Sniper submachine gun from Tula. VSK-94
The end of the 80 of the last century was very successful for the Klimovsky Central Research Institute Tochmash. At this time, were created and put into service two samples of small weapons - the BCC rifle and the Val machine gun - in addition, on the basis of them another machine gun began to be created, this time a small-sized one. The Tula Instrument Engineering Design Bureau (KBP), taking into account the success of Klimovsky weapons, did not want to completely give its competitors a promising niche of weapons and the beginning of work on its version of the multi-purpose "platform".
The basis of the unified complex, created in Tula, was to be a small-sized machine 9А91. As the main competitive advantage of both the machine gun and all other types on its base, it was originally planned to use greater manufacturability and, as a result, lower cost than the weapons of the Central Research Institute Tochmash. The ammunition was decided to use the same as on Klimov automatic rifles and rifle - cartridges 9x39 mm SP-5 and SP-6. However, due to some production features, these cartridges had a relatively high cost. Therefore, in Tula engaged in their own ammunition. The PUB-9 cartridge turned out to be much cheaper than the SP-5 and the SP-6, but it had other ballistic characteristics and a slightly heavier bullet. Despite the obvious advantage of the Tula patron in financial terms, he did not receive much distribution - all production was limited to a few batches, after which the PUB-9 was removed from production.
Almost simultaneously with the 9А91 machine itself, a sniper rifle based on it was created. The 94 sniper rifle complex of the year, or simply the VSK-94, differed from the original machine gun in its skeleton butt instead of the folding and pistol grip, with a silent-firing device and an optical sight. The entire kit comes in a special case, and the transfer of the rifle from the marching configuration to the combat one, with proper preparation, takes about a minute. The automatics VSK-94 is completely analogous to the automatic machine 9А91 and is made on the basis of a gas engine. Locking the barrel before firing at four combat stops is done by turning the bolt. The trigger type trigger mechanism allows you to fire, both single shots and bursts. This "legacy" of the machine is called one of the advantages of the whole complex. The flag of the fuse-translator of fire in the early series of the machine was located on the left side of the receiver, and after it was transferred to the right. In both cases, the flag is located above the trigger guard. Also in the course of production, the handle of the shutter underwent some changes: at first it was tough, and then it was folded up. VSK-94 is supplied from a detachable box magazine for two dozen rounds of ammunition. The rifle can use sniper cartridges SP-5, armor-piercing SP-6 and PUB-9.
The complex, in addition to the actual "firing unit", includes a silent shooting device. The use of CBE allows you to completely eliminate the outbreak and significantly reduce the noise level when fired. As a result, CBE together with the subsonic cartridge allows firing without the risk of being detected already at distances from 30-40 meters. Another important feature of the VSC-94, which can also be considered an advantage over the ARIA, “Shaft” and “Whirlwind”, is in gas automation. Since the rifle sniper complex was created on the basis of a machine gun, its mechanics works with or without a silencer. Recall that on the Klimovskiy silent weapon, the operation of a gas engine requires the constant presence of a silencer, which, among other things, ensures sufficient pressure of powder gases. The VSK-94 does not have such a requirement - if necessary, the shooter can remove the muffler and use the rifle as a normal "noisy" machine without loss in shooting characteristics. It is particularly noted that in the design of the silent shooting device there are no elements to be replaced after a certain number of shots. Moreover, CBE is made non-separable. However, some shooters prefer to wash it with gasoline from time to time. Representatives of the PCU argue that this procedure is optional, although it may indeed to some extent extend the life of the silencer.
Sights VSK-94 consist of an open adjustable sight (fully transferred to the rifle from 9-91). In addition, on the left side of the receiver has a strap for installing an optical, collimator or night sight. Rifles of the first series were completed only with an optical sight PSO-1, modified to the ballistics of the used cartridges. Later, the PKS-07 collimator sight with sevenfold magnification and night PKN appeared. When using day sights, the aiming range is 400 meters. At night, depending on the conditions, this figure is reduced to 200-350 meters (without the moon / with cloud cover, with the moon).
It is believed that VSK-94 has a number of advantages over the silent weapon of the Central Research Institute Tochmash. The main thing is that the Klimov Institute created a separate sniper rifle, a separate silent and separate small-sized machine gun. With all the high degree of unification, it is still an independent weapon. VSK-94, in turn, can be used in all three forms without any major modifications - just remove the silencer / telescopic sight. In this case, a clumsy butt that completes the 94 rifle complex of the year is some snag, but in the light of other advantages, this drawback does not look fatal. Due to the approach used to create the rifle and the rifle, the VSC-94 is sometimes called the “sniper machine”.
In 1994-95, the VSK-94 rifle and the 9А91 submachine gun were adopted by the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense. Around the same time, the first appearance of a rifle in photo and video materials of the press. According to reviews of fighters who worked with VSK-94, this is a reliable and convenient weapon. At the moment, the rifle is made in small batches to replenish the arsenals of special forces.
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