SV 96 rifle. Russian large-caliber sniper rifles

18.11.202327.05.2017

Caliber: 12.7×108mm
Mechanism: gas-operated semi-automatic, locking by rotating the bolt
Trunk: 1000 mm
Weight: 12.9 kg without cartridges and optical sight
Length: 1746 mm (1154 mm folded)
Shop: 5 round detachable box type

The OSV-96 large-caliber sniper rifle was developed in the mid-1990s in Tula, at the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP). Originally known as the B-94, the rifle was first shown in public around 1995. Later, after a number of modifications, the rifle received the designation OSV-96. Currently, the rifle is offered to all interested domestic and foreign buyers - naturally, this means various government security agencies. The rifle is in service with the Russian Army and special units of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The OSV-96 rifle is self-loading. The mechanism is gas-operated, locking is carried out by turning the bolt with 4 lugs directly behind the barrel, which allows you to unload the receiver and make it fold around the front end, immediately behind the barrel attachment point. Folding is necessary, since in combat-ready form the rifle is very long and inconvenient to store and transport. The rifle barrel is equipped with a long muzzle brake - a flash suppressor. The bipod is mounted on a special console mounted in the front (folding along with the barrel) part of the receiver. The butt is made of plastic and has a rubber shock-absorbing pad. The rifle is not intended for hand-held shooting and does not have a handguard. OSV-96 can be equipped with various optical and night sights.

The main purpose of the OSV-96 is to combat light equipment (cars, etc.), defeat enemy personnel behind cover, and counter-sniper combat.

The OSV-96 “Burglar” sniper rifle is the most popular domestic large-caliber rifle. Developed in the first half of the 1990s and entering service at the end of the 90s, it perfectly demonstrated its outstanding tactical and technical characteristics even then.

The history of the creation of the OSV-96 sniper rifle

In the early 1990s, the question of the need to develop large-caliber sniper rifles arose in Russia. Similar types of sniper weapons have long existed in large European countries and the United States. To create a domestic large-caliber rifle, many design bureaus were involved throughout Russia. It should be recalled that a large-caliber rifle is considered to be one whose caliber exceeds 9 mm.

Over the course of 10 years of painstaking work, the design bureaus were able to develop a whole range of large-caliber sniper rifles of 12.7 and 14.5 mm caliber. One of the first successful models was the experimental development of the 12.7 mm B-94 caliber sniper rifle, which was developed at the Tula Instrument Design Bureau. The implementation of this project became possible thanks to the participation of A.G. Shipunov, who headed the design bureau during these years.

In 1994, a prototype of the B-94 large-caliber sniper rifle underwent a series of tests, which showed that it needed some modifications. Over the next two years, the B-94 rifle was refined at the KGP in Tula. In 1996, having successfully passed a series of factory and state tests, the B-94 sniper rifle was adopted by the Russian army.

Despite the fact that the rifle satisfied the Russian military in all respects (there was still no alternative), the Tula KGP continued work on further modernization of its large-caliber rifle. As a result of the modernizations, the B-94 sniper rifle by 2000 received the following design changes:

The bipod of the rifle began to be mounted on a special bracket, which significantly increased the strength of the attachment;
The bipod became adjustable in height, which made it possible to better adjust the position of the rifle;
The sniper rifle received a different muzzle brake design, which helped reduce recoil slightly;
The wooden butt first received a modified shape, and then it began to be made of plastic. This helped reduce the weight of the rifle. In addition, the new plastic stocks turned out to be much stronger and more reliable than wooden ones;
The sniper rifle received new sights;
A special handle appeared, designed for carrying a rifle.

The modernizations carried out changed the appearance of the B-94 rifle so much that it was decided to give it a new name. After a series of state tests, the updated model of the 12.7 mm sniper rifle was put into service in the spring of 2000. The new model became known as the “12.7 mm OSV-96 sniper rifle.”

Since the new OSV-96 sniper rifle was quite expensive to produce, it entered service only for the following law enforcement agencies:

Special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
Special groups participating in the elimination of terrorists.

Currently widely used in the Syrian military conflict.

Design of the OSV-96 sniper rifle

The large-caliber sniper rifle is an automatic weapon. Automation operates using the energy of powder gases. Since the OSV-96 rifle has very significant dimensions, the manufacturer found an original way out of this situation. Instead of having to disassemble the rifle each time for transport, you can simply fold it. This not only eliminates unnecessary work on assembling/disassembling the weapon, but also makes the rifle always ready for battle - after all, you can put it in a combat position in a few seconds.

The new muzzle brake-compensator has significantly increased the accuracy and efficiency of shooting. The brake operates on a reactive principle, using the energy of powder gases.

The barrel channel of the OSV-96 sniper rifle is locked with a bolt. To increase reliability, it is locked with 4 lugs. This caliber requires just such a reliable locking method. To place the bipod, a special console is used, which is placed on the receiver. The bipod is height adjustable. As a result, the rifle can be installed on any uneven surface. The system for attaching the bipod to the receiver has one significant drawback - this type of attachment can negatively affect shooting accuracy, although professional snipers have long adapted to this feature of the OSV-96.

Technical characteristics of the OSV-96 rifle

TTX OSV-96 looks like this:

The overall length of the rifle is 1,746 mm;
With the barrel folded, it decreases to 1,154 mm;
The barrel itself has a length of 1,000 mm;
The ammunition used is 12.7x108 mm caliber cartridges;
A sniper rifle is capable of hitting targets that are located at a distance of up to 1,800 meters from it;
In this case, shooting at targets wearing body armor or located behind small obstacles can be carried out no more than at a distance of up to 1,000 m;
The weight of the rifle without an optical sight reaches 11.7 kg. You can only shoot from a rifle with such weight from a bipod.

In addition, it is possible to install any optical sight instead of the standard one.

Modern versions of the OSV-96 sniper rifle have only plastic stocks. They are equipped with rubber butt pads, which significantly reduce the recoil effect when firing.

Operating principle of the OSV-96 sniper rifle

The OSV-96 large-caliber sniper rifle is an automatic weapon. This means that all operations related to reloading and preparation for the next shot occur automatically due to the energy of the powder gases. This procedure proceeds as follows:

At the moment of firing, powder gases penetrate through the gas outlet hole in the barrel into the gas tube, from where they act directly on the piston, which ejects the bolt frame;
When the bolt carrier is thrown back, the barrel is unlocked and the spent cartridge is removed and discarded. At the same moment, the return spring is compressed, the firing pin is cocked, and the next cartridge from the magazine is sent to the ramming line;
Thanks to the action of the return spring, the bolt frame returns to its original position. In this case, the barrel bore is closed due to the movement of the bolt.

Despite the use of automatic weapons, the OSV-96 sniper rifle is not inferior in terms of accuracy to many models of classic bolt-action sniper rifles.

Putting a sniper rifle into combat readiness

In order to bring a sniper rifle into combat readiness mode, you need to carry out the following steps:

First, the rifle needs to be unfolded. To do this, remove the latch, which is engaged with the trigger housing;
Line up the barrel and receiver in one line;
Having achieved a straight line between the barrel and the receiver, you need to connect them. To do this, you need to manipulate the locking handle. Ultimately, the handle must be fixed to a special hook on the stop;
Next, you will need to hold the cocking handle and set the safety to the “Fire” mode. After this, you should release the moving parts of the rifle and pull the trigger. Before you pull the trigger, you must make sure that the rifle barrel is pointed in a safe direction;
Next, you need to prepare the bipod for installing the weapon in a combat position. To do this, the bipod racks must be released from the latch that secures them;
Prepare sights for shooting. If you plan to use an optical sight, it must be attached to the rifle. If you plan to use a mechanical sight, you should raise the rear sight housing and the post with the front sight;
Next, you should equip the magazine with cartridges, after which the loaded magazine is attached to the rifle. Before loading cartridges into the magazine, you need to make sure that they are in a condition suitable for shooting. Cartridges that can be loaded into a magazine should not have any dents, cracks, green deposits or other defects. Do not use contaminated cartridges. They must be cleaned before use;
Next, you should cock the moving parts of the rifle;
After cocking, the rifle must be put on safety;
Just before shooting begins, the safety should be set to the “Fire” position.

The rifle is now fully operational.

Checking the accuracy and effectiveness of shooting from the OSV-96 rifle

In order for shooting from the OSV-96 rifle to be truly effective, it must be zeroed. You need to know that ammunition from different manufacturers can produce different accuracy. For zeroing, you need to take several boxes of cartridges from different manufacturers. First you need to shoot cartridges from one manufacturer, then (at another target) cartridges from another manufacturer.

You need to shoot from a bipod in a prone position. Shooting is carried out at various distances, starting from 100 meters. When shooting, you need to remember that the recoil of a large-caliber rifle, despite the presence of a rubber butt pad, will be very significant. The weapon is sighted using both an open sight and an optical or night sight.

Before using the iron sight, it must be configured. The procedure for setting up the sight is described in detail in the instructions for the weapon, which is included in the kit.

Options and modifications of the OSV-96 sniper rifle

Since the OSV-96 sniper rifle is a relatively young weapon, it has only two modifications;

B-94 "Volga";
OSV-96 "Burglar".

The first model, although it was adopted, was never mass-produced. It was represented by several prototypes, which were constantly being improved. There is no point in listing all the intermediate options, so the B-94 rifle, which was in service with the Russian army from 1996 to 2000, is considered to be the first and only modification that preceded the OSV-96.

A more advanced modification is the OSV-96, which is now actively used by special forces of law enforcement agencies. It received many improvements that made it not just an upgraded version of the B-94, but a new model.

Countries that actively use OSV-96

Since the OSV-96 rifle is the very first domestic sniper rifle of this class, representatives of law enforcement agencies of many countries were very interested in purchasing it. Basically, it was bought by states that are part of the CIS, but it is also in service with several non-CIS countries.

The technical features of the OSV-96, which make it possible to hit targets wearing body armor at a distance of 1,000 meters, have led to high demand for these rifles in the following countries:

Belarus - these rifles are in service with special units of the Almaz type;
Kazakhstan purchased OSV-96 for airmobile troops and special forces;
In Kyrgyzstan, these rifles are also used by special forces;
The Azerbaijani Army adopted the SALT-96 into service with its army;
India has purchased a batch of rifles for its naval special forces "MARCOS";
The Syrian Army also has a significant amount of SALT-96 in service, as they demonstrated during the recent conflict.

As can be seen from the list, the OSV-96 large-caliber rifle is too expensive a weapon to equip regular army units with. But its purchase for special forces proves that the combat qualities of this weapon are very great.

The OSV-96 rifle is a striking example of the fact that Russia is still capable of developing the best small arms in the world.

In the USSR, the development of large-caliber sniper weapons began in the second half of the 1980s. based on the experience of combat operations in Afghanistan. The standard 12.7*108 mm caliber cartridge from the Degtyarev-Shpagin (DShK) heavy machine guns was chosen as ammunition for the new rifles.

With the collapse of the USSR, work slowed down significantly due to insufficient funding. And only in 1994, specialists from the Tula Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) created the first Russian AMR class rifle, designated B 94. After minor modernization, it entered service with the special forces of the FSB and internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation under the designation OSV-96.

According to some information, the OSV-96 rifle was widely used in combat operations in Chechnya by snipers of the FSB Alpha special forces. The use of large-caliber rifles by Chechen militants, probably captured from the federals, was also recorded. The folding design of the first Russian large-caliber rifle, OSV-96, is a unique phenomenon in the global arms industry.

The specialists of the Kovrov plant named after V. A. Degtyarev began creating their large-caliber weapons several years later than their Tula colleagues. Employees of the SKB plant E.V. Zhuravlev, M.Yu. Kuchin, V.I. Negrulenko and Yu.N. Ovchinnikov presented their SVN-98 rifle (“Negrulenko sniper rifle”) just when the rifle had already been adopted for service OSV-96 Tula KBP.

After some modifications based on the SVN-98, an intermediate model was released, designated ASVK, as well as the KSVK rifle (“Kovrov large-caliber sniper rifle”), which was adopted by the special forces of the Russian Federation. It was successfully tested during the Chechen campaign. KSVK rifles are currently produced in small quantities. One of the disadvantages of the weapon is the insufficient firing accuracy of the standard 12.7 mm cartridge. Standard

large-caliber cartridges are specially manufactured in such a way as to provide some dispersion when fired from a machine gun, providing the ability to hit large areas. Currently, special SPB 12.7 sniper cartridges have been developed, which have increased armor penetration and improved accuracy.

Thus, today in service in the Russian Federation there are tactical analogues of anti-tank rifles from the Second World War. The KSVK model with a manual bolt can be compared with the single-shot PTRD-41 rifle designed by Degtyarev, and the semi-automatic OSV-96 with the semi-automatic model PTRS-41.

DESIGN FEATURES
OSV-96 is a semi-automatic weapon with a 5-round magazine and automatic operation that uses the removal of powder gases from the barrel. The uniqueness of the OSV-96 is that in the stowed position the shooter has the ability to fold it. This may be due to the special design of the rifle. The folding unit is located near the attachment point of the barrel to the receiver, so that the OSV-96 folds almost in half. A special hinge is located in the breech area of the barrel. The rifle barrel, together with the gas outlet tube, is folded and secured with a latch. The chamber opening that opens is sealed with a special lever mechanism, which prevents clogging of the barrel and the automatic mechanism. In the folded position, the length of the OSV-96 is only 1100 mm with a barrel length of 1000 mm. The standard sight is a special POS 13*60 optics with 13x magnification and the ability to display data on the sight screen (POS 12*54 without displaying the set range). In addition, lighter and less effective PSO-1 optical sights from the SVD rifle are often used.

DESIGN FEATURES
Unlike the OSV-96, the SVN-98 rifle had a bullpup layout, which made it possible to reduce its length to 1350 mm compared to 1700 mm for the OSV-96 with the same barrel length. Negrulenko's sample was equipped with a thicker barrel made by cold forging. Another innovation was the so-called floating barrel - a characteristic feature of all NATO sniper rifles. The SVN-98 is a non-automatic repeating weapon with a manual bolt. Thanks to all of these features, it was possible to create a rifle that is much more accurate than the OSV-96.

The large-caliber sniper rifle V-94 was the direct predecessor of the OSV-96 rifle

OSV-96 when used

Caliber, mm 12.7x108
Length in firing position, mm 1746
Length in stowed position, mm 1154
Barrel length, mm 1000
Weight without cartridges, kg 12.9
Magazine capacity, no. 5 cartridges
Sighting range, m 1800
Mechanism: gas-operated semi-automatic, locking by turning the bolt

In 1994, the 12.7-mm self-loading rifle V-94 was created at the Instrument Design Bureau (Tula). After modifications, the B-94 sniper rifle was put into service under the designation OSV-96.

The OSV-96 large-caliber sniper rifle is designed to solve general tactical sniper tasks (destruction of manpower protected by personal armor, lightly armored vehicles, defense of coasts from small ships, detonation of sea mines), as an anti-sniper (defeating enemy snipers) or sabotage weapon (disabling Radar, missile and artillery installations, aircraft in parking lots). The OSV-96 rifle is self-loading.

The mechanism is gas venting, locking is carried out by turning the bolt directly behind the barrel, which allows you to unload the receiver and make it fold around the front end, immediately behind the barrel attachment point. Folding is necessary, since in combat-ready form the rifle is very long and inconvenient to store and transport .Reduced recoil when shooting was achieved by installing an effective muzzle brake and a shock-absorbing butt plate.

The rifle barrel is equipped with a long muzzle brake - a flame arrester.

The bipod is mounted on a special console mounted in the front (folding along with the barrel) part of the receiver.
The butt has a rubber shock-absorbing pad.

The rifle is not intended for hand-held shooting and does not have a fore-end. The rifle is equipped with POS 12x50 or PKN-05 sights. At the same time, OSV-96 can be equipped with various optical and night sights.

Shooting at night at a distance of up to 600 m is carried out with an electron-optical sight. A five-round magazine and automatic reloading allow, if necessary, firing at a high rate.

The OSV-96 sniper rifle is mainly used by the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB. In addition, the rifle is offered to all interested domestic and foreign buyers - various government security agencies.

Large caliber sniper rifles- this is a special type of sniper rifle with a caliber from 9 mm to 20 mm inclusive. As a rule, such models are significantly superior to ordinary sniper rifles in terms of effective firing range, bullet energy, dimensions, weight and recoil, which leaves an imprint on their use.

Currently, Russia has created a sufficient number of interesting solutions in this area, which are presented by both state and private manufacturers of small arms.

The main area of application of large-caliber sniper rifles is the incapacitation of:
— unarmored and lightly armored enemy equipment, including low-flying or grounded helicopters and airplanes;
— protected firing points (firing at embrasures and observation devices of pillboxes);
— control, communication and reconnaissance equipment (satellite communication antennas, radar, etc.);
— destruction of unexploded bombs and mines.