VSS Vintorez

VSS Vintorez Story

The VSS "Vintorez" is a suppressed sniper rifle using a permanent silencer assembly and specially designed subsonic ammunition. The form factor of this type is almost identical to the simultaneously developed AS Val silenced assault rifle, the main features of both systems being the use of slightly different subsonic cartridges, fixed wooden skeleton shoulder rests and long-range telescopic sights. The VSS entered service with the Soviet Russian Special Forces in 1987 and has since been expanded for use by the internal security forces and the regular army.

Participation in combat was noted during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the first and second Chechen wars, and most recently, the war against Georgia in 2008. The design of the VSS is credited to Petr Serdyukov, and it was manufactured at the legendary Tula Arms Factory.

Suppressing sniper rifles have some value on any battlefield. Its inherent properties allow the system to operate silently on targets within range, and the aforementioned AS Val assault rifle is useful at shorter ranges. The success of the VSS relies on two key factors - a dedicated cartridge and an integrated silencer. The cartridge is a 9x39mm SP-5, which basically breaks down into a rifle caliber 7.62x39mm casing with a widened neck to accommodate a 9mm bullet.

It is a heavy cartridge and is classified as "subsonic". The AS Val Assault Rifle follows the same design philosophy in using the 9x39mm SP-6 cartridge, although the VSS cartridge is an armor-piercing round that sets it apart.

Like the AS Val, the VSS uses a permanently attached silencer above the barrel to reduce the muzzle velocity of the fired bullet. While this also reduces the weapon's audible frequencies, it also limits its range - a compromise for silenced weapons.

However, the actual audible noise the VSS makes is a whisper in practiceperfect for taking out the unsuspecting sentinel.

Aside from its suppression capabilities, the VSS is more or less a conventional rifle system. It has a boxy receiver with a charging handle and an ejection port on the right side of the body. The pistol grip is integrated into the hollow stock with two large rings, the frontmost of which is for the shooter's hand. The hollowed-out nature of the stock reduces the overall weight of the weapon. It is fixed, so it is not possible to make the VSS more compact during maneuvers, but it will result in a stronger and more stable platform in the long run.

However, VSS can be broken down into key components of planning a trip. These parts are included in the included hard case. The trigger unit is large and very much like a Kalashnikov in function and design. The trigger ring is large enough to fit in a gloved hand, which is always an important consideration when supplying special forces. The magazine is installed in the magazine before the trigger assembly, and the magazine release marking is just behind the chute itself.

The VSS is fired from a 10- or 20-round detachable magazine. The design of the foregrip is similar to that of the AS Val rifle, with a small front end in front of the silencer assembly.

The muffler assembly itself is basically tubular in appearance, with the mirror mounted on the base section (the part that meets the forearm area) and the mirror mounted above the muzzle. The iron sight is adjustable and can be used to secure the spare PSO-1-1 sight mounted on the rear of the receiver and attached to the weapon via a mount on the left side of the fuselage.

Additionally, the VSS can be equipped with accessories or other ranges, such as night vision goggles.

Overall, the VSS weighs less than 6 pounds, has a 35" barrel length, and uses an 8" barrel. The ignition process is a gas operation using a rotating bolt. As with almost all Kalashnikov weapons, the cylinder is mounted above the barrel. The rate of fire is specified at 800 to 900 rounds per minute, with a muzzle velocity of 951 feet per second. Like the AS Val before it, the VSS has only two firing modes - semi-automatic and single-shot.

The effective range is up to 400 meters, and the maximum range is slightly further (at the expense of accuracy).

The "VSS Vintorez" name comes from the Russian "Vintovka Snayperskaya Spetsialnaya", translating to "Special Sniper Rifle" - which is exactly what the VSS represents.

VSS Vintorez Specification

ROLES

STRUCTURAL

PERFORMANCE

VARIANTS