DAKKADAKKA42
02-06-2005, 00:48
The products of the Dakka armaments co. are now avilible for international export. we specialse in covert operations weapons and specialised battlefeild weapons.
handguns
S-4M silent pistol
Type 67 silenced pistol
H&K Mk.23 mod.0 US SOCOM pistol
SMGs/PDWs
PP-2000 PDW
MP-5SD3 silenced SMG
Calico M950A1 SMG
Assault Rifles
SR-3 "Vikhr" compact assault rifle
AKS-74U-UBN with BS-1 suppressed rifle/suppressed grenade launcher combo
AS 'Val' silenced assault rifle
APS underwater assault rifle
FN SCAR
Sniper/anti-material rifles
VSS 'Vintorez' silenced sniper rifle
TCI / TEI M89SR compact sniper rifle
Mechem NTW-20 anti-material rifle
Machineguns
Mk. 48 model 0 7.62 mm Lightweight Machinegun
FN BRG-15 Heavy Machinegun
Shotguns
USAS-12
Franchi SPAS-12
Hand guns
S-4M silent pistol
Type: Single Action
Calibers: 7.62x63 PZ / PZA / PZAM
Weight unloaded: n/a
Length: 140 mm
Barrel length: 88 mm
Capacity: 2 rounds
The S-4 (and its latter modification S-4M) pistol is a further development of the concept, first used in Soviet MSP pistol. However, the S-4 pistol was developed with military users in mind, as it traded some concealability for more power and range, thanks to much bigger and more powerful silent cartridges of PZ family. It has been developed during mid- or late 1970s, and has been used in Afghanistan and latter campaigns, as well as in many counter-terror operations of last decade.
The S-4 / S-4M pistols are derringer-type, two barreled firearms, with the barrels stacked one above another. For reloading, rear part of the barrel block is tipped up, and cartridges are loaded or manually extracted using special spring-type clip, which holds two rounds together. Trigger is of a single action type for improved accuracy, enclosed hammers are cocked automatically when barrels are opened for reloading.
This is a superb weapon for black operations/ asasinations as the weapon is totally silent and easily concealed.
Cost: $400 US
Type 67 silenced pistol
Type: Single Action
Caliber: 7.65x17 Type 64 ball
Weight unloaded: 1050 g
Length: 226 mm
Barrel length: 95 mm
Capacity: 9 rounds
The Type 67 silenced pistol is a further development of a Type 64 pistol. It provides the users with the same combat characteristics, but at the about 2/3 of the weight of the earlier pistol. the Type 67 pistol replaced the Type 64 pistol in Chinese service.
Type 67 pistol is a blowback operated, integrally silenced pistol, with the slide lock mechanism, inherited from the Type 64 pistol. It also fires the same Type 64 7.65mm ball cartridge.
Once again an ideal weapon for infiltration teams due to its light weight, reasonable clip capactiy and integral silencer.
cost: $300 (US)
Heckler - Koch Mk.23 mod.0 US SOCOM pistol
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action: Double Action
Length: 245 mm
Height: 150 mm
Width: 38,8 mm
Weight: 1100 g
Magazine capacity: 12 rounds
This handgun was developed under request from US SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and entered the competition with Colt for OHWS - Offensive Handgun Weapon System - first offensive handgun for US Military since the adoption of the Colt M1911 Govt. The request was issued in mid-1991, and the only other major competitor to H&K was the Colt company with its SOCOM pistol. By the 1993 H&K delivered first prototypes of its contestant, and eventually HK SOCOM pistol became the Mk.23 model 0 pistol, issued by US Special Operations command to its operators. The Mk.23 mod.0 is chambered for venerable .45ACP cartridge, which provides greater stopping power than a NATO-standard 9mm Luger cartridges. Mk.23 mod.0 is designed to safely and reliable fire most powerful .45ACP +P ammunition, either with ball (FMJ) or expansive (JHP) bullets. Mk.23 mod.0 is usually issued with quick-detachable silencers, made in USA by Knight's Armaments Co, and with laser pointing module, which installs on the underbarrel rails. First production Mk.23 model 0 pistols were delivered to users in 1996.
In general, the Mk.23 mod.0 is an extremely reliable and quite powerful combat pistol, the only drawback being a somewhat excessive size and weight.
The Mk.23 mod.0 is a short recoil operated, locked breech semiautomatic pistol. The barrel locks to the slide using one single lug, which fits to the ejection port in the slide. The patented dual recoil springs arrangement allows for decreased felt recoil and increased service life of pistol. Frame of the gun is made from high-strength polymer. The double action trigger system features a separate decocker lever, an ambidextrous safety, which allows for "cocked and locked" carry, and a slide stop. Enlarged triggerguard allows for comfortable shooting when wearing gloves. Ambidextrous magazine release lever is located in the base of the triggerguard, and should be depressed down to release magazine. Both front and rear sights are equipped with luminous dots, and mounted in dovetail grooves
this weapon is an ideal choise for equiping special operations teams because of its good clip capacity, knock-down power and the option of a silecer and laser sight.
Cost: standard: $300 (US)
standard with silencer and laser sight: $350 (US)
SMGs/PDWs
PP-2000 PDW
Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: ~ 1.5 kg
Length (stock closed/open): 300 / 507 mm
Barrel length: 182 mm
Rate of fire: ~ 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 or 40 rounds
Effective range: 50-100 meters
The PP-2000 is the latest development of the famous Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) from Tula, Russia. It has been first displayed on public in 2004, although the patent for its layout has been filed in 2001 and issued in 2003.
The main "niche" for PP-2000 is a personal defense weapon for non-infantry military personnel, or as close quarter combat weapon for special forces and special law enforcement teams. As such, it is a compact weapon with as few parts as possible for enhanced reliability, simplified maintenance and low cost. Also, it is designed to fire any standard 9x19mm "ball" (FMJ) ammunition, as well as +P+ class 7N31 armour piercing ammunition of Russian origin. When loaded with 7N31 ammo, PP-2000 offers enhanced penetration against body armor, while maintaining stopping power against "soft targets", which is believed to be superior to foreign small-caliber rivals, like 5.7mm FN P90 or 4.6mm H&K MP-7.
The PP-2000 is a conventional blowback operated submachine gun, and it is believed to be fired from closed bolt for enhanced accuracy. The bolt is telescoped around the rear part of the barrel; front part of the bolt is exposed above the barrel and is used to cock (charge) weapon by pressing back its checkered front face. The receiver / housing is made from polymer as a single unit with pistol grip and trigger guard. Trigger guard is enlarged and its front part is shaped to provide front hand grip. the magazine housing is located inside the pistol grip; Housing for spare magazine is located at the rear end of the receiver, and, when inserted, spare magazine is used as a crude shoulder support (buttstock). Safety / fire mode selector is conveniently located at the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip.
A good choise for either close protection teams, veichle crews or covert operators, especially when loaded with the +P+ class 7N31 armour piercing ammunition which makes it very effective against modern body armour. it's compact size makes the weapon easy to conceal and it should be noted that it is smaller than both of its europein competitors.
cost: $700 (US)
MP-5SD3 silenced SMG
Caliber 9x19mm Parabellum (also .40S&W and 10mm Auto)
Weight, empty 2.88 kg
Length 490 / 660 mm
Barrel length 225 mm
Rate of fire 800 rounds per minute
Magazines 15 and 30 rounds
An old battle proven weapon that is ideal for infiltration, assault and hostage rescue operations. this weapon is simple to maintain and operate. it has proven its self with many units world wide including the German police and border guard, British police and elite Army SAS units, American police, FBI, Navy and Marine Corps.
The success of the MP-5 is outstanding. It is based on the high quality and reliability of the gun, great single-shot accuracy (thanks to its closed bolt action), great flexibility and, of cause, good marketing. It seems that no other modern SMG at this time can rival the MP-5 in popularity.
the dedicated silenced version of MP-5, called MP5SD3. This version is equipped with non detachable integral silencer, and the vented barrel, to reduce the bullet muzzle velocity down below the speed of sound. The MP-5SD is intended to fire standard 9mm ammunition, not the special subsonic one.
cost: $700 (US)
Calico M950A1 SMG
Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Rate of fire: 750 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 50 rounds
The Calico submachine guns are somewhat mysterious and quite notorious in both design, concept and appearance. The key properties of Calico firearms were extremely large magazine capacity combined with slim profile and ambidextrous handling.
The 9mm Calico submachine guns were delayed blowback operated, selective fire weapons. The action is based on the two part, roller delayed blowback bolt system, initially designed by Ludwig Vorgrimler at the Mauser Werke by the end of WW2, and latter refined and promoted by the Heckler & Koch company in its G3 series rifles and MP5 series submachine guns. One interesting feature of Calico submachine guns is that the spent cases are ejected straight down, through the ejection chute at the front of the trigger guard. This, along with the ambidextrous safety / selector switch, located at the front of the trigger guard, make the gun ambidextrous, but bottom ejection caused danger to the shooter in the case of improper two-hands grip - if the supporting hand will come too close to the trigger guard, ejected cases can cause burns and damage to the holding palm. The charging handle is located at the left side of the gun, just ahead and above the trigger, and does not move when gun is fired. It also must be pointed out, that the .22LR versions of the Calico guns had the ejection port at the right side of the receiver, above the pistol grip.
The most interesting feature of the Calico firearms is the top-mounted, cylindrical magazine of impressive capacity. Made mostly of plastics, this magazine contains a helical guide grooves at its "inner" cylindrical wall, with the rotating central "follower", that causes the cartridges to follow the helical track inside the cylinder. The follower is operated by the spiral spring, located at the rear of the cylinder. Magazine is equipped with winding handle, so it can be stored loaded and with unwound spring, to avoid loss of spring tension during the storage time. When required, magazine spring could be quickly wound up by rotating the handle to prepare magazine for fire. Magazines for Calico guns can store 50 or 100 rounds in relatively compact packages.
due to this weapon's diminutive size an massive clip capacity it is a superb back-up weapon for assualt or special forces teams which require firepower over accuracy.
Cost: $650 (US)
Assault Rifles
SR-3 "Vikhr" compact assault rifle
Caliber: 9x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 610 mm with open buttstock; 360 mm with closed buttstock
Barrel length: ??
Weight: 2.0 kg empty
Rate of fire: 900 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 10 or 20 rounds
The SR-3 "Vikhr" ("Whirlwind") compact assault rifle was developed in TSNIITOCHMASH by A. Borisov and V. Levchenko. Initially known as "MA" (Malogabaritnyj Avtomat = small-size assault rifle), it was based on the silenced 9 mm AS "Val" assault rifle, and intended for concealed carry by special VIP protection teams and State security operatives. The SR-3 is widely used by various FSO (Federal Protection Service, a VIP protection organization, which guards the President and the government of the Russian Federation) and FSB (Federal Security Service) operatives, elite Russian counter-terror teams and other specialized users in the MVD and Russian police. In terms of size and weight, the SR-3 is similar to most submachine guns, but it fires much more powerful 9x39mm ammunition, available in armor piercing (SP-6) and ball (SP-5) loadings. Thus, SR-3 is considered as an assault rifle rather than a submachine gun.
The SR-3 features the receiver, machined from a bar of steel, and gas-operated action with long stroke piston, plus the same rotating bolt group from the AS. However, the SR-3 has no integral silencer, nor provision to mount one, and thus is much shorter than the AS. Other changes included a more compact, top-folding butt and simplified flip-up rear sight. The redesigned charging handle, made in the form of dual sliders above the forearm, must be grasped by thumb and index finger and then retracted to load the weapon. The trigger unit is generally the same as in the AS, but the AK-type safety is replaced by ambidextrous lever above the pistol grip. The fire mode selector is of cross-bolt, push button type and located behind the trigger, inside the trigger guard. SR-3 uses same polymer magazines for 10 or 20 rounds, as the parent AS and VSS rifles.
Cost: $750 (US)
AKS-74U-UBN with BS-1 suppressed rifle/suppressed grenade launcher combo
Caliber: 5,45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 735 mm (490 mm with folded buttstock)
Barrel length: 210 mm
Magazine capacity, 30 rounds standard
Weight empty: 2,71 kg
Effective range: about 200 meters
Rate of fire: 650-735 rounds per minute
The AKS-74U short assault rifle (the "U" suffix means "Ukorochennyj" in Russian = "Shortened" in English) has been developed in the late 1970s from the AKS-74 assault rifle. The AKS-74U was intended as a personal defense weapon for tanks, guns, helicopters and other vehicles crews, and for the special operations forces, who required a compact but relatively powerful individual automatic weapon. The AKS-74U has the size and effective range of a typical submachine gun, but has advantage of the general issue, assault rifle ammunition and magazines, as well as the parts interchangeability with the general issue assault rifle, the AK-74. Since its introduction the AKS-74U, unofficially known as a "Ksyukha" (variation of a Russian woman name) or "okurok" (cigarette stub), also had been issued to various Police and other Law Enforcement forces acres the USSR and the Post-USSR countries, including Russia. Interestingly, the AKS-74U is known in the USA as the "Krinkov", but what it means is a mystery for me. The AKS-74U is somewhat popular among its users due to its compact size, which allows it to be carried in the cars and even concealed under the clothes. On the other side, its effective range of fire is greatly limited by the poor accuracy at extended ranges, while the bullet itself remains its lethality at much greater ranges. The AKS-74U also known for its tendency for rapid overheating during the prolonged fire sessions. A special version of the AKS-74U had been developed for the Special Forces (SpetsNaz), which could be fitted with quickly detachable silencer and a special 30mm silenced grenade launcher model BS-1 "Tishina" ("silence"). The launcher uses special HE-DP grenades, which are launched using special blank cartridges, stored in the box magazine, contained in the launcher pistol grip.
The AKS-74U has only few differences from the basic AKS-74 assault rifle, which I will describe below. For the technical description of the AK-74 and AKS-74, please refer to the appropriate article at this site.
AKS-74U has a severely shortened barrel, with the gas chamber moved back and appropriately cut down gas piston rod. Since the portion of the barrel after the gas port is very short, a special muzzle device was designed, which is used as a flash hider and the gas expansion chamber (to achieve reliable gas operated action). The front sight base is lowered, and the standard adjustable rear sight is replaced by the flip-up rear (marked for 200 and 400 meters distance), mounted on the receiver cover. The receiver cover is hinged to the receiver at the front and flips up when opened (original AK-74 receiver cover is detachable). Otherwise the AKS-74U is similar to the AKS-74, it has similar controls, folding buttstock, and uses same magazines.
Cost: $950 (US)
AS 'Val' silenced assault rifle
Caliber: 9x39 mm (SP-6, PAB-9)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 6 lugs
Length: 875 / 615 mm (stock open / folded)
Barrel length: 200 mm
Effective range: about 300 meters with open sights
Weight: 2,96 kg empty
Rate of fire: 800 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 10 or 20 rounds
The AS "Val" (Avtomat Spetsialnij = special assault rifle) was developed by TSNIITOCHMASH under the leadership of P. Serdjukov during the late 1980s, as a part of the 9 x 39 family of silenced weapons for Soviet Special Forces. Its design is similar to one of VSS "Vintorez" sniper rifle, and differs only in the design of the buttstock and pistol grip. AS is widely used by Russian Army recon units, as well as by MVD (Internal Affairs Ministry) and FSB (Federal Security Bureau) Special Forces.
The AS is a gas operated, integrally silenced weapon. The receiver is machined from steel forging for added strength. The long stroke gas piston is located above the barrel, and rigidly attached to the bolt carrier. The rotating bolt has six lugs and locks into the receiver. The front part of the barrel, ahead of the gas port, has several sets of holes, drilled at the bottom of the rifling grooves. These holes are used to bleed some of the gun gas into the integral silencer. The trigger unit is somewhat similar to that of the Czech-made Sa. Vz.58 assault rifle, and the gun is striker-fired. The safety lever is similar to the one found on all Kalashnikov-type rifles, but the fire mode selector is a separate cross-bolt type button, located within the trigger guard, just behind the trigger. The open sights are graduated up to 400 meters in 25 meter increments, but the actual effective range is about 200-300 meters due to the rainbow-shaped trajectory of the heavy subsonic bullets. The AS is optimized for high performance armor piercing 9x39mm ammunition, designated as SP-6 or PAB-9, but can also fire "ball" type SP-5 ammunition, intended for VSS sniper rifles. The pistol grip and the short forearm are made from polymer, the skeletonized, side-folding buttstock is made from steel tubing. The AS rifle has a standard side-mounted rail for optical, night vision or red dot scopes. It has no provision for mounting a bayonet or a grenade launcher. The integral silencer could be easily detached for maintenance, repair, or compact storage, but the rifle cannot be fired with the silencer removed due to safety and reliability issues.
cost: $800 (US)
APS underwater assault rifle
Caliber: 5.6x39 mm MPS
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 823 mm (butt retracted), 615 mm (butt collapsed)
Barrel length: n/a
Weight: 2.4 kg less magazine; 3.4 loaded
Rate of fire: 600 rounds per minute (in air)
Magazine capacity: 26 rounds
The APS (Avtomat Podvodnyj Spetsialnyj = Special Underwater Assault rifle) was developed during the early 1970s at TSNIITOCHMASH (Central Institute for Precision Machine building) by the team lead by V. Simonov. APS has been in active service with combat divers of the Soviet and Russian Navy since circa 1975.
The APS is designed for special underwater cartridges, which fire 5.66 mm needle-like projectiles 120 mm long. The projectiles are stabilized using a hydrodynamic cavity, generated by the flat point of the projectile. The cartridges use standard 5.45 x 39 cases, sealed from water. The APS itself is a relatively crude, smoothbore arm, with a gas operated, rotating bolt action, fired from an open bolt. Single safety / selector switch is located at the left side of the receiver and allows for single shots and full automatic fire. The gas system features a patented self-adjusting gas valve, which allows the gun to be fired both underwater and in atmosphere. The simple trigger unit allows for single shots and full automatic fire. The rate of fire under water, as well as the effective range, depends on the actual depth. Sights are crude: a non-adjustable open notch rear and post front. The retractable buttstock is made from steel wire. The most complicated thing in the whole design is the feed system, which includes several parts to avoid double and even triple feed with the extremely long projectiles. Unusually deep (front to back) magazines are made from polymer and hold 26 rounds.
It must be noted that while APS could be fired "above the water", it should be done only in the case of emergency. According to the available sources, the expected service life of the APS when fired "in the air" degrades severely, and the effective range is limited only to several tens of meters. So, the APS is useful only under the water, where it is quite efective.
The perfect weapon to replace the aging harpoon guns still in service with many of todays nationstate's diver units.
Cost: $950 (US)
FN SCAR
SCAR-L (Light) SCAR-H (Heavy)
Caliber 5.56x45 NATO 7.62x51 NATO basic
7.62x39 M43 and others additionally
Overall length 850 mm (max) / 620 mm (min) 997 mm (max) / 770 mm (min)
Barrel length n/a n/a
Weight 3.5 kg empty 3.86 kg empty
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 30 rounds standard 20 rounds (7.62x51 NATO)
30 rounds (7.62x39 M43)
The US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) issued a solicitation for the procurement of SOF Combat Assault Rifles (SCAR) on October 15th, 2003. This solicitation requested a new combat rifle, specially tailored for the current and proposed future needs of the US Special Forces, which are somewhat different from latest generic US Army requirements, which are being fulfilled by the newest Heckler-Koch XM8 assault rifle. The key difference in basic requirements between XM8 and SCAR is that, while XM8 is a single-caliber weapon system, tailored for 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition, the SCAR should be available in various different calibers. Initial SOF requirements included two basic versions of SCAR system - the SCAR Light (SCAR-L), available in 5.56mm NATO, and the SCAR heavy (SCAR-H), which should be initially available in significantly more powerful 7.62x51 NATO chambering, and should be easily adaptable in the field to other chamberings. These other chamberings initially include the well-spread 7.62x39 M43 ammunition of the Soviet / Russian origins, and probably some others (like the proposed 6.8x43 Remington SPC cartridge, especially developed for US Special Forces). The key idea of SCAR rifle system is that it will provide the Special Forces operators with wide variety of options, from short-barreled 5.56mm SCAR-L CQC variation, tailored for urban close combat, and up to long range 7.62x51 SCAR-H Sniper variant, as well as 7.62x39 SCAR-H, which will accept "battlefield pickup" AK-47/AKM magazines with 7.62 M43 ammunition, available during the operations behind the enemy lines. Both SCAR-L and SCAR-H shall be initially available in three versions, Standard (S), Close Quarters Combat (CQC) and Sniper Variant (SV). All these variants, regardless the caliber and exact configuration, will provide the operator with the same controls layout, same handling and maintenance procedures, and same optional equipment, such as sights, scopes, and other current and future attachments.
Late in 2004 US SOCOM announced, that the winner for the initial SCAR contracts is the FN USA, an US-based subsidiary of the famous Belgian company Fabrique Nationale Herstal. At the present time (Dec 2004) is is still unknown if the SCAR rifles will be made in USA or Belgium, but I suppose USA. The official XM / M designation is also not disclosed / assigned yet.
The FN SCAR rifles all based on the well proven 5.56mm FN FNC assault rifle. In all variants FN SCAR rifles feature gas operated, short stroke piston action with rotating bolt locking. Improved action has Kalashnikov AK-type bolt with two large locking lugs and fixed ejector. This system apparently is less sensitive to fine sand, dust and any other fouling inside the receiver, than any system with M16-type multi-lug bolt and plunger-type ejector. The receiver is made from two parts, upper and lower, connected with two cross-pins. Both parts are made of metal (probably lower receiver is made from aluminum alloy and upper receiver from stamped steel). It is still unclear if the SCAR system will have quick detachable barrels for various configurations and lengths (from short-barreled CQC to long-barreled SV), or the barrels will be swapped along with entire upper receiver. The SCAR-H system also will have different type lower receivers, adapted to various types of ammunition and various types of magazines (i.e. 7.62mm NATO magazines and 7.62 M43 AK-type magazines, respectively). SCAR-L rifle will use improved M16-type magazines. The trigger unit with ambidextrous safety-fire mode selector switch will allow for single shots and full automatic fire, apparently with no provisions for limited-length bursts mode. The charging handle could be easily installed on either side of the weapon, so the upper receiver has respective cuts on both sides. Top of the upper receiver is covered by the full-length integral Picatinny rail (MIL-STD 1913); additional Picatinny rails are mounted on both sides and below the handguards. Side-folding polymer buttstock is adjustable for length of pull, and is shaped to proved positive cheek rest. SCAR rifles apparently will be fitted with removable, adjustable iron sights, with folding diopter-type rear sight on the receiver rail, and folding front sight on the gas block. Any additional type of sighting equipment, necessary for current tasks, including telescope and night sights, can be installed using MIL-STD 1913 compatible mounts. Current SCAR rifles do not have bayonet mounts, and, probably, will never have one.
Cost: $800 (US) for SCAR L $950 for SCAR Heavy (US)
Sniper/anti-material rifles
VSS 'Vintorez' silenced sniper rifle
Caliber: 9x39mm SP-5 and SP-6 subsonic cartridges
Action: auto, selective fire, gas-operated, striker-fired.
Length: 894mm
Barrel length: 200 mm
Weight: empty: 2.6 kg, loaded w. scope PSO-1: 3.41 kg
Magazine: 10 or 20 rounds detachable box
VSS (Vinovka Snaiperskaja Spetsialnaya = Special Sniper Rifle) was designed for special operations. Designed at TSNIITochMash (Central Institute for Precision Machine Building) by team lead by Petr Serdjukov, the new rifle was intended to replace some AK-47/AKM rifles, fitted with silencers, in the hands of various Special Operations (SpetsNaz) troops of Soviet Army, KGB and MVD. To achieve desired lethality against targets, protected with body armor, TSNIITochMash had to develop a new subsonic cartridge, based on the 7.62x39 case, necked out for 9mm bullet. The bullets used in new cartridges are long and heavy (about 16 gram), and of ball (SP-5) and AP (SP-6) type. The latter bullet features a hardened steel penetrator as the core, and can defeat most military issue body armors at ranges up to 300-400 meters. VSS is in use since late 1980s, and is widely used in Chechnya against separatists. VSS is quite popular among its users for its stealthy capabilities and great lethality of heavy 9mm bullets. The effective range of VSS is limited to 300-400 meters.
The VSS is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. The long stroke gas piston is located above the barrel. The rotating bolt has 6 lugs and locks into the receiver, which is machined from solid steel for greater strength. The trigger unit differs significantly from AK-47 type firearms, being striker-fired. The safety switch and charging handle are AK-style, but the fire selector is a cross-bolt button, located inside the triggerguard, behind the trigger.
The barrel at the front has a set of tiny holes, drilled in the rifling grooves, which lead into the integral silencer. The silencer is the integral part of the weapon, and while it could be easily removed for storage or maintenance, the VSS should not be fired wit silencer removed.
Standard sighting equipment consists of side rail on the receiver, which usually accommodates the 4X PSO-1 scope, graduated for 9x39 ammo. Any other scope or night vision sight can be mounted on appropriate mount. backup iron sights consist of tangent rear and blade front. Rear sight is graduated up to 400 meters.
The wooden, skeletonized buttstock is fitted with rubber buttplate and can be removed for compact storage and transportation, the compact forend is made from polymer.
Feeding is achieved from 10 or 20 round box magazines, made from polymer.
Cost: $1000 (US)
TCI / TEI M89SR compact sniper rifle
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Win)
Operation: gas operated, semiautomatic
Barrel: 560 mm
Weight: 4.5 kg empty, less scope
Length: 850 mm
Feed Mechanism: 10 or 20 rounds detachable box magazine
The M89-SR sniper rifle is now being produced by the Technical Equipment International (TEI) Ltd company, located in Tel Aviv, Israel. The M89-SR is intended for both urban warfare and support of mechanized troops in the field - everywhere where the compact size of this bullpup rifle, as well as its rapid-fire capability is a plus. M89-SR is based on the earlier Israeli design, the M36 bullpup sniper rifle, which was developed back in 1980s. The M89-SR is based on the modified American M14 / M1A rifle action, fitted into bullpup stock, and equipped with proprietary scope mount, muzzle brake and a detachable bipod. M89-SR rifle can be fitted with proprietary quick-detachable silencer for low noise work. This rifle is in use with Israeli Self-Defence forces (TSAHAL) and is offered for export.
The M89-SR sniper rifle is built around gas operated, rotating bolt semi-automatic action; the gas system is apparently modified to some extent. M89-SR is fed using standard M14 / M1A type detachable box magazines. M89-SR can be used with various telescope and IR sights, and there's no open sights as a standard. Reportedly, there is another modification of the basic design, the M89-AR, which is fitted with adjustable iron sights by default, and is intended for battlefield use.
Due to its compact size this is an ideal weapon for snipers/sharpshooters in mechanized or motorised units. its size also makes it a good choise for special forces units.
Cost: $850
Mechem NTW-20 anti-material rifle
20 mm version 14.5 mm version
Caliber 20 x 83.5 mm MG151 14.5 x 114 mm Russian
Operation manual bolt action
Barrel length 1000 mm 1220 mm
Weight 26 kg 29 kg
Length 1795 mm 2015 mm
Feed Mechanism detachable box magazine, 3 rounds
Maximum effective range 1500+ meters 2300+ meters
This rifle was designed in the early to mid 1990s by South African arms designer Tony Neophytou, who also took its part in designing the Neostead combat shotgun. Initial development was under the Aerotek name, and later the Mechem division of the DENEL Group, a major South African arms manufacturer, purchased all rights for this design. In the 1998 South African National Defense Forces adopted this weapon and began to purchase it in some numbers. It is also offered for export sales. The NTW-20 is a long range anti-materiel rifle, developed to reach out across wide plains of South African landscape and to deliver substantial firepower in a relatively compact, two men portable package. It is available in two versions, 20mm and 14.5mm, and could be easily converted from one variant to another by simple replacement of the barrel, bolt, magazine and scope, which will take about 1 minute in the field conditions. These two versions had slightly different applications: 20mm version, built around WW2-era German MG-151 aircraft gun round, can deliver high explosive, fragmentation or incendiary shells with good accuracy, so a relatively "soft" targets could be disabled by the blast and / or fragments. When the long range and armor penetration is an issue, the 14.5mm version comes into the play. It is built around another WW2-era round, Soviet 14.5mm high velocity, armor-piercing cartridge, developed for PTRD and PTRS anti-tank rifles and still widely used in Russian KPV / KPVT heavy machine guns on armored cars and in anti-aircraft mounts. While probably not so accurate as the specially developed .50BMG (12.7x99mm) rifles, mostly due to unavailability of the "match grade" ammunition in the 14.5mm and 20mm, NTW-20 offers significantly more terminal effectiveness than any .50BMG rifle / round combination. 20 mm version could be most effective against targets like parked aircrafts and helicopters, command and communications equipment, radar cabins, fuel dumps, unarmored cars. 14.5 mm version will be more effective against armored personnel carriers or relatively large "soft" targets at extended ranges. Anti-personnel work is by no means a primary task for this huge rifle.
NTW-20 is a manually operated, rotating bolt action rifle. The barrel is locked by the rotating bolt that has 6 lugs. The barrel along with the receiver could recoil inside the chassis frame against combined hydraulic and pneumatic damping system. Large two-chamber muzzle brake also helps to keep recoil at the acceptable level. NTW-20 is fed from the detachable box magazine, that is inserted from the left side and holds 3 rounds. The rifle could be disassembled and carried in two man-portable packs, each weighting about 12 - 15 kg. One pack carries the frame, stock, butt and bipod while the other carries the barrel, sighting equipment
and magazines. NTW-20 is equipped with a 8X magnification, long eye relief telescopic sight on the quick detachable mount. No open sight are fitted by default. The folding bipod is mounted under the receiver, and a non-folding frame above the receiver serves as a carrying handle and a scope protection bracket.
All export versions come with both caliber's barrel, bolt, magazine and scope.
Cost: $7000
Machineguns
Mk. 48 model 0 7.62 mm Lightweight Machinegun
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Weight: 8.2 kg without ammunition and optical sights
Length: ~ 1000 mm
Length of barrel: no data
Feeding: belt
Rate of fire: ~ 700 rounds/min
The Mk.48 mod. 0 7.62mm LWMG (Lightweight Machinegun) is being developed by the FN Manufacturing Inc. (an US-based outfit of famous Belgian company FN Herstal). The request for new weapon came in 2001, and the first units in the US Special Operations Forces are scheduled to receive this machine guns in august, 2003. The Mk.48 mod. 0 is due to replace infamous 7.62mm Mk.43 mod.0 (M60E4) machine guns, which are quoted as insufficiently reliable. US SOCOM plans are to acquire several hundreds of Mk.48 mod. 0 LWMGs. It also probably will be offered for export by FN Mfg when the initial US Govt contract will be completed.
The Mk.48 mod. 0 is a "big brother", or a scaled-up version of the 5.56mm Mk.46 mod. 0 LMG, a derivative of the famous FN Minimi / M249 SAW LMG. Both 5.56mm Mk.46 mod. 0 and 7.62mm Mk.48 mod. 0 were developed for US Special Forces, led by the US Navy, hence the Mk. (Mark) designation.
The key advantages of the Mk.48 mod. 0 over the 7.62mm M240 / FN MAG are the light weight (essential for SpecOps, 17% lighter than M240B), parts compatibility with M240 and Mk.46 mod. 0, and a rail mounting system, that can be fitted with various sights and SOPMOD kit accessories. The Mk.48 mod. 0 will provide several firepower advantages (in both terminal effectiveness and range) over the Mk.46 mod. 0 and M249 SAW, being much lighter than M240 and much reliable than Mk.43 mod. 0 (M60E4).
Technical description.
The Mk.48 mod. 0 is a gas operated, air cooled, belt fed machine gun. Its action is very similar to one of M249 / Minimi, being a gas operated, with underbarrel gas system and a rotating bolt locking. Gun is fed using standard disintegrating 7.62mm belts (no magazine feed is available, as on the smaller Mk.46 mod.0). Belt can be fed from separate boxes or clip-on combat pouches for 100 rounds. Barrel is quick-detachable and has a carrying handle to assist replacement of the hot barrels. Mk.48 mod. 0 is fitted with open sights, and has 5 Picatinny rails (one on the top of the receiver, 4 on the forend), that can accept wide variety of sights and accessories. Mk.48 mod. 0 is fitted with solid, non-folding plastic butt, folding integral bipod, and a carrying sling. It seems that it also can be mounted on vehicles and infantry tripods for sustained or long range fire missions.
cost: $2000 (US)
FN BRG-15 heavy machine gun
Caliber: 15.5x115 mm
Weigth: 60 kg (without mount)
Length: 2150 mm
Length of barrel: 1500 mm
Feeding: dual belt
Rate of fire: 600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity: 1055 meters per second
First announced in october 1983, the BRG-15 was designed to replace aged Browning M2HB .50 cal (12.7mm) heavy machineguns, and is, probably, the most powerful machine gun ever made, outperforming even Soviet KPV 14.7mm. The BRG-15 could pierce 10mm of steel armour at 30 degrees at the distance of 1350 meters, or, in other words, capable to defeat armour of almost any APC at the distances of 1000 meters and beyond.
The BRG-15 had conventional, gas operated action with rotating bolt, locking into the barrel extension. It had the dual feed, with two belts entering from the top of the receiver, and with bottom ejection port. The gun had feed mode selector at the rear of the receiver, and, when used on tripod mount, a set of spade grips to control the gun. After the testing it was found that the 15mm ammunition caused fast barrel wear, so gun and ammunition had been redesigned: new bullets had driving bands to follow the rifling (like the large caliber artilery shells), and barrel caliber was increased to 15.5mm and barrel had been lenghtened.
In the final shape the BRG-15 is a very potent gun.
Cost: $9000
Shotguns
USAS-12
Type: gas operated semi-auto (select-fire version exists)
Gauge: 12 (2 3/4 in shells - 70 mm chamber )
Length: 960 mm
Barrel length: 460 mm
Weight 5.5 kg empty, 6.2kg loaded with 10 rounds
Capacity: 10 rounds box or 20 rounds drum detachable magazines
USAS-12 shotgun was developed in South Korea by Daewoo Precision Industries somewhere in the 1980s, and according to some sources, its design is based on experimental Atchisson Assault Shotgun, developed in 1970s in USA by someone Maxwell Atchisson. USAS-12 was intended as a special purpose, military or special operations close combat weapon with extreme firepower. It is offered for military and law enforcement agencies.
USAS-12 is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. It uses a gas system located above the barrel, with more or less conventional rotating bolt locking. The interesting feature, probably borrowed from Atchisson designs, is the long bolt overtravel, which results in relatively low peak recoil and low rate of fire, which is essential for weapon firing powerful 12 gauge shells. USAS-12 is an ambidextrous weapon, having two ejection ports on each side of the receiver, and two slots on the forearm for cocking handle. The ejector on the bolt and the cocking handle could be easily set to operate either side of the gun, depending on the present shooter needs and preferences. USAS-12 is feed from large capacity box or drum magazines, holding 10 and 20 rounds respectively. The polymer buttstock is hollow and is used as a space for bolt group to recoil, so the folding butt version is unavailable for this design. USAS-12 has a post type, hooded front sight at the top of the gas chamber and an adjustable rear sight built into the carrying handle, similar to one found on M16 assault rifles.
USAS-12 is very bulky and heavy, but the large mass greatly improves the recoil control, especially in full automatic (bursts) mode. This weapon provides exelent short range fire power and is highly suitable for close assault teams who are expected to clear enemy held strong points and buildings. This will give them the advantage of the 12 gauge shells in semi or fully automatic with a massive ammunition capacity.
Cost: $700 for semi-auto
$900 for Select fire
Franchi SPAS-12
Type: selective pump-action or gas-operated
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 2 3/4" (70 mm)
Length: 1041 mm
Barrel length: 546 mm.
Weight 4.4 kg
Capacity: 8 rounds in underbarrel tube magazine
The SPAS-12 was designed in the late 1970s by the Italian company Luigi Franchi Spa as a special purpose, military and police close combat weapon (actually, SPAS stands for Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun, or Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun, depending on the source). It featured a selective action for greater versatility, and can be used as a gas operated semi-automatic repeater or as a manually operated pump action repeater, depending on the mission and ammunition used. Since its introduction SPAS-12 became a very popular police and special forces weapon, being versatile, reliable and with good firepower. On the other hand, it is heavier than most other similar shotguns and quite complicated, which results in relatively high prices.
SPAS-12 utilizes somewhat traditional for shotguns gas system with annular gas piston locating around the underbarrel magazine tube. It operates the bolt with vertically tilting locking lug that engages the barrel extension to lock. SPAS-12 can be switched between gas operated self-loading mode and manually operated pump mode by pressing and holding a button at the bottom of the forearm and pulling the forearm slightly forward for AUTOMATIC mode or backward for PUMP (or MANUAL) mode. Earlier models of the SPAS-12 had the lever type safety at the front of the triggerguard, but due to some deficiencies this was latter replaced by the push-button (cross-bolt) safety at the same place.
SPAS-12 could be fitted with stamped metallic buttstock that folds to the top of the receiver when not in use, and with a pistol grip made of plastic. Alternatively, solid plastic buttstocks with pistol grips are available. Barrel has cylinder bore with screw-on muzzle devices (cokes of flash hiders). Sights usually are of rifle type, with post front and open notch rear sight. This is a more suitable weapon for special forces than our other shotgun due to it's lighter weight and greater tactical flexibility.
cost: $500 US
Please do your own maths for your orders and only buy what you can afford.
Dakka Armaments Co. the company that gives you more DAKKA!
handguns
S-4M silent pistol
Type 67 silenced pistol
H&K Mk.23 mod.0 US SOCOM pistol
SMGs/PDWs
PP-2000 PDW
MP-5SD3 silenced SMG
Calico M950A1 SMG
Assault Rifles
SR-3 "Vikhr" compact assault rifle
AKS-74U-UBN with BS-1 suppressed rifle/suppressed grenade launcher combo
AS 'Val' silenced assault rifle
APS underwater assault rifle
FN SCAR
Sniper/anti-material rifles
VSS 'Vintorez' silenced sniper rifle
TCI / TEI M89SR compact sniper rifle
Mechem NTW-20 anti-material rifle
Machineguns
Mk. 48 model 0 7.62 mm Lightweight Machinegun
FN BRG-15 Heavy Machinegun
Shotguns
USAS-12
Franchi SPAS-12
Hand guns
S-4M silent pistol
Type: Single Action
Calibers: 7.62x63 PZ / PZA / PZAM
Weight unloaded: n/a
Length: 140 mm
Barrel length: 88 mm
Capacity: 2 rounds
The S-4 (and its latter modification S-4M) pistol is a further development of the concept, first used in Soviet MSP pistol. However, the S-4 pistol was developed with military users in mind, as it traded some concealability for more power and range, thanks to much bigger and more powerful silent cartridges of PZ family. It has been developed during mid- or late 1970s, and has been used in Afghanistan and latter campaigns, as well as in many counter-terror operations of last decade.
The S-4 / S-4M pistols are derringer-type, two barreled firearms, with the barrels stacked one above another. For reloading, rear part of the barrel block is tipped up, and cartridges are loaded or manually extracted using special spring-type clip, which holds two rounds together. Trigger is of a single action type for improved accuracy, enclosed hammers are cocked automatically when barrels are opened for reloading.
This is a superb weapon for black operations/ asasinations as the weapon is totally silent and easily concealed.
Cost: $400 US
Type 67 silenced pistol
Type: Single Action
Caliber: 7.65x17 Type 64 ball
Weight unloaded: 1050 g
Length: 226 mm
Barrel length: 95 mm
Capacity: 9 rounds
The Type 67 silenced pistol is a further development of a Type 64 pistol. It provides the users with the same combat characteristics, but at the about 2/3 of the weight of the earlier pistol. the Type 67 pistol replaced the Type 64 pistol in Chinese service.
Type 67 pistol is a blowback operated, integrally silenced pistol, with the slide lock mechanism, inherited from the Type 64 pistol. It also fires the same Type 64 7.65mm ball cartridge.
Once again an ideal weapon for infiltration teams due to its light weight, reasonable clip capactiy and integral silencer.
cost: $300 (US)
Heckler - Koch Mk.23 mod.0 US SOCOM pistol
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action: Double Action
Length: 245 mm
Height: 150 mm
Width: 38,8 mm
Weight: 1100 g
Magazine capacity: 12 rounds
This handgun was developed under request from US SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and entered the competition with Colt for OHWS - Offensive Handgun Weapon System - first offensive handgun for US Military since the adoption of the Colt M1911 Govt. The request was issued in mid-1991, and the only other major competitor to H&K was the Colt company with its SOCOM pistol. By the 1993 H&K delivered first prototypes of its contestant, and eventually HK SOCOM pistol became the Mk.23 model 0 pistol, issued by US Special Operations command to its operators. The Mk.23 mod.0 is chambered for venerable .45ACP cartridge, which provides greater stopping power than a NATO-standard 9mm Luger cartridges. Mk.23 mod.0 is designed to safely and reliable fire most powerful .45ACP +P ammunition, either with ball (FMJ) or expansive (JHP) bullets. Mk.23 mod.0 is usually issued with quick-detachable silencers, made in USA by Knight's Armaments Co, and with laser pointing module, which installs on the underbarrel rails. First production Mk.23 model 0 pistols were delivered to users in 1996.
In general, the Mk.23 mod.0 is an extremely reliable and quite powerful combat pistol, the only drawback being a somewhat excessive size and weight.
The Mk.23 mod.0 is a short recoil operated, locked breech semiautomatic pistol. The barrel locks to the slide using one single lug, which fits to the ejection port in the slide. The patented dual recoil springs arrangement allows for decreased felt recoil and increased service life of pistol. Frame of the gun is made from high-strength polymer. The double action trigger system features a separate decocker lever, an ambidextrous safety, which allows for "cocked and locked" carry, and a slide stop. Enlarged triggerguard allows for comfortable shooting when wearing gloves. Ambidextrous magazine release lever is located in the base of the triggerguard, and should be depressed down to release magazine. Both front and rear sights are equipped with luminous dots, and mounted in dovetail grooves
this weapon is an ideal choise for equiping special operations teams because of its good clip capacity, knock-down power and the option of a silecer and laser sight.
Cost: standard: $300 (US)
standard with silencer and laser sight: $350 (US)
SMGs/PDWs
PP-2000 PDW
Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: ~ 1.5 kg
Length (stock closed/open): 300 / 507 mm
Barrel length: 182 mm
Rate of fire: ~ 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 or 40 rounds
Effective range: 50-100 meters
The PP-2000 is the latest development of the famous Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) from Tula, Russia. It has been first displayed on public in 2004, although the patent for its layout has been filed in 2001 and issued in 2003.
The main "niche" for PP-2000 is a personal defense weapon for non-infantry military personnel, or as close quarter combat weapon for special forces and special law enforcement teams. As such, it is a compact weapon with as few parts as possible for enhanced reliability, simplified maintenance and low cost. Also, it is designed to fire any standard 9x19mm "ball" (FMJ) ammunition, as well as +P+ class 7N31 armour piercing ammunition of Russian origin. When loaded with 7N31 ammo, PP-2000 offers enhanced penetration against body armor, while maintaining stopping power against "soft targets", which is believed to be superior to foreign small-caliber rivals, like 5.7mm FN P90 or 4.6mm H&K MP-7.
The PP-2000 is a conventional blowback operated submachine gun, and it is believed to be fired from closed bolt for enhanced accuracy. The bolt is telescoped around the rear part of the barrel; front part of the bolt is exposed above the barrel and is used to cock (charge) weapon by pressing back its checkered front face. The receiver / housing is made from polymer as a single unit with pistol grip and trigger guard. Trigger guard is enlarged and its front part is shaped to provide front hand grip. the magazine housing is located inside the pistol grip; Housing for spare magazine is located at the rear end of the receiver, and, when inserted, spare magazine is used as a crude shoulder support (buttstock). Safety / fire mode selector is conveniently located at the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip.
A good choise for either close protection teams, veichle crews or covert operators, especially when loaded with the +P+ class 7N31 armour piercing ammunition which makes it very effective against modern body armour. it's compact size makes the weapon easy to conceal and it should be noted that it is smaller than both of its europein competitors.
cost: $700 (US)
MP-5SD3 silenced SMG
Caliber 9x19mm Parabellum (also .40S&W and 10mm Auto)
Weight, empty 2.88 kg
Length 490 / 660 mm
Barrel length 225 mm
Rate of fire 800 rounds per minute
Magazines 15 and 30 rounds
An old battle proven weapon that is ideal for infiltration, assault and hostage rescue operations. this weapon is simple to maintain and operate. it has proven its self with many units world wide including the German police and border guard, British police and elite Army SAS units, American police, FBI, Navy and Marine Corps.
The success of the MP-5 is outstanding. It is based on the high quality and reliability of the gun, great single-shot accuracy (thanks to its closed bolt action), great flexibility and, of cause, good marketing. It seems that no other modern SMG at this time can rival the MP-5 in popularity.
the dedicated silenced version of MP-5, called MP5SD3. This version is equipped with non detachable integral silencer, and the vented barrel, to reduce the bullet muzzle velocity down below the speed of sound. The MP-5SD is intended to fire standard 9mm ammunition, not the special subsonic one.
cost: $700 (US)
Calico M950A1 SMG
Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Rate of fire: 750 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 50 rounds
The Calico submachine guns are somewhat mysterious and quite notorious in both design, concept and appearance. The key properties of Calico firearms were extremely large magazine capacity combined with slim profile and ambidextrous handling.
The 9mm Calico submachine guns were delayed blowback operated, selective fire weapons. The action is based on the two part, roller delayed blowback bolt system, initially designed by Ludwig Vorgrimler at the Mauser Werke by the end of WW2, and latter refined and promoted by the Heckler & Koch company in its G3 series rifles and MP5 series submachine guns. One interesting feature of Calico submachine guns is that the spent cases are ejected straight down, through the ejection chute at the front of the trigger guard. This, along with the ambidextrous safety / selector switch, located at the front of the trigger guard, make the gun ambidextrous, but bottom ejection caused danger to the shooter in the case of improper two-hands grip - if the supporting hand will come too close to the trigger guard, ejected cases can cause burns and damage to the holding palm. The charging handle is located at the left side of the gun, just ahead and above the trigger, and does not move when gun is fired. It also must be pointed out, that the .22LR versions of the Calico guns had the ejection port at the right side of the receiver, above the pistol grip.
The most interesting feature of the Calico firearms is the top-mounted, cylindrical magazine of impressive capacity. Made mostly of plastics, this magazine contains a helical guide grooves at its "inner" cylindrical wall, with the rotating central "follower", that causes the cartridges to follow the helical track inside the cylinder. The follower is operated by the spiral spring, located at the rear of the cylinder. Magazine is equipped with winding handle, so it can be stored loaded and with unwound spring, to avoid loss of spring tension during the storage time. When required, magazine spring could be quickly wound up by rotating the handle to prepare magazine for fire. Magazines for Calico guns can store 50 or 100 rounds in relatively compact packages.
due to this weapon's diminutive size an massive clip capacity it is a superb back-up weapon for assualt or special forces teams which require firepower over accuracy.
Cost: $650 (US)
Assault Rifles
SR-3 "Vikhr" compact assault rifle
Caliber: 9x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 610 mm with open buttstock; 360 mm with closed buttstock
Barrel length: ??
Weight: 2.0 kg empty
Rate of fire: 900 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 10 or 20 rounds
The SR-3 "Vikhr" ("Whirlwind") compact assault rifle was developed in TSNIITOCHMASH by A. Borisov and V. Levchenko. Initially known as "MA" (Malogabaritnyj Avtomat = small-size assault rifle), it was based on the silenced 9 mm AS "Val" assault rifle, and intended for concealed carry by special VIP protection teams and State security operatives. The SR-3 is widely used by various FSO (Federal Protection Service, a VIP protection organization, which guards the President and the government of the Russian Federation) and FSB (Federal Security Service) operatives, elite Russian counter-terror teams and other specialized users in the MVD and Russian police. In terms of size and weight, the SR-3 is similar to most submachine guns, but it fires much more powerful 9x39mm ammunition, available in armor piercing (SP-6) and ball (SP-5) loadings. Thus, SR-3 is considered as an assault rifle rather than a submachine gun.
The SR-3 features the receiver, machined from a bar of steel, and gas-operated action with long stroke piston, plus the same rotating bolt group from the AS. However, the SR-3 has no integral silencer, nor provision to mount one, and thus is much shorter than the AS. Other changes included a more compact, top-folding butt and simplified flip-up rear sight. The redesigned charging handle, made in the form of dual sliders above the forearm, must be grasped by thumb and index finger and then retracted to load the weapon. The trigger unit is generally the same as in the AS, but the AK-type safety is replaced by ambidextrous lever above the pistol grip. The fire mode selector is of cross-bolt, push button type and located behind the trigger, inside the trigger guard. SR-3 uses same polymer magazines for 10 or 20 rounds, as the parent AS and VSS rifles.
Cost: $750 (US)
AKS-74U-UBN with BS-1 suppressed rifle/suppressed grenade launcher combo
Caliber: 5,45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 735 mm (490 mm with folded buttstock)
Barrel length: 210 mm
Magazine capacity, 30 rounds standard
Weight empty: 2,71 kg
Effective range: about 200 meters
Rate of fire: 650-735 rounds per minute
The AKS-74U short assault rifle (the "U" suffix means "Ukorochennyj" in Russian = "Shortened" in English) has been developed in the late 1970s from the AKS-74 assault rifle. The AKS-74U was intended as a personal defense weapon for tanks, guns, helicopters and other vehicles crews, and for the special operations forces, who required a compact but relatively powerful individual automatic weapon. The AKS-74U has the size and effective range of a typical submachine gun, but has advantage of the general issue, assault rifle ammunition and magazines, as well as the parts interchangeability with the general issue assault rifle, the AK-74. Since its introduction the AKS-74U, unofficially known as a "Ksyukha" (variation of a Russian woman name) or "okurok" (cigarette stub), also had been issued to various Police and other Law Enforcement forces acres the USSR and the Post-USSR countries, including Russia. Interestingly, the AKS-74U is known in the USA as the "Krinkov", but what it means is a mystery for me. The AKS-74U is somewhat popular among its users due to its compact size, which allows it to be carried in the cars and even concealed under the clothes. On the other side, its effective range of fire is greatly limited by the poor accuracy at extended ranges, while the bullet itself remains its lethality at much greater ranges. The AKS-74U also known for its tendency for rapid overheating during the prolonged fire sessions. A special version of the AKS-74U had been developed for the Special Forces (SpetsNaz), which could be fitted with quickly detachable silencer and a special 30mm silenced grenade launcher model BS-1 "Tishina" ("silence"). The launcher uses special HE-DP grenades, which are launched using special blank cartridges, stored in the box magazine, contained in the launcher pistol grip.
The AKS-74U has only few differences from the basic AKS-74 assault rifle, which I will describe below. For the technical description of the AK-74 and AKS-74, please refer to the appropriate article at this site.
AKS-74U has a severely shortened barrel, with the gas chamber moved back and appropriately cut down gas piston rod. Since the portion of the barrel after the gas port is very short, a special muzzle device was designed, which is used as a flash hider and the gas expansion chamber (to achieve reliable gas operated action). The front sight base is lowered, and the standard adjustable rear sight is replaced by the flip-up rear (marked for 200 and 400 meters distance), mounted on the receiver cover. The receiver cover is hinged to the receiver at the front and flips up when opened (original AK-74 receiver cover is detachable). Otherwise the AKS-74U is similar to the AKS-74, it has similar controls, folding buttstock, and uses same magazines.
Cost: $950 (US)
AS 'Val' silenced assault rifle
Caliber: 9x39 mm (SP-6, PAB-9)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 6 lugs
Length: 875 / 615 mm (stock open / folded)
Barrel length: 200 mm
Effective range: about 300 meters with open sights
Weight: 2,96 kg empty
Rate of fire: 800 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 10 or 20 rounds
The AS "Val" (Avtomat Spetsialnij = special assault rifle) was developed by TSNIITOCHMASH under the leadership of P. Serdjukov during the late 1980s, as a part of the 9 x 39 family of silenced weapons for Soviet Special Forces. Its design is similar to one of VSS "Vintorez" sniper rifle, and differs only in the design of the buttstock and pistol grip. AS is widely used by Russian Army recon units, as well as by MVD (Internal Affairs Ministry) and FSB (Federal Security Bureau) Special Forces.
The AS is a gas operated, integrally silenced weapon. The receiver is machined from steel forging for added strength. The long stroke gas piston is located above the barrel, and rigidly attached to the bolt carrier. The rotating bolt has six lugs and locks into the receiver. The front part of the barrel, ahead of the gas port, has several sets of holes, drilled at the bottom of the rifling grooves. These holes are used to bleed some of the gun gas into the integral silencer. The trigger unit is somewhat similar to that of the Czech-made Sa. Vz.58 assault rifle, and the gun is striker-fired. The safety lever is similar to the one found on all Kalashnikov-type rifles, but the fire mode selector is a separate cross-bolt type button, located within the trigger guard, just behind the trigger. The open sights are graduated up to 400 meters in 25 meter increments, but the actual effective range is about 200-300 meters due to the rainbow-shaped trajectory of the heavy subsonic bullets. The AS is optimized for high performance armor piercing 9x39mm ammunition, designated as SP-6 or PAB-9, but can also fire "ball" type SP-5 ammunition, intended for VSS sniper rifles. The pistol grip and the short forearm are made from polymer, the skeletonized, side-folding buttstock is made from steel tubing. The AS rifle has a standard side-mounted rail for optical, night vision or red dot scopes. It has no provision for mounting a bayonet or a grenade launcher. The integral silencer could be easily detached for maintenance, repair, or compact storage, but the rifle cannot be fired with the silencer removed due to safety and reliability issues.
cost: $800 (US)
APS underwater assault rifle
Caliber: 5.6x39 mm MPS
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 823 mm (butt retracted), 615 mm (butt collapsed)
Barrel length: n/a
Weight: 2.4 kg less magazine; 3.4 loaded
Rate of fire: 600 rounds per minute (in air)
Magazine capacity: 26 rounds
The APS (Avtomat Podvodnyj Spetsialnyj = Special Underwater Assault rifle) was developed during the early 1970s at TSNIITOCHMASH (Central Institute for Precision Machine building) by the team lead by V. Simonov. APS has been in active service with combat divers of the Soviet and Russian Navy since circa 1975.
The APS is designed for special underwater cartridges, which fire 5.66 mm needle-like projectiles 120 mm long. The projectiles are stabilized using a hydrodynamic cavity, generated by the flat point of the projectile. The cartridges use standard 5.45 x 39 cases, sealed from water. The APS itself is a relatively crude, smoothbore arm, with a gas operated, rotating bolt action, fired from an open bolt. Single safety / selector switch is located at the left side of the receiver and allows for single shots and full automatic fire. The gas system features a patented self-adjusting gas valve, which allows the gun to be fired both underwater and in atmosphere. The simple trigger unit allows for single shots and full automatic fire. The rate of fire under water, as well as the effective range, depends on the actual depth. Sights are crude: a non-adjustable open notch rear and post front. The retractable buttstock is made from steel wire. The most complicated thing in the whole design is the feed system, which includes several parts to avoid double and even triple feed with the extremely long projectiles. Unusually deep (front to back) magazines are made from polymer and hold 26 rounds.
It must be noted that while APS could be fired "above the water", it should be done only in the case of emergency. According to the available sources, the expected service life of the APS when fired "in the air" degrades severely, and the effective range is limited only to several tens of meters. So, the APS is useful only under the water, where it is quite efective.
The perfect weapon to replace the aging harpoon guns still in service with many of todays nationstate's diver units.
Cost: $950 (US)
FN SCAR
SCAR-L (Light) SCAR-H (Heavy)
Caliber 5.56x45 NATO 7.62x51 NATO basic
7.62x39 M43 and others additionally
Overall length 850 mm (max) / 620 mm (min) 997 mm (max) / 770 mm (min)
Barrel length n/a n/a
Weight 3.5 kg empty 3.86 kg empty
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 30 rounds standard 20 rounds (7.62x51 NATO)
30 rounds (7.62x39 M43)
The US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) issued a solicitation for the procurement of SOF Combat Assault Rifles (SCAR) on October 15th, 2003. This solicitation requested a new combat rifle, specially tailored for the current and proposed future needs of the US Special Forces, which are somewhat different from latest generic US Army requirements, which are being fulfilled by the newest Heckler-Koch XM8 assault rifle. The key difference in basic requirements between XM8 and SCAR is that, while XM8 is a single-caliber weapon system, tailored for 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition, the SCAR should be available in various different calibers. Initial SOF requirements included two basic versions of SCAR system - the SCAR Light (SCAR-L), available in 5.56mm NATO, and the SCAR heavy (SCAR-H), which should be initially available in significantly more powerful 7.62x51 NATO chambering, and should be easily adaptable in the field to other chamberings. These other chamberings initially include the well-spread 7.62x39 M43 ammunition of the Soviet / Russian origins, and probably some others (like the proposed 6.8x43 Remington SPC cartridge, especially developed for US Special Forces). The key idea of SCAR rifle system is that it will provide the Special Forces operators with wide variety of options, from short-barreled 5.56mm SCAR-L CQC variation, tailored for urban close combat, and up to long range 7.62x51 SCAR-H Sniper variant, as well as 7.62x39 SCAR-H, which will accept "battlefield pickup" AK-47/AKM magazines with 7.62 M43 ammunition, available during the operations behind the enemy lines. Both SCAR-L and SCAR-H shall be initially available in three versions, Standard (S), Close Quarters Combat (CQC) and Sniper Variant (SV). All these variants, regardless the caliber and exact configuration, will provide the operator with the same controls layout, same handling and maintenance procedures, and same optional equipment, such as sights, scopes, and other current and future attachments.
Late in 2004 US SOCOM announced, that the winner for the initial SCAR contracts is the FN USA, an US-based subsidiary of the famous Belgian company Fabrique Nationale Herstal. At the present time (Dec 2004) is is still unknown if the SCAR rifles will be made in USA or Belgium, but I suppose USA. The official XM / M designation is also not disclosed / assigned yet.
The FN SCAR rifles all based on the well proven 5.56mm FN FNC assault rifle. In all variants FN SCAR rifles feature gas operated, short stroke piston action with rotating bolt locking. Improved action has Kalashnikov AK-type bolt with two large locking lugs and fixed ejector. This system apparently is less sensitive to fine sand, dust and any other fouling inside the receiver, than any system with M16-type multi-lug bolt and plunger-type ejector. The receiver is made from two parts, upper and lower, connected with two cross-pins. Both parts are made of metal (probably lower receiver is made from aluminum alloy and upper receiver from stamped steel). It is still unclear if the SCAR system will have quick detachable barrels for various configurations and lengths (from short-barreled CQC to long-barreled SV), or the barrels will be swapped along with entire upper receiver. The SCAR-H system also will have different type lower receivers, adapted to various types of ammunition and various types of magazines (i.e. 7.62mm NATO magazines and 7.62 M43 AK-type magazines, respectively). SCAR-L rifle will use improved M16-type magazines. The trigger unit with ambidextrous safety-fire mode selector switch will allow for single shots and full automatic fire, apparently with no provisions for limited-length bursts mode. The charging handle could be easily installed on either side of the weapon, so the upper receiver has respective cuts on both sides. Top of the upper receiver is covered by the full-length integral Picatinny rail (MIL-STD 1913); additional Picatinny rails are mounted on both sides and below the handguards. Side-folding polymer buttstock is adjustable for length of pull, and is shaped to proved positive cheek rest. SCAR rifles apparently will be fitted with removable, adjustable iron sights, with folding diopter-type rear sight on the receiver rail, and folding front sight on the gas block. Any additional type of sighting equipment, necessary for current tasks, including telescope and night sights, can be installed using MIL-STD 1913 compatible mounts. Current SCAR rifles do not have bayonet mounts, and, probably, will never have one.
Cost: $800 (US) for SCAR L $950 for SCAR Heavy (US)
Sniper/anti-material rifles
VSS 'Vintorez' silenced sniper rifle
Caliber: 9x39mm SP-5 and SP-6 subsonic cartridges
Action: auto, selective fire, gas-operated, striker-fired.
Length: 894mm
Barrel length: 200 mm
Weight: empty: 2.6 kg, loaded w. scope PSO-1: 3.41 kg
Magazine: 10 or 20 rounds detachable box
VSS (Vinovka Snaiperskaja Spetsialnaya = Special Sniper Rifle) was designed for special operations. Designed at TSNIITochMash (Central Institute for Precision Machine Building) by team lead by Petr Serdjukov, the new rifle was intended to replace some AK-47/AKM rifles, fitted with silencers, in the hands of various Special Operations (SpetsNaz) troops of Soviet Army, KGB and MVD. To achieve desired lethality against targets, protected with body armor, TSNIITochMash had to develop a new subsonic cartridge, based on the 7.62x39 case, necked out for 9mm bullet. The bullets used in new cartridges are long and heavy (about 16 gram), and of ball (SP-5) and AP (SP-6) type. The latter bullet features a hardened steel penetrator as the core, and can defeat most military issue body armors at ranges up to 300-400 meters. VSS is in use since late 1980s, and is widely used in Chechnya against separatists. VSS is quite popular among its users for its stealthy capabilities and great lethality of heavy 9mm bullets. The effective range of VSS is limited to 300-400 meters.
The VSS is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. The long stroke gas piston is located above the barrel. The rotating bolt has 6 lugs and locks into the receiver, which is machined from solid steel for greater strength. The trigger unit differs significantly from AK-47 type firearms, being striker-fired. The safety switch and charging handle are AK-style, but the fire selector is a cross-bolt button, located inside the triggerguard, behind the trigger.
The barrel at the front has a set of tiny holes, drilled in the rifling grooves, which lead into the integral silencer. The silencer is the integral part of the weapon, and while it could be easily removed for storage or maintenance, the VSS should not be fired wit silencer removed.
Standard sighting equipment consists of side rail on the receiver, which usually accommodates the 4X PSO-1 scope, graduated for 9x39 ammo. Any other scope or night vision sight can be mounted on appropriate mount. backup iron sights consist of tangent rear and blade front. Rear sight is graduated up to 400 meters.
The wooden, skeletonized buttstock is fitted with rubber buttplate and can be removed for compact storage and transportation, the compact forend is made from polymer.
Feeding is achieved from 10 or 20 round box magazines, made from polymer.
Cost: $1000 (US)
TCI / TEI M89SR compact sniper rifle
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308Win)
Operation: gas operated, semiautomatic
Barrel: 560 mm
Weight: 4.5 kg empty, less scope
Length: 850 mm
Feed Mechanism: 10 or 20 rounds detachable box magazine
The M89-SR sniper rifle is now being produced by the Technical Equipment International (TEI) Ltd company, located in Tel Aviv, Israel. The M89-SR is intended for both urban warfare and support of mechanized troops in the field - everywhere where the compact size of this bullpup rifle, as well as its rapid-fire capability is a plus. M89-SR is based on the earlier Israeli design, the M36 bullpup sniper rifle, which was developed back in 1980s. The M89-SR is based on the modified American M14 / M1A rifle action, fitted into bullpup stock, and equipped with proprietary scope mount, muzzle brake and a detachable bipod. M89-SR rifle can be fitted with proprietary quick-detachable silencer for low noise work. This rifle is in use with Israeli Self-Defence forces (TSAHAL) and is offered for export.
The M89-SR sniper rifle is built around gas operated, rotating bolt semi-automatic action; the gas system is apparently modified to some extent. M89-SR is fed using standard M14 / M1A type detachable box magazines. M89-SR can be used with various telescope and IR sights, and there's no open sights as a standard. Reportedly, there is another modification of the basic design, the M89-AR, which is fitted with adjustable iron sights by default, and is intended for battlefield use.
Due to its compact size this is an ideal weapon for snipers/sharpshooters in mechanized or motorised units. its size also makes it a good choise for special forces units.
Cost: $850
Mechem NTW-20 anti-material rifle
20 mm version 14.5 mm version
Caliber 20 x 83.5 mm MG151 14.5 x 114 mm Russian
Operation manual bolt action
Barrel length 1000 mm 1220 mm
Weight 26 kg 29 kg
Length 1795 mm 2015 mm
Feed Mechanism detachable box magazine, 3 rounds
Maximum effective range 1500+ meters 2300+ meters
This rifle was designed in the early to mid 1990s by South African arms designer Tony Neophytou, who also took its part in designing the Neostead combat shotgun. Initial development was under the Aerotek name, and later the Mechem division of the DENEL Group, a major South African arms manufacturer, purchased all rights for this design. In the 1998 South African National Defense Forces adopted this weapon and began to purchase it in some numbers. It is also offered for export sales. The NTW-20 is a long range anti-materiel rifle, developed to reach out across wide plains of South African landscape and to deliver substantial firepower in a relatively compact, two men portable package. It is available in two versions, 20mm and 14.5mm, and could be easily converted from one variant to another by simple replacement of the barrel, bolt, magazine and scope, which will take about 1 minute in the field conditions. These two versions had slightly different applications: 20mm version, built around WW2-era German MG-151 aircraft gun round, can deliver high explosive, fragmentation or incendiary shells with good accuracy, so a relatively "soft" targets could be disabled by the blast and / or fragments. When the long range and armor penetration is an issue, the 14.5mm version comes into the play. It is built around another WW2-era round, Soviet 14.5mm high velocity, armor-piercing cartridge, developed for PTRD and PTRS anti-tank rifles and still widely used in Russian KPV / KPVT heavy machine guns on armored cars and in anti-aircraft mounts. While probably not so accurate as the specially developed .50BMG (12.7x99mm) rifles, mostly due to unavailability of the "match grade" ammunition in the 14.5mm and 20mm, NTW-20 offers significantly more terminal effectiveness than any .50BMG rifle / round combination. 20 mm version could be most effective against targets like parked aircrafts and helicopters, command and communications equipment, radar cabins, fuel dumps, unarmored cars. 14.5 mm version will be more effective against armored personnel carriers or relatively large "soft" targets at extended ranges. Anti-personnel work is by no means a primary task for this huge rifle.
NTW-20 is a manually operated, rotating bolt action rifle. The barrel is locked by the rotating bolt that has 6 lugs. The barrel along with the receiver could recoil inside the chassis frame against combined hydraulic and pneumatic damping system. Large two-chamber muzzle brake also helps to keep recoil at the acceptable level. NTW-20 is fed from the detachable box magazine, that is inserted from the left side and holds 3 rounds. The rifle could be disassembled and carried in two man-portable packs, each weighting about 12 - 15 kg. One pack carries the frame, stock, butt and bipod while the other carries the barrel, sighting equipment
and magazines. NTW-20 is equipped with a 8X magnification, long eye relief telescopic sight on the quick detachable mount. No open sight are fitted by default. The folding bipod is mounted under the receiver, and a non-folding frame above the receiver serves as a carrying handle and a scope protection bracket.
All export versions come with both caliber's barrel, bolt, magazine and scope.
Cost: $7000
Machineguns
Mk. 48 model 0 7.62 mm Lightweight Machinegun
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Weight: 8.2 kg without ammunition and optical sights
Length: ~ 1000 mm
Length of barrel: no data
Feeding: belt
Rate of fire: ~ 700 rounds/min
The Mk.48 mod. 0 7.62mm LWMG (Lightweight Machinegun) is being developed by the FN Manufacturing Inc. (an US-based outfit of famous Belgian company FN Herstal). The request for new weapon came in 2001, and the first units in the US Special Operations Forces are scheduled to receive this machine guns in august, 2003. The Mk.48 mod. 0 is due to replace infamous 7.62mm Mk.43 mod.0 (M60E4) machine guns, which are quoted as insufficiently reliable. US SOCOM plans are to acquire several hundreds of Mk.48 mod. 0 LWMGs. It also probably will be offered for export by FN Mfg when the initial US Govt contract will be completed.
The Mk.48 mod. 0 is a "big brother", or a scaled-up version of the 5.56mm Mk.46 mod. 0 LMG, a derivative of the famous FN Minimi / M249 SAW LMG. Both 5.56mm Mk.46 mod. 0 and 7.62mm Mk.48 mod. 0 were developed for US Special Forces, led by the US Navy, hence the Mk. (Mark) designation.
The key advantages of the Mk.48 mod. 0 over the 7.62mm M240 / FN MAG are the light weight (essential for SpecOps, 17% lighter than M240B), parts compatibility with M240 and Mk.46 mod. 0, and a rail mounting system, that can be fitted with various sights and SOPMOD kit accessories. The Mk.48 mod. 0 will provide several firepower advantages (in both terminal effectiveness and range) over the Mk.46 mod. 0 and M249 SAW, being much lighter than M240 and much reliable than Mk.43 mod. 0 (M60E4).
Technical description.
The Mk.48 mod. 0 is a gas operated, air cooled, belt fed machine gun. Its action is very similar to one of M249 / Minimi, being a gas operated, with underbarrel gas system and a rotating bolt locking. Gun is fed using standard disintegrating 7.62mm belts (no magazine feed is available, as on the smaller Mk.46 mod.0). Belt can be fed from separate boxes or clip-on combat pouches for 100 rounds. Barrel is quick-detachable and has a carrying handle to assist replacement of the hot barrels. Mk.48 mod. 0 is fitted with open sights, and has 5 Picatinny rails (one on the top of the receiver, 4 on the forend), that can accept wide variety of sights and accessories. Mk.48 mod. 0 is fitted with solid, non-folding plastic butt, folding integral bipod, and a carrying sling. It seems that it also can be mounted on vehicles and infantry tripods for sustained or long range fire missions.
cost: $2000 (US)
FN BRG-15 heavy machine gun
Caliber: 15.5x115 mm
Weigth: 60 kg (without mount)
Length: 2150 mm
Length of barrel: 1500 mm
Feeding: dual belt
Rate of fire: 600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity: 1055 meters per second
First announced in october 1983, the BRG-15 was designed to replace aged Browning M2HB .50 cal (12.7mm) heavy machineguns, and is, probably, the most powerful machine gun ever made, outperforming even Soviet KPV 14.7mm. The BRG-15 could pierce 10mm of steel armour at 30 degrees at the distance of 1350 meters, or, in other words, capable to defeat armour of almost any APC at the distances of 1000 meters and beyond.
The BRG-15 had conventional, gas operated action with rotating bolt, locking into the barrel extension. It had the dual feed, with two belts entering from the top of the receiver, and with bottom ejection port. The gun had feed mode selector at the rear of the receiver, and, when used on tripod mount, a set of spade grips to control the gun. After the testing it was found that the 15mm ammunition caused fast barrel wear, so gun and ammunition had been redesigned: new bullets had driving bands to follow the rifling (like the large caliber artilery shells), and barrel caliber was increased to 15.5mm and barrel had been lenghtened.
In the final shape the BRG-15 is a very potent gun.
Cost: $9000
Shotguns
USAS-12
Type: gas operated semi-auto (select-fire version exists)
Gauge: 12 (2 3/4 in shells - 70 mm chamber )
Length: 960 mm
Barrel length: 460 mm
Weight 5.5 kg empty, 6.2kg loaded with 10 rounds
Capacity: 10 rounds box or 20 rounds drum detachable magazines
USAS-12 shotgun was developed in South Korea by Daewoo Precision Industries somewhere in the 1980s, and according to some sources, its design is based on experimental Atchisson Assault Shotgun, developed in 1970s in USA by someone Maxwell Atchisson. USAS-12 was intended as a special purpose, military or special operations close combat weapon with extreme firepower. It is offered for military and law enforcement agencies.
USAS-12 is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. It uses a gas system located above the barrel, with more or less conventional rotating bolt locking. The interesting feature, probably borrowed from Atchisson designs, is the long bolt overtravel, which results in relatively low peak recoil and low rate of fire, which is essential for weapon firing powerful 12 gauge shells. USAS-12 is an ambidextrous weapon, having two ejection ports on each side of the receiver, and two slots on the forearm for cocking handle. The ejector on the bolt and the cocking handle could be easily set to operate either side of the gun, depending on the present shooter needs and preferences. USAS-12 is feed from large capacity box or drum magazines, holding 10 and 20 rounds respectively. The polymer buttstock is hollow and is used as a space for bolt group to recoil, so the folding butt version is unavailable for this design. USAS-12 has a post type, hooded front sight at the top of the gas chamber and an adjustable rear sight built into the carrying handle, similar to one found on M16 assault rifles.
USAS-12 is very bulky and heavy, but the large mass greatly improves the recoil control, especially in full automatic (bursts) mode. This weapon provides exelent short range fire power and is highly suitable for close assault teams who are expected to clear enemy held strong points and buildings. This will give them the advantage of the 12 gauge shells in semi or fully automatic with a massive ammunition capacity.
Cost: $700 for semi-auto
$900 for Select fire
Franchi SPAS-12
Type: selective pump-action or gas-operated
Gauge: 12
Chamber: 2 3/4" (70 mm)
Length: 1041 mm
Barrel length: 546 mm.
Weight 4.4 kg
Capacity: 8 rounds in underbarrel tube magazine
The SPAS-12 was designed in the late 1970s by the Italian company Luigi Franchi Spa as a special purpose, military and police close combat weapon (actually, SPAS stands for Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun, or Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun, depending on the source). It featured a selective action for greater versatility, and can be used as a gas operated semi-automatic repeater or as a manually operated pump action repeater, depending on the mission and ammunition used. Since its introduction SPAS-12 became a very popular police and special forces weapon, being versatile, reliable and with good firepower. On the other hand, it is heavier than most other similar shotguns and quite complicated, which results in relatively high prices.
SPAS-12 utilizes somewhat traditional for shotguns gas system with annular gas piston locating around the underbarrel magazine tube. It operates the bolt with vertically tilting locking lug that engages the barrel extension to lock. SPAS-12 can be switched between gas operated self-loading mode and manually operated pump mode by pressing and holding a button at the bottom of the forearm and pulling the forearm slightly forward for AUTOMATIC mode or backward for PUMP (or MANUAL) mode. Earlier models of the SPAS-12 had the lever type safety at the front of the triggerguard, but due to some deficiencies this was latter replaced by the push-button (cross-bolt) safety at the same place.
SPAS-12 could be fitted with stamped metallic buttstock that folds to the top of the receiver when not in use, and with a pistol grip made of plastic. Alternatively, solid plastic buttstocks with pistol grips are available. Barrel has cylinder bore with screw-on muzzle devices (cokes of flash hiders). Sights usually are of rifle type, with post front and open notch rear sight. This is a more suitable weapon for special forces than our other shotgun due to it's lighter weight and greater tactical flexibility.
cost: $500 US
Please do your own maths for your orders and only buy what you can afford.
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