AS Val and VSS Vintorez

The AS Val "Shaft" (Russian: АС «Вал»; Автома́т Специа́льный, romanized: Avtomát Spetsiálny "Val", lit. 'Special Automatic')^[4] and VSS Vintorez "Thread Cutter" (Russian: ВСС «Винторе́з» Винто́вка Сна́йперская Специа́льная, romanized: Vintóvka Snáyperskaya Spetsiálnaya "Vintorez", lit. 'Special "Sniper" Rifle'),^[5] 6P30 and 6P29 (GRAU designation) respectively, were a Soviet-designed assault rifle featuring an integral suppressor based on the prototype RG-036 completed in 1981 by TsNIITochMash.^[6] The two rifles hereafter are referred to as the Vintorez and Val. The Vintorez (beginning in 1983) and Val (beginning in 1985) were developed by TsNIITochMash to replace modified general-purpose firearms, such as the AKS-74UB, BS-1, APB, and PB, for clandestine operations, much like the PSS Vul. Manufacturing began at the Tula Arms Plant after its adoption by the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union in 1987.

AS Val and VSS Vintorez

Assault rifle (AS Val)^[1]
Sniper rifle (VSS Vintorez)^[2]

Soviet Union

1987–present

See Users

Iraq War^[3]
Russo-Georgian War
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

TsNIITochMash
Pyotr Serdyukov and Vladimir Krasnikov

1980s

Tula Arms Plant

1987–present

ASM and VSSM

2.5 kg (5.51 lb) AS (empty)
3.54 kg (7.80 lb) AS with PSO-1-1
4.95 kg (10.91 lb) AS with 1PN51
2.6 kg (5.73 lb) VSS (empty)

875 mm (34.4 in) AS (stock extended)
615 mm (24.2 in) AS (stock folded)
894 mm (35.2 in) VSS

200 mm (7.9 in)

9×39mm

Gas-operated, closed rotating bolt

800–900 rounds/min

280–295 m/s

10-, 20-, 30-round detachable box magazine (shared with the SR-3M)

Open sights: Rear notch on tangent (graduated from 100 to 425 m) and front post mounted to suppressor housing
"Dovetail mount" for optics

The ASM (6P30M) and VSSM (6P29M) are modernized variants of the AS and VSS respectively The VSSM is equipped with an aluminium buttstock with an adjustable cheek and butt pad and a new 30-round magazine was introduced to be intended for use with the ASM. Both rifles are also outfitted with a Picatinny rail on the top of the dust cover and on the sides and bottom of the suppressor, forward of the handguard. The mounts which shroud the suppressor can be removed. Deliveries began in 2018.^[7]

The SR-3M is a modernized variant of the SR-3 that replaces the original SR-3 stock with one similar to the AS Val and introduced a new 30-round backwards compatible magazine. The handguard was also redesigned to include the rear sight and a folding foregrip.

The SR-3MP is a further modernization of the SR-3M which allows for the folding stock to be mounted at the base of the pistol grip for users wearing helmets with face shields or head-mounted devices. The handguard was also redesigned to include two picatinny rails on the sides.

night vision

The SR-3 Vikhr (Russian: СР-3 «Вихрь», romanized: Spetsialnaya Razrabotka "Vikhr", lit. 'Special Development') was designed for improved concealability by replacing the stock and omitting the integral suppressor and charging handle. The design process began in 1989, manufacturing began in 1994, and the rifle was adopted in 1996.

The 9A-91 and VSK-94 (Russian: ВСК-94 Войсковой Снайперский Комплекс, romanized: Voyskovoy Snayperskiy Kompleks, lit. 'Military Sniper Complex') are cost-reducing redesigns of the two rifles by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau completed in 1992 which also omit the integrated suppressor. Manufacturing began in 1994.

An SR-3 Vikhr with the 20-round AS Val magazine

An SR-3MP with the buttstock equipped at the bottom rail of the pistol grip

A 9A-91 compact assault rifle

A VSK-94 with a PSO-1

: a small quantity of weapons were received from Russia among other arms before 2014.^[8]

Armenia

: Used by various special forces.^[9]

Belarus

: used by army and police special forces,^[10] some configured with Aimpoint and Kobra red dot sights.^[11]

AS Val and VSS Vintorez