The quietest firearm in the world. Russian mufflers

By the 70s of the last century, a number of units were created in the USSR special purpose. To carry out covert operations behind enemy lines, the “specialists” needed special weapons, including low-noise ones. The samples that existed at that time did not fully meet the requirements of the army, as well as other interested law enforcement agencies, so Soviet gunsmiths developed a whole range of new special-purpose weapons - “Val”, “Vintorez” and others.

The most problematic was the niche of low-noise long-barreled weapons, in which standard Kalashnikov assault rifles of various modifications were used. The reduction in shot noise was achieved through the installation of silencers with rubber seals and the use of a special US (reduced speed) cartridge. However, this reduced the accuracy and effective range of fire - especially taking into account the mass distribution of personal armor protection that had begun.

Kalashnikov assault rifle with PBS silencer (Silent Shooting Device)

Based on the results of a series of studies, it was decided to create a whole complex of new silent weapons for special forces: a pistol, a machine gun, a sniper rifle and a grenade launcher.

"Vintorez" and "Val"

Of the conflicting requirements put forward by various departments, by 1983, tactical and technical requirements were formulated only for a special sniper complex, work on which was carried out under the code “Vintorez”. This later became the unofficial name for the new silent rifle.

Vintorez was required to covertly defeat enemy personnel at a distance of up to 400 meters and penetrate a steel helmet at the same distance. Since reducing the noise of a shot could only be achieved by using a cartridge with a subsonic bullet speed, it was possible to maintain the required bullet energy at 400 meters only by increasing its mass. The first version of the cartridge was made in 7.62 mm caliber based on the cartridge case of a standard 5.45x39 mm machine gun cartridge.

Closest relatives: VSS Vintorez sniper rifle and AS Val special assault rifle
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However, by the end of 1985, the customer finally came up with demands for a special machine gun, which at the same 400 meters was required to penetrate not only a helmet, but also a bulletproof vest of class III protection. As a result, the cartridge caliber had to be increased to 9 mm. The new cartridge was developed in two versions: sniper SP-5 and armor-piercing SP-6. It was for them that the VSS (Special Sniper Rifle) was eventually released, and then the AS (Special Sniper Rifle), created on its basis, the “Val”, which had a folding metal butt instead of a permanent wooden one.

The automation of the new weapon worked on the principle of gas exhaust from the barrel with rigid locking by a rotating bolt. Actually, the barrel of the VSS and AC was made short, only 200 mm, with rows of holes drilled along the rifling in the muzzle to remove gases from the barrel bore into the expansion chamber of the muffler.

Although formal production of the VSS rifle began in 1987, even before the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, data on its combat use there have not yet been confirmed. Most sources agree that the first war for the new “no noise” was the conflict in Chechnya. At the same time, the Air Force and the Air Force were used by both sides: some of the special “barrels” went to the militants when they captured the weapons room of the local KGB, and some were simply bought.

Special cartridges 9×39 mm SP-6, PAB-9

Most of the fighters who used the new special weapons spoke positively about it: VSS and AS showed themselves to be excellent weapons for special units at short and medium distances. The following descriptions were quite typical:

“The AC/VSS weapon system is close to the ideal weapon for special forces. Its skillful use can work wonders. So, for example, during one of the close fire battles, a reconnaissance group from our unit managed to kill five people, including the lead patrol, before the opposing side began to understand something.”

Actually, one of the main drawbacks preventing the wider dissemination and use of the VSS was the technological complexity and, as a consequence, the high cost of the rifle. For example, the receiver of a weapon was made by milling.

Therefore, back in the early 90s, work began on creating a cheaper analogue. At the same time, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was especially interested in the potential of the new 9-mm cartridge. The Kalashnikov-based “short guns” used, due to their high penetrating power and tendency to ricochet, were quite dangerous for use in the city. In turn, hastily created new models of submachine guns chambered for the 9x18 Makarov cartridge could do little against body armor.

More in number, cheaper in price

This time, designers from Tula and Klimovsk acted as competitors. At TsNIITochmash, a new compact automatic machine was developed on the basis of the AS “Val”: it became the MA (Small Automatic) SR-3 “Whirlwind”. In general, it was still the same “Val”, only deprived of an integrated muffler, initially without even the possibility of installing a removable one: it was added only on the modernized version of the SR-3M. The result is a compact and powerful weapon, comparable in size to submachine guns, but noticeably superior to them due to its powerful cartridge.

A special forces soldier with a special small-sized machine gun 9A-91

However, in the “hungry” 90s, the work of the Tula people from the Instrument Design Bureau, who developed their new 9A-91 assault rifle for SP cartridges, and then the VSK-94 sniper rifle based on it, looked much more interesting. Although Russian army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs continue to purchase systems from both developers; based on the results of operation, the balance is so far in favor of simpler, more reliable and cheaper products from the Tula KBP. Here is the opinion of one of the current officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation:

“VSK, being cheaper, was purchased by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in much larger quantities than VSS. Both of them are in service, because at first the VSS were purchased, but due to the high cost and relative tenderness, the VSK-94 was included in the matter, which was proposed to replace the VSS. One of the decodings of the VSK abbreviation is “Military Sniper Complex”. With similar characteristics, it is cheaper and more reliable than VSS under difficult operating conditions. Most likely, price is the deciding factor. For greenhouse conditions, VSS is preferable. Accuracy should be no more than 7 cm (according to unverified data). VSK-94 allows careless care. Accuracy is allowed no more than 10 cm. Warranty firing of VSS is 5000 rounds, VSK-94 is 6000 rounds. If I need accuracy and noiselessness, I choose the VSS; if I want to be sure of reliability without long maintenance (intense combat operations, extreme weather and terrain), for self-defense (intense automatic fire, the ability to shoot without a silencer) - I choose the VSK-94.” .

Sniper rifle VSK-94
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It should be noted that at the moment, both in the West and in the Russian Federation, a fairly significant part of the efforts to improve small arms is aimed at increasing the capabilities of the weapon by giving it as much “modularity” as possible and the ability for the fighter to configure it “for himself.” For example, in relation to small-sized assault rifles (“Vikhr” and 9A-91), the following wishes were expressed:

• lengthen the barrel (9A-91);
• make the butt retractable with a lock, like on the Kashtan submachine gun;
• make the PBS muffler dismountable;
• leave the rear sight similar to that used on the AKS assault rifle.

At the same time, unfortunately, the “domestic manufacturer” responded and is responding to the end customer’s requests much less quickly than private offices, and the latter’s capabilities in working with service weapons are often limited. As a result, weapons are modified using the “collective farm tuning” method: the necessary parts are purchased or ordered to craftsmen at the fighters’ own expense.

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 the Cold War was in full swing. The global confrontation between the USSR and NATO contributed to this more than ever before. We prepared very seriously for scenarios of war with a potential enemy. 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 when released required amount, its production workshops 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 there 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, it was developed new gun with cut-off 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's consider only certain areas, paying more attention to domestic models, 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 and for small arms, and for 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 velocity of an automatic or rifle cartridge below the sonic speed - in an assault rifle, assault rifle or sniper rifle - you need to greatly reduce the 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, Yu. Frolov, E. Kornilova, it was created unique family weapons 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. Smooth operation 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 machine gun 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 Ball lightning“In an underwater battle, two squads of scuba divers hit each other with harpoon guns. 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 while a saboteur swimmer would most likely have to shoot after going ashore, those who guard water areas or ships underwater needed underwater weapons. 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 down 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 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. We had to take a number of measures to reliable operation conventional gas-operated automatics, supply of cartridges of an unusual configuration, etc. The result was a unique “underwater special assault rifle” 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 the anti-tank rifles 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 like a good solution. 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 groups” of the so-called “ international forces maintaining peace" 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 airplanes in parking lots.

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 that found combat use in 1991 in the Persian Gulf), the P-50 "Pauza" 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-bought 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.

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 must be completed by ordinary means either difficult or even impossible.
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 firing 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 (in some places 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 in 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 external form other items or made specifically for installation in such items. Disguise a blade, spring, firearm or pneumatic throwing device as a harmless-looking and not very 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 at the intersection of linear combat 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. The most widespread are 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 internal affairs bodies and units internal troops Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The sound suppression is quite effective - when firing, only the faint metallic clang of the shutter 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
Initial bullet speed...................................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 an automatic mechanism based on the recoil of the free bolt, an inertial retarder of the rate of fire, 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 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the Afghan War, in special forces companies, the APB pistol was usually used as a weapon for squad commanders as additional weapons, as well as 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.
Tactico specifications 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 was the 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.
Relatively short length 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 both in combat rate of fire and in muzzle energy of the bullet, with to the same degree reducing the sound level of the shot.
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.
Weapon automation has 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, 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 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.
Optical sight mounted on top of the receiver with 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 model”).

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, SPP can be used to protect swimmers from dangerous marine 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 ogive head part 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 of up to 5 m, the lethal range 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

The discharge of a firearm is invariably accompanied by a loud sound and, as a rule, flame. Unless, of course, we are talking about silent special weapons. Weapons for special forces are a special type of small arms. Its use in real combat conditions is, as a rule, not disclosed. This is a weapon for special tasks. That's why it's called special. Special weapons must strike silently and with certainty. How did you make firearms silent? When gunpowder burns, a large amount of energy is released almost instantly. Powder gases push the bullet out of the barrel. Its speed at this moment is higher than the speed of sound, that is, more than 330 meters per second. The bullet, creating a shock wave, literally tears the air apart. Following the bullet, powder gases escape from the barrel. They create a so-called muzzle wave. It is the shock waves of the muzzle that are the main sources of loud sound when fired. Added to this is the clanging of the moving parts of the weapon's automation. In silence, in open areas, it can be heard from 50 meters away. We perceive all this together as the sound of a gunshot. Having understood the essence of the phenomenon, it is already possible to somehow fight it.

For the time being, fighting the roar of a shot did not interest the military at all. The louder the gunfire, the better. Let the enemy tremble. However, a device for muffling the sound of a shot appeared at the end of the nineteenth century.

One of the first to make a workable silencer was none other than Maxim, the inventor of the world's first machine gun. Moreover, Maxim quite successfully sold his mufflers in different countries, including to Russia. His goods were in greatest demand among hunters. They appreciated the idea of ​​a muffler. The sound of the shot did not scare away the game. If you miss, you can shoot again.

In the twenties, the military also became interested in the silencer. The Red Army realized how effective military reconnaissance actions were behind enemy lines. This was confirmed by the first experience of the First World War and the Civil War. The scouts needed to act silently. Remove the sentry, the sentinel, that is, deprive the enemy, as they say, of his eyes and ears.

In the Soviet Union, devices for silent and flameless shooting began to be developed in the early thirties. But they were created only before the war.

The first model for silent shooting in the Red Army was a three-line rifle. For this purpose, at the end of the forties, the Bramit device was developed (designed by the Mitin brothers). For rifle shooting, special rifle cartridges with reduced bullet velocity were used, which had subsonic speed. This eliminated one of the reasons for the loud sound of the shot. There was no shock wave generated at supersonic bullet speeds. The source of sound remained the powder gases flying out after the bullet and creating a muzzle wave. But it was eliminated by the Bramit muffler itself.

Muffler device "Bramith"

Bramit is a cylinder, inside of which there are two chambers with partitions made of soft rubber. When fired, the bullet passes through the partitions and flies out of the silencer. The hole in the soft rubber instantly tightens and prevents the penetration of gas. In the first chamber, the powder gases expand. At the same time, their pressure and temperature decrease. Some of the powder gases that erupted along with the bullet expand in the second chamber. This prevents the formation of a muzzle wave. As a result, the sound of the shot is extinguished.

The reconnaissance and sabotage units of the Red Army and partisan detachments were equipped. Later, similar devices were developed for both the Nagan revolver and the ’38 carbine. However, they did not receive distribution.

So, one of the ways to reduce the sound of a shot is to use a bullet with subsonic speed and a silencer in which the powder gases escaping from the barrel are extinguished. However, there is another way. In the forties it was first used in the Gurevich revolver. The most interesting thing about this weapon is the cartridge for it.

Gurevich cartridge device

The powder charge in the cartridge case is closed with a special wad. Along the entire cartridge case there is a sleeve into which the bullet is inserted. The space between the wad and the bushing is filled with water. When fired, 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 and the bullet receives additional acceleration. It flies out of the barrel, and the wad remains in the sleeve. The powder gases are locked, there is no noise, although there is quite a bit of splashing.

An experimental batch of Gurevich revolvers was produced in the second half of the forties. As practice has shown, the design of the cartridge turned out to be too complex. The Gurevich revolver and the Bramit silencer use different principles for muffling the sound of a shot. These principles subsequently determined two paths for the development of silent technology in the Soviet Union.

Silent small arms

A new round of development of silent weapons began in the early sixties. The global confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States was in full swing. Suspicion and mistrust, perhaps, is how one can characterize the relations between the two superpowers at that time. On May 1, 1960, near Sverdlovsk, an American reconnaissance aircraft piloted by Harry Powers was shot down. This loud scandal only added fuel to the fire of already tense relations between the USSR and the USA. The Kremlin actively used this incident for propaganda purposes. On May 12, 1960, a special exhibition opened in the central Gorky Park of Culture and Leisure. Soviet citizens were shown the wreckage of a downed plane and the personal belongings of pilot Harry Powers, including a silent pistol with a large number of cartridges. It is unlikely that ordinary visitors to this exhibition knew anything about such weapons of the Soviet Union.

They prepared very seriously for a possible military conflict with America. A variety of war scenarios with a potential enemy were considered. A special role was assigned to units. They had to operate secretly behind enemy lines. For these tasks, small-sized and silent small arms were created.

In 1962, a device for silent and flameless shooting, PBS1, was adopted. It was used with AK assault rifles and their modifications. To fire from this weapon, special cartridges with a reduced muzzle velocity were used. The bullet of such a cartridge had a subsonic initial speed. This is one of the conditions for reducing the volume of the shot. In order for the bullet to retain the necessary destructive effect, its mass was increased by about a third.

When firing a cartridge with a reduced bullet speed, the gas pressure in the barrel is significantly less than when firing a conventional cartridge. The gas pressure, however, is not sufficient for operation. For this purpose, a rubber seal was used in the PBS muffler. The bullet pierces it, and the powder gases remain in the barrel and do the work of reloading the weapon. After breaking through the rubber plug, the bullet flies into the separator, and the powder gases that have broken through are decelerated on its walls. This ensures noiseless and flameless shooting.

A Kalashnikov assault rifle with this silencer fires almost silently. At that time, it was the most powerful automatic silent weapon complex. But Soviet special forces also required compact weapons, such as a pistol. The Americans already had such weapons.

Silent pistol PB

In 1967, the PB silent pistol was adopted for service with special forces. There is a strong opinion that this weapon was created on the basis of . However, it is not. Indeed, when designing the pistol, it was ordered to use the standard trigger mechanism and magazine from the PM pistol. And everything else is just external resemblance. Muffling the sound of a shot is ensured by a silencer consisting of two parts: an expansion chamber and a removable muzzle nozzle. For shooting, a standard pistol cartridge from a Makarov pistol is used. The pistol ensures silent engagement of targets at a distance of up to fifty meters. However, the PB pistol cannot be called completely silent. The arrow produces a shutter clang when fired. In silence this sound is clearly audible.

Silent automatic pistol APB

Stechkin automatic pistol. Magazine for twenty rounds. Ability to shoot in bursts. This pistol became an excellent basis for the creation of the silent automatic pistol APB, which was intended primarily for arming special-purpose reconnaissance units. Silent shooting was ensured by a muzzle silencer and an expansion chamber located under the bolt casing. This is still in service today.

For firing from the APB, standard nine-millimeter Makarov pistol cartridges are used. The APB inherited all the positive qualities of the Stechkin pistol. This weapon was used by Soviet special forces in Afghanistan.

One of the tasks of the special forces units was to capture or destroy caravans with weapons from Pakistan. An armed patrol necessarily moved ahead of such a caravan. It needed to be eliminated first. This is where silent weapons were used. And the special forces fought with the main forces of the caravan using conventional, combined arms weapons.

The sound source of the APB pistol was still the same, automatic parts hitting each other at the moment of firing. The PB pistol had the same drawback.

Silent pistol "thunderstorm" C4

Let's go back to the sixties. It was then that the Soviet Union began to work on silent weapons, which used a different principle of eliminating sounds when fired - misfire of powder gases in the cartridge case. The C4 pistol chambered for the “snake” cartridge entered service with special units of the KGB troops. This pistol, with the clanging of moving automatic parts when fired, did not give itself away. There was simply no reloading mechanism in the C4.

We have already talked about Gurevich's pistol. In them, the bullet was pushed out by water, and the powder gases remained locked in the cartridge case. The “snake” cartridge was created using the same principle, but it is much more advanced. The powder charge is separated from the bullet by a piston. When the gunpowder ignites, the powder gases act on the piston, and it pushes the bullet out. It flies out of the barrel, and the piston remains in the sleeve, sealing it hermetically. The gases are cut off, which is why this principle is called the cutoff of powder gases in the cartridge case. The pistol itself is double-barreled. To load the pistol, it was necessary to fold back the block of barrels, insert cartridges into the clip and lower the block of barrels back. The pistol could produce two silent shot. It is almost impossible to detect a shooter by the sound of a shot. Identifying the weapon from which the shot was fired was also not easy. The “snake” cartridge uses a regular 7.62 caliber bullet from an assault rifle cartridge.

Silent pistol SME

In the early seventies, a new silent pistol, the MSP, was developed. It had significantly smaller dimensions than its predecessor, the “thunderstorm” complex. The pistol was double-barreled. SP3 cartridges with cut-off of powder gases in the cartridge case were used from it. To load the pistol, it was necessary to lift the barrel block, load two cartridges, and close the barrel block.

By the end of the seventies, the intelligence services of the Soviet Union had four samples of silent pistols, which we described above. It was necessary to combine all their advantages and eliminate their disadvantages.

Silent pistol PSS

In 1983, the PSS pistol (special self-loading pistol) was adopted for service. Its features include: the absence of a muffler, the cutoff of powder gases in the cartridge case ensures complete silent shooting. PSS decided to create it without a silencer because it significantly increases the size of the pistol. And the compactness of such a weapon is very important. A special pistol was supposed to provide the ability to be carried concealed. New 7.62 caliber cartridges were developed for the PSS pistol. The designation of this cartridge is SP4.

The cartridge bullet is not pointed, but cylindrical. There is a brass belt on its front part. When fired, it enters the rifling of the barrel, and the bullet begins to rotate. This shape of the bullet, with its subsonic initial speed and maximum target firing range of 50 meters, does not have a serious effect on the accuracy of fire. At a distance of twenty-five meters, a bullet can penetrate a fragmentation vest or a steel helmet.

The PSS pistol became a weapon of personal defense and hidden attack. Silent shooting and no flash when fired make this pistol an almost ideal weapon for special operations. There are still no analogues to this pistol.

LDC Scout Shooting Knife

In addition to firearms, scouts often . They could silently remove the sentry, but at the same time they had to get close to him. They decided to make the scout knife shoot. An example of such a silent weapon was the special scout knife (SRS). It was a combined weapon with a firing device in the handle. For firing from this device, SP3 cartridges with cut-off of powder gases in the cartridge case were used. ensures its multi-purpose use. They can cut and plane wood, saw through steel rods up to one centimeter thick. For this purpose, a file is provided on the butt. The muzzle of the knife barrel is covered with a rubber curtain. It is designed to protect the barrel from water and dirt. It doesn't interfere with shooting. To do this, you had to take out the barrel, insert a cartridge, put the barrel in place, cock the hammer, remove the knife from the safety, and fire.

The absence of an automatic system and cut-off of powder gases in the cartridge case makes the shot from the gun almost silent. After the shot, the cartridge case swelled greatly, and it sat tightly in the barrel. To extract it, a special device located in the guard of the knife was used. The knife itself is a universal weapon, especially in skilled hands, and a shooting knife can, in some cases, replace a pistol.

Silent special sniper rifle VSS and special machine gun “val”

Special forces also required powerful automatic weapons. Such a weapon must meet two contradictory requirements. On the one hand, the bullet’s increased penetration ability, and this directly depends on its initial speed. The higher the speed, the greater the penetration effect. On the other hand, for silent shooting, the bullet speed should not exceed the speed of sound. A solution was found in the use of special cartridges with a heavy bullet. It was the increased mass of the bullet and the durable steel core that provided it with good penetration.

The first model of a weapon chambered for such a cartridge was the special sniper rifle VSS, or, as it is also called, a screw cutter. It is designed for special operations that require silent shooting. Its sound level is reduced by a muffler integrated with the barrel.

Based on the VSS rifle, an AS assault rifle (special assault rifle) was created. It differed from a rifle in the presence of a folding stock, a pistol grip and a twenty-round magazine. For shooting from a machine gun, special SP6 cartridges are used. Among the troops, this weapon received the unofficial name “shaft”. When firing the SP6 cartridge, the “Val” assault rifle is capable of penetrating body armor at a range of up to 400 meters.

Automatic SR3 "VORTEX"

Later, on the basis of this machine gun, a small-sized machine gun CP3 “VORTEX” was created. The butt folds forward upward and, if necessary, allows shooting in the folded position. The side charging handle has been removed. Firstly, to eliminate the possibility of it getting caught on clothing, and secondly, to reduce the width of the weapon. The VORTEX assault rifle is reloaded using a special slide in the upper part of the forearm. There were no silent firing requirements for this weapon. The main thing is compactness and powerful lethality.

Further development of the “VORTEX”, its modernized version SR3M. It has become universal. The SR3M assault rifle can be used as a small-sized assault rifle, or as an assault rifle with a reduced shot sound level.

Rifle sniper complex VSK94

Another example of a silent weapon was the VSK94 rifle sniper complex. In the traveling position, it is carried in a special bag in disassembled form. To assemble the weapon, it was necessary to attach a stock, a silencer, insert a magazine, and attach a . For rifle shooting, SP5 sniper cartridges or SP6 armor-piercing bullets were used. The aimed shooting range of the rifle is 400 meters. The rifle entered service with special units of law enforcement forces and the army. The VSK94 rifle sniper system is used to covertly engage targets, including those wearing body armor, at a range of up to 400 meters.

Special universal complex "THUNDERSTORM"

In the mid-nineties, a special universal complex “GROZA” was adopted for service. “THUNDERSTORM” is placed in a special case. The complex is modular. Depending on the tasks, a basic machine gun can be supplemented with special devices, acquiring the properties of various types of weapons. This complex combines the capabilities of: automatic, silent, sniper fire, and firing from a grenade launcher. Despite his pretty unusual look, the “GROZA” complex was created on the basis of the well-recognized AKS74U assault rifle. About 70% of their parts are interchangeable. But the GRAZA complex is designed according to the Bullpup scheme. The magazine is located behind the firing mechanism. Therefore, outwardly, “GROZA” and AKS74U are not similar to each other. Today, the GRAZA grenade launcher and rifle complex is in service with the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Weapons that fire underwater

Weapons that fire underwater were created only in the Soviet Union. No other country in the world had such weapons. For a long time The biggest challenge was developing ammunition for the . The fact is that an ordinary bullet is unstable when moving in water and immediately after the shot begins to tumble. Only domestic scientists managed to successfully solve this problem. To ensure stable movement of a bullet in water, the well-known physical phenomenon- cavitation. The idea is the following. The bullet was made longer. When it moves in water, a space is formed in the head part that is not filled with water. The bullet comes into contact with water only at the head. The body of the bullet itself is located in an air sac. The walls of this bag do not allow the bullet to deflect and its movement is stable.

Underwater pistol SPP

In the Soviet Union, two models of such weapons were created. The first of them is the SPP pistol. The pistol is non-automatic. Shooting is carried out alternately from four barrels. You can also shoot from an underwater pistol in the air. The swimmer's carryable ammunition is sixteen rounds. Three clips are on the swimmer's belt, and the fourth is loaded into the pistol.

Underwater special assault rifle APS

In his hands, the scuba diver holds an APS underwater assault rifle, which was developed after the pistol. The specifics of the use of underwater weapons determined the specifics of its design. The machine's magazine had to be made wide due to the large length of the cartridge - fifteen centimeters. The large trigger guard allows you to use the weapon with thick gloves.

Special-purpose weapons are often inferior to general-arms weapons in many of their characteristics. Shorter aimed shooting range and worse bullet penetration. But there are special tasks that are either difficult or completely impossible to accomplish using conventional means. And as long as these tasks exist, special-purpose weapons will also exist.

Excerpt from documentary film"Silent special weapon"