VSS Vintorez

sniper rifle

The VSS, also called the Vintorez, (rus. Винторез, literally "screw cutter") is a sniper rifle featuring a built-in suppressor (similar to that of the AS-Val) the weapon is loaded with heavy subsonic 9×39mm SP5 cartridges and armor-piercing SP6 cartridges. It was manufactured (created) by the Soviet company TsNIITochMash during the late 1980s. It is issued primarily to Spetsnaz units for secretive operations, a role made evident by its ability to be broken down for transport in a specially fitted case.

The VSS Vintorez

Design change

The way the gun operates and the silencer system used on the VSS are based from the AS assault rifle. The VSS is a gas-operated select-fire rifle. It has a long-stroke gas piston operating rod in a gas cylinder above the barrel. The weapon catch is held in its place thanks to a rotating bolt who attach themselves to the appropriate socket when needed. The VSS is striker fired. It features a cross-bolt type fire selector switch located behind the trigger, inside the trigger guard; the safety lever and the charging handle resemble those used in Kalashnikov weapons.

The skeletonized wooden stock is a more rounded version of that provided on the SVD rifle; it has a rubber shoulder pad and can be removed when the rifle is dismantled for compact storage. The forward handguard is made from a high-impact polymer. If needed, the weapon can be used in fully automatic mode using either its original 10-round magazine or the 20-round magazines from the AS rifle.