×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Scale (2024) Special Forces

VSS Vintorez


Silenced Sniper Rifle


Soviet Union | 1987



"Soviet and Russian special forces units have grown to appreciate the inherent qualities of the VSS."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the VSS Vintorez. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
1,312 ft
399.9 m | 437.3 yds
Max.Eff.Range
850
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire
951 ft/sec
290 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity
Physical
The physical qualities of the VSS Vintorez. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
894 mm
35.20 in
O/A Length
200 mm
7.87 in
Barrel Length
5.73 lb
2.60 kg
Weight
Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt
Action
9x39mm SP-5
Caliber(s)
10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
Feed
Adjustable Iron; Optional Optics.
Sights
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the VSS Vintorez Silenced Sniper Rifle family line.
VSS "Vintorez" - Base Series Designation
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/15/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The VSS "Vintorez" is a silenced sniper rifle that makes use of a permanent silencer assembly as well as specially-developed subsonic ammunition. The type shares nearly the same contours as the AS Val silenced assault rifle which was developed at the same time. Key markers between the two systems is the VSS's use of a slightly different subsonic cartridge, a fixed, skeletal wood shoulder stock and a long range scope. The VSS entered service with Soviet/Russian special forces in 1987 and has since seen broadened use by internal security forces as well as a regular army. Involvement in combat has been noted in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the 1st and 2nd Chechen Wars and, most recently, the 2008 war against Georgia. Design of the VSS is attributed to Petr Serdjukov with manufacture being handled by the fabled Tula Arms Plant.

The silenced sniper rifle certainly has its value on any battlefield. Its inherent nature allows for quiet operation of the system against targets at range whereas the aforementioned AS Val assault rifle is useful at closer ranges. The VSS primarily relies on two key factors in its success - the specialized cartridge and the integrated silencer. The cartridge is the 9x39mm SP-5 which essentially breaks down as a rifle-caliber 7.62x39mm case with a widened neck to accept a 9mm bullet. It is a heavy cartridge and categorized as "subsonic". The AS Val assault rifle follows this same design initiative in its use of the 9x39mm SP-6 round though the VSS cartridge is an armor-piercing grade cartridge which sets it apart. As in the AS Val, the VSS utilizes a permanently fixed silencer over the barrel and this serves to lower the muzzle velocity of the exiting rounds. While this also lowers the audible frequency of the weapon, it also restricts its range - the trade off of silenced weapons. However, the actual audible sound produced by the VSS is something akin to a whisper in actual operation - perfect for taking out unsuspecting sentries.

Beyond its silenced capabilities, the VSS is more or less a conventional rifle system. It sports a boxy receiver with the charging handle and ejection port set to the right side of the body. The pistol grip is integrated with the hollowed stock which features two large loops, the forward most one being for the firer's hand. The hollowed nature of the stock lightened the weapon's overall weight. It is fixed so there is no prospect of making the VSS more compact during maneuvers but it makes for a more sturdy and stable platform in the long run. The VSS can, however, be broken down into key components for scheduled travels. The parts are contained in a provided hard case. The trigger unit is large and very Kalashnikov in its function and styling. The trigger loop is large enough to fit a gloved hand which is always an important consideration when supplying special forces elements. The magazine fits into the magazine well ahead of the trigger unit with the magazine release noted just aft of the well itself. The VSS fired from 10- or 20-round detachable box magazines. The forward handgrip is similar in design to the AS Val rifle, completed with a small area forend before the silencer assembly. The silencer assembly itself is basically tubular in its appearance with a rear sight affixed to the base portion (the section meeting the forend area) and a front sight fitted over the muzzle. The iron sights are adjustable and can be used to back up the standard-issue PSO-1-1 telescopic sight which is fitted over the receiver rear and connected to the gun from supports mounted along the left side of the body. Additionally, the VSS can be fitted with accessories or other scopes such as night vision.

Overall, the VSS weighs in at just under 6lbs and sports a running length of 35 inches with an 8 inch barrel being used. The firing action is of gas-operation with a rotating bolt. The gas cylinder is mounted over the barrel as seen in nearly all Kalashnikov weapons. Rate-of-fire is listed at 800 to 900 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 951 feet per second. Like the AS Val before it, the VSS features just two firing modes - semi-automatic and single-shot. Effective range is out to 400 meters with a maximum range 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.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the VSS Vintorez. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Tula Arms Plant - Soviet Union / Russia
National flag of Armenia National flag of Belarus National flag of Georgia National flag of Jordan National flag of Kazakhstan National flag of Russia National flag of the Soviet Union National flag of Syria

[ Armenia; Belarus; Georgia; Kazakhstan; Jordan; Russia; Soviet Union; Syria ]
1 / 1
Image of the VSS Vintorez
Right side view of the VSS Vintorez silenced sniper rifle

Going Further...
The VSS Vintorez Silenced Sniper Rifle appears in the following collections:
HOME
SMALL ARMS INDEX
SPECIAL FORCES
ARMS BY COUNTRY
ARMS MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE ARMS
ARMS BY CONFLICT
ARMS BY TYPE
ARMS BY DECADE
COLD WAR ARMS
MODERN SMALL ARMS
RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)