OTs-12 (Tiss)

History

OTs-12 "Tiss" (also known as "OC-12") is an experimental Soviet-Russian assault carbine that evolved from the classic shape of the Kalashnikov family of assault rifles - mainly AKS-74U series. The system began its design phase in the early 1990s under the direction of V.N. Telesh and U.V.

Lebedev and used the unique 9x39mm cartridge, a subsonic cartridge that originated in the Soviet Union in the 1980s under the direction of Nikolai Zabelin . The cartridge is based on the well-known 7.62x39mm rifle type and features a borderless neck design, although it is loaded with a 9mm bullet - increasing the penetration, range and firepower of the 7.62mm cartridge and the small energy qualities of the 9mm gun provided by the cartridge. It was mainly used for special Soviet elements, focusing on suppressing firearms for a truly silent weapon.

However, the range of the cartridge is limited to less than 400 meters.

Production of the OTs-12 was taken over by TsKIB SOO ("Central Design Bureau for Sporting and Hunting Weapons") in 1993, although it is said that only a few hundred prototypes were used for operational trials, which were eventually phased out relative to immediate competition. The main users were the paramilitary "internal forces" of the Soviet Union, who liked the new weapon but hardly needed it by the government at the time.

Additionally, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 meant that many Russian military programs were underfunded or closed entirely.

The core of the OTs-12 is essentially a conventional attack system, except for its specialized cartridges. A gas operating system was used, and the cylinder was placed above the barrel in the usual Kalashnikov fashion. The barrel itself is short and has a smaller footprint, and the rifle's body is designed in the style of a true Kalashnikov, with the necessary large fire selector, charging handle, and ejection port all located on the right side of the frame.

The weapon features a traditional pistol grip with an integral trigger assembly, forward-facing magazine feed (using a curved magazine case), and a common magazine release/lockout located between the grip and the magazine feed area . The shoulder rest is skeletal, using a connection with two struts and hinged to the side of the receiver for more compactness when transporting or using in tight spaces. The folded stock does not limit the weapon in any way. The wooden furniture only appears on the front end as a two-piece section and serves as a heat shield/front handle to hold the hot tub.

Iron sights provide basic sights for long range work, while optics are optional. The total weight is 2.5kg, the total barrel length is 730mm, and the barrel length is 207mm.

The performance of the OTs-12 proved to be comparable to other modern assault systems of the time, including a rate of fire of 800 rounds per minute. The gun is loaded in the usual manner from a 20-round curved detachable magazine and may have developed a 25-round count.

The effective range is said to be around 200 meters, while the maximum range is largely limited by the cartridge used and is below 400 meters.

The name "Tiss" comes from the "yew tree" common in parts of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes