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AS Val and VSS Vintorez

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VSS Vintorez
VSS "Vintorez" (top) with a PSO-1-1 and 10-round magazine. AS "Val" (bottom) with a 20-round magazine
TypeSniper rifle (VSS "Vintorez")[1]
Assault rifle (AS "Val")[2]
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1987–present
Used bySee Users
WarsFirst Chechen War
Second Chechen War
Iraq War[3]
Russo-Georgian War
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerTsNIITochMash
Pyotr Serdyukov and Vladimir Krasnikov
Designed1980s
ManufacturerTula Arms Plant
Produced1987–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass2.6 kg (5.73 lb) Vintorez (empty)
2.5 kg (5.51 lb) Val (empty)
3.54 kg (7.80 lb) Val with PSO-1-1
4.95 kg (10.91 lb) Val with 1PN51
Length894 mm (35.2 in) Vintorez
875 mm (34.4 in) Val (stock extended)
615 mm (24.2 in) Val (stock folded)
Barrel length200 mm (7.9 in)
Cartridge9×39mm
ActionGas-operated, closed rotating bolt
Rate of fire∼900 rounds/min[4]
Muzzle velocity280–295 m/s
Feed system10-, 20-, 30-round detachable box magazine
SightsOpen sights: Rear notch on tangent (graduated from 100 to 425 m) and front post mounted to suppressor housing, or various optical sights by the use of "Dovetail mount"

The VSS Vintorez (Russian: ВСС «Винторе́з»; Винто́вка Сна́йперская Специа́льная, romanized: Vintóvka Snáyperskaya Spetsiálnaya «Vintorez», lit. 'Special Sniper Rifle' "Thread Cutter"), GRAU index (6P29)[1][5][6] is a Soviet-designed integrally suppressed sniper rifle chambered for the 9×39mm subsonic cartridge.

The Vintorez was a Soviet-designed sniper rifle featuring an integral suppressor, which was based on the RG-036 prototype, and the final design was completed in 1981 by TsNIITochMash.[7] The production started around the start of 1983 for the Vintorez, the Val was later designed around early 1985. Manufacturing began at the Tula Arms Plant after its adoption by the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union in 1987. Both rifles were developed to replace the modified general-purpose firearms, such as the AKS-74UB, BS-1, APB, and PB, for clandestine operations, much like the PSS Vul.

Operational history

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Both the AS Val and VSS Vintorez were issued to Soviet troops since the late 1980s. They were used during the First Chechen War in 1994 and the Second Chechen War in 1999, though they remained largely osbcure amongst Western intelligence agencies and similar organizations until the Russians deployed troops to South Ossetia during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008.[8] They were also seen in use by Russian Spetsnaz during the Russo-Ukrainian War.[9][10]

The VSS Vintorez was used in small numbers by Ukrainian peacekeepers in Iraq from 2003−2005.[3] By 2014, it was no longer in use by any security forces in Ukraine.[11] According to Militarnyi, the VSS was retired from service due the lack of ammo.[12]

Design details

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The instruction sheet of the AS Val which includes a field stripped model

The VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val" are both integrally suppressed rifles, chambered for the 9×39mm subsonic cartridge.

Both the VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val" can be disassembled to fit into a special compact case for transportation. The handguard, pistol grip, and magazines are made of a synthetic polymer.[13]

Operating mechanism

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The fire controls of the VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val" are similar to many AK-type rifles: the charging handle being on the right-hand side, the tangent rear sight position, the magazine release button is located behind the magazine well, and the safety lever is positioned above the trigger guard. However, the fire selector is located behind the trigger within the trigger guard.

The action is also similar to that of AK-type rifles with a similar long-stroke gas system with the piston located above the barrel. However, the design characteristically uses a rotating bolt with six locking lugs and a milled steel receiver.

Stock

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Many components are shared between the VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val". The primary distinction lies in the buttstocks: the Vintorez features a fixed wooden buttstock, whereas the Val has a tubular metal buttstock that folds to the left. The Val can be fired with the stock folded; however, mounting an optic will prevent the buttstock from closing completely, a common issue observed in many Kalashnikov-type rifles with similar optic mounting solutions.

Barrel and integral suppressor

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Four rows of nine holes are drilled in the barrel which follow the rifling and allows gas to escape the barrel behind the projectile into the expansion chamber which surrounds the barrel and extends about 20 cm (7.9 in) forward of the end of the barrel where three baffles are located. The baffles are stamped out of a single sheet about 1 mm (0.039 in) thickness and welded to a removable frame which is pressed against the front of the suppressor housing by a spring placed between the baffle assembly and the end of the barrel. The suppressor effectively reduces muzzle flash and muzzle report of the firearm to 130 dB. There are no design features which reduce the noise of the action.[13][4]

Sights

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The VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val" have an "AK-type" Warsaw Pact rail for mounting various optical sights, namely the PSO-1-1, PSO-1M2-1, and 1-PN-51 calibrated for use with the 9x39mm cartridge. The standard open sights are graduated from 100- to 425-m in 25 m increments.[13]

Magazine

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The VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val" share the same standard 10-, 20-, 30-round double-stack detachable box magazines.

Variants

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VSSM with a 20-round magazine

The VSSM (GRAU index – 6P29M) is a modernised variant of the VSS "Vintorez". Its notable changes include an aluminium buttstock with an adjustable cheek and butt pad. It has a redesigned dust cover that features a Picatinny rail on top. It is primarily equipped with the 1P86 optical sight. The handguard has been extended to feature Picatinny rails on 3-, 6-, 9-o'clock position. The mounts which shroud the suppressor can be removed. Production began in 2018.[14]

The KO-VSS-01 (Russian: КО-ВСС-01) is a civilian legal hunting rifle variant of the VSS "Vintorez". A variant with a Picatinny rail on the top cover of the receiver, similar to the VSSM, is designated as the KO-VSS (Russian: КО-ВСС).[15]

AS Val

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ASM with a 30-round magazine

The AS "Val" (Russian: АС «Вал»; Автома́т Специа́льный, romanized: Avtomát Spetsiálny «Val», lit. 'Special Automatic' "Shaft"), GRAU index (6P30) is an integrally suppressed assault rifle chambered for the 9×39mm subsonic cartridge.[2]

The ASM (GRAU index – 6P30M) is a modernized variant of the AS "Val" and shares similar improvements with the VSSM.[14]

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  • SR-3M (top), AS "Val" (middle), and VSS "Vintorez" (bottom)
    SR-3M (top), AS "Val" (middle), and VSS "Vintorez" (bottom)
  • AS Val with a 20-round magazine
    AS Val with a 20-round magazine
  • SR3 Vikhr with a 20-round Vintorez-pattern magazine
    SR3 Vikhr with a 20-round Vintorez-pattern magazine
  • SR3M with a PSO-1-1
    SR3M with a PSO-1-1
  • SR3MP with a 30-round magazine at Interpolitex 2013
    SR3MP with a 30-round magazine at Interpolitex 2013

Users

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Current

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National Guard of Russia troops carrying the AS Val in the 2018 Moscow Victory Day Parade

Former

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "9 mm special sniper rifle VSS | Catalog Rosoboronexport". roe.ru. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b "9 mm special assault rifle AS | Catalog Rosoboronexport". roe.ru. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Besedovskyy, Vlad (2 May 2023). "VSS Vintorez used by Ukrainian special forces in Iraq". Safar Publishing. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b "The Elusive Vintorez 9×39 Sniper Rifle – Small Arms Defense Journal". Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  5. ^ VSS special sniper rifle, retrieved 19 May 2023
  6. ^ Jones, Richard D. (2008). Jane's guns recognition guide. Internet Archive. New York : Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-137408-1.
  7. ^ AS Val, VSS Vintorez, OTs-14 Groza, and more: 9x39mm with Max Popenker, retrieved 7 May 2023
  8. ^ Johnston & Nelson 2016, p. 1424.
  9. ^ Ferguson & Jenzen-Jones 2014, p. 26.
  10. ^ Galeotti 2019, p. 39.
  11. ^ Ferguson & Jenzen-Jones 2014, p. 32.
  12. ^ "Criminals with Vintorez and Val rifles were detained in Chernihiv region". Militarnyi. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  13. ^ a b c "Keeping Its Place in Russian Battle Space The AS Val 9×39 Special Purpose Assault Rifle – Small Arms Defense Journal". Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Modernized ASM and VSSM". YouTube. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  15. ^ H, Hrachya (29 March 2018). "Civilian Versions of VSS". thefirearmblog.com. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Как обеспечивается баланс сил в Закавказье". vestikavkaza.ru (in Russian). 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Ствол, с которым идут в разведку | Еженедельник "Военно-промышленный курьер"". vpk-news.ru. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Tropas Especiales "Avispas Negras"". cuba-militaria.org (in English, Spanish, and German). 8 April 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Спецподразделения Грузии". АЛАНИЯинформ (in Russian). Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Armament of the Georgian Army". geo-army.ge. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012.
  21. ^ P, Rajat (19 July 2019). "Elite special forces of Army, IAF, Navy get major weapons upgrade | India News – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  22. ^ "ЦАМТО / Новости / В ВВО поступила партия модернизированных снайперских винтовок "Винторез"". armstrade.org. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  23. ^ a b "— " "". bratishka.ru. Archived from the original on 21 February 2007.
  24. ^ Neville 2016, p. 229.
  25. ^ ИЗДЕЛИЕ 1ПН51 ТЕХНИЧЕСКОЕ ОПИСАНИЕ И ИНСТРУКЦИЯ ПО ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИИ [Product 1PN51 technical description and operating instructions] (zip) (in Russian). January 1992. p. 11. АЛ3.812.076 ТО-ЛУ.
  26. ^ "ЦАМТО / Новости / Разведчики ВВО в Приамурье получили партию специальных автоматов АСМ 'Вал' последней модификации". armstrade.org. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  27. ^ "ЦАМТО / / Разведчиков ЦВО в Самарской области впервые вооружили модернизированным бесшумным оружием".
  28. ^ "ЦАМТО / / Около тысячи автоматов АК-12 получил спецназ ЦВО в Новосибирской области в 2021 году".
  29. ^ "Фотовиставка: 'Служу українському народу і спецназу!' :: Товариство учасників бойових дій 'Спас-Україна'". www.spas.net.ua. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  30. ^ Neville, Leigh (25 August 2016). Modern Snipers. General Military. Osprey Publishing. p. 190. ISBN 9781472815347.

Bibliography

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to VSS Vintorez.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to AS Val.
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