VSS "Vintorez"

Special purpose sniper rifle VSS  "Vintorez" created in 1987 is soundless attack and defense weapon intended to destroy targets using sniper fire when required silence and flameless conditions. It was intended for Soviet National Security Committee known as KGB and Soviet Army's special forces. It's construction is similar to special assault rifle AS "Val". From assault rifles it mainly differs in wooden butt-stock, fitted with rubber shoulder buffer and lower capacity magazines possession. Mentioned above gives sniper better lay down to the ground. It has ability to provide single or unremitting fire. 

Sniper rifle uses special cartridges with lowered bullets initial speed SP-5 and SP-6 what allows to use suppressor and make it more effective. Cartridges weight is 23 g, length - 56-mm, initial speed - 250 - 290 m/s. Heavy bullet shows good stability and high shoot through energy. In 200 meters distance bullet shoots through 6-mm width steel plate. In 400 meters distance bullet defeats live target covered with first and second class armored vests and also unarmored vehicles. In 500 meters distance - 2-mm steel plate and defeats solider covered by it. Effective fire at night is 300 meters.

Rifles automatic works on gas returning principle. Every working part separates with extra low sound level. Integrated special suppressor covering barrel suppresses shots sound so effectively that covered with some other sound it disappears. Gunpowder's gases are directed to separate flows and cooled by grid-radiator. Special rifle has ability to be dismantled into three parts - barrel with suppressor, barrels box, butt-stock and put in 37 x 27 x 4.5 cm case

VSS "Vintorez" can use optical or night sight placing it on multipurpose hard point. In Russian army it is mainly used with PSO-1 optical sight or it's later versions like PSO-1M1. Sights basic modification has 4x magnification and 6 degree sighting angle. Sights dimensions are 375 x 132 x 70 mm and it has 0.68 g weight. Sight is serially produced since 1963 and recommended itself in different military conflicts all over the world.

There is also ability to place night sight NSPUM-3. This second generation night sight has 3.5x magnification with 9.5 degree sighting angle. It has 276 x 210 x 140 mm dimensions and 2100 g weight including electric supply for infrared illumination.