OSV-96
V-94
Overview
OSV-96
Russian OSV-96 anti-materiel rifle on display at MAKS-2009. Late production model with polymer stock and multi-slotted muzzle brake.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin -
© GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Mid 1990's (OSV-96)
A.G. Shipunov
1993 (V-94 limited production run)
Vietnam - Z111 Factory (since 2018)
Волга | Volga (V-94 nickname)
Взломщик | Vzlomshchik (OSV-96 nickname)
Russian for "burglar / lockpick"
SBT12M1 (Vietnamese production)
Vietnam
Syria
Description
Introduction
The OSV-96 is a modern era anti-materiel rifle of Russian origin. It was developed in the 1990's for a requirement by interior and military special units. At the time those units lacked a dedicated anti-materiel rifle. A dual role was envisaged as both anti-materiel rifle and counter sniper rifle.
Design
The OSV-96 is a long and heavy rifle. It is a further development of the V-94 prototype. The OSV-96 is gas operated semi-automatic firearm. There is a gas tube above the barrel, with the bipod fitted underneath. The long barrel is fitted with a multi-slotted muzzle brake. Back-up iron sights are fitted, with the weapon normally fired using the POS 13x60 optical sight. The stock is wooden with a rubber shoulder pad. A unique feature is that the weapon can be folded halfway to make this very long firearm easier to transport.
Firepower
The OSV-96 fires the 12.7x108mm Soviet cartridge from a 5 round detachable box magazine. It is a gas operated semi-automatic firearm capable of fairly rapid follow-up fire. Effective range is quoted as 1.8 km in daylight and 600 m when using a night vision sight. With specialized sniper ammunition accuracy is reported as 1.5 MOA using SPTs-12.7 ammunition. Regular machine gun ammunition can also be used with a penalty to performance. Russian sources describe the OSV-96 as more accurate than the American Barrett M107 due to the fixed barrel, which is a plausible statement. In military trails the OSV-96 proved less accurate than the bolt-action ASVK.
Users
The V-94 prototype was adopted and tested in small numbers by Russian special units. In military trials the OSV-96 lost out to its competitor, the ASVK. Small numbers were acquired by various Russian units, mainly those of the ministry of the interior. OSV-96 has been exported to several nations and is used in conflicts in Syria and Iraq. Vietnam produces the OSV-96 under license. Also Iran is reported to produced a domestic derivative of the OSV-96.
Details
Media
OSV-96
OSV-96 anti-materiel rifle shown in folded position. Note the wooden stock and POS 12x50 optical sight.
Source: www.gunrf.ru
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
OSV-96
Early model OSV-96 on display. Note the wooden stock and large double baffle muzzle brake as found on early production models.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
OSV-96
Close-up of OSV-96 receiver and a POS 12x50 optical sight.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Related articles
Barrett M82
The Barrett M82A1 is the most widely used anti-materiel rifle at present. The OSV-96 provides a similar semi-automatic fire capability, while being bulkier and reportedly having better accuracy.