 100% hit accuracy. This is confirmed by numerous successful tests of the sniper rifle.

On a note. The technical documentation notes that the VSS resource is designed for 1500 shots. However, with the right maintenance weapons and keeping them in dry conditions, this figure can increase to 5000.

Design features

BCC trunk

The barrel with six right grooves is made of chrome steel, has a length of 200 millimeters. In the middle part there is a cavity for exhaust gases (gas chamber), as well as a platform for mounting a device that reduces noise from a shot. 54 holes are cut in the muzzle, which allow the powder gases to be diverted into the expansion compartment of the muffler. With the help of a special separator spring, the muffler is centered relative to the guide of the barrel channel.

Fact. The complex that allows centering the muffler is original and patented in Russia.

Butt

The skeletal stock is made from plywood with a large number of layers. It is attached to a special lining of the receiver, which has a lock. This design makes it possible, if necessary, to quickly disconnect the elements.

Receiver

This part of the design allows you to connect the nodes of the weapon. The receiver is obtained by milling from steel. Such a scheme significantly increases the structural rigidity, but at the same time, the labor input and the cost of production of Vintorez increase.

A special cover helps protect weapon mechanisms and components from dust and dirt. On the right side, there are holes for ejection of spent cartridges and a special cutout so that the bolt handle can move. On the left side are the protrusions for mounting optics.

Muffler

The integrated muffler and separator complex ensures a noiseless shot. The silencer consists of a muzzle compartment and an expansion chamber, which allows you to dump powder gases. Inside the body there is an aiming block with a bar and a retainer for the separator.

The separator itself is installed in the front part, which includes: a washer, an insert, a clip and a sleeve mounted on the separator spring.

Information. If the silencer is connected incorrectly or if it is mechanically damaged, the shooting accuracy will be impaired, since the front sight and sight are placed in it.

Fuse

The mechanism prevents the possibility of accidental shots during impacts or other unforeseen situations. This is ensured by the fact that the fuse closes the windows to move the reload handle.

9mm VSS sniper rifle

sights

Depending on the time of day, the Vintorez can be equipped with night or day optical sights.

PSO-1-1 is equipped with a convenient reticle designed specifically for the use of the SP-5 cartridge. The distance scale allows the sniper to calculate the necessary correction and determine the distance without turning the flywheels. The hermetic case filled with nitrogen completely eliminates fogging when the air temperature changes from 50 degrees cold to 50 degrees warm. It is also possible to use another day sight - 1P43 (PSV), with a fourfold increase and illumination.

For night time, MBNP-1 (1PN75) and NSPU-3 (MBNP-18) can be used.

There are newer modifications, in particular 1PN93. In the event of a breakdown of daytime optics, a mechanical device consisting of a sector sight and a front sight with a front sight can be used. Adjustment occurs in the horizontal direction and height.

Interesting. The history of the word "sniper" is rooted in a small swamp bird - snipe (English - snipe / snipe). Due to its size, specific flight path and high speed, it is almost impossible to hit a feathered target. Snipe hunters were called snipers.

Design advantages

Compared with other models of "Vintorez" the following advantages:

• high accuracy and accuracy of fire is ensured by the modernized barrel design;
• thanks to the integrated silencer, the VSS can conduct silent shooting with no flash when fired;
• the muffler is used during the entire service life without replacement;
• the bullet has a high speed and a powerful damaging effect;
• design features allow for quick dismantling and assembly of weapons;
• disassembling the rifle into three parts makes it possible to carry it hidden;
  a two-row mechanism in which the cartridges are staggered;
• safety of use is ensured by a fuse that completely excludes the production of a shot if the trigger is accidentally pressed (during bumps and falls).

Interesting. It is believed that, despite the declared four-hundred-meter range of the VSS, an accurate shot at the enemy’s head is possible only from a distance of 250 meters.

Equipment

VSS is supplied complete with ZIP-O (spare individual package) for its maintenance, consisting of:

• ramrod;
• knife
• oilers;
• scraper;
• five full five-round magazines;
• belt.

Also included in the full ammunition package is a satchel for carrying the Vintorez and a backpack containing an optical sight, an individual bag and a belt with four magazines with cartridges.

When disassembled, the weapon takes up very little space. The elements can be easily retrieved from the carry bag. Assembly can be done in seconds.

Fact. Especially for laying the Vintorez sniper rifle in a dismantled state, a special suitcase (diplomat) was developed.

Variants and modifications

Sniper special modernized VSSM

The latest modification of the VSS with an increased resource, a metal skeletal buttstock, adjustable butt pad and cheeks, as well as a bipod and a rail attachment system (Picatinny rail).

Automatic special AS "Val"

This weapon was designed in the 80s of the twentieth century on the basis of Vintorez. Elements of the machine gun and rifle have a 70% unification rate.

The “shaft” is compact and light in weight, which makes it convenient to use. The weapon has a powerful lethal force and can penetrate armor or car body. SP-5 and SP-6 can be used as cartridges.

An integrated muffler ensures the secrecy of use, and design features allow you to quickly (from 30 to 60 seconds) assemble and disassemble the speaker and put it in a small case.

On the receiver there is a bar with the possibility of fixing optical sights (for day and night).

Automatic special AS "Val"

Fact. The silent complex includes VSS, AS "Val" and NRS (shooting scout knife). All models were developed by the Tula Arms Plant as a personal weapon for special forces soldiers. special purpose. Machine and rifle magazines can be loaded from a clip.

Self-loading hunting carbine KO VSS

The upgraded version of the sniper rifle differs from its prototype primarily in the lengthened barrel (up to 403 millimeters) and the lack of perforation. This weapon is optimized for the 9×39 cartridge. The total length of the product is 985 millimeters, and the weight is 2.9 kilograms.

The carbine does not have the ability to fire bursts. But the muffler on this model is installed real, combat, with a standard "stuffing".

The weapons factory in the city of Tula produces two models of a hunting carbine: KO VSS and KO VSS-01. The latest modification is distinguished by the presence of a Picatinny rail.

KO VSS-01 and KO VSS

Civil weapons are intended for amateur hunting and fishing in almost all climatic regions. The exception is tropical areas with high humidity.

Conclusion

High interest in sniper weapons currently associated with a specific international situation, an increased number of terrorist attacks and local conflicts. Its effectiveness has been proven by many years of service in special units armed forces.

Of course, these weapons are being upgraded and changed, adjusting to new requirements. However, today, VSS firmly occupies one of the first places among rifles of this level.

VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val"

Armed conflicts in the modern world are fundamentally different from those that were half a century ago. And if earlier the word battle meant "trench" skirmishes during the Second World War, now, full-scale military operations are a rarity. This fact is closely related to changes in the military doctrines of many countries, as well as to the goals that such missions set for themselves. Command, as a rule, prefers to inflict preemptive strike and prevent the kindling of a large pocket of resistance, paying for it with a few accurate shots. In such conditions, the importance of anti-terrorist and other special forces, as well as their weapons, is growing, as an effective tool designed to facilitate the fulfillment of assigned tasks.

Often, upon reaching the goal set by the fighters of the special forces, it is necessary to eliminate one or more opponents. In order for the task to be completed as efficiently as possible, with minimal or no losses, a weapon is needed that can shoot far, quietly, accurately and surely. This is how you can characterize our today's guests - VSS Vintorez and AS Val.

Prerequisites

Until the early 80s of the last century, special forces soldiers had at their disposal combined arms firearms, somehow adapted for silent and flameless fire. All the salt was in what to screw to standard weapons muffler, it was not enough - extensive improvements were required. So, for example, the silent firing device (PBS-1), developed for the AK line, had a drawback that adversely affected the subsonic cartridges used and, as a result, blocked the operation of automation. After the necessary improvements were made to the design of the silencer, the effective range of the machine gun, with the PBS-1 installed on it, was no more than 100 meters.

Also, to the aforementioned technical problem, very banal ones were added: increased dimensions and weight of the weapon, reduced reliability and changes in firing, due to wear of the attachment points for flameless and silent firing devices. At the same time, the decrease in range, accuracy and firing efficiency was general rule for all weapons modified to use silencers.

Given this state of affairs and the growing needs of special forces, at the end of the 1970s, it was decided to create a single complex of silent small arms, which would include an assault rifle, a grenade launcher, a pistol, and a sniper rifle. As a result of painstaking work, the VSS "Vintorez" saw the light, and then the AS "Val" - a weapon that was in many ways ahead of its time, both in the region performance characteristics, and appearance. But first things first.

First steps

During the development of the legendary Vintorez, the designers faced a huge number of difficulties. First of all, this concerns the fact that such a weapon was created for the first time, so to speak "from scratch", and therefore there were practically no own developments in this area. Another snag was that the new complex was supposed to go into service with several types of special forces at once, subordinate to various law enforcement agencies, which formed the requirements for future weapons. Often, the put forward conditions contradicted each other and were submitted late.

A group of engineers, led by designers V.F. Krasnikov and P.I. Serdyukov, began to develop a rifle complex back in the 70s - as soon as the idea arose to create a quiet and inconspicuous weapon for special forces. However, it was not until 1983 that it was possible to agree on some aspects of the future sniper rifle, which made it possible to proceed with more constructive development. The project received the working title "Vintorez".

Among the stated requirements, it was possible to single out the most significant:

Combat power - not lower than the AKS-74U.

A covert defeat of enemy manpower at a distance of 400 m, while at the same distance, breaking through a steel army helmet.

Light weight and dimensions, as well as the ability to quickly disassemble and assemble into component parts, which would make it possible to covertly transport weapons.

Possibility of using optical (day) and electron-optical (night) sights.

Ups and downs

Already at the development stage, one significant difficulty was revealed that prevented the creation of a new weapon - the lack of the necessary cartridge. The fact is that during the design of the Vintorez, one type of ammunition, caliber 7.62x39 US, with a subsonic bullet speed, was used for effective covert shooting. This sample was the only one and did not meet the requirements for effective firing range. Therefore, engineers created a new cartridge of 7.62 mm caliber, which received the index RG037. Based on the test results, it turned out that the cartridge, although far from perfect, still has every chance of being used in Vintorez, since it provided acceptable accuracy at the required distances.

Curious in this story is the fact that the designers created two prototypes of the rifle - under the old cartridge 7.62x39 US, and the new RG037. In this case, both guns had the index RG036. It was assumed that the version chambered for RG037 would undergo further refinement, since the created weapon met the general requirements - it had a length of 85 cm, a weight of 1.8 kg and was capable of penetrating a steel sheet 1.6 mm thick at a distance of 400 m.

However, further refinement of the RG036 was prevented by the requirements for the machine gun, received in 1985. Since the machine gun and the sniper rifle were, in fact, part of one whole, one more was added to the already existing conditions. important point- the defeat of enemy manpower, protected by bulletproof vests of the 3rd protection class, at a distance of 400 meters. The RG037 cartridge used in the Vintorez prototype no longer met the stated requirements, so all work on the RG036 was suspended until the development of a new cartridge, caliber 9x39 mm.

Breakthrough

The 9x39 mm cartridge was developed by designers N. V. Zabelin and L. S. Dvoryaninov, by the mid-80s. The new ammunition received the index SP-5, and during the tests showed compliance with all the stated requirements. RG036 was redesigned for a new cartridge, successfully passed the tests and in 1987 entered service with the special forces. In the same year, the AS (special automatic machine) "Val", created on the basis of the VSS "Vintorez", saw the light. It is curious that the SP-6 cartridge was created for the machine gun, which has improved armor penetration, but lower accuracy than the SP-5.

Interesting Facts

In addition to their unusual appearance and impressive performance characteristics, VSS Vintorez and AS Val, can boast of several remarkable facts from their biography:

The most curious thing is that the name "Vintorez" is absent in the official terminology - it was a working term that was firmly established in everyday life. In the documents, the following is stated: "9-mm special sniper rifle."

The assault rifle and the sniper rifle are 70% unified, which allows them to use separate elements borrowed from each other: from magazines to internal nodes. This fact positively affects the production of weapons.

Optical sights installed on this weapon system have new markings and an improved reticle that takes into account the ballistics of new ammunition. So, the famous PSO-1 in this case is called PSO-1-1.

"Vintorez" and "Val" can use both cartridges - SP-5 and SP-6. At the same time, due to the design features of the rifle, it is not recommended to use the SP-6 unless absolutely necessary. Unlike the assault rifle, the VSS has minimal gaps and backlashes, which quickly become clogged with soot when firing armor-piercing ammunition - this structure of internal components was made to achieve higher accuracy of the rifle.

Cartridges SP-5 and SP-6 are placed in a cartridge case from a 7.62x39 cartridge, with a recompressed muzzle for a new bullet. In addition to these ammunition, there are also: SP-6UCH - for training in loading the store, as well as SP-5UZ, used to test the strength of the weapon locking assembly and used strictly in the factory, since it has an enhanced charge.

Shop machine gun or rifle has the ability to load from clips.

The resource of the VSS "Vintorez" is 1500 shots, however, with proper care and high culture of the owner, this figure increases to 5000.

The maximum effective range of the sniper rifle is 400 meters, while an accurate headshot is possible at a maximum distance of 250 meters.

Results

The effectiveness of the VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val" was proved by numerous armed conflicts, including two Chechen wars, in which the weapon coped with the tasks set perfectly. The practice of military operations has shown that guns are especially deadly in urban confrontation at night. Special forces say that in combat practice it often happened that the enemy lost about five people before they understood where they were firing from. However, a skilled sniper is able to kill an entire enemy squad without even revealing himself.

The shooting complex, created more than twenty years ago, still has no world competitive analogues. This is largely achieved thanks to a narrowly focused segment in which VSS and AS are used. It was an integrated approach, in order to create the ideal weapon for saboteurs, that provided the weapon with an enviable popularity among elite units special purpose around the world.

Game realities

It would be strange if the Combat Arms arsenal did not include a domestic masterpiece of engineering weapons, so on the virtual battlefield you can use:

AS "Val"- classified as assault rifle and has the following characteristics:

Damage - 43.

• Rate of fire - 285.

  Accuracy - 65.

  Recoil - 27.

• Distance - 3750.

VSS "Vintorez" - automatic sniper rifle. Real exotic on the battlefield:

Damage - 93;

• Rate of fire - 100;

  Accuracy - 98;

  Recoil - 21;

  Distance -4950.

VSS "Vintorez" Zoya - epic version of the weapon, owned by the famous Russian specialist. A real gift for fans of remote combat:

Damage - 100;

• Rate of fire - 120;

  Accuracy - 99;

  Recoil - 20;

  Distance -5550.

During the war in Afghanistan Soviet generals, according to the results of the analysis of the combat use of various weapons, they came to the conclusion that the available means of silent firing are not effective.

The detachments needed a reliable weapon - the VSS, capable of neutralizing the enemy without much noise. A competition was launched to create such weapons. One of these samples was the "Vintorez" VSS.

Rifle "Vintorez", photo - side view

The Vintorez combined lightness and convenience, the possibility of silent shooting and high armor penetration of the cartridge, capable of “sewing” class 2 and 3 bulletproof vests. The VSS adopted the special forces and security departments of the KGB in 1987. Despite the fact that this weapons complex is more than 30 years old, law enforcement agencies and army special forces successfully use Vintorez.

The history of the creation of the Vintorez sniper rifle

The history of the development of silent weapons in the Soviet Union was controversial. On the one hand, back in the 1920s, prototypes of pistols were developed that were capable of conducting aimed fire with almost no noise.

On the other hand, the army doctrine of the mid-30s weakly implied the use of weapons of this type. Most of the projects were curtailed and sent to the archive, where the drawings have disappeared over the years.

Automatic grenade launcher complex "Canary"

However, everything changed during World War II. The Soviet army began to successfully use silent fire weapons to neutralize the officers of the Wehrmacht forces.

The situation began to resemble a similar one during the First World War. In particular, the soldiers' troikas, armed with one rifle with a silencer and two machine guns, effectively "dealt" with the enemy's reconnaissance groups, which hindered the advance of the Nazi army.

After the end of the World War, the USSR did not have weapons specially designed for "quiet" fire. Modified models of linear weapons were used. A silencer was installed on them, and ammunition with a weakened powder charge was used for firing. Vivid examples"Silence" and "Canary" can serve.

Mid 1970s	The Soviet command decides to create a new weapons and ammunition complex, designed for silent neutralization of enemy manpower at a distance of up to 400 m, protected by light body armor
1970 – 1980	The first prototype of the future rifle was created. It was planned to use the 7.62 US cartridge. The product was named RG036. During the tests, serious problems with the reliability of the mechanisms were revealed.
1981	Creation of the 2nd sample - RG037. Changed the gas outlet system - it has become more traditional. Among the characteristics stood out low weight and small dimensions, as well as the ability to penetrate one and a half millimeters of steel
1983	Due to the active development and implementation of new types of personal protective equipment, the 7.62 cartridge did not meet the requirements of military and specialized structures. An active alteration of an already finished product under a cartridge with a caliber of 9 * 39 mm has begun
1987	"Vintorez" enters service with the GRU and the FSB

In the future, it is on the basis of the design of the VSS "Vintorez" that a special machine gun AS "Val" will be created - the new "Vintorez".

The design and appearance of the VSS

VSS "Vintorez" is a special sniper rifle designed for special forces forces. The principle of operation of mechanics is based on the classical scheme of the gas outlet. Shooting is carried out only when the barrel is closed, locking occurs due to the larva.

The bolt of the VSS rifle rests on six lugs, which gives the weapon better accuracy. In order to increase the accuracy of fire, the inner bore of the barrel did not have chrome plating. Along the entire length of the barrel there are holes for bleeding off excess gas.

Sniper rifle VSS "Vintorez", disassembled into parts

The trigger mechanism is designed for firing both single shots and bursts. The latter negatively affects the operation of the muffler. Due to the shortcomings of the performance characteristics of the VSS Vintorez, the powder gases do not have time to dissipate, which leads to their accumulation in the gas chamber.

The example is made of wood. Appearance resembles a similar detail of the SVD rifle. On the back there is a rubber shock absorber. The handle is ergonomic and comfortable. All controls are at your fingertips. Ammunition is supplied by a magazine for 10 rounds of 9-mm caliber. The store, to speed up reloading, can be equipped with clips.

Special mention should be made of the cartridges used on the VSS - СР5. They have a cartridge case from a 7.62 mm cartridge, but the bullet itself has a caliber of 9 mm. This has a positive effect on the weight of the ammunition. This design of the cartridge made it possible to achieve subsonic bullet flight speed without reducing penetration.

Silent Weapon Silencer

According to the performance characteristics, Vintorez is equipped with a standard integrated silencer. This structural element is connected to the rifle barrel and consists of the silencer itself and the separator.

The separator consists of a number of parts:

• bushings;
• washers;
• clips;
• inserts.

Bushings and a washer are used to maintain the alignment of the device. The whole structure is connected to the end of the barrel, to the separator spring.

The main body of the muffler consists of a muzzle muffler chamber. An important element is also an expansion chamber designed to remove gas.

It is possible to shoot from the VSS with the silencer removed, but it is not recommended - this device simultaneously with the main function acts as a protective casing against hot gases discharged from the barrel bore.

Sniper scope

VSS (Special Sniper Rifle) - a weapon for combat at a distance of up to 400 meters. This is facilitated by the presence of brackets for the installation of sighting devices. In daylight conditions, aiming occurs through the PSO-1-1 sight. The difference from the PSO-1 lies in the reticle designed for the ballistics of the SR5 ammunition.

At night, for the convenience of the shooter, MBNP-1 or NSPU-3 are installed - special sights on the Vintorez. Recently, sniper rifles have been equipped with new generation devices - 1PN93.

In situations where the optics are damaged, a front sight located at the end of the silencer and an adjustable sector rear sight designed for a distance of 400 m are used as an aiming device.

Technical characteristics of the rifle "Vintorez" (TTX VSS)

Rifle equipment

To service the rifle, each kit includes ZiP-O, which includes:

• ramrod, scraper;
• butter dish, knife;
• 5 standard stores, belt.

The standard equipment of the VSS is supplied with bags for carrying the shooting complex and for carrying 4 stores, optics and ZiP-O.

By special order for the KGB, a special diplomat was developed, in which the disassembled Vintorez was calmly placed. There are similar products today.

Care rules

VSS "Vintorez" is a reliable weapon that can work in conditions of severe pollution and high humidity. To extend the life of a rifle, it is necessary to take care of it: clean and lubricate the mechanisms, remove powder deposits after firing, etc.

Disassembly order

• weaning the magazine, checking the absence of ammunition in the chamber;
• disconnect the muffler, disassemble;
• disconnect the separator spring;
• remove the receiver cover;
• take out the return mechanism, disconnect mainspring;
• pull out the drummer;
• separate the bolt and bolt carrier;
• take away the forearm;
• pick up the phone;
• remove the example.

Partial disassembly takes within one minute. To reassemble, reverse the above procedures.

Examples of combat use

Autumn 1993	An example of the use of Vintorez by the Vityaz group in the Ostankino television tower
First Chechen War	The special forces were armed to fight the separatists. It was used to eliminate enemy patrols and sentries, as well as to capture important commanders of terrorist groups.
Second Chechen War	It was used to neutralize enemy manpower. Ambushes were especially effective when the enemy could not determine where the fire was being fired from.
Georgian-South Ossetian conflict	VSS was used on both sides. In particular, in the winter of 2007, the Georgian military used it to provoke the Ossetian military and police

VSS "Vintorez"(“special sniper rifle”, index GRAU 6P29) is a Soviet and Russian silent sniper rifle designed to arm special forces units.

Covert penetration behind enemy lines and, if necessary, the destruction of its important objects, setting up ambushes, fighting terrorists - the implementation of these and other special tasks is difficult without effective covert weapons of various types.

Therefore, in the 80s. of the last century, with the increasing role of special forces in local wars, the fight against terrorism and crime, special systems of silent weapons for special forces are being developed.

One of the most famous such complexes of domestic development was the unified system of silent small arms, developed by the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TsNII Tochmash, Klimovsk, Moscow Region) in the 80s. It included a special VSS sniper rifle, a special AS machine gun and special cartridges SP-5, SP-6.

VSS "VINTOREZ": THE NEED FOR CREATION AND THE HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT

The need for special forces in silent weapons

There are samples of combined arms weapons modified for silent and flameless firing, but for special forces it is often preferable to use highly specialized systems. Usually, weapons in silent versions become less convenient and lose their combat properties to a large extent: effective firing range, accuracy, bullet penetration. Thus, pistols PB (PM with a silencer) and APB (APS with a silencer) are of considerable length, in addition, the silencer mount gradually wears out, which leads to a change in the battle of the weapon. When creating the PBS-1 silent firing device for the AKMS assault rifle, it turned out that the propellant charge of the US subsonic cartridge could not ensure the operation of the weapon's automation. In order to increase the pressure of the gases, an obturator was introduced into the design of the PBS-1 - a rubber plug, which the bullet pierced when it took off, and the gases pushing it remained in the barrel and did the work of reloading the weapon. When breaking through the obturator, the bullet received certain perturbations that reduced the accuracy of the battle, especially in cold period. As a result, the aiming efficiency of AKMS with PBS-1 did not exceed 100 meters.

Therefore, instead of disparate samples, it was decided to create a single complex of silent small arms for special forces, and unified ammunition for it. All special forces of the USSR were to receive four silent rifle complexes: pistol, sniper, machine gun and grenade launcher.

Tactical and technical requirements for the VSS rifle

An important stage in the creation of small arms is the development of tactical and technical requirements for it. When creating a silent weapon complex, this stage was delayed, as customers from different law enforcement agencies often formulated conflicting requirements for a new weapon. By 1983, only the requirements for the sniper complex, which received the Vintorez code, were agreed upon. Due to the great need of the troops for silent weapons, work on the creation of a new sniper rifle was started immediately, without waiting for the approval of the requirements for the automatic complex. The task was to create a silent automatic weapon, not inferior in combat power to the AKS-74U assault rifle. During development and some time after its creation, Vintorez was also designated as BSK (silent sniper complex), but now this designation is not used.

The requirements that were imposed on the Vintorez complex were high and sometimes contradictory. He was supposed to ensure the covert defeat of enemy manpower at a distance of 400 m, moreover, providing penetration of a steel army helmet at the same range. To solve these problems as part of the complex, a new cartridge with a heavy bullet and increased accuracy, optical (day) and electro-optical (night) sights.

In addition, the rifle had to have small weight and dimensions, as well as, to solve some specific problems, disassemble into small components that allow it to be secretly transported, and quickly assembled.

Development « Vintorez"

One of the main problems in the development of Vintorez was that in order to effectively mask a shot, the bullet must have a subsonic muzzle velocity, but in this case it has insufficient muzzle energy and effective firing range. Therefore, the designers abandoned the idea of ​​​​making weapons for the already existing 7.62x39 US submachine gun cartridge. Calculations showed that the accuracy of fire with these cartridges, especially at extreme ranges, is unsatisfactory for sniper shooting. Therefore, after lengthy research, the developers created a fundamentally new 7.62 mm cartridge, which received the index RG037. It had a mass of 16 g with a bullet weight of 10.5 g and at a distance of 400 m when firing it gave R50 equal to 16.5 cm (the dispersion diameter of the best half of the shots, that is, the 50% of hits closest to the STP fit into a circle of the specified diameter). This was already quite acceptable accuracy for the ranges at which the VSS was supposed to be used.

The first prototype of the VSS chambered for 7.62x39US received the index RG036. At the end of 1981, the second prototype of the rifle was created under the same index, but chambered for RG037. The new rifle was striking in its compactness - with a length of 85 cm, it weighed only 1.8 kg, giving the impression of a toy weapon. But at the same time, it met the stated requirements for aiming range and penetrating action, penetrating an army helmet or a steel sheet 1.6 mm thick at a distance of 400 m. However, despite the quite satisfactory test results, further work on the RG036 rifle chambered for RG037 was stopped.

In 1985, the requirements for a silent automatic system were finally approved. According to them, a silent weapon was supposed to hit manpower protected by 6B2 body armor (corresponding to the 3rd protection class) at a distance of 400 m. In this regard, the developers came to the conclusion that a weapon chambered for a 7.62-mm cartridge with a subsonic bullet speed would not ensure the defeat of manpower provided by advanced personal protective equipment. Therefore, by the mid-80s. designers N.V. Zabelin and L.S. Dvoryaninov (who previously created the RG037 cartridge) developed a new 9x39-mm cartridge SP-5. The bullet of this cartridge at an initial speed of 300 m / s has a mass of 16.2 g, which is twice the mass of a bullet of a 7.62x39 mm cartridge model 1943. The bullet of such a cartridge, despite the subsonic speed, has a fairly high muzzle energy, and at a distance of 400 mm is able to pierce a 2 mm steel sheet and at the same time maintain the necessary lethal effect.

The RG036 sniper rifle has been completely redesigned for new cartridges. This is how the VSS Vintorez rifle appeared. As for the AS “Val” assault rifle system (the design of which is 70% unified with the rifle), it received the SP-6 cartridge, whose bullet at a distance of 400 m is capable of hitting manpower in bulletproof vests of the 3rd protection class.

In 1987, Vintorez entered service with the KGB special forces and reconnaissance and sabotage units. Soviet army under the designation VSS ("9-mm special sniper rifle"). The rifle was equipped with daytime sights - PSO-1-1 and 1P43 and night sights - 1PN75 and 1PN51.

The production of the VSS Vintorez rifle was mastered at the Tula Arms Plant.

AMMUNITION FOR VSS "VINTOREZ": SP-5, SP-6

Shooting from the VSS rifle "Vintorez" can be carried out with cartridges SP-5(sniper) and SP-6 (increased armor penetration). These cartridges have the same charges, but differ in the design of the bullets.

Cartridges SP-5, SP-6

The bullet cartridge SP-5 has a steel and lead cores placed in a bimetallic shell. The shape of the bullet provides it with good ballistic properties when flying at subsonic speeds. The SP-5 cartridge does not have a special marking; packing cardboard boxes with such cartridges have the inscription "Sniper".

Bullet cartridge SP-6 consists of a hardened steel core of increased length, placed in a lead jacket and a bimetallic sheath. The bullet tip of the SP-6 cartridge is painted black, and there is a black stripe on the box.

Cartridge cases are steel, coated with green lacquer.

Both cartridges have similar ballistics and can be used in both VSS and AC. At the same time, the SP-5 cartridge has better accuracy, and the SP-6 cartridge has better armor penetration. The latter should be used to defeat manpower in personal protective equipment, as well as in cars or behind light shelters.

Cartridges SP-5 and SP-6 are produced by the Klimovsky stamping plant.

In addition to regular ammunition, there are training cartridges SP-6UCH - for training in loading weapons. On its sleeve there are longitudinal grooves, and on the box there is an inscription "Training".

To check the strength of the weapon locking unit, the SP-5UZ cartridge is used. On the packaging box with these cartridges there is an inscription "Enhanced charge". They are used only in the factory, the use of such cartridges in the troops is strictly prohibited.

DEVICE, OPERATION OF PARTS AND MECHANISMS OF VSS "VINTOREZ"

When creating the VSS "Vintorez", classic design solutions for automatic weapons were used. At the same time, these proven solutions have led to good results.

The VSS rifle consists of:

• barrel connected to the receiver,
• butt,
• bolt carrier with gas piston,
• shutter, return mechanism,
• drummer, mainspring with guide,
• trigger mechanism,
• receiver covers,
• muffler housing,
• separator and forearm.

The work of the automatic rifle "Vintorez" is based on the use of the energy of powder gases removed from the bore into the gas chamber, and then converted into kinetic energy of the mobile automation system. The locking and unlocking of the bore is carried out by turning the bolt around the longitudinal axis. The trigger mechanism is of the striker type of the original design, with the possibility of single and automatic fire.

The supply of cartridges is carried out from a two-row sector store with a staggered arrangement. The sending of the cartridge is carried out by the shutter. The cartridge case is removed by a spring-loaded swinging ejector mounted on the bolt. To reflect the spent cartridge case is a spring-loaded reflector placed in the gate.

Trunk rifles only 200 mm long, chrome-plated, has six right-hand rifling. On the hemp of the barrel there are protrusions with bevels - for preliminary rotation of the shutter at the beginning of its locking. In the middle part of the barrel there is a gas chamber, as well as a cylindrical surface with annular grooves for attaching the muffler body. The muzzle has 54 holes (6 rows of 9 holes) drilled along the rifling of the barrel. They are designed to discharge gases from the bore into the expansion chamber of the muffler. It is put on the muzzle of the barrel special form separator spring. It provides centering of the muffler relative to the axis of the bore. The muffler centering unit was created as an original design, its device is protected by a RF patent.

Receiver serves to connect the parts and mechanisms of the rifle. It is made by milling from a steel billet. This significantly increases the rigidity of the structure, but at the same time increases the complexity of its manufacture and increases the cost. Nevertheless, it is quite logical for special forces to have weapons that are more expensive, but provide high accuracy of fire and reliability.

From above, the box is closed with a lid, which protects the parts and mechanisms of the weapon from contamination. It is made of thin sheet steel stamped. To give rigidity, with a small thickness of the metal, extrusions are made in it. On the right side, the lid has a window for ejected shells and a cutout for moving the bolt handle.

Fuse, which, when turned on, excludes the possibility of turning the trigger, ensures the prevention of accidental shots when falling, hitting a weapon, accidentally pressing the trigger. In the on position, the fuse box closes the cutouts for the movement of the reloading handle and thereby protects the receiver from sand and dust getting into it. Protection against premature shots when the shutter is unlocked is provided by the self-timer, as well as the relative position of the bolt carrier and the shutter when the bore is closed and the shutter is locked.

On the left side of the receiver there are dovetail protrusions - seats for optical sights. The central and two rear protrusions serve as a base for attaching night electro-optical sights, and the two front and central protrusions for daytime optical sights.

The receiver also has a translator for the type of fire and a magazine latch with a spring.

The main mode of shooting from a rifle is single. However, the design of the trigger located in the receiver provides for the possibility of automatic fire. fire type translator attached to the receiver inside the trigger guard, behind the trigger. To conduct a single fire, the translator is set to the “Single shooting” position (indicated by one dot), and automatic - “Automatic shooting” (indicated by three dots). You can use the translator with the thumb and forefinger of the hand holding the handle.

To increase the accuracy of a sniper rifle, it is necessary that its mechanisms, when working, affect the weapon as little as possible.

To fulfill this condition, the automatic rifle has light moving parts (bolt and bolt carrier). Another solution was the use of six bolt lugs in the locking mechanism, interacting with the protrusions of the receiver. In this case, the two lower lugs play the role of a rammer cartridges. The locking and unlocking of the shutter is carried out by turning it around the longitudinal axis, which occurs when the copier grooves of the shutter frame and the leading projections of the shutter interact. This made it possible to ensure a rigid symmetrical locking of the barrel bore and reduce energy losses for unlocking the shutter.

Another solution that contributed to accurate shooting was the use of a striker-type percussion mechanism. A light striker serves to break the igniter primer and, when lowered from the combat platoon, gives the rifle a slight perturbing impulse. In addition, such a constructive solution made it possible to facilitate the work of automation. This, as well as a specially designed layout of the gas outlet assembly, eventually made it possible to reduce the "tossing" of the weapon during a shot, which in turn made it easier to observe the results of firing through an optical sight.

Drummers VSS of the first series have a striker and a tail, in which there is a hole for the mainspring guide, grooves for guiding in the receiver, protrusions for cocking and for setting the firing pin on the self-timer. In subsequent issues, the striker was moved to the bolt. The cylindrical surface of the drummer enters the shutter channel.

Return mechanism designed to return the bolt carrier with the bolt to the forward position after firing or loading the weapon, as well as to fix the receiver cover. The recoil spring guide, together with the rod, is a telescopic design that provides the necessary stroke length for the bolt carrier. To reduce noise when the moving system hits in the rear position, a polyurethane gasket is provided in the design of the stop of the return mechanism. To prevent the penetration of exhaust gases from the receiver to the face of the shooter, there is a sealing rubber ring between the protrusion of the stop of the return mechanism and the cover of the receiver.

Action spring serves to inform the striker of energy sufficient to break the cartridge primer. The mainspring guide also has a telescopic design.

Integrated silencer is an integral part of the rifle. It includes the muffler body and separator.

The muffler housing consists of an expansion chamber for pre-discharge of gases and a muzzle muffler chamber. A separator is installed in the front of the housing.

The separator is a die-welded structure consisting of a bushing, insert, washer and clip. The cylindrical surface of the washer and bushing serves to ensure the alignment of the separator and the body, the conical surface of the bushing is used to install the separator on the separator spring located on the muzzle of the barrel.

The silencer is put on the rifle barrel and fastened to it with two crackers and a latch. This mount makes it easy to remove and install the silencer on the weapon. After the shot, when the bullet passes through the front, perforated part of the barrel, part of the powder gases rush through the side holes in the barrel into the expansion chamber of the muffler. In this case, the pressure of the gases in the bore and their speed after the bullet takes off are reduced. A jet of powder gases flowing from the muzzle of the barrel enters the separator, which "dismembers" it into numerous multidirectional flows, intensively reducing their speed and temperature. As a result, gases escaping from the silencer have subsonic speed and low temperature, that is, they do not create pop and muzzle flame, and the sound level of the shot is approximately 130 dB, which corresponds to a small-caliber rifle.

The use of an integrated silencer made it possible to reduce (compared to a silencer that is worn on the muzzle of the barrel) and the overall length of the weapon.

A sight block with an aiming bar, a front sight base with a front sight, a separator latch with a spring are attached to the silencer body.

Removable skeleton-type rifle butt (like SVD) is made of plywood. It is attached to the receiver using a lining with dovetail protrusions and a latch. When creating the butt lock, an original design solution was used, protected by a RF patent. The latch provides quick removal and attachment of the stock, and a rigid (no backlash) attachment to the weapon.

handguard Rifle "Vintorez" is made of plastic and is designed for ease of control of weapons when shooting, protecting hands from burns and fixing the tube. The forearm is held by the muffler body, and when the muffler is removed, by the body latch, which is automatically pressed during assembly by the internal inclined plane of the forearm.

Trigger mechanism serves to lower the striker from the combat cocking and from the self-timer cocking, to ensure single and automatic firing, to stop firing, to prevent shots when the shutter is unlocked and to set the machine to safety. The trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver and includes a fuse, sear, disconnector, translator, self-timer, trigger, trigger spring, trigger axis, self-timer spring, sear spring and disconnector. The design of the trigger mechanism is also protected by the RF patent.

For aimed shooting from a rifle and a machine gun at different ranges, various day and night sights.

The daytime optical sight of the PSO-1-1 rifle is similar to the PSO-1 sight of the SVD sniper rifle, but with remote scales for the ballistics of the SP-5 cartridge. The upper handwheel of the sight - for setting the range - has a scale with numbers from 5 to 40, with a division value of 25 m, which corresponds to aiming angles for firing at a distance of 50 to 400 m. Since the ballistics of the SP-6 cartridge is close to the ballistics of the SP-5 cartridge, the sight scale is used when firing both cartridges. The side handwheel, as in the PSO1 sight, serves to introduce lateral corrections. The reticle has one main square for aiming at the target. To the right and left of it is a scale of lateral corrections, below - a rangefinder scale for a target 1.7 m high (growth figure) with numbers from 1 to 40 in tens of meters of range. The PSO-1-1 sight has a 4x magnification and a field of view of 6°, its weight is 0.58 kg.

In addition to the sight, PSO-1-1, another daytime optical sight, 1P43, can also be used for firing from the VSS.

Used for shooting at night night sight NSPU-3 or MBNP-1. IN Lately created a new generation of night sights - a series of sights 1PN93.

In the event of a failure of a daytime optical sight or the impossibility of using it for other reasons, a mechanical sighting device is used, consisting of a sector-type sight and a front sight adjustable in height and lateral direction in the front sight. The sight and front sight are located on the muffler body. The aiming bar has a mane with a slot for aiming and cutouts for holding the collar in the installed position. On the aiming bar there is a scale with divisions from 10 to 42: on right side from 10 to 40, on the left - from 15 to 42. The scale numbers indicate the firing range in tens of meters, the Tkkaya scale allows you to set the sight according to the range to the target with an accuracy of 20 - 30 m.

On the basis of the front sight and on the body, a general risk is applied, which determines the position of the front sight after bringing the weapon to normal combat.

The placement of the sight and the front sight on the silencer requires, when operating the weapon, to strictly monitor the correct connection of the silencer, protect it from impacts and other mechanical damage.

One of the requirements for a new rifle when it was created. - the possibility of hidden carrying and high readiness for combat use. Therefore, the rifle is disassembled into three main units - a rifle with a removed butt and a silencer, a silencer and a butt. The time of its transfer to the combat position is no more than 1 min.

If necessary, the rifle can be carried disassembled to the main components in a 45x37x19 cm case or in a bag. For the manufacture of styling in the case, a detachable wooden layout rifles.

INCOMPLETE DISASSEMBLY VSS "VINTOREZ"

Silent weapons, when fired, to a greater extent than conventional ones, are contaminated with powder deposits. Therefore, after firing from the VSS, you need to clean it as soon as possible. For this, an incomplete disassembly of the rifle is performed, which is done without a special tool.

The order of partial disassembly is as follows:

1. Separate the magazine, turn off the fuse and, pulling the bolt back, check if there is a cartridge in the chamber.

2. Having sunk the housing latch, turn the muffler clockwise and push it forward to separate it.

3. Having pressed the latch, advance the separator and then, pushing it with a ramrod, separate it from the body.

4. Having sunk the latch and pressing the protrusion of the stop of the return mechanism, separate the cover of the receiver.

5. Pushing the stop of the return mechanism forward, lift it and remove it from the channel of the bolt carrier.

6. Feed the mainspring with the guide forward and, holding the drummer, separate it.

7. Pull the drummer back until it stops and, lifting it, separate it from the receiver.

8. Pull the bolt carrier with the bolt back until it stops and, lifting them, separate them from the receiver.

9. Rotate the bolt to separate it from the bolt carrier.

10. Having drowned the housing latch, remove the fore-end, moving it forward.

11. Turning the tube clockwise until the projection of the tube is aligned with the slot on the receiver, separate it by moving it back.

12. To separate the butt of the BCC rifle, sink the butt lock and, moving the butt back, separate it from the receiver.

1. Disconnect the magazine and check if there is a cartridge in the chamber.

2. Separate the muffler and disassemble it.

3. Remove the separator spring from the barrel.

4. Disconnect the rifle receiver cover.

5. Remove return mechanism.

6. Remove mainspring with guide.

7. Remove the drummer.

8. Separate the bolt carrier with the bolt and separate the bolt from the bolt carrier.

9. Disconnect the handguard.

10. Separate the tube.

11. For VSS - separate the butt.

12. Weapons are assembled in the reverse order. It takes 30 to 60 seconds.

RIFLE PACKAGE

Each VSS rifle is equipped with an individual set of ZIP-O spare parts. It consists of:

• ramrod;
• belonging;
• butter dish;
• scraper;
• five 10-round magazines;
• belt.

Stores AS "Val" and VSS "Vintorez" are interchangeable, so the rifle can be fed from both 10-round and 20-round (automatic) magazines.

Lubricator and accessory - from AKM.

The scraper is used to remove carbon deposits from the walls of the bore. He screwed on the ramrod.

The knife is intended for removal of a deposit from surfaces of a separator. Barrel and gas piston. It has two blades: one for cleaning the separator, the other for external surfaces, the barrel and the gas piston.

Rifle stowage includes: a bag for carrying a rifle and a bag for carrying an optical sight, four magazines and ZIP-O.

SHOOTING MODES FROM VINTOREZ

For a sniper rifle, the priority fire mode is single. When firing from a stop, the dispersion diameter of a series of 10 shots is no more than 10 cm.

Fire in bursts can be fired at an unexpected meeting with the enemy at a distance "point blank". Since the capacity of a regular VSS magazine is only 10 rounds, automatic fire should be fired in bursts of 2-4 shots. In exceptional cases, fire can be fired in a long burst until all the cartridges in the magazine are used up.

EXPERIENCE IN COMBAT APPLICATION OF THE VSS AND REVIEWS OF THE FIGHTERS

"Vintorez" was used in Afghanistan, then during the first and second Chechen campaigns. During the events in Moscow in the fall of 1993, the Vintorez was also used by the Vityaz special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Ostankino television center.

In addition to the special forces of the GRU and the special forces of the FSB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs gradually began to enter service with "ordinary" reconnaissance officers of motorized rifle and airborne units. In general, the rifle has proven itself among special forces and intelligence officers.

“The AU/VSS weapon system is close to the ideal weapon for special forces. Its skillful use allows you to work wonders. So, for example, during one of the close fire battles, a reconnaissance group from our unit managed to “fill up” five people, including the head patrol, while the opposing side began to understand something.

The presence of regular day and night optics, an armor-piercing cartridge and an efficient integrated device for silent and flameless firing allows you to solve most tasks that may arise before the special forces unit. For example, the classic task - "removing the sentry" BCC solves perfectly (better than a thrown knife, crossbow ...).

... With the receipt of the VSS, I immediately handed over to the warehouse all my AKMs with PBS, which we brought with us for lack of a better one. ”(V. Olgin. “What we fought in Chechnya”, magazine “Soldier of Fortune”, No. 8, 1997)

“The sniper of one of the groups had to destroy the fuse of a grenade set on a non-removable grenade on a narrow path. Having made three sighting shots from the VSS, with the fourth he fired the fuse at the base. All this happened silently.(Sh. Aliyev. “Where did the bloody experience go?”, magazine “Soldier of Fortune”, No. 11, 1997.)

“The commander of a motorized rifle company of one of the regiments that operated in 1995 in the mountainous region of Yarysh-Marda south of Grozny, now Major V.L. Mukashov, from personal experience, considers the VSS a good addition to the regular weapons of motorized rifle units in those conditions. His company operated in isolation from the main forces of the unit and conducted reconnaissance of the enemy with its own forces and means. The company was supplied with several sets of VSS rifles. The commander of the group allocated for reconnaissance - usually the company commander himself or one of the platoon commanders - was armed, in addition to the standard machine gun, with a VSS rifle and carried it behind his back on a belt. When during reconnaissance it was required to hit an individual target at a distance of up to 400 m, a silent shot from the VSS did not allow the enemy to detect the group. This weapon was also successfully used in other cases that required silent and flameless shooting.(A. Lovi, V. Korablin, "Modern small arms Russia". Magazine "Arms", No. 1, 2000.)

During the second "Chechen" war, a sniper from one of the Russian special forces, being in an ambush on a forest path, took up a firing position in the crown of a dense tree. Finding a reconnaissance group of militants, he waited until the entire group had reached the open area. The sniper opened fire from effective range and destroyed the entire group before the enemy figured out where the fire was coming from.

In addition to the actual sniper fire, the VSS demonstrated high fighting qualities in close combat, where it was used as an automatic weapon.

“In the course of one of the search and ambush operations, the head patrol of the special forces group at 5.30 in the morning, about 4 km from the village, found three men on the road. It was decided to follow the unknown. Behind them advanced two scouts armed with VSS. Soon the scouts found a group of people with weapons in the amount of about 10 people. One of the militants, moving aside for some reason, found one of the scouts. A battle ensued, in a few minutes about 100 rounds of ammunition were used up from each VSS. Soon the head patrol arrived to help the scouts, and then the whole group. During the battle, six militants were killed, the rest fled. At the scene of the battle, the militants left 10 machine guns, a sniper rifle, a large number of cartridges and grenades, a lot of new uniforms and equipment.

The fire from the VSS was automatic, the weapon had no delays when firing. Shops were used 20-charger from the AC machine gun "

“During the ambush at night on a country road, one of the special forces groups found a car. As soon as he caught up with the fire subgroup, fire was opened from silent weapons (there were three VSS and one AKM with PBS in the fire subgroup). The car stopped during the search, two militants, a radio station, and a weapon were found in it.

From the VSS, 20 rounds were shot (stores from the AU were used). Stores were equipped in order - two SP-5, one SP-6. This method of equipment was used because if you fire at the car only with SP-5 cartridges, then the effectiveness of the fire, due to the low penetration of this cartridge, will be low. For conducting a silent ambush, the VSS is an exemplary weapon "(from the memoirs of a special forces officer).

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of such examples of the successful use of VSS in recent local wars.

The use of VSS and AS in the course of clashes revealed another useful property this weapon. When shooting in the city, AK or RPK bullets tend to ricochet off the walls, which in some cases can be dangerous for the shooter or his comrades. At the same time, bullets of SP-5 and SP-6 cartridges, having an initial speed of less than 300 m / s, practically do not ricochet. Thus, weapons based on these cartridges are convenient for combat in the city.

CONCLUSION

When creating the Vintorez VSS and other silent weapon systems, the developers from TsNIITOCHMASH chose the only correct path: first, the tactical and technical requirements for weapons were formulated, and then work began on creating an armament complex that includes a cartridge and a device for throwing a bullet (rifle, pistol, machine gun, etc.). It was an integrated approach that allowed Soviet designers in the mid-80s. last century to make a breakthrough in the creation of silent weapons.

It is interesting that direct analogues of Vintorez have not been created in any foreign country to date, with the exception of the American S-16 (M-16 with an integrated silencer), however, in terms of combat properties, this rifle is significantly inferior to the BCC.