Val

   The Val silenced assault rifle was designed in the mid-1980s for the Soviet special operations forces. It was intended to replace the previous AK-47s and AKM assault rifles, fitted with silencers. Currently the Val assault rifle is commonly used by the Russian special forces.

   It is a gas-operated selective fire weapon, fitted with integral silencer. The Val is chambered for 9x39 mm cartridge. This rifle uses the SP-5 and SP-6 subsonic ammunition. Primary is the SP-6 armor piercing round. It has a hardened steel penetrator. It penetrates 6 mm steel plate at a range of 200 m and 2 mm steel plate at a range of 500 m. This round can defeat most military body armors at ranges of 300-400 meters. The SP-5 is a ball round, fitted with heavy bullet. Also there is a PAB-9 round, that is a lower cost version of the SP-6. The actual effective range of the Val is limited to 200-300 meters due to the shaped trajectory of subsonic bullets.

   Safety switch and charging handle are AK-style. A fire mode selector is located inside the triggerguard, behind the trigger. It is capable of firing single rounds and in full-auto mode.

   The Val silenced assault rifle is fitted with collapsible metal stock, which folds to the left. It is fed from detachable box-type magazines, holding 20 rounds. Magazine release button is located behind the magazine. Integral silencer is easily removed for storage and maintenance.

   The Val assault rifle has iron sights, as well as a standard AK-style side mount for various scopes and night vision sights. It is compatible with the PSO-1 scope (4x magnification).

   It is worth mentioning that this weapon is not compatible with bayonet or underbarrel grenade launcher.

Variants

   Vintorez silenced sniper rifle, fitted with a wooden stock and a smaller capacity magazine;

   SR-3 Vikhr compact assault rifle, based on the Val. It lacks suppressor and has a new stock. It is intended for concealed carrying. Some even refer this weapon as a submachine gun.

   SR-3M Vikhr silenced assault rifle. This weapon was designed to meet a FSB requirement. The Russian FSB state security agency 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 fed from larger 30-round magazines, though these are compatible with older 20- and 10-round magazines of the Vikhr, Val or Vintorez. Externally the SR-3M Vikhr is very similar to the Val.