Country of origin |
Russia |
Entered service |
1996 (?) |
Caliber |
9x39 mm |
Weight |
2 kg |
Length |
640 mm |
Length (with folded stock) |
395
mm |
Barrel length |
156
mm |
Muzzle velocity |
270
m/s |
Cyclic rate of fire |
900 rpm |
Practical rate of fire |
40 - 60 rpm |
Magazine capacity |
20 rounds |
Sighting range |
200 m |
Range of effective fire |
up to 200 m |
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The SR-3
Vikhr (whirlwind) is a compact assault rifle. It is based on
the
successful
Val
silenced assault rifle. The Vikhr was
developed in the early 1990s specially for the law enforcement forces. This weapon was originally intended for
state security operatives and special VIP security teams. No wonder
the original model was well suited for concealed carrying. Some
sources report that production of this weapon commenced in 1996.
Currently the SR-3, and its improved variant, the SR-3M, are used by the Russian presidential guard, FSB
operatives, elite law enforcement and police units.
The Vikhr is based on the Val, but lacks integral silencer.
Furthermore the original SR-3 had no provision to mount one. As a result the Vikhr is much more compact
than its predecessor. This weapon has a
different stock and simplified sights. In terms of size and
ballistics some even refer the Vikhr as a submachine gun. However it
is a gas-operated weapon, which fires from the closed bolt. Such
operating method is typically found on assault rifles, but not on
submachine guns.
This weapon uses the same ammunition as the Val. It is
chambered for the 9x39 mm special subsonic ammunition. Primary is
the SP-6 armor piercing round with a hardened steel penetrator. It
penetrates 6 mm steel plate at a range of 200 m. Also there is SP-5
ball round with a heavy bullet and PAB-9 round, which is a lower
cost version of the SP-6. At close ranges up to 100 m, the 9x39 mm
ammunition is superior in terms of penetration to 9x19 mm pistol
rounds used by submachine guns and 5.45x39 mm or 5.56x45 mm
ammunition used by compact assault rifles. Also the 9x39 mm bullets
usually do not ricochet. This feature is extremely important in
urban environment, firing inside the buildings.
A fire mode selector is
located inside the triggerguard, behind the trigger. This weapon is
capable of firing in semi-auto and full-auto modes. Ambidextrous safety lever
is located above the pistol grip. The Vikhr has got a new charging
handle, located over the foregrip, while the original Val has got an
AK-style charging handle.
This weapon
uses the same 20-round capacity magazines as the Val assault rifle. It can also accept 10-round
capacity magazines of the
Vintorez silenced sniper rifle.
Buttstock of
the original Vikhr folds over the weapon, however its improved
production model has similar buttstock to that of the Val silenced
assault rifle.
The Vikhr
has got simple iron sights with a settings for 100 or 200 m.
This compact assault rifle has a side-mounted rail for various scopes and
night vision sights. This weapon has limited effective range due to
short barrel and shaped trajectory of subsonic bullets.
This weapon can not
be equipped with bayonet or underbarrel
grenade launcher.
Variants
SR-3M Vikhr
is a silenced assault rifle. Letter "M" in the designation stands for
"Modernized". This weapon was designed to meet a FSB requirement.
The FSB was looking for a weapon, that would combine features of the
SR-3 Vikhr compact assault rifle,
Val silenced assault rifle and
Vintorez silenced sniper rifle in a single versatile weapon. The
resulting SR-3M can mount a detachable suppressor. This weapon can
be used with or without suppressor. It has a redesigned foregrip,
with a collapsible vertical grip. This weapon comes with Val-style
safety, fire mode selector and charging handle. The SR-3M uses a skeletal side-folding buttstock
of the
Val silenced assault rifle. Iron sights have been relocated to the
foregrip. There is a side rail for various optics. This weapon is
often seen with a PSO-1, 4x magnification scope, graduated for 9x39
mm ammunition. The SR-3M is
fed from larger 30-round capacity magazines. These magazines are compatible with
older 20- and 10-round magazines of the Vikhr, Val or Vintorez.
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