Country of origin |
Soviet Union |
Entered service |
Late 1980s |
Caliber |
9 x 39 mm |
Weight (empty) |
2.5 kg |
Length |
875 mm |
Length (with folded stock) |
615
mm |
Barrel length |
200
mm |
Muzzle velocity |
290
m/s |
Cyclic rate of fire |
900 rpm |
Practical rate of fire |
40 - 100 rpm |
Magazine capacity |
20 rounds |
Sighting range |
400 m |
Range of effective fire |
200 - 300 m |
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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.
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