The best silent weapon in the world. Silent and special weapons of Russia
SIG SG 550 assault rifle
SIG SG 550 assault rifle.
Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle
Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle.
Having adopted the G3 into service in 1958, Germany did not switch to the smaller 5.56 mm caliber ammunition for a long time. Reconfiguring the G3 rifle for the new cartridge did not cause any problems. This was done already in 1968, when the NK 33 model appeared, which was an analogue of the G3, converted from a caliber of 7.62 to 5.56 mm.
FAMAS F3 assault rifle
FAMAS F3 assault rifle.
For several post-war decades, the French army was armed with MAS 49/56 self-loading rifles chambered in a unique 7.5 mm caliber cartridge, which was not used in any NATO country, although the French MAT 49 submachine guns had the standard NATO caliber - 9 mm.
Valmet/Sako assault rifle
Valmet/Sako assault rifle.
Hardly survived the Second world war After the end of hostilities, Finland did not dare to join NATO, fearing the reaction of the powerful USSR. Relying solely on own strength, the military command introduced universal conscription and a reservist system, which allowed short time deploy the peacetime army into thousands of self-defense troops.
FN SCAR assault rifle
FN SCAR assault rifle.
In 1987, a new structure was formed within the US armed forces - US SOCOM (US Special Operations Command). It united special units of the Army, National Guard, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
M4 and Colt Commando assault rifle
M4 and Colt Commando assault rifle.
Colt, a manufacturer of M16 A2 rifles, established in the 1980s. release of a whole family of assault rifles of the 700 series. Most likely, the number 7 in the designation is the number of types of rifles that Colt produced in different years.
M16 assault rifle
M16 assault rifle.
In 1963, a new weapon was adopted into service in the United States to replace the 7.62 mm M14 rifle. This was an epochal event in the history of wars. For the first time, a rifle with a reduced caliber of 5.56 mm was put into service. It had the designation M16 A1.
Beretta AR70 and AR70/90 assault rifles
Beretta AR70 and AR70/90 assault rifles.
The first standard rifle of the army of post-war Italy was the American M1 Garand self-loading rifle. Licensed production This weapon was manufactured by the famous company Pietro Beretta. In 1959, the new model Beretta BM 59 was adopted by the Italian army.
CETME assault rifles
CETME assault rifles.
Immediately after the end of World War II, a state enterprise CETME - Centra de Estudios Tecnicos de Materiales Especiales ("Research Center for Special Technical Materials"), which was engaged in the production of ammunition, gunpowder and explosives.
TAR 21 assault rifle
TAR 21 assault rifle.
For several decades, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have had a number of assault rifles of various designs and different manufacturers in service. These are the American M16 and M4, produced both in the USA and in Israel under license, the American CAR 15 rifles from Armalite, as well as modifications of the Israeli Galil rifle.
Galil assault rifle
Galil assault rifle.
Specialists from the Israeli company IMI (Israel Military Industries) have never denied that the prototype of this weapon was the Soviet Kalashnikov assault rifle. From the beginning of its existence, Israel was surrounded by the armies of the Arab League, which were armed with Soviet AK-47 assault rifles.
L85 assault rifle
L85 assault rifle.
The history of the development of this weapon is perhaps the longest in modern practice. Back in the early 1950s. British designer Noel Kent-Lemon presented a completely non-standard EM2 rifle to the British military.
FN F2000 assault rifle
FN F2000 assault rifle.
In the mid-1990s. Leading design bureaus of Western countries were developing a new universal type of small arms to arm soldiers of the 21st century. The customer was the joint command of NATO countries.
FN FAL and FNC assault rifles
FN FAL and FNC assault rifles.
Europe was just beginning to recover from the wounds inflicted by the Second World War, and work was already in full swing in the design bureau of the famous Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale. A group of engineers led by Dieudonne Seve began developing an automatic assault rifle.
Steyr AUG 77 assault rifle
Steyr AUG 77 assault rifle.
After World War II, Austria became one of the founding countries of the NATO bloc. In 1958, the Austrian army adopted the M58 assault rifle, which was a modification of the FN FAL rifle from the Belgian concern Fabrique Nationale.
Russian special forces weapons
Army weapons
Army weapons.
One of the most common types of weapons is military-style weapons. On its basis, hunting versions and self-defense weapons are created, and most often they end up in private hands in their original form.
Army Weapon Review
Review of army weapons.
It is no secret that the basis for such developments was the Czechoslovak Scorpion submachine gun. This sample belongs to the so-called small submachine guns, which are almost no different in size and weight from automatic pistols.
Automatic grenade launcher complex OTs-14 "Groza"
The OTs-14 “Groza” automatic grenade launcher system was developed in the early 1990s. for arming special police units operating in dense urban areas. At the same time, the designers sought to create a weapon that would ensure reliable destruction of openly positioned manpower, including personal armor protection, light armored vehicles and vehicles, and at the same time give a minimum number of ricochets. We also took into account the fact that installing an under-barrel grenade launcher, necessary for solving these problems, on a weapon of a classical layout design significantly worsens the balance of this weapon. In addition, to facilitate the introduction of the new complex into mass production, it was decided to unify it to the maximum extent with the serial 5.45-mm Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle.
A prototype of the complex was demonstrated in 1994. It included an assault rifle, a VII-25 under-barrel grenade launcher, and special SP cartridges. 5 and SP. 6, fragmentation rounds VOG-25 and VOG-25 P.
The machine gun is designed according to the bullpup layout with the automatic mechanisms and magazine placed behind the fire control handle. This made it possible to significantly reduce the length of the weapon, reduce its “bounce” under the influence of recoil force, and, in the presence of an under-barrel grenade launcher, to ensure balance with the location of the weapon’s center of gravity in the area of the fire control handle.
Silent small arms grenade launcher systems "Silence" and "Canary"
In the 1970s, the silent rifle-grenade launcher system “Silence”, developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise, began to enter service with special forces brigades of the Soviet Army and special forces units of the border troops of the KGB of the USSR. The creation of the complex was due to the fact that for solving a number of special tasks (destructing missiles on the march and launch positions, defeating light armored vehicles, helicopters and airplanes on the ground, etc.) the effectiveness of special silent small arms was insufficient.
The “Silence” complex includes: a special silent modification of the 7.62-mm Kalashnikov assault rifle with a folding shoulder rest AKSMB with a silent and flameless firing device PBS-1; 30-mm special silent under-barrel grenade launcher BS-1; a special combat cartridge 7.62 x 39 mm US (reduced velocity) with a subsonic initial velocity of a weighted bullet and a throwing cartridge based on the standard 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge.
A special feature of the complex is that it combines not only two types of projectiles (bullet and grenade), but also two basic principles of reducing the sound level of a shot - expansion of powder gases in a variable-closed volume (gas cutoff) and preliminary expansion and cooling of powder gases before releasing them into the atmosphere.
Sniper rifle SV-99
The SV-99 rifle was developed by designers of the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant. It is intended primarily to arm fighters of special forces assault groups of the police, FSB and internal troops Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, conducting combat operations in dense urban areas. It can also be used as an individual weapon of the second number in a large-caliber sniper rifle.
This purpose of the rifle determined the choice of ammunition for it - a 5.6 mm rimfire cartridge (.22LR). Although the effective fire range of this cartridge does not exceed 100 m, and the destructive effect of the bullet is relatively small, the cartridge is excellent for creating both high-precision short-range weapons and silent and flameless shooting weapons. When creating the SV-99, the designers used individual technical solutions previously implemented in the biathlon rifle BI-7 -2 (“Biathlon-7 - 2”) and the hunting carbine “Sobol” produced by the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant.
Special sniper rifle VSS “Vintorez”
Special units of the KGB of the USSR and reconnaissance and sabotage units of the Soviet Army in 1987 received a very effective silent sniper complex (VSK), developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise P. I. Serdyukov and V. F. Krasnikov in accordance with the tactical and technical requirements approved GRAU at the end of 1985
The complex includes a special sniper rifle VSS “Vintorez” (GRAU index 6 P29), a 9-mm special cartridge SP. 5 (index GRAU 7 N8), optical or night sight and accessories.
The sniper rifle is the main component of the complex. It is designed according to a classic layout scheme and is equipped with automatic reloading mechanisms that operate using the energy of powder gases discharged through a hole in the barrel into a gas chamber located above the barrel in a plastic fore-end. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt, which has six lugs.
The striker-type impact mechanism ensures firing in single shots and bursts. The fire mode selector is located inside the trigger guard behind the trigger. When the translator lever is moved to the right, a single fire is fired (there is one white dot on the right side of the receiver behind the trigger box), and when the lever is moved to the left, a continuous fire is fired (there are three white dots on the left side of the receiver).
Rifle sniper complex VSK-94
The VSK-94 silent rifle sniper complex was developed by the Tula enterprise KPB in 1995. It is intended to arm special police forces and internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as reconnaissance groups of army special forces. The complex can be used as an individual weapon of the second number in a long-range sniper rifle, while the ability to fire silently in automatic mode significantly increases the capabilities of a sniper pair.
The complex includes the VSK-94 sniper rifle itself and special 9 x 39 mm SP cartridges. 5, SP. 6 or PAB-9, optical sights PSK-07 (day) and PKN-03 M (night), as well as a container case for carrying the complex.
The rifle was developed on the basis of the 9-mm assault rifle 9 A-91. It has the same automatic reloading mechanisms, operating by using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel when fired.
Automatic 9 A-91
To arm soldiers of special police units and special forces units of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the KPB in the early 1990s. developed a small-sized assault rifle 9 A-91. The assault rifle was adopted by the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in 1994. The command of the Russian Army also showed a certain interest in the assault rifle, since it can be armed with military personnel who are not directly involved in hostilities: drivers of transport vehicles, radio station and radar operators, etc. .
The machine gun is designed according to a classic layout using automatic reloading mechanisms operating according to a well-developed scheme using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel bore. Automation gas engine with a long stroke of the gas piston; to give the rod the required length, the gas chamber is extended forward. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt, which is equipped with four lugs.
The reloading handle located on the right side is rigidly connected to the bolt frame.
The hammer-type trigger mechanism allows firing single shots and bursts.
Automatic OTs-11 "Tiss"
Due to the aggravation of the criminal situation in the Russian Federation in the early 1990s. under the auspices of the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, special rapid response departments (detachments) were created in the republics, territories and regions. There was a strengthening of special purpose police units (OMON), created back in Soviet times, as well as special purpose units, operational brigades and divisions of internal troops. The units of these formations were armed with army small arms, which were unsuitable for combat operations in dense urban areas. Bullets from live 5.45- and 7.62-mm cartridges gave a lot of ricochets and created a danger for passers-by who accidentally found themselves in the special operations zone. At the same time, the stopping effect of these bullets was not enough.
A weapon specially created for use in police special operations was the small-sized OTs-11 “Tiss” assault rifle. It was created in the early 1990s, and in 1993 the first batch of assault rifles of this type entered service with the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
In order to speed up the development and organization of mass production of new weapons, a standard AKS-74U assault rifle was used as a prototype, which was modified for new ammunition - SP cartridges. 5 and SP. 6.
Special automatic machine AS "Val"
Since the late 1980s. The AS “Val” special assault rifle (GRAU index 6P30) also entered service with special forces units of the KGB and the Soviet Army.
Currently, the AS "Val" is part of the armament of special forces units of many law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. The machine was developed by a group of designers from the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise headed by P. I. Serdyukov. It is part of a silent machine gun complex, which also includes a special machine gun cartridge SP. 6 and affiliation. The complex is designed to defeat the enemy during special operations in conditions requiring silent and flameless shooting.
When developing the AS “Val”, the VSS “Vintorez” rifle was used as a base; more than 70% of the parts and assemblies of these weapons were unified. Like a rifle, the machine gun has automatic reloading mechanisms that operate by using the energy of powder gases discharged through a side hole in the barrel. The barrel bore is locked using a rotating bolt, which has 6 lugs, using cutouts in the receiver. The rate of fire is 800 - 900 rounds/min, combat rate of fire is 40 - 60 rounds/min.
Underwater special assault rifle APS
Like the special underwater pistol SPP-1, the special underwater assault rifle APS is designed to arm scuba divers naval special forces Navy. Research aimed at creating underwater small arms has been carried out in the USSR since the late 1950s.
In the 1960s they were activated, as underwater saboteur units were created in the fleets of a number of NATO countries.
The result of many years of research and development work was a unique, still unparalleled in the world, APS automatic machine (“underwater special automatic machine”), developed by the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise. Its first versions were designed by P. A. Tkanev, an employee of this enterprise; subsequently, V. V. Simonov was the leading designer. The assault rifle was adopted by the naval special forces of the USSR Navy in 1975. Its production was organized at the Tula Arms Plant.
Although the APS assault rifle is designed for firing underwater, its design, in principle, differs little from conventional land-based models of automatic small arms. It has automatic reloading mechanisms, the operation of which is based on the use of the energy of powder gases removed from the bore of a smooth barrel when fired.
Automatic SR3 "Whirlwind"
Currently, the 9-mm small-sized SR assault rifle is currently being mass-produced and entering service with special forces units of various law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. Z. The machine was developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise A.D. Borisov and V.N. Levchenko. At the development stage, it was designated MA - a small-sized assault rifle; it was adopted into service in 1996 under the designation SR. Z (SR - special development).
Relatively small size and weight of the SR. These make it one of the most compact and convenient small arms for special operations, ensuring the destruction of protected targets at a range of up to 200 m. SR. The Z is designed on the basis of the 9-mm AS Val silent assault rifle, which, in turn, is a variant of the VSS Vintorez sniper rifle.
The main difference between SR. The main benefit of the prototype is the absence of a shot silencer, which made it possible to design the weapon as compact and suitable for concealed carry.
Submachine gun PP-93
Disadvantages of the PP-90 that reduce the effectiveness of its use by special forces units. These disadvantages include, first of all, the comparative long time bringing the PP-90 into combat position, as a result of which special forces soldiers did not always have time to respond with fire in time to a sudden enemy attack.
The insufficient length of the stock and unsatisfactory ergonomics also cause criticism.
Due to the fact that many of the shortcomings of the PP-90 were due to the need to ensure its folding when transferred to the stowed position, it was decided to develop a new submachine gun based on the PP-90, the compactness of which in the stowed position is ensured by the metal butt folding forward and upward. great length.
The Tula enterprise KBP presented a prototype of a new submachine gun under the designation PP-93 for testing in 1993. It is intended for arming special police units and internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The PP-93 can be used by crews of armored vehicles and helicopters; due to its compactness, the submachine gun is used for concealed carry by law enforcement officers.
PP-90 submachine gun
After what happened in the West in the late 1970s. kidnappings and murders of famous politicians and businessmen, the American Eugene Stoner (E. Stoner) developed a folding submachine gun FMG (Folding Submachine gun) for the security services, produced by Ares in a small series. In the stowed position, it looked like an inconspicuous metal box the size of a portable radio station, which within a few seconds turned into formidable weapon, capable of repelling an attack by armed terrorists.
The USSR became interested in a folding submachine gun. At the end of the 1980s. The Tula enterprise KBP was tasked with developing a similar weapon. A prototype of the Soviet folding submachine gun PP-90 was ready in 1991. After short tests, it was adopted by army and police special forces, and it also entered the units of the Main Directorate of Security and Federal service security of the Russian Federation. The PP-90 is close in design to the IMS submachine gun.
Shooting knife OTs-54 “Kit”
A very effective example of a personal weapon for fighters in special forces units is the OTs-54 “Komplekt” system.
The system includes a shooting knife, a saw with large teeth, an ax, as well as a carrying bag with compartments for an awl and other accessories necessary for long-term operations behind enemy lines.
The shooting knife is the main element of the OTs-54 system. It consists of a handle and a blade. The trigger mechanism of the firing device is mounted in the handle, made of electrically insulating material, and a blade is attached, approximately equal in length to the bayonet-knife of an AKM assault rifle. The firing device is designed in such a way that its 9-mm barrel chambered for the PM cartridge can be replaced with a barrel chambered for a different caliber. Options for a shooting knife chambered for 7.62 x 42 mm SP cartridges have been developed. 2 or SP. 3,5,45 x 18 mm MCP and 9 x 18 mm PM.
Scout shooting knife NRS/NRS-2
Shooting knives were personal weapons of attack and defense for military personnel of special reconnaissance units of the Soviet Army and the KGB of the USSR. They are also used by unit soldiers Russian special forces. Knives are designed to defeat an enemy in close combat with a blade, when striking or throwing, as well as with a shot without noise and flame at a distance of up to 25 m.
The first example of a shooting knife was the NRS (scout shooting knife), developed in the 1970s. under the leadership of R. D. Khlynin. The knife was assigned the index GRAU 6 P25.
The NRS was created on the basis of a conventional HP reconnaissance knife chambered for a 7.62 mm special SP cartridge. 3, ensuring silent and flameless firing. It differs from the basic sample in that a disposable firing device is mounted in the back of the handle, consisting of a detachable barrel with a locking device and two locking protrusions on the barrel, a trigger mechanism, a cocking lever, a safety lever and a release lever.
Underwater pistol SPP-1
Work on the creation of an underwater pistol for arming scuba divers of the naval special forces of the Navy began in the USSR in 1966. They ended in 1970 with the adoption by the Navy of an original pistol complex developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise O. P. Kravchenko and P. F. Sazonov . The complex consists of a 4.5 mm special underwater pistol (SPP-1) and an underwater pistol cartridge 4.5 x 39Ya SPS (with a steel bullet). The complex also includes ten cartridge clips, a holster made of artificial leather, a device for loading clips, a waist belt for carrying and three metal cases for loaded clips. Production of the complex was established at the Tula Arms Plant.
The “highlight” of the complex is the SPS underwater cartridge with a high elongation needle-shaped bullet inserted into a special sleeve with a blunt head. The action of the cartridge is based on the use of a physical phenomenon - cavitation (from the Latin savitas - “cavity”, “emptiness”).
PSS "Vul" pistol
In 1983, a unique pistol complex, intended for use as a personal weapon for covert attack and defense, entered service with special forces units of law enforcement ministries and departments of the USSR. Silent shooting and no flash when fired make this complex an almost ideal weapon for special operations. The complex was designed in the early 1980s. designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise Yu. M. Krylov and V. N. Levchenko. It includes the “7.62-mm self-loading special pistol PSS” (GRAU b P24 index), special gun ny cartridge SP. 4 and a holster.
The most interesting element of the complex, which ensures silent and flameless firing from a pistol, is the special SP cartridge. 4, which uses a very effective scheme for reducing the sound level of a shot - “cutting off” the powder gases.
Pistol SME "Groza"
In the 1960-1970s. In the USSR, various types of silent small arms were developed for the so-called cartridge with cut-off of powder gases. This weapon belongs to systems with the expansion of powder gases in a variable-closed volume and is intended to hit targets in special operations that require silent and flameless shooting.
One of the first types of weapons chambered for a cartridge with a cut-off of powder gases was created by the designers of the Tula Arms Plant in the late 1960s. It was a pistol with the factory designation T03-37 M. It was adopted into service by the Soviet Army and the KGB of the USSR in 1972 under the designation “7.62 mm small-sized special pistol (SME).” It was also given the name "Thunderstorm".
Pistol PB
The PB pistol (“silent pistol”, index GRAU 6 P9) was developed by the designer of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise A. A. Deryagin. It was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1967. The main purpose of the pistol is to silently defeat the enemy at short distances.
The PB was developed on the basis of the Makarovn PM pistol and is distinguished, first of all, by a modified design of the barrel and bolt, integrated with a silencer. The muffler consists of a casing with an expansion chamber placed on the barrel and a nozzle with a separator screwed to the front of the casing. When fired, the powder gases following the bullet enter the expansion chamber, where they lose energy and speed. For the same purpose, a nozzle with a separator is used, in which powder gases swirl in counter-flows. As a result, powder gases flow out of the hole in the front of the muffler at subsonic speed, without producing the sound of a shot. At the same time, complete muffling of all sound sources is not ensured; the sound is sharp
This should be understood as weapons created for the needs of special forces, counter-terrorism forces, and intelligence services. Of course, the very fact that a model is in service with “special forces” does not make it a special-purpose weapon. There are special fire and other tasks that are either difficult or completely impossible to accomplish using conventional means.
Based on this, special-purpose weapons include:
1. Concealed weapons. Here, first of all, we can distinguish weapons with a significantly reduced shot sound level, usually called “silent” or “silent and flameless shooting weapons.” Such weapons solve, in principle, standard fire tasks, but at the same time exhibit special properties (silence) that allow them to perform tasks in special conditions. “Silent” weapons are the most widespread and diverse among special-purpose weapons.
“Hidden use” also includes the so-called “indirect fire weapons”, or more precisely, weapons for shooting from behind cover, allowing the shooter to conduct aimed fire while completely in cover. We are not talking about remotely controlled weapons of tanks, armored vehicles or aircraft. We are talking here specifically about “handheld” weapons - the specificity of the task itself allows us to classify such weapons as special-purpose. Curved-barreled weapons are the most specific. It is obvious that when performing, in principle, standard fire missions, the use of such weapons will be hidden for the enemy, because the shooter is out of sight, and it is extremely difficult to detect only the muzzle of the barrel.
2. Sniper rifles with particularly high shooting accuracy. Unlike army (universal) sniper rifles, they are designed to destroy the enemy at long firing ranges (up to 1500 meters) or at shorter ranges, but guaranteed with the first shot. They are distinguished by precision manufacturing (often individual), the use of specially selected ammunition and powerful optics. As a rule, such rifles require the shooter to be highly skilled and careful in handling, since the requirements for high accuracy and accuracy of fire force them to reduce the trigger force and introduce a number of “thin” additional devices.
3. Large-caliber rifled weapons. Large-caliber long-barreled rifles, which entered service in some armies in the last two decades, still cause differences in their classification. Some sources classify them as sniper weapons, others classify them as a special class. It seems more correct to divide such weapons according to the range of fire tasks solved with their help. Mainly this is the destruction of fire and vehicles, military equipment(including lightly armored), infrastructure elements at medium and long firing ranges (600-1600 meters). And only secondarily - sniper tasks to destroy manpower at long ranges. Some short-barreled models of large-caliber weapons that have appeared in recent years (somewhere even called “carbines”) are not at all intended for solving sniper tasks and are adapted for close combat with the same task - defeating easily protected material and manpower wearing personal armor.
4. Armament of combat swimmers. We do not mean here weapons designed for air combat, which are only delivered under water. We are talking about weapons for underwater shooting. Due to the nature of the application environment, it requires special approaches to the development of both ammunition and the weapon itself. We have deliberately avoided the general term “underwater weapon” in order to separate special-purpose models from spearguns.
5. Concealed weapons. Otherwise, it is also called “camouflaged,” meaning a weapon that imitates other objects in its external form or is made specifically for installation in such objects. Disguising a blade, spring, firearm or pneumatic throwing device as a seemingly harmless and not too remarkable object that looks quite familiar in everyday life (a piece of clothing, accessories, hand luggage, a tool, etc.) means gaining the advantage of surprise. “Camouflaged” weapons also include models designed for concealed carry and sudden use, such as folding submachine guns or “machine gun cases.” This also includes some samples of “combined” weapons. The most typical example is a combat knife with a camouflaged shooting device.
6. Portable support equipment - special grenade launchers (rocket-propelled, recoilless, active) and mortars. These are especially lightweight and reduced samples, designed for use by special forces units, “silent” grenade launchers and mortars, as well as anti-sabotage weapons.
7. “Assault” portable weapons, designed to create a high density of fire and achieve high lethality in close combat. It is located at the junction of the linear military weapons and special purpose weapons.
Next, we will consider individual samples and systems of special-purpose small arms that have found use in the Russian armed forces. Special-purpose weapons are a professional’s tool and are accordingly designed for a certain level of training of the owner. It is extremely diverse in the types of damaging elements, design and methods of application.
Special-purpose weapons - for example, “silent” ones - can be created on the basis of existing samples of military or civilian and sporting weapons and standard ammunition. Newly created "cartridge-weapon" complexes make it possible to most fully coordinate the parameters of a weapon with its tasks. At the same time, it is true that the requirements of unification are not met and the price of weapons increases, but the relatively small volumes of production and the importance of the tasks being solved force them to sacrifice cost.
In the 1950s and 60s, the rapid growth of special forces began. In our country, a number of special-purpose weapons, including pistols, are being created and adopted for service. The most “massive” type of special-purpose weapons are those with a significantly reduced shot sound level - the so-called “silent” ones. The most common device for reducing the sound level of a shot, as is known, is an expansion-type muffler, which we often call a “silent and flameless shooting device” or SBS. Most widespread received multi-chamber expansion type mufflers. Such a muffler also plays the role of an effective flame arrester, completely eliminating the flash of a shot. In addition to mufflers in the form of removable muzzle attachments, so-called mufflers are used. "integrated" mufflers. Their action is based on a combination of a multi-chamber muffler in front of the muzzle of the barrel and preliminary removal of powder gases from the barrel bore. To do this, a number of holes are made in the walls of the barrel through which the powder gases following the bullet exit into the expansion chamber.
A similar design was used in the PB pistol (“silent pistol”, index 6P9), developed by TsNIITOCHMASH designer A. A. Deryagin using elements of the standard PM pistol. The PB pistol was adopted by order of the USSR Minister of Defense in July 1967.
The barrel length is slightly longer than that of the PM. The bore is chrome plated. The PBS consists of two sections - an expansion chamber integrated with the gun and a removable nozzle. The expansion chamber is put on the barrel, fixed on the front extension of the pistol frame, powder gases are diverted into it through holes made along the bottom of the barrel rifling. The removal of powder gases from the barrel reduces the bullet speed to 290 m/s, i.e., significantly lower than sound, and reduces the pressure level of the powder gases. For additional braking and cooling of gases, a roll of metal mesh surrounding the barrel is used. A removable attachment is attached to the front bushing of the camera using a nut-screw connection. Inside the cylindrical body of the nozzle there is a separator, which includes three washers installed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and the barrel. The separator washers form chambers in which the powder gases are crushed, gradually expand and lose their speed and temperature. After the bullet leaves, gases slowly flow out of the hole in the front of the muffler. The holes in the washers allow the bullet to pass freely through the nozzle.
The integrated expansion chamber forced significant changes in the design of the shutter and return mechanism. The bolt is shortened and covers the barrel only in the lower part from the sides. The helical return spring is mounted vertically in the handle and interacts with the bolt through a swinging transfer lever. The handle is fixed to the frame with a push-button latch. The trigger mechanism and magazine latch are similar to the PM pistol. The rear sight and front sight have luminous inserts for shooting in low light conditions.
In addition to the “army” special forces, the PB was also supplied to the special forces of the internal affairs bodies and units of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The sound suppression is quite effective - when firing, only the faint metallic clang of the bolt is heard. The advantages of the pistol include the use of a standard, mass-produced 9x18 PM cartridge. Together with the unification of the system with the PM pistol, this facilitated its operation and supply of ammunition. Serial production of PB is carried out at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant.
PB
Caliber................................................. ....................9 mm
Cartridge................................................. .............9 x 18 PM
Weight without cartridges........................................................ 0.97 kg
Length without nozzle........................................................ .170 mm
Length with nozzle................................................... ..310 mm
starting speed bullets...................................290 m/s
Combat rate of fire.........................30 rounds/min
Sighting range...................................50 m
Magazine capacity...................................8 rounds
In 1972, the “silent automatic pistol” (APB, index 6P13), developed by TsNIITOCHMASH designer A. S. Neugodov based on the Stechkin automatic pistol, was adopted for service. During development, the pistol received the index AO-44. Like the APS, the APB pistol has automatic operation based on blowback recoil, an inertial rate of fire retarder, a hammer strike mechanism, a safety lever, and a sector sight.
The elongated APB barrel is surrounded by an integrated chamber into which powder gases are discharged through holes made in the barrel walls along the bottom of the rifling. Due to the combination of the 9x18 NM pistol cartridge with partial bleeding of gases from the bore of the barrel, the initial speed of the bullet is obviously lower than the sound speed. After the bullet leaves the bore, the gases from the expansion chamber return to the barrel and flow out through the muzzle with reduced temperature and pressure. The muzzle of the barrel protrudes from the bolt and has threads for attaching a removable nozzle- nozzle inside it is divided into expansion chambers by four steel partitions with holes. The original feature was the literal “fitting” of the integrated expansion chamber into the contours of the shutter.
Instead of a holster-butt, like the APS, the APB received a removable butt made of steel wire. In the stowed position, the “attachments” were secured with a latch on the butt.
Increasing the weight of the weapon in the firing position and shifting the center of gravity forward improved the accuracy of fire compared to the basic APS.
The APB pistol entered service with special purpose reconnaissance units of the Soviet Army, as well as special units Ministry of Internal Affairs. During Afghan war in special-purpose companies, the APB pistol was usually used as an armament for squad commanders as additional weapons, as well as for signalmen and heavy weapons crews. GRU special forces soldiers usually wore the APB with the butt and attachment mounted on the shoulder strap, or - without the butt - tucked into the elements of the equipment.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the APB
Cartridge................................................. ...................9 x 18 PM
Weight with loaded magazine and attachment..............1.65 kg
Weight of nozzle......................................................... .............0.4 kg
Weight of wire stock......................................0.2 kg
Magazine capacity................................................... ...20 rounds
The SP4 cartridge became next step in the development of special ammunition for silent and flameless firing weapons with cut-off of powder gases in the cartridge case. The piston rests directly on an elongated blunt-pointed bullet, which is a cylinder made of hard alloy, to the top of which a brass drive belt is attached. The belt cuts into the rifling of the barrel and ensures that the bullet rotates around its axis. By the time the bullet completely leaves the cartridge case, its belt has already reached the muzzle. After the shot, the piston remains completely in the cartridge, so that the length of the spent cartridge case does not exceed the length of the cartridge before the shot. The PSS pistol is chambered for this cartridge. A new pistol complex was created at the Central Research Institute-TOCHMASH (Klimovsk). The sound level of a PSS shot is in the range between a shot from an air rifle and the clapping of palms. A bullet weighing 10 g at a distance of 25 m pierces a bulletproof vest of the 1st protection class or a steel helmet.
The relatively short length of the spent cartridge case made it possible to implement a self-loading mode of operation of the weapon - with automatic removal of the cartridge from the chamber by a longitudinally moving bolt and removing it outside the weapon. However, after a shot, a high pressure of powder gases remains in the chamber of the cartridge case, so the self-loading mode of operation of the weapon was a considerable achievement and required special measures. The automatic operation of the PSS pistol has an original design using the recoil energy of a free bolt and a movable chamber - the latter, under the influence of recoil, moves back somewhat along with the rolling bolt. Separating the rifled part of the barrel from the chamber eliminates the formation of rarefaction behind the bullet (powder gases do not enter the barrel), which, after the bullet leaves the barrel, can cause an audible pop.
The return spring is placed on the frame bushing above the barrel. In the front part of the bolt there is a lock in the form of a rotating sleeve with recesses for the fingers.
The ejector is located on the right side of the bolt.
The trigger mechanism of the pistol is trigger-type, provides a self-cocking shot or with pre-cocking, and includes a non-automatic safety catch. In order to unify and reduce the costs of development and production, the firing mechanism as a whole is borrowed from the standard PM. The safety lock, like that of the PM, when turned on, ensures safe release of the hammer from combat cocking and setting the hammer to safety cocking. The lower end of the mainspring forms the magazine latch.
The one-piece plastic handle is attached with a screw to the frame extension. Food comes from a detachable box magazine with a single-row arrangement of cartridges. Due to the greater length of the cartridge, the handle turned out to be larger than that of the PM. The PSS pistol is superior to the non-automatic MSP and S-4M in both combat rate of fire and muzzle energy of the bullet, with the same degree of reduction in the shot sound level.
The production of PSS was established by the Tula Arms Plant. The SP4 cartridge is also used in the firing device of the “special reconnaissance knife” NRS-2 and in the “special revolver” OTs-38.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the PSS
Caliber................................................. ........................7.62 mm
Cartridge................................................. ............................SP4
Weight with cartridges................................................... ..........0.88 kg
Weapon length........................................................ ...............165 mm
Barrel length................................................... ...............35 mm
Initial bullet speed.............................................200 m /With
Combat rate of fire................................6-8 rds/min
Sighting range................................................... ....50 m
Magazine capacity................................................... ....6 rounds
“Transforming” conventional types of military weapons into “silent” ones by installing a silent and flameless firing device and using a variant of a standard cartridge with a reduced bullet speed is a fairly simple and convenient way. However, basic models of weapons and cartridges are usually created without taking into account the requirements of “silent” shooting. Therefore, a new step in the development of silent weapons was the special development of “cartridge-weapon” complexes that more fully meet the specific requirements for such weapons.
The silent sniper complex was created at TsNIITOCHMASH (Klimovsk) by P.I. Serdkzhov and V.F. Krasnikov and put into service in 1987. The complex includes a special sniper rifle (VSS Vintorez, index 6P29) and a special 9-mm SPb cartridge.
The St. Petersburg sniper cartridge was created by N.V. Zabelin and L.S. Dvoryaninova. The bullet has a bimetallic jacket and a core consisting of steel and lead parts. A heavy bullet remains stable along the trajectory and, in addition to high accuracy, also provides good penetration. It is also possible to fire the SPb cartridge with a bullet of increased penetration. The sound level is significantly lower than that of a sporting small-bore rifle. The weapon is also distinguished by the relatively “quiet” operation of its automation and firing mechanism.
The VSS rifle is automatic with a gas engine with removal of powder gases from the barrel bore and a long stroke of the piston rigidly connected to the bolt frame. The barrel is locked by turning the bolt, the six lugs of which engage with the cutouts of the receiver. The receiver is milled from steel, which provides greater rigidity compared to a stamped receiver. Relatively softly perceived recoil contributes to shooting accuracy.
The impact mechanism is striker-type, with a light striker, which also helps improve shooting accuracy. The firing pin mainspring is located below the recoil spring behind the bolt. Non-automatic fuse - flag. A separate fire type translator is located inside the trigger guard behind the trigger; its right position corresponds to single fire, the left to automatic fire.
When fired, powder gases are diverted into the integrated muffler through holes made along the bottom of the rifling in the walls of a relatively short barrel (in front of the gas outlet) and through the muzzle. When fired, as the bullet moves along the barrel, the powder gases pass into the muffler cylinder. A separator is located in the cylinder in front of the muzzle of the barrel. The end caps and inclined partitions of the separator have holes along the axis of the muffler for the passage of bullets. The bullet passes through the partitions, and the powder gases, hitting them, change direction, lose speed and temperature. An open sector sight and front sight are mounted on the silencer. The silencer is easily separated from the weapon and disassembled for cleaning, but firing from a weapon with the silencer removed is not allowed.
The permanent frame-shaped wooden stock is equipped with an elastic butt.
On the left wall of the receiver there is a bar for attaching brackets for optical or night sights. The PSO-1-1 sight or night sight is mounted on the VSS. The PSO-1-1 sight is similar to the PSO-1 sight of the SVD sniper rifle, but with remote scales for the ballistics of SPB and SPb cartridges. A scope can be used for shooting at night
NSPU-3, 1PN75. MBNGM8 (VSSN rifle). When firing single shots from the VSS at a distance of 400 m, the dispersion diameter of a series of 10 shots with an SP5 cartridge should not exceed 11 cm.
For concealed carrying, the rifle can be easily disassembled into large parts: a muffler, a stock, a receiver with a barrel and a trigger mechanism. The magazine is box-shaped, with a plastic case with a staggered arrangement of 10 rounds.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the VSS
Caliber................................................. ........................9 mm
Cartridge................................................. ..........SP5, SP6 (9 x 39)
Weight without optical sight and cartridges.................2.45 kg
Length................................................. ...........................894 mm
Initial bullet speed.............................................290 m /With
Rate of fire........................................800-900 rounds ./min
Combat rate of fire.........................30/60 rounds/min
Sighting range
with optical sight........................................................ .400 m
with night sight........................................................ .......300 m
with an open sight................................................... ...400 m
Magazine capacity................................................... ..10 rounds
The silent assault rifle complex, which includes a special assault rifle (AS “Val”, index 6P30) and the SP6 cartridge, which entered service in 1989, constitutes one “family” of weapons with a silent sniper complex. 70% of the parts and components of the VSS rifle and the AC assault rifle are unified.
The machine gun has a skeletal metal stock that folds to the left, a plastic pistol grip that folds to the left, and a plastic pistol grip; it is used with a magazine with a capacity of 20 rounds.
The St. Petersburg cartridge, designed by Yu. S. Frolov and ES Kornilova, is equipped with a bullet of increased penetration. A hardened steel core of greater length than that of SP5a protrudes from the shell. The SPb cartridge, with its accuracy slightly worse than that of the SP58, allows it to hit live targets protected by class 2-3 body armor and an armored helmet, or unarmored vehicles at ranges of up to 400m, or unarmored vehicles - the bullet pierces a 4-mm steel sheet. The similarity of the ballistics of SP5 and SPb bullets allows them to be fired on the same sight setting.
For an assault rifle, reducing the noise level serves not only for stealth use, but also to reduce the acoustic load on the shooter and provide the possibility of voice communication when fighting in close quarters, underground structures, etc.
VSS and AS are produced by the Tula Arms Plant for special forces units of several law enforcement agencies.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the speaker
Caliber................................................. ........................9 mm
Cartridge................................................. ............SP5, SP6 (9x39)
Weight without cartridges........................................................ .........2.5 kg
Weapon length:
with folded butt...................................875 mm
with folded butt..............................................615 mm
Barrel length................................................... ................200 mm
Rate of fire.........................................800--900 rounds ./min
Combat rate of fire.........................40/60 rounds/min
Sighting range with open sight......400 m
Magazine capacity................................................... ..20 rounds
In 1995, the Tula Instrument Design Bureau, as part of a family of weapons created on the basis of the 9A-91 assault rifle, introduced the “silent” 9-mm automatic sniper rifle VSK-94. You can use SP5 and SPb cartridges with the rifle. PAB-9. The latter's bullet is capable of penetrating a steel plate 8 mm thick at a range of 100 m. VSK-94 has found use in various law enforcement agencies as a weapon for covert destruction of manpower, including those using personal armor and unarmored objects at a range of up to 400 m. In 2002 . VSK-94 was adopted by the army.
The automatic weapon has a gas engine and operates according to a scheme with a long stroke of the gas piston (the gas piston is rigidly connected to the bolt frame). To give the piston rod the required length, the gas chamber is extended forward from the gas outlet of the barrel. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt with four lugs. The bolt carrier has a folding charging handle.
The hammer-type trigger mechanism allows single and automatic fire. The non-automatic translator safety is of the flag type; its flag is mounted on the left side and has an almost inaudible (compared to, for example, AKM or SVD) click. When the safety is turned on, the flag blocks the groove for the reloading handle to pass through.
The cartridges are fed from a double-row detachable box magazine with a staggered arrangement of cartridges. Magazines with a capacity of 20 and 10 rounds can be used - when using the latter, the impact of ammunition consumption on the balance of the weapon is reduced. The declared dispersion diameter when shooting at a distance of 100 m is no more than 10 cm.
The “transformation” of the 9A-91 assault rifle into a “silent” sniper rifle was accompanied by the installation of a removable silencer, a detachable non-folding frame plastic stock with a rubber shock absorber, made integral with the pistol grip. The silencer significantly reduces the sound level when fired and completely eliminates the muzzle flash, allowing you to covertly hit targets at ranges of up to 400 m. The absence of a muzzle flash, in addition to reducing the unmasking signs of a shot, has a positive effect on working with night vision scopes. There are no replaceable elements in the muffler design. In close combat, the 6SK-94 can also be used as an assault rifle.
The standard side rail on the receiver allows for mounting sights - day sights LKS-07 or night sights developed by KBP (both with an aiming mark in the form of a red dot). The glowing red dot reduces the time it takes to re-aim when shooting while moving the aiming point. When the battery is used up or fails, the red dot of the IKS 07 sight does not disappear, but turns black, and the sight remains operational. The PKS-07 sight with 7x magnification and a 3° field of view has a simple elliptical rangefinder in its field of view - quickly determining the distance to the target is especially important for weapons with low bullet speeds. The PKN-OZM night sight is built on the basis of a second-generation electro-optical converter and allows targeted fire on a moonless cloudy night at a distance of up to 200 m, and in the light of the Moon - up to 350 m. To improve visibility, there is a switchable IR illuminator. VSK-94 was also demonstrated with the PSO-1-1 optical day sight. The mechanical sight is designed for firing ranges of 100, 200, 300 and 400 m. Like the VSSE, the VSK-94 rifle can be easily disassembled for carrying in a special case. Assembling the rifle takes about one minute.
Tactical and technical characteristics of VSK-94
Caliber................................................. ........................9 mm
Cartridge................................................. ..........SP.5, SP.6 (9x39)
Weight without magazine and optical sight......2.7 kg
Length with muffler................................................................... ......900 mm
Barrel length................................................... ................230 mm
Initial bullet speed...................................270-290 m/s
Rate of fire.........................................700-900 rounds. /min
Combat rate of fire........................30/90 rds/min
Sighting range................................................... ..400 m
Magazine capacity...................................10 or 20 rounds
In 2002, TsKIB SOO (a branch of the Tula KBP) presented a new 12.7-mm sniper complex under the motto “Exhaust”. Development work on this topic began in 1999 by order of the FSB of the Russian Federation. After modifications in 2004, this complex entered service. It was first presented openly in 2005. The trial operation of the complex by FSB special forces in combat conditions was successful.
The peculiar intersection of two directions in this complex - “silent” and large-caliber sniper rifles - made it possible to create a weapon that combines minimal unmasking signs of a shot with the ability to hit an enemy protected by personal armor protection or located behind various obstacles (door, glazing, thin wall, car trim and etc.), as well as enemy technical and transport vehicles. And at the same time, in size and weight, the weapon is close to an ordinary sniper rifle of normal caliber.
The complex includes a repeating “large-caliber special rifle” (VKS) with a removable silencer and special 12.7 mm cartridges with subsonic bullet speed. Several options for the 12.7 mm cartridge are presented:
- sniper STs-130 PT of increased accuracy with a shell bullet weighing 59 g, similar to the bullet of the 12.7 CH cartridge. Muzzle energy of a bullet;
- about 2500 J. The accuracy of fire with such a cartridge, as declared by the manufacturer, is characterized by a dispersion diameter of 2.5 cm at a distance of 100 m, i.e. fits within 1 arc minute;
- sniper STs-130 PT2 of increased accuracy with a solid (single-component) bronze bullet;
- sniper STs-130 VPS with high penetration ability - with an armor-piercing bullet weighing 76 g with a heat-strengthened core protruding from the shell. This cartridge is designed to defeat manpower wearing personal armor of protection class 5-6 or lightly armored vehicles at ranges of up to 200 m; - training STs-130 PU, designed for teaching loading techniques and testing the operation of weapon mechanisms.
As stated, the bullet from the STs-130VPS cartridge at a range of 100 m ensures penetration of body armor of class 5 protection, and at a distance of 200 meters it penetrates a steel plate 16 mm thick. The cartridges are specially made, made on the basis of a special cartridge case, the total length of the cartridge is 97 mm. The heavy bullet allows you to achieve an effective firing range of 600 m - 185 times greater than that of the 9-mm VSS and VSK-94 sniper rifles.
The VKS rifle itself is of “TsKIB” origin >” and is configured according to the “bullpup” design with a box-shaped detachable 5-place magazine located behind the pistol grip. The rifle is distinguished by a straight (without rotation) movement of the reloading handle.
An optical or night sight is mounted on top of the receiver, and there are also mechanical sighting devices. The rifle is equipped with a folding bipod in the middle part.
It is worth remembering that the very idea of a subsonic 12.7 mm cartridge with a heavy bullet is not new. Back in the 1950s, the famous designer M. M. Blum proposed increasing the effective range of “subsonic” ammunition for weapons with a silencer by switching to a 12.7 mm caliber, but then this remained at the experimental level. Now the same idea has been implemented by other designers and under new conditions.
Tactical and technical characteristics Exhaust
Caliber................................................. ........................12.7 mm
Cartridge................................................. .......12.7?54 mm STs-130
Weight without optical sight and cartridges.................6.3 kg
Length in firing position...................................795 mm
Length in stowed position...................................640 mm
Initial bullet speed...................................290 m/ With
Combat rate of fire........................30/60 rounds/min
Sighting range................................................... ...600 m
Magazine capacity................................................... ....5 rounds
This compact complex, made on the basis of a shortened AKSB 74U assault rifle, and which entered service with special forces units of the Soviet Army in the early 1980s, combines not only two types of projectiles (a bullet and a grenade), but also two basic principles for reducing the sound level of a shot - expansion of powder gases and their cutoff in the chamber.
Earlier, in the 1970s, the special silent rifle-grenade launcher system “Silence” entered service with special forces units of the Soviet Army, which included a “silent” modification of the 7.62-mm Kalashnikov AKMS assault rifle (with the PBS-1 silent and flameless firing device) and special 30-mm silent under-barrel grenade launcher. But with the adoption of a new small arms system chambered for the 5.45 mm low-pulse automatic cartridge into service in the mid-1970s, the need arose for a corresponding modernization of the silent small arms and grenade launcher system. The complex retained the same concept, and was based on a shortened 5.45-mm AKSB 74U assault rifle and a 30-mm silent grenade launcher BS-1 (BS-1M).
The special rifle-grenade launcher complex was named “Canary” (index 6S1). The assault rifle is a modification of the AKSB 74U (index 6P27), modified to mount a 30-mm grenade launcher. The silent and flameless firing device PBS-4 is attached to the muzzle of the machine gun barrel.
The main purpose of the grenade launcher was initially to destroy targets such as fuel tanks, parked aircraft, cabins with electronic equipment, operational-tactical missile launchers, etc.
The grenade launcher, operating according to the gas cut-off scheme, is adjacent to the lower part of the forend and barrel of the machine gun, which has the corresponding attachment points. That is, unlike the “regular” under-barrel grenade launchers GP-25 and GP-30, the silent grenade launcher cannot be attached to any standard machine gun. The grenade launcher's ammunition is a 30-mm grenade, the cumulative warhead of which pierces a steel sheet about 10 mm thick. Due to the peculiarities of the weapon design (a shot with cut-off of powder gases), the grenade does not have its own propellant charge. The grenade is inserted into the barrel of the grenade launcher from the muzzle and pushed out by a piston driven by a special blank cartridge for throwing, loaded from the breech (so the grenade launcher has separate loading, both from the muzzle and from the breech). The loaded grenade is held by spring bends in the walls of the barrel. In flight, the grenade is stabilized by rotation - on the body of the grenade there are three ready-made protrusions that fit into 3 screw rifling of the barrel bore when loading.
The throwing cartridges are loaded into a magazine, which is located in the pistol grip of the grenade launcher, and are fed into the chamber from the breech using a rifle-type sliding bolt. The grenade launcher has a firing mechanism with a trigger and a non-automatic safety catch.
The throwing cartridge, unlike standard blank machine gun cartridges, does not have an elongated cartridge case. The case muzzle is compressed with an asterisk, as in conventional blank cartridges. When fired, the powder gases of the throwing cartridge act on the piston, the piston pushes the grenade out of the barrel and locks (cuts off) the powder gases in the chamber, which ensures a silent and flameless shot. The targeted firing range of a grenade at the Canary complex has increased compared to the Silence complex - up to 400 m.
The flip-up rack-mount sight of the grenade launcher is mounted on the base of the machine gun's sight and has a rear sight that, when aiming, is combined with the machine's standard front sight. The machine gun's sight itself is designed to fire a US bullet at a subsonic initial speed.
To soften the recoil of the grenade launcher, a shock absorber is placed on the butt plate of the butt.
Tactical technical characteristics
AKSB-74U with BS-1 grenade launcher
Caliber................................................. ................................5.45/30 mm
Cartridge................................................. ...................................5.45 x 39
Weight of no cartridges and no grenades.................................................... .5.43 kg
Sighting range......400 m (bullet), 400 m (grenade)
Automatic magazine capacity...................................20 or 30 rounds
Grenade launcher magazine capacity........................8 special cartridges
To solve a number of special problems, the capabilities of special small arms, which provide silent and flameless bullet shooting, turn out to be insufficient. Tasks such as the destruction of missiles on the move and at launch positions, helicopters and airplanes on the ground, the disruption of important control links and others, including sabotage, require the use of more powerful weapons that combine the same special properties with a greater destructive effect.
In the 1970s, the special silent rifle-grenade launcher system “Silence” entered service with special forces units of the Soviet Army. The complex included a 7.62-mm AKMS assault rifle with a silent and flameless firing device PBS-1 and a special 30-mm silent under-barrel grenade launcher.
The PBS-1 device is screwed onto the threaded seat of the muzzle of the machine gun barrel instead of a compensator. The device is a cylindrical chamber divided into compartments by steel washers. The washers are fastened with three steel rods. Holes are made in the center of the washers for free passage of zeros. In front of the first compartment from the muzzle of the machine gun barrel there is a solid rubber washer, which initially (newly installed) had no holes. In front of the washer there is an additional chamber for the transfer of powder gases with four holes around the circumference, opening into an expansion chamber at the base of the PBS, which also has four holes around the circumference of the body.
When the bullet passes the muzzle of the barrel, the powder gases rushing behind it enter the transfer chamber and some of the gases are redirected through the holes in the chamber into the expansion chamber, where, having lost pressure and temperature, they are released into the atmosphere through the external holes. Thus, in general, the pressure and temperature of the powder gases drop. Continuing to move, the bullet pierces the rubber washer, the edges of the washer hole, due to the elasticity of the rubber, close and create an obstacle to the passage of gases that expand after the bullet. Passing through the hole in the washer, the gases again lose speed. Having passed the hole in the washer, the powder gases enter the expansion chamber. Due to the volume of the chamber, which exceeds the volume of the barrel bore, and the presence of separation washers, the pressure of the gases decreases and their temperature drops.
This ensures the absence of a muzzle flame when fired - flamelessness - and reduces the sound of the shot to a level normal for weapons with a silencer. The hole of the washer gradually increases, the rubber wears out from high mechanical and temperature loads, so the washer is a replaceable element of PBS-1. PBS-1 weight - 640 g, length - 196 mm, largest diameter - 53 mm.
Firing from a machine gun with PBS-1 is carried out only with special US (reduced velocity) cartridges with a subsonic muzzle velocity. The bullet tip of the cartridges is painted black with a green border.
The most interesting component of the complex can be considered a 30-mm under-barrel silent grenade launcher. The grenade launcher is attached to the lower part of the forend and barrel of the machine gun, which has corresponding attachment points. That is, unlike the “regular” under-barrel grenade launchers GP-25 and GP-30, the silent grenade launcher cannot be attached to any standard machine gun. The grenade launcher's ammunition is a 30 mm grenade, cumulative combat unit which pierces a steel sheet about 10 mm thick. Due to the peculiarities of the weapon design (a shot with cut-off of powder gases), the grenade does not have its own propellant charge. The energy of the powder gases of a special throwing cartridge is used. The throwing cartridge, unlike standard 7.62x39 blank machine gun cartridges, does not have an extended cartridge case. The cartridges are loaded into a special magazine, which is placed in the pistol grip of the grenade launcher.
The grenade launcher is equipped with a rifle-type sliding bolt, which reloads the grenade launcher with cartridges for throwing from the breech of the weapon and locks the barrel bore. However, the grenade itself is inserted into the barrel of the grenade launcher from the muzzle side, so the grenade launcher is, in fact, muzzle-loading. The grenade is held in the barrel by spring latches. In flight, the grenade is stabilized by rotation - on the body of the grenade there are three ready-made protrusions that fit into 3 screw rifling of the barrel bore when loading the grenade.
When fired, the powder gases do not act directly on the bottom of the grenade, but on a special piston, which pushes the grenade out of the barrel and locks (cuts off) the powder gases in the chamber, which ensures a silent and flameless shot. The initial speed of the grenade is 100 m/s.
The sighting device of the grenade launcher is a folding frame bar, which has a rear sight that is combined with the standard front sight of the machine gun when firing. The bar is attached to the machine gun sight block and is equipped with a mechanism for introducing lateral corrections. The aiming bar of the machine gun is also additionally equipped with a clamp with a mechanism for introducing lateral corrections and is designed for firing cartridges with US bullets.
With the transition to a new caliber in the mid-1970s and the adoption of a small arms complex chambered for the 5.45x39 cartridge into service by the Soviet Army, the need arose for a corresponding modernization of the silent rifle-grenade launcher complex. However, it was not possible to successfully solve this problem on the basis of the AK 74 assault rifle (AKS 74). With a small caliber, the relative length of the machine gun barrel, with the same dimensions of the weapon, has become significantly larger. And the bullets of the US (reduced velocity) cartridges, used for silent shooting, gave unstable ballistics. Therefore, further work was continued with a shortened modification of the 5.45 mm assault rifle - AKS 74U.
Tactical technical characteristics
rifle-grenade launcher complex "Silence"
Caliber................................................. ................................7.62/30 mm
Cartridge................................................. ...................................7.62 x 39
Weight without cartridges and without grenade....................................about 6 kg
Length with stock folded back.................................................... ..900 mm
Sighting range................................................................... 300 m
Initial speed of the grenade................................................... ....105 m/s
Automatic magazine capacity......................................................... 30 rounds
Grenade launcher magazine capacity......................10 special cartridges
For the “jewelry” work of a sniper at short ranges - up to 50-70 m - the gunsmiths of the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant offered the SV-99 rifle chambered for a 5.6-mm rimfire cartridge of type .22 LR. The use of such a low-power cartridge results in a reduction in the size and weight of the weapon, a small recoil impulse, a low level of muzzle pressure and insignificant flame formation. A soft, jacketless 5.6-mm bullet has sufficient lethal effect, but its low penetration ability greatly limits the range of tasks it can solve and requires hitting unprotected areas of the body. Such rifles are applicable, for example, in populated areas, where aimed shooting is carried out almost the width of the street. The SV-99 rifle was developed by V. F. Susloparov based on the biathlon rifle BI-7-2 (“Biathlon-7-2”) and a related rifle hunting rifle"Sable" - both models were produced by Izhmash.
The rifle barrel is made by cold radial forging; the bore has 6 screw grooves and is not chrome-plated (to improve shooting accuracy). A longitudinally sliding bolt of direct movement locks the barrel bore using a hinge-lever device, which together with the bolt forms a crank-slider locking mechanism. It allows you to quickly reload a weapon with a short backward movement of the hand. By pulling the reloading handle located on the right, the shooter causes the locking lever (crank) to unfold, swinging in a horizontal plane and pulling the connecting rod along with it. As a result, the levers of the locking mechanism fold to the right, retracting the bolt, and the hammer of the firing mechanism is cocked. To return the bolt forward, the shooter pushes the reloading handle forward, while the bolt sends the upper cartridge in the magazine into the chamber. In addition to the possibility of increasing the combat rate of fire, the articulated locking mechanism is also characterized by smooth and low-noise operation.
The impact mechanism is hammer-type, with a screw mainspring and a separate firing pin mounted in the bolt. The trigger mechanism ensures release with warning. The trigger force is adjustable from 0.5 to 1.0 kgf. The trigger mechanism is assembled in a separate housing and is equipped with a non-automatic safety lock. The operation of the mechanism almost does not interfere with aiming and is characterized by low noise.
Food comes from a detachable box magazine with a single-row arrangement of 5 rounds. The magazine does not protrude from the box. The raised position of the upper cartridge in the magazine before chambering prevents it from clinging to the edge. It is also possible to equip it with an enlarged magazine with a capacity of 10 rounds.
The optical sight is mounted on top of the receiver using a dovetail mount. You can use a PO 4x34 or PO 6x42 sight.
The stock is walnut, with the back of the head and “cheek” adjustable vertically and horizontally (butt length adjustment is up to 20 mm). An adjustable bipod and a wrist rest can be placed on a metal guide in the forend - such rests are used in both sports and sniper weapons. At the bottom of the butt there is a cassette for two spare 5-place magazines.
Since the requirements for the rifle required the ability to work in tight spaces, the stock was made detachable; a wooden pistol grip could be installed instead - a solution not often found in sniper weapons, but useful when carrying out special operations.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the SV-99
Caliber................................................. ...........................5, 6mm
Cartridge................................................. ........................... .22 LR
Weight of weapon without cartridges and sight....................................3.75 kg
Length with stock and silencer................................980 mm
Barrel length................................................... ................350 mm
Sighting range.............................................up to 100 m
Magazine capacity........................5 or 10 rounds
In the 1970s, on instructions from the Ministry of Defense and the KGB of the USSR, work began on creating a special knife equipped with a shooting device. Thus, the question arose about turning the scout knife into a combined weapon. This increased the number of silent and flameless weapons in reconnaissance units.
In Tula, under the leadership of R.D. Khlynin, a version of the knife with a firing device chambered for the 7.62-mm special SPZ cartridge was developed.
The NRS (“special reconnaissance knife”, index 6P25) adopted by the Soviet Army is similar in appearance to a regular HP knife (6P25U). The knife is designed to defeat the enemy as a bladed weapon. The knife is also a working tool - its blade with one-and-a-half sharpening and a file on the butt can be used for cutting rope, slings, detonating cord, sawing strong wooden or steel rods, used as a screwdriver, etc. The sheath has a device for cutting wire with a diameter of up to 2.5 mm, telephone cable with a diameter of up to 5 mm and electrical cables with voltages up to 380 V.
The firing device is mounted in the cavity of the rear part of the knife handle and consists of a detachable barrel with a locking device at the end and two locking protrusions made on the barrel, a box, a trigger mechanism, a cocking lever, a safety lever and a release lever. The muzzle of the barrel at the end of the handle is covered with a split rubber curtain.
To fire, the knife is turned with the handle forward; the aiming device is a slot on the knife stop and a protrusion on the plastic handle. The protrusions on the other side of the stop serve as hooks for removing the spent cartridge case from the barrel.
With the adoption of a new silent pistol complex, which included a 7.62-mm special SP4 cartridge and a PSS self-loading pistol, a new special reconnaissance knife was developed for this cartridge. The development of a knife with a firing device chambered for the SP4 cartridge was carried out at TOZ by designers G. A. Savishchev, I. F. Shedlos and V. Ya. Ovchinnikov. And in 1986, the special reconnaissance knife NRS-2 was adopted for service, and at the same time the “non-shooting” NR-2, made on its basis, was adopted. The scabbard was modified - on the handle of the pliers and the adjacent surface of the scabbard, holes were made for crimping detonator caps, and a short flat screwdriver appeared at the end of the scabbard. The NRS-2 blade is somewhat improved compared to the NRS. In particular, the smoother front bevel provided more reliable piercing of thick quilted garments, i.e. In addition to improving the “working” qualities of the knife, they also improved the “combat” qualities - combat experience had an impact.
The trigger mechanism, assembled in the handle, has a cocking lever, a non-automatic safety lever and a trigger lever. For aiming, there is a slot on the knife stop and a metal front sight on the head of the handle. Although the aimed firing range is set at 25 m, effective shooting is possible at noticeably shorter ranges.
The shot is possible with an outstretched arm, but shooting with two hands provides a much more stable hold of the LDC. Using a cartridge with a cut-off of powder gases in the case eliminates the flame and sound of the shot, as well as the danger of burning your hand from powder gases.
The NRS-2 kit includes a leather attachment for attaching the knife to the belt and a rubber one for wearing on the leg. The delivery set also includes: a handle insert (for training in knife throwing without a shooting device), a pouch for four cartridges and a pencil case with accessories.
The modern army “shooting knife” is a special-purpose weapon for use in special operations.
TTX NRS NRS-2
Weight of knife without sheath, g...................325........... .................360
Blade length, mm...................................158. ...........................160
Dimensions of the knife in sheath, mm.........322 x 63 x 30.5...........330 x 64 x 32.5
Dimensions of the knife without sheath, mm....280 x 52.5 x 30.5........285 x 52.5 x 32.5
Cartridge type................................................... ....SP.3........................SP.4
Initial bullet speed, m/s....................140................... ....185-200
Combat rate of fire rds/min................2................................. ....2
The task for the development of an underwater pistol complex for arming scuba divers was issued in 1968. From several schemes - using an active-reactive and active throwing principle for further work the “active” scheme was chosen. The weapon was developed as a multi-barreled non-automatic weapon.
The development of weapons at TsNIITOCH-MASH was carried out by V.V. Simonov (great-nephew of the famous domestic gunsmith S.G. Simonov), the 4.5-mm SPS cartridge - P.F. Sazonov and O.P. Kravchenko. The work was carried out in collaboration with the Tula Arms Plant. In 1971, the SPS cartridge and a four-barreled pistol for it were adopted for service. The pistol received the designation SPP-1 (“special underwater pistol, first sample”).
800 times), pressure, viscosity. Moreover, water is incompressible. A bullet with an insignificant relative elongation (the ratio of the length of the bullet to the caliber) will simply tip over; the gyroscopic effect will not ensure stability of movement of such a bullet in water. However, if you move to a different barrel and bullet design, the disadvantages can be turned into advantages.
The bullet of the SPS underwater cartridge has a mass of 13.2 g of high elongation (about 25:1 - bullet length 115 mm) with a blunt nose. The stability of the movement of such a bullet under water is ensured by the formation of a cavitation cavity (cavity) around it almost along its entire length - the phenomenon of hydrodynamic cavitation manifests itself when the bullet moves in water at high speed. The cavitation cavity helps stabilize the bullet's movement. And since there is no need to “twist” the bullet in the barrel, the shot is fired from a smooth barrel through which the bullet travels with a gap. The SPS cartridge case has a protruding rim.
The effective firing range of the SPS cartridge bullet under water decreases with increasing depth, but in all cases exceeds the line-of-sight range at the corresponding depth.
At the same time, the bullet ensures reliable defeat of an enemy in a wetsuit. In addition, the SPP can be used to protect the swimmer from dangerous sea predators. The effective firing range of the SPS cartridge bullet under water decreases with increasing depth, but in all cases exceeds the line-of-sight range at the corresponding depth.
At the same time, the bullet ensures reliable defeat of an enemy in a wetsuit. In addition, SPP can be used to protect swimmers from dangerous marine predators.
The pistol has a folding block of four barrels. The block is hingedly mounted on the axles of the frame and is folded down for loading and reloading, as in “breaking” hunting rifles. This scheme corresponds to a large cartridge length - 145 mm.
Loading is carried out by a clip in which four cartridges are secured. The spent cartridges are simultaneously removed from the clip.
The self-cocking firing mechanism includes a firing pin rotating in a transverse plane and ensures consistent firing from the barrels. With each press of the trigger, the firing pin rotates 90° and, moving along the screw pattern, breaks the primer of the next cartridge
The APS assault rifle (“underwater special assault rifle”) entered service with the USSR Navy in the mid-1970s. The leading designer for this machine gun at the Central Research Institute TOCH-MASH was V.V. Simonov. The APS is chambered for special cartridges MPS and MPST type 5.66x39 with high elongation bullets (developed by P.F. Sazonov and O.P. Kravchenko). The MPS cartridges (with a regular bullet) use a cartridge case from a standard 5.45x39 machine gun cartridge.
The bullet is a “needle” with a narrowing head in the shape of a double truncated cone; it moves along the bore with a gap. This design of the bullet is associated with the characteristics of movement in water, which are significantly different from the conditions of movement in the air. When a bullet (or other projectile) moves in water at high speed, not only a change in the shape of the lines of the oncoming flow is observed, but also a violation of its continuity with the formation of a cavity. The bullet of the standard cartridge of the 5.45-mm AK 74 assault rifle has an ogival head and a small relative length under such conditions forms a cavity of large transverse dimensions and soon overturns. If you give the bullet a greater elongation (about 20 calibers) and a flat cut in the head, when moving in water in the mode of developed cavitation, only the flat cut of the bullet is washed by water, which significantly reduces the drag force and contributes to the formation of a cavity of smaller diameter. The stability of the bullet's movement in the cavitation mode is ensured by its oscillatory movements relative to the flat cut of the head part as a result of the interaction of the tail part with the boundaries of the cavitation cavity. That is, the cavity serves as a stabilizer for the bullet. As the bullet slows down, the cavity decreases in size, and as soon as its rear part “captures” the bullet’s shank, the bullet sharply loses speed, and the cavity completely “collapses” - the bullet finds itself “in complete washout mode.”
The destructive power of a bullet depends on the depth of immersion. At depths up to 5 m range lethal action is 30 m, at a depth of 40 m it decreases to 10 m. But the use of the MPST cartridge with a tracer bullet allows you to adjust shooting along the routes.
The automatic weapon has a gas engine with removal of powder gases through a hole in the barrel wall and a long stroke of the gas piston; there is a gas regulator. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt.
The trigger mechanism of the machine gun is striker type. The shot is fired from the rear sear using the energy of the return spring. The trigger mechanism is assembled in a separate housing and allows single or automatic fire, and is equipped with a non-automatic safety switch.
Food comes from a detachable box magazine. The characteristics of the cartridge required a number of devices to ensure reliable operation of the power system. The two rows of cartridges in the magazine are separated by a plate, the upper bullets are held by spring grips from tipping the bullets upward. A cartridge cutter is mounted inside the receiver to prevent jamming or double feeding of cartridges.
The stock is retractable. The machine is adapted for mounting on board an underwater vehicle.
The production of APS assault rifles was supplied by the Tula Arms Plant.” The assault rifle is equipped with two magazines and accessories. There are no analogues of APS among serial foreign weapons.
Although firing MPS and MPST cartridges “in the air” is possible, high elongation bullets that are not stabilized by rotation turn out to be unstable in the air. For targeted shooting in the air, other ammunition is required.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the APS
Caliber................................................. ................5.66 mm
Cartridge........................................MPS, MPST (5, 66 x 39)
Weight without magazine................................................... .2.46 kg
Weapon length:
with extended butt...................................840 mm
with the butt retracted...................................620 mm
Initial bullet speed under water............340-360 m/s
Initial speed of a bullet in the air...................365 m/s
Rate of fire.........................................600 rounds/min
Sighting range under water......................10-30 m
Sighting range in air........................100 m
Magazine capacity........................................26 rounds
It is now quite difficult to establish exactly when small units and groups of military personnel appeared, operating independently, in isolation from the main forces. The most active reconnaissance and sabotage groups began to operate during the Second World War. Their weapons were practically no different from the standard weapons in service with the army. The exception is silent weapons, which, however, were practically not used by troops. A large role was assigned to reconnaissance and sabotage groups in Nazi Germany. They operated in Western Europe, England, North Africa. Dozens of similar groups were abandoned in the USSR before the start of Hitler's aggression. The saboteurs, as a rule, armed themselves with weapons from the army of the country in whose territory they operated.
At first, knives and even crossbows were used to silently remove sentries. But the expansion of the scope of reconnaissance and sabotage operations behind enemy lines led to the emergence of special forces and the rapid development of various types of special weapons. At first, these were gunshot sound suppression devices installed on standard army weapons. The designers managed to achieve fairly high stealth firing from silent small arms with significantly greater power and smaller dimensions than throwing weapons. It was more convenient to conduct targeted shooting from silent weapons; in addition, the fighters, having removed the silencer, could use rifles and pistols as usual. During the Second World War in different countries Specially designed models of silent weapons were adopted.
However, the history of silent weapons was not started by the military or special services, but by hunters who quickly appreciated the merits of “silent” shooting. Missing the first shot did not scare the game; the shooter could take aim again and try again.
Already at the beginning of the 20th century, shot silencers for rifled and smooth-bore hunting weapons were freely sold in many countries.
At the beginning of the last century, the military had not yet appreciated the advantages of silent shooting. The battle tactics did not include the so-called. covert destruction of the enemy at short distances. On the contrary, the repeating rifles adopted by the army had an effective range of up to 1,500 - 2,000 meters. Deafening thunder, flames and smoke have accompanied small arms since their inception. It was believed that loud and frequent firing would demoralize the enemy. Let us at least remember that the roar of gunfire, smoke and flames brought wild terror to the aborigines of America, Africa and Australia when Europeans seized new lands. The Spanish conquistadors, for example, conquered entire peoples of the New World with one rifle salvo.
A little later, however, the advantages of silent weapons were appreciated by all kinds of bandits and gangster syndicates. The mid-1920s and 1930s became the time of active use of guns with silencers in mafia fights, during assassination attempts on rival bosses, unwanted politicians, and during vendettas between clans. To limit the access of dubious buyers to such a specific product as silencers, in the United States in 1934 a law was passed (by the way, not repealed to this day) on mandatory paid registration of silencers in hand and restricting the commercial sale, storage and use of silencers by civilians .
And HERE is a new round in the development of “silent” small arms: in Germany, with Hitler coming to power, various special services began to be created. They are armed with parabellum pistols and Walter pistols (RR and RRK) with silencers. In 1939, production of the Walter R-38 pistol, also equipped with a silencer, began. These pistols were actively used by German saboteurs who were thrown into the territory of the USSR. The effect achieved by the Germans with the help of silent pistols during sabotage operations forced other countries to turn to their experience.
In the USSR in the early 30s, gunsmiths Markevich, Gurevich and others worked on creating silencers for rifles and revolvers. In 1934 various designs silencers have already been described in the textbook on training gunsmiths. The brothers V.G. were most successful in creating samples of silencers for various types of weapons. and I.G. Mitin, who created not only a device for suppressing the sound of an expansion shot "Bramit" (short for "MITIN BROTHERS"), but also a weapon with the cut-off of powder gases. The NKVD showed great interest in silent weapons. In the mid-30s, a small batch of model 1895 revolvers, equipped with an expansion-type muffler, entered service with the KGB units. Its development is attributed to the Mitin brothers, although the design of the silencer differs from the Bramita design and is more consistent with the silencer of the German Parabellum pistol. To fire a silent revolver, a cartridge with a pointed bullet was used (instead of the standard flat-top bullet).
With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, already in July 1941, the GRU General Staff and the NKVD created sabotage and partisan groups in the rear of the German troops. They were armed with standard and sniper rifles of the 1891 - 1930 model and carbines of the 1938 model, equipped with Bramits. Such mufflers were mass-produced, up to 3,000 pieces per month. The legendary Soviet "Bramit" has a very simple design. This is a cylinder with a diameter of 32 mm and a length of 140 mm with a neck 92 mm long, with which the silencer was attached to the rifle barrel. Inside the cylinder there are two chambers, each of which ends with a seal - a cylindrical gasket made of soft rubber. The first chamber contains a powder gas cutter. Holes are drilled in the walls of the chambers to bleed powder gases. When fired, the bullet pierced both seals in turn and exited the muffler. The powder gases, expanding in the first chamber, lost pressure and were slowly released through the side holes to the outside. Part of the powder gases, which broke through the first seal along with the bullet, expanded and cooled in the second chamber. As a result, the sound of the shot was extinguished and the muzzle flash was eliminated. For firing, cartridges with a light bullet and a reduced charge of gunpowder were used (to ensure subsonic bullet speed). To distinguish these cartridges from cartridges with a full charge of gunpowder, their bullets were painted green.
The need for silent pistols arose almost immediately from the moment of their appearance, however, for a long time it was not possible to bring such an idea to life. The heyday of silent pistols came in the 20th century, and Soviet gunsmiths achieved particular success in developing such weapons. This post will introduce us to silent pistols of the USSR.
Silent Gurevich Revolver
As you know, one of the ways to reduce the sound of a shot is to use a bullet with subsonic speed and a muffler, in which the powder gases escaping from the barrel are extinguished. But there is another way. In the forties it was used in the Gurevich revolver.
In the picture you see how the cartridge in the Gurevich revolver is arranged. The powder charge in the cartridge case is closed with a wad. In the barrel of the cartridge case there is a sleeve into which a 6.5 mm caliber bullet is inserted; the space between the wad and the sleeve is filled with water. When fired, the capsule hits the charge and the powder gases push the wad, and the wad displaces water. Since the diameter of the barrel is smaller than the diameter of the cartridge case, the speed of the water increases. The bullet flies out of the barrel, but the wad remains inside. Powder gases are locked, there is no noise. The revolver was produced in a pilot batch and released in the second half of the forties. It did not gain popularity; the design turned out to be too complex.
Pistol PB
A new round of development of domestic silent weapons began in the sixties.
Then cold war was in full swing. The global confrontation between the USSR and NATO contributed to this more than ever before. To scenarios of war with probable enemy We prepared very seriously. A special role was assigned to reconnaissance and sabotage units. They had to operate secretly behind enemy lines. For this purpose, small-sized and silent weapons were created. One of them was a PB pistol.
There is a strong belief that this pistol was created on the basis of the Makarov pistol (PM). But this is not so, when designing the pistol, only the trigger and magazine from the PM were borrowed, and everything else is just an external resemblance. This pistol has excellent balance and ergonomics and is still used today.
APB pistol
Stechkin automatic pistol: magazine for 20 rounds, ability to fire in bursts, high accuracy of hits. This pistol became an excellent basis for the creation of a silent automatic pistol in the USSR.
Silent shooting of this weapon was ensured through the use of a muzzle silencer, an expansion chamber located under the bolt casing. The plastic stock was replaced with a metal frame one. This pistol is still very popular today. Unfortunately, the pistol was expensive to produce and, having produced the required quantity, the workshops for its production were closed. Today, APS and APB are the only mass-produced automatic pistols in Russia; no worthy competitors have been found...
Pistol S-4
The source of sound from the APB pistol was the same automatic parts hitting each other. The PB pistol had the same drawback. Therefore, the USSR began to work on silent weapons, which used a different principle of eliminating sound when fired. In the mid-sixties, the second direction of ensuring silent shooting was developed. Cut-off of powder gases in the cartridge case. The EVIL KGB special forces adopted the S-4 pistol with the 7.62x63mm “snake” cartridge.
This pistol did not give itself away with the clanging of moving parts; it simply did not have one. Above, I already told you about the principle of operation of the cartridge in Gurevich’s revolver; the “Snake” cartridge was created according to the same principle. Only instead of water, the powder charge is separated by a piston.
Once the gunpowder is ignited, the gases act on the piston and it pushes the bullet out. As soon as the bullet leaves the barrel, the piston remains inside and hermetically seals the powder gases. This principle is called the cut-off of powder gases. The clip held 2 cartridges in 2 separate barrels. The pistol was withdrawn from service immediately after the SME pistol was adopted.
Pistol SME "Groza"
In the early 70s, based on the S-4 and S-4M, a new pistol was developed with a cutoff of powder gases in the cartridge case and a new SP-3 cartridge. This pistol became the SME. The SME had significantly smaller dimensions and weight than its predecessor and had better characteristics. It was put into service in a limited batch and did not receive any noticeable use (maybe because it is silent). It is still in service in Russia today.
PSS pistol "Vul"
The PB and APB had the disadvantage of clanging moving parts and large dimensions. Their “colleagues” S-4M and SME had a disadvantage: a small number of cartridges in the clip and the lack of automatic equipment. All the advantages of the previous four pistols had to be embodied in one. By the end of 1983, the PSS pistol (special self-loading pistol) was adopted.
The main features of this unique and unparalleled weapon in the world were:
The absence of a silencer and cut-off of powder gases ensures complete silent shooting, compactness of the pistol, reliability and accuracy. A new SP-4 cartridge of 7.62×41.5 mm caliber was developed for the PSS pistol. This cartridge is interesting in that the cartridge bullet is cylindrical in shape and has a brass belt on its front part. When fired, the belt enters the rifling of the barrel and causes the bullet to rotate. At a distance of up to 25 meters, the bullet is capable of penetrating a fragmentation vest or helmet. This is an ideal weapon for a sneak attack. There are still no analogues to this pistol. Oddly enough, after the collapse of the great USSR, production of this cartridge and pistol was not stopped in Russia and it is still being supplied to special forces units...
· Bisons vs Sterlings
The term "special purpose" in relation to weapons has become especially popular in recent years. The specifics of a weapon, as is known, depend primarily on the tasks solved with its help. High-precision sniper rifles, silent, camouflaged, “assault” portable weapons, weapons for combat swimmers - all these are tools of professionals, initially designed for a special level of user training. Such weapons can be created on the basis of conventional combat or sports weapons, or they can be designed anew. Today there is a wide variety of types and designs of special forces weapons. Let us consider only certain areas, paying more attention domestic samples, many of which are the best in the world.
Forgotten "Brahmits"
Silent weapons - the most numerous and widespread type of special-purpose weapons appeared quite a long time ago. Devices that reduce the sound of a shot for both small arms and artillery were proposed at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Then they were of little interest to the military. For example, the British gunsmith Griner claimed that he did not patent the silencer, considering it completely unnecessary. But Hiram Stephens Maxim, the famous inventor of the machine gun, together with his son Hiram Percy, not only patented silencers, but also began their production in 1910. Silencers from Maxim and other designers were sold privately in different countries, including Russia, and the main consumers were... hunters. Nothing surprising. Many types of special-purpose weapons began their journey on the civilian market. Suffice it to remember that in the same period it was possible to freely buy a shooting cane, and shooting pens were included in the catalogs of “civilian” weapons back in the 1930s. The circulation of camouflaged weapons, like silencers, on the civilian market in most countries was prohibited in the middle of the century.
After the First World War, criminal structures and intelligence agencies paid attention to silent weapons - this is how they began to acquire their ominous fame, and experienced a real boom during the Second World War. Much has been written about German, American, and British models of silent weapons of those years, but they rarely remember about domestic revolvers and rifles with BRAMIT devices, used by partisan detachments and special groups of the GRU and NKVD behind Nazi lines. The name of these devices stands for “Mitin Brothers” - after the name of the inventors V.G. and I.G. The Mitins, who worked on designs for silent weapons. Designers Gurevich, Korolenko, Markevich and others then worked in the same field. Silent weapons, as a rule, solve ordinary fire tasks, but at the same time their shooting is “secretive”: after all, a reconnaissance and sabotage group, as well as a single sniper, when using a weapon, should not reveal themselves - give away their location with the sound or flash of a shot.
Fighting sound
As is known, sound is the oscillatory movements of particles of the medium, propagating in the form of waves. Its loudness is measured in relative units - decibels (dB). The volume level is equal to twenty logarithms of the ratio of the sound volume to the hearing threshold. (The hearing threshold, the minimum sound pressure perceived by the human ear, is 2x10 -5 Pa). The main source of the sound of a shot is the powder gases leaving the barrel. Their rapid expansion is accompanied by the formation of a muzzle wave and a sharp, loud sound. The sound level of a rifle shot at a distance of 1 m reaches 160 dB, which corresponds to a pressure of 2x10 3 Pa, that is, it exceeds the pain threshold by 100 times, and the hearing threshold by 10 8 times.
Pressure and sound levels can be reduced by increasing the volume of gases and lowering their temperature before venting into the atmosphere. The easiest way to do this is with a choke tube, the internal volume of which is much greater than the volume of the barrel bore. Car and motorcycle mufflers work on the same principle. Of course, it is not possible to achieve complete sound suppression. A weapon is considered to be “silent” if the sound level of its shot is approximately the same as that of an air gun.
Many designs of expansion type mufflers have been created today. In our country they were given the name “silent and flameless shooting device,” or PBS. The efficiency of such devices is increased in the following way: the internal cavity of the muffler is divided into several chambers by partitions with a hole for the passage of a bullet, the gases are “twisted” by deflecting inserts. The set of baffles inside the muffler is commonly referred to as a separator. To reliably “close” gases, especially those that overtake a bullet, rubber washers with cuts are installed, pierced by a bullet (as in the Soviet PBS-1). True, the washers quickly fail and reduce shooting accuracy. That's why modern mufflers try to do without them. Sometimes the gases are cooled further by passing them, for example, through a roll of wire mesh.
Is it possible not to release powder gases into the atmosphere at all? For example, disperse the bullet and leave them in the barrel, or better yet, in the case. This, perhaps the oldest, idea in the field of “silencing” a shot seems simple only at first glance. To implement it, you need a special design of both the weapon itself and the cartridge. Gas cut-off was carried out in different countries, but in production samples, developers in the USSR were the first to cope with this task.
TsNIITochmash initially created non-automatic double-barreled SME pistols in combination with the SP-3 and S-4 “Groza” cartridges with PZ and PZA cartridges. Then a pistol complex developed by V.N. Levchenko, Yu.M. Krylov and V.A. Petrov, consisting of a PSS self-loading pistol and an SP-4 cartridge. Despite the difference in cartridge designs, the principle of operation is the same: the powder gases push the bullet through the piston, while they themselves remain in the cartridge case, locked by the same piston. It is not difficult to understand how difficult it was to implement the self-charging mode of operation. After all, the powder gases remain in the cartridge case even after the shot. That is why automatic ejection from the chamber required special design solutions. In J. Fleming's novel Dr. No, the gunsmith says: “I don't like silencers, sir. They are heavy and, when you are in a hurry, they catch on your clothes.” Pistols with powder gas cut-off do not have this drawback. Over the past quarter century, these unique designs have proven their effectiveness in a number of special operations.
The combination of two main schemes for combating the sound of a shot is represented by the “Silence” and “Canary” complexes. The first is based on the AKM assault rifle, the second is based on the AKS-74U. The corresponding expansion-type PBS are mounted on their barrels, and a 30-mm silent BS-1 grenade launcher with a cut-off of powder gases is mounted under the forend. The grenade is inserted into the barrel of the grenade launcher from the muzzle and pushed out by a piston driven by a special throwing cartridge. A magazine for 10 such cartridges is placed in the handle of the grenade launcher. The cumulative grenade provides penetration of 15 mm thick steel armor and the necessary armor protection effect.
Silencers not only reduce the sound level of a shot, but also eliminate its flash, as well as the “dust effect” of gases. For a sniper or machine gunner, the flash of a shot, a cloud of smoke or dust is a revealing factor. The absence of a flash also makes it easier to use the night sight - there is no flare. When operating in rooms, tunnels, or on narrow streets, the sounds of shots and bursts make it very difficult to control your voice and interfere with coordinating the actions of the fighters. It is not surprising that there is growing interest in “low-noise shooting devices” (LLDs): they do not reduce the sound level as much as LDS, but are more compact. Of the Russian PMS models, for example, the SVU-AS and SV-98 sniper rifles, the experimental AEK-999 “Badger” machine gun and the AEK-919K “Kashtan” submachine gun are already equipped.
Excess speed
Another source of sound, comparable to the sound of the shot itself, is the shock wave formed at supersonic flight speeds (above 330 m/s). In relation to pistols and submachine guns, the speed of bullets of which slightly exceeds the speed of sound, this problem is solved this way: without changing anything in the standard cartridge, they usually dump part of the powder gases from the barrel bore. In this case, holes are drilled along the bottom of the rifling (so as not to disrupt the movement of the bullet along the rifling), thanks to which some of the gases escape into the chamber surrounding the barrel. Such a muffler is called integrated. Usually it is combined with a separator in front of the muzzle of the barrel and has a single casing with it, for example, like the British L34A1 Sterling submachine guns and the German MP5SD. It is worth noting that submachine guns are almost unimaginable without “silent” modifications of one or another design. The design of the weapon, of course, becomes more complicated, but the effectiveness of “jamming” increases. Domestic silent pistols PB (developed by A.A. Deryagin using components of the Makarov pistol) and APB (developed by A.S. Neugodov based on the Stechkin automatic pistol), submachine gun "Bizon-203" (developed by V.M. Kalashnikov and A.E. Dragunov) have both a chamber around the barrel and a separate removable muzzle “nozzle” - essentially the same PBS. Such weapons are compact to carry and more flexible to use.
To lower the bullet speed of an automatic or rifle cartridge below the sound speed - in an assault rifle, assault rifle or sniper rifle - you need to greatly reduce powder charge. And this is unacceptable, since the gunpowder will begin to spill inside the cartridge case. To solve this problem, we have to look for new relationships between the mass of the bullet and the charge and use special cartridges, like domestic ones, with a weighted bullet of the US type (“reduced speed”) for firing from “silent” versions of machine guns or rifles. For example, to turn an AKM assault rifle into a “silent” one, you need to screw the PBS-1 device onto the barrel, equip the magazine with 7.62 mm cartridges with US bullets, and even replace the aiming bar, because the ballistics of a low-speed heavy bullet are very different from the usual one. A 5.45-mm cartridge with a US bullet is used with a modification of the shortened AKS-74U assault rifle with a PBS-3 or PBS-4 mounted on the barrel.
But even with such a list of “re-equipment”, silent modifications of standard machine guns do not quite meet the requirements of special forces soldiers. And not only because of bulkiness. The fact is that when weapons are used, the mechanisms themselves serve as a source of sound—especially in automatic weapons. The sound of metal parts in silence can be heard at a distance of up to 300 m. And if one of the soldiers suddenly fell nearby, and in the thickets not far away the characteristic sound of metal on metal was immediately heard, then his comrade will immediately understand where the shot came from. After all, the same AKM, for example, makes a rather loud knock. It is no coincidence that some self-loading or automatic silent models provide the ability to block the automation, as in the Chinese Type 64 and Type 67 pistols. But you can make the operation of the automation “softer” and quieter.
It was this problem that the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering tried to solve. Through the efforts of P. Serdyukov, V. Krasnikov, N. Zabelin, L. Dvoryaninov, Y. Frolov, E. Kornilova, a unique family of weapons was created, adopted for service in 1987. The family included a unified VSS rifle (Vintorez) with a special 9-mm SP-5 sniper cartridge and an AS assault rifle (Val) with an SP-6 cartridge with increased penetration. An increase in the caliber of the machine gun cartridge allowed the developers to compensate for the decrease in speed: heavy 9-mm bullets at subsonic speeds retain sufficient momentum to confidently “hold” the trajectory and hit targets even in body armor. But subsonic speed still imposes limitations. Like most silent models, the sighting range does not exceed 400-420 m. The created rifle and machine gun have an integrated silencer. Its rear part forms a chamber around the barrel, and the front part contains a separator in front of the muzzle of a relatively short barrel. The smooth operation of the automation contributes not only to “stealth”, but also to shooting accuracy. For transportation, both types of weapons can be easily disassembled into several large parts.
It must be said that the 9-mm automatic cartridge, which combines low recoil with bullet stability on the trajectory, as well as a low tendency to ricochet and high penetrating effect, turned out to be convenient for a number of “noisy” small-sized machine guns. These include, for example, the 9A91 assault rifle, developed by the Tula Instrument Design Bureau. On its basis, by the way, a silent sniper rifle VSK-94 with a removable silencer was created.
The low-power 5.6-mm rimfire cartridge, well known from sporting weapons, with its low bullet speed and low pressure of powder gases, also turned out to be convenient for silent weapons. It is specifically designed for such different models as the American pistols for combat swimmers of the Emphibien series with integrated silencers (of course, they are supposed to be fired on land) or the Russian SV-99 sniper rifle with a removable silencer. The latter was developed in Izhevsk by V.F. Susloparov for high-precision shooting at short ranges and is intended for anti-terrorist units. Moreover, it was created on the basis of a biathlon rifle.
Shot from a knife
A camouflaged firearm is a seemingly “harmless” object with a firing device hidden inside. This topic is a special one, having little to do with military weapons. But in the arsenal of special forces there was a place for this kind of weapon. We are talking about a “shooting scout knife” (SRS). The first LDC adopted by the Soviet Army was created in Tula by R.D. Khlynin. The shooting device is mounted in the handle; a barrel with a 7.62 mm SP-3 cartridge (from the MSP pistol) is placed in its cavity. To fire, the knife is turned with the handle forward. Cutting off the powder gases in the cartridge here not only eliminates the sound of the shot, but also eliminates the danger of burning your hand. In NRS-2, developed by G.A. Savishchev, I.F. Shedlosem and V.Ya. Ovchinnikov, used the SP-4 cartridge from the PSS pistol. The “Shooting Knife” is a kind of last-chance weapon that complements the main weapon of a special forces soldier. The SP-4 cartridge was also useful for another original Tula development - the five-shot special revolver OTs-38.
Why do special forces need a crossbow?
In action-packed films featuring special forces, you can often see a bow or crossbow in their arsenal. What is this - a director's find or an actual part of the weapon? During the Second World War, with a lack of effective silent firearms, the British Special Operations Executive and the American Office of Strategic Services seriously considered crossbows (with a spring arc or rubber cord instead) as weapons for special forces. And the German Abwehr - the department of military intelligence and counterintelligence, preparing in 1942 for the seizure of oil fields in Maykop and Grozny, even tested crossbows, but gave preference to rifles with silencers. Nowadays, special forces are armed with weapons that solve both fire and special tasks much better than a crossbow. And the often mentioned “silence” of a crossbow is quite arbitrary - both the arc and the bowstring do not work silently when fired. Of course, any means can be useful in special operations. But it is unlikely that a group, already loaded with equipment, and also operating far from its bases and warehouses, will deliberately take with it an impressive-looking but bulky crossbow with a supply of arrows. A modern crossbow is a sporting weapon, at least a hunting weapon, but not a combat weapon.
Special, underwater, first
In the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball, two teams of scuba divers use harpoon guns to kill each other in an underwater battle. Let’s make a reservation right away: in reality this is not easy to do. After all, weapons for underwater hunting for small fish are of little use for hitting a person. A spring or air gun gives the harpoon a very low speed, and hence - a small destructive effect and low range. Meanwhile, the question of weapons for combat swimmers was relevant back in the middle of the last century. Its creators understood that if a saboteur swimmer would most likely have to shoot after going ashore, then those who guard the water area or ships underwater We need more weapons underwater shooting. In any case, domestic gunsmiths were faced with exactly this task in the late 1960s.
From possible ways shooting, they chose a classic powder propellant charge (although the option of a “rocket bullet” was also considered). Carrying out a firearm shot under water required solving a number of problems. After all, the pressure of powder gases, as is known, is counteracted by the high resistance of water, and an ordinary rifled barrel, the cross-section of which the bullet fills almost entirely, breaks under such conditions. And an ordinary bullet, “flying” out of the barrel, will enter a medium that is significantly different from air in density and compressibility. A bubble—a cavern—forms around a rapidly moving body. A bullet in a cavity quickly flips over, and as a result, there can be no aimed shooting. But if you lengthen the bullet so that its length to caliber ratio is approximately 20:1, and make a small flat cut at its tip, the cavity around the bullet will be smaller in diameter and will not cover it completely. Such a cavity, “sticking” to the bullet, will itself become both a medium of movement and a stabilizer for it. This means that it is not at all necessary to “twist” the bullet: it can go along the barrel with a gap filled with water. The stability and energy of the bullet is quite enough for shooting at visual range under water. Soviet designers P.F. equipped these elongated bullets, nicknamed “nails.” Sazonov and O.P. Kravchenko cartridges for a 4.5 mm underwater pistol and a 5.66 mm machine gun.
A pistol created at TsNIITochmash V.V. Simonov and designated SPP-1 (“special underwater pistol, first”), is classified as non-automatic. Its block of four barrels is equipped with a clip of four cartridges. Each time you press the trigger, the firing pin rotates to the next cartridge.
As for the machine gun, the matter turned out to be more complicated. In fact, at one time it was considered that it was almost impossible to create an underwater assault rifle. There was an anecdote that the US Department of Defense's invention department refused to accept proposals for a “perpetual motion machine, an invisible tank and an underwater machine gun.” However, a group led by the same V.V. Simonova coped with the task. It was necessary to take a number of measures for the reliable operation of conventional gas-operated automatics, the supply of cartridges of an unusual configuration, etc. The result was a unique “underwater special automatic machine” APS (not to be confused with the Stechkin automatic pistol), which entered service with combat swimmers of the Soviet Navy.
The possibility of creating an “underwater-air” assault rifle was demonstrated by the ASM (“special multipurpose assault rifle”), developed in Tula under the leadership of Yu.S. Danilov based on APS and AKS-74U units. It is adapted to fire the APS cartridge under water and the standard 5.45mm automatic cartridge in the air. Accordingly, a magazine from either an APS or an AK-74 is attached to it. By the way, AFM got rid of the large gas bubble when firing. After all, the bubble not only gave away the shooter’s location, but also interfered with aiming.
Abroad, preference was given to non-automatic multi-barreled models, where the trigger mechanisms were made mechanical, as in the American six-barreled pistol I.R. Bar, or electronic, as in the German P11 Heckler und Koch. These samples use elongated arrow-shaped “bullets” and a powder charge, but their design is different. On the P11, the barrels are sealed until the bullet leaves; loading such a weapon involves replacing the entire barrel block. In Bar's pistol, each replaceable barrel is, in fact, a cartridge with the cutoff of powder gases already familiar to us.
Nuances of large caliber
Large-caliber rifled military weapons in various variations appeared several times. In the second half of the 19th century, these were serf rifles; in the First World War, anti-tank rifles appeared. But PTRs also seemed to have disappeared from the scene by the end of World War II, but they were uniquely revived forty years later in the form of a new type of weapon - large-caliber sniper rifles. The question then was about increasing the sighting range and lethality of sniper weapons. And the cartridges from 12.7 mm machine guns - subject to their modification in terms of improving accuracy - seemed good decision. Yes, the weapon had strong recoil, it “grew” in size and weight, but the target range began to reach one and a half kilometers, and it became possible to “reach” small targets behind light armor protection. Even the term “anti-sniper rifle” arose in the sense that a sniper armed with it gains an advantage over an enemy sniper armed with a normal-caliber rifle. According to press reports, 12.7-mm rifles from the American company McMillan were used by “counter-sniper teams” of the so-called “international peacekeeping forces” in the former Yugoslavia.
In addition, large-caliber rifles can hit transport and lightly armored vehicles, radio and radar stations, missile systems, surveillance equipment, helicopters and parked aircraft.
In general, in the last fifteen years, many samples and types of large-caliber rifled weapons have appeared, varying both in design (single-shot, magazine, self-loading) and in caliber and barrel length. Many rifles, however, turned out to be bulky and heavy. Just look at the American M82A1 "Barrett" (one of the first large caliber rifles, which found combat use in 1991 in the Persian Gulf area), P-50 "Pauca" or "Boomer Series", the French "Hecate", the Hungarian "Cheetah". Samples have been developed for the Soviet 14.5 mm cartridge, and for the Belgian 15.5 mm, and even for the German 20 mm. The latter, however, look more like a cannon than a rifle.
In Russia, a number of weapons design bureaus also took up this topic in the 1990s, especially since the powerful domestic 12.7-mm DShK cartridge promised even more here than the American .50 Browning cartridge. Of the number of prototypes of various systems, the self-loading OSV-96 of the Tula Instrument Design Bureau and the store ASVK of the Kovrov plant named after Degtyarev aroused the greatest interest. These rifles can hit lightly armored vehicles at ranges of up to 1,000 m, and manpower wearing personal armor – up to 1,500 m. Both rifles are equipped with high magnification sights. The weapon's capabilities are enhanced by the creation of a 12.7 mm cartridge with increased armor penetration and improved accuracy. We can talk about the emergence of a new “cartridge-gun-sights” complex.
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