VSS Vintorez
Overview
VSS Vintorez
Soldier with VSS Vintorez with 20 round magazine.
Source: www.yugo.ru -
© copyright lies with original owner
Russia - TOZ
Russian for "special sniper rifle"
Vintorez (nickname)
Russian for "thread cutter"
6P29 (GRAU index)
Description
Introduction
The VSS Vintorez is a silenced sniper rifle of Soviet origin. It is a unique weapon that was conceived in the 1980's to silently engage personnel with body armor out to 400 m. The name VSS stands for "Vintovka Snayperskaya Spetsialnaya", which is Russian for "special sniper rifle". The nickname "Vintorez" means "thread cutter". The VSS stems from the same project as the AS Val silent assault rifle and has a 70% parts commonality.
Design
The VSS is based on a Kalashnikov receiver that is modified to fire the 9x39mm round. The gas mechanism allows for both semi-automatic and automatic fire. The most striking feature of the AS Val is the long integrated silencer with small polymer forearm. A fixed wooden stock is fitted. The PSO-1 4x scope is fitted as standard although other optics and the iron sights may be used instead.
Firepower
The AS Val fires the powerful subsonic 9x39mm round that was specifically designed for this weapon. 10 round magazines are most common, although the 20 and 30 round magazines from the AS Val en SR-3M may be used as well. The fire selector allows for semi-automatic fire and automatic fire at 900 rpm. The maximum effective range is 400 meters, although 200 to 300 meters is the practical range.
Users
The VSS is used by various reconnaissance and special elements of the Russian armed forces. It has also been adopted by various law enforcement and internal security units. In various recent internal conflicts the VSS proved to be very suitable for urban and night time combat.
Variants
VSS Vintorez
Right side view of VSS Vintorez with PSO-1 scope, 10 round magazine and tactical light.
Source: KardeN -
© copyright lies with original owner
VSS Vintorez
The VSS is a silent sniper rifle. It is produced in only one version, although the AS Val silenced assault rifle may be considered a variants since it has a 70% parts commonality. The VSS is easily identified by the long integraded silencer, box magazine and fixed wooden stock. Most of the time the PSO-1 4x scope is fitted.
The VSS-M is a recent upgrade of the VSS. It replaces the wooden stock with a fully adjustable metal and polymer one. The ability to mount accessories and a bipod is improved by replacing the handguard with tripple accesory rails.
Details
Media
VSS Vintorez
Russian sniper with VSS Vintorez.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
VSS Vintorez
Left side view of VSS Vintorez.
Source: KardeN
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
VSS Vintorez
Right side view of VSS Vintorez.
Source: KardeN
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
VSS Vintorez
VSS Vintorez with 20 round magazine.
Source: KardeN
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
AS Val
The VSS was developed alongside the AS Val suppressed assault rifle. Both weapons have many parts in common.
VSK-94
The VSK-94 was developed as a cheaper competitor to the VSS. It proved to be less successful.
9x39mm Soviet
The VSS Vintorez is chambered for the subsonic 9x39mm Soviet round.