VSS Vintorez
TsNIITochMash · Sniper Rifle · In Production · 1987
Also known as: VSS, Vintorez, Thread Cutter, Special Sniper Rifle, Vintovka Snaiperskaya Spetsialnaya
Overview
The VSS Vintorez (Vintovka Snaiperskaya Spetsialnaya, or Special Sniper Rifle) is a Soviet integrally-suppressed special-purpose marksman rifle chambered in the subsonic 9x39mm cartridge. Designed by Pyotr Serdyukov at TsNIITochMash in the mid-1980s as a sister weapon to the AS Val, the rifle, its heavy subsonic cartridge, and its integral suppressor were co-developed as a single unified system intended for silent elimination of armored targets out to 400 meters. Issued almost exclusively to Russian Spetsnaz, FSB, and airborne units, the VSS is regarded as one of the most effective dedicated 'quiet sniping' platforms ever fielded.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2600 g (91.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3410 g (120.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 894 mm (35.20") |
| Barrel Length | 200 mm (7.87") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 25 N (5.6 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 706 J (521 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x39mm · primary — also known as 9x39mm SP-5, 9x39mm SP-6, 9x39mm PAB-9
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Lever Safety, Disconnector
- Features: Integral Suppressor, Subsonic Ammunition, Pso 1 1 Scope, Ballistic Drop Compensating Reticle, Detachable Skeleton Stock, Three Piece Takedown, Select Fire, Armor Piercing Capability, Shares Magazines With As Val
Variants
- AS Val — Assault Rifle Variant
- VSSK Vykhlop — Heavy Caliber
- Vintorez-PP — Scoped Folding Stock
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Special Forces (Spetsnaz) · adopted 1987 · as VSS
- Russian GRU Spetsnaz · adopted 1991 · as VSS
- FSB Alpha Group · as VSS
- FSB Vympel · as VSS
- Russian VDV (Airborne Forces) · as VSS
- MVD OMON
- Armenian Armed Forces
- Syrian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Soviet-Afghan War (1987-1989)
- First Chechen War (1994-1996)
- Second Chechen War (1999-2009)
- Russo-Georgian War (2008)
- Syrian Civil War (2015-present)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2014-present)
Production
Production years: 1987-present
Moderate special-operations production; exact numbers classified. Produced at TsNIITochMash (Klimovsk) with limited export.
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Pyotr Serdyukov
Notes
The VSS and AS Val share the same receiver, magazine, and integral suppressor architecture - roughly 70% parts commonality - differing primarily in stock (wooden thumbhole on VSS vs folding metal on Val), barrel profile, and intended role. The issued PSO-1-1 optic carries a reticle specifically calibrated for the steep ballistic drop of the 9x39mm subsonic cartridge. The SP-5 ball round is used for soft targets while the SP-6 armor-piercing round can defeat 6mm of RHA steel or CRISAT body armor at 200 meters despite its ~290 m/s muzzle velocity. The weapon breaks down into three components (suppressor, receiver, stock) for concealed transport in a briefcase.
Background
The VSS is famously quieter at the muzzle than a .22 LR rimfire when firing SP-5 or SP-6 subsonic ammunition - the bolt cycling is reportedly louder than the shot itself. Unlike most 'silenced' rifles where the suppressor is an afterthought, the rifle, the 9x39mm cartridge, and the integral suppressor were engineered from a blank sheet as one system, giving the Vintorez its reputation as the gold standard of quiet sniping within 400 meters.