How a VSS Vintorez Suppressed Rifle Works

Wikipedia:The 6P29 and 6P30 (GRAU Indices), commonly known as the VSS "Thread Cutter" (Russian: ВСС «Винторе́з» Винто́вка Сна́йперская Специа́льная, romanized: Vintóvka Snáyperskaya Spetsiálnaya "Vintorez", lit. 'Special "Sniper" Rifle) and AS "Shaft" (Russian: АС «Вал»; Автома́т Специа́льный, romanized: Avtomát Spetsiálny "Val", lit. 'Special Automatic'), respectively, were a series of Soviet-designed rifles featuring an integral suppressor based on the prototype RG-036 completed in 1981 by TsNIITochMash. The two rifles hereafter are referred to as the Vintorez and Val. The Vintorez (beginning in 1983) and Val (beginning in 1985) were developed by TsNIITochMash to replace modified general-purpose firearms, such as the AKS-74UB, BS-1, APB, and PB, for clandestine operations, much like the PSS Vul. Manufacturing began at the Tula Arms Plant after its adoption by the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union in 1987.

Type Automatic Rifle
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1987–present
Used by See Users
Production history
Designer TsNIITochMash
Pyotr Serdyukov and Vladimir Krasnikov
Designed 1980s
Manufacturer Tula Arms Plant
Produced 1987–present
Variants See Variants and Derivatives
Specifications
Mass 2.6 kg (5.73 lb) Vintorez (empty)
2.5 kg (5.51 lb) Val (empty)
3.54 kg (7.80 lb) Val w/ PSO-1
4.95 kg (10.91 lb) Val w/ 1PN51
Length 894 mm (35.2 in) Vintorez
875 mm (34.4 in) Val (extended)
615 mm (24.2 in) Val (folded)
Barrel length 200 mm (7.9 in)
Cartridge 9×39mm
Action Gas-operated, closed rotating bolt
Rate of fire 800–900 rounds/min
Feed system Detachable box magazine (shared with the SR-3)
Sights Open sights: Rear notch on tangent (graduated from 100 to 425 m) and front post mounted to suppressor housing,
"Warsaw Pact Rail" for optics