Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

KSVK 12.7 (ASVK)

1999 MODERN

History of KSVK 12. 7 (ASVK)

The KSVK 12.7 is a heavy anti-material rifle developed by the Russians for the Russian Army Special Forces. The weapon is designed to disable light military vehicles, penetrate hardened enemy positions and perform counter-sniper missions. The development of this weapon system began in the late 1990s under the leadership of ZID (formerly Degtyarov Factory, maker of World War II-era anti-material rifles).

For a decade, the Russian military has gained a wealth of experience from two wars against the Chechen rebels, and the need for a powerful modern anti-material rifle has never been more apparent. Originally known as the ASVK, the KSVK 12.7 was based on the earlier SVN-98, an experimental anti-material rifle.

As the name suggests, the KSVK 12.7 is loaded with a 12.7x108mm cartridge and is operated by a manually operated bolt breech system fed from a spring-loaded detachable 5-round magazine. The weapon weighs 12kg without optics, has a length of 1,400mm and a barrel length of 1,000mm.

The rear-feed nature of the magazine (i.e. the rear of the pistol grip) classifies the KSVK as a rifle design in a "bull" configuration. The receiver is basically tubular in design, with a shoulder piece added to the rear for extra support. The shoulder rest has a pronounced ergonomic curvature, and the bipod is mounted as standard on the front of the case. The pistol grip and trigger assembly is mounted below the receiver approximately at the center of the design. A long, perforated muzzle brake closes the barrel to delay the inherent effects of the massive recoil created when the powerful 12.7mm bullet is fired.

The standard design of the rifle includes a front sight for the user, but the weapon is designed (via accessory rails) to accept common day/night optics if needed. These optics mount directly above the pistol grip assembly.

KSVK 12.7 is currently in service with a group of Russian (and Russian-aligned) operators and has seen combat operations against Chechen forces - especially against enemy snipers in the role of "counter-sniper".