Sniper rifle OTs-129
As it’s clear from the title, the OTs-129 sniper rifle was developed by specialists of the Central Design and Research Bureau of Sports and Hunting Weapons (TsKIB SOO) from the city of Tula, which is a branch of the Instrument Engineering Design Bureau and part of the organization of High-Precision Complexes. Tula Design Bureau has long been known for its development of small arms of various classes, including sniper rifles. As follows from the available data, the new project OC-129, unlike some other recent developments, was not created in the order of modernization of existing samples.
Apparently, the development of a new type of sniper rifle started not too long ago, but by now the project has come out of the early stages and has been brought to the test. In addition, prototypes can now be demonstrated to potential customers during various military and technical exhibitions. The “premiere demonstration” of the OC-129 product took place at the end of May as part of the scientific and technical forum “The Day of Advanced Technologies of the Law Enforcement Bodies of the Russian Federation”. At this event, an experienced rifle could not only stay in the exposition, but also, as far as is known, go to the shooting range.
Unfortunately, much of the information about the OO-129 project has not yet been clarified. Nevertheless, a number of characteristics of this sample are already known, and in addition, there are photographs that allow one to study the design of the rifle and draw one or other conclusions. According to available data, from the point of view of design, the OTs-129 is a self-loading rifle with automatics based on a gas engine, constructed using light alloys and equipped with a device for silent and flameless firing. The project also provides for various ideas and solutions aimed at increasing the flexibility of the use of weapons and improving their ergonomics.
A characteristic feature of the OTs-129 rifle is the use of basic parts made of light aluminum alloys. In addition, a recognizable feature of the rifle is a reduced cross section of the receiver and forearm. All this has significantly reduced the weight of the structure while maintaining sufficiently large dimensions and acceptable fire performance.
All the main parts of the rifle are placed inside the metal receiver. A curious feature of the OC-129 project was the abandonment of the traditional for domestic samples of the box with a removable top lid. Instead, the upper part of the receiver is made in the form of a massive unit with a U-shaped cross section, and access to internal volumes is carried out using a removable lower part of the box. The latter serves as a lid, and also has a store receiving shaft, a trigger bracket and a pistol grip. It should be noted that this architecture of rifles can be considered a novelty only for Russian samples, while abroad it is known and used for a long time.
On the front of the receiver is proposed to mount the forearm, consisting of metal and plastic parts. It has a close to rectangular cross section. In its upper part, three pairs of windows are provided for air-cooled the barrel. The front shear of the forearm is in contact with the vapor block of the barrel. In addition to the tasks of protecting the shooter and the barrel forearm in the OTs-129 project, it is used for mounting bipod or other additional equipment.
An interesting feature of the OTs-129 rifle, which once again makes one recall foreign developments, is the large number of Picatinny rail slats intended for the installation of additional equipment. The largest and longest "rails" are located on the upper surface of the receiver and forend, and they are made as a structural element of the respective units. A pair of less long strips is located on the side surfaces of the forearm. Another similar strap is placed on its bottom surface. Characteristic vertical grooves are also on the sides of the receiver above the pistol grip.
In its present form, a new type of rifle is equipped with an 7,62-mm rifled barrel of great length. According to the information presented at a recent exhibition, the barrel has a chamber designed for the use of rifle-type flange cartridges such as NATO 7,62x51 mm (.308 Win). Near the muzzle of the barrel is the vent hole connecting the bore with the gas chamber and the piston. The barrel is equipped with mounts for installing a large silent shooting device. The type of the latter was not specified.
According to reports, the promising rifle uses automation based on a gas engine. Piston chamber located above the barrel. The bolt carrier is designed as a solid part with smooth side surfaces. In its front part is installed tubular handle recharge. Due to the large stroke of the bolt carrier, the handle required an additional groove in the receiver, protruding in front of the window for the ejection of the sleeves. The operating principle of the shutter is unknown; probably the most common in domestic weapons is used by turning the bolt with a few lugs. A return spring is placed behind the bolt carrier.
The OTs-129 rifle is distinguished by a rather dense assembly of units, and the trigger mechanism is no exception. All the necessary details are located only in the receiver and, possibly, in the pistol grip. The type of trigger is not called, but, probably, a hammer-type mechanism is used. Fire control is carried out using the trigger, covered with a protective bracket. The checkbox of the non-automatic safety device is displayed on the left surface of the weapon.
The weapon is designed to use standard NATO rifle cartridges. The supply is carried out from detachable box magazines on 10 cartridges. The store presented at the recent exhibition was distinguished by its small size and, because of this, during installation it almost completely went inside the receiver shaft of the receiver. In its place, the shop is fixed with a latch, placed directly in front of the trigger guard.
Prospective sniper rifle has no standard aiming devices. At the same time, it is equipped with a standard Picatinny rail of a great length, with the help of which sights of various classes and types can be mounted on the weapon. The exhibition sample was shown in a pair with an optical sight of the production model. Any other products with appropriate fixings can be used.
The draft OZ-129 provides for some measures aimed at improving the usability of weapons. The rifle is equipped with a folding butt lightweight design. To reduce the size of the rifle in the stowed position, the butt is folded by turning to the right and fixed next to the receiver. The base of the butt is a tube connected directly to the hinge. A higher metal shoulder rest with a height-adjustable polymer backplate is attached to the rear. A plastic cheek in a vertical plane is mounted on top of the tube.
Designed pistol grip original design. This device has a traditional shape, but a wide washer is provided on its bottom. With the help of the latter, the handle can be used as an additional support for setting the weapon in position. In this case, the main tool for installation in the desired position is a bipod. At the exhibition, the rifle was shown with a folding bipod with a bipod, having spring-loaded telescopic supports. Bipod secured to the bottom bar fore. When folded, the supports had to turn back-up and fit under the forearm.
Despite the use of certain ideas and solutions, a relatively powerful cartridge and performance requirements did not significantly reduce the size of the rifle. With a folded butt and an installed silencer, the OTs-129 has a length of less than 1 m. In a state of complete readiness for combat, the length of a rifle equipped with a silent shooting device increases to 1,3-1,4. The rifle's mass, depending on the type of sight, reaches 5-6 kg The effective firing range is declared at the 800 m level. Accuracy parameters were not disclosed.
The OZ-129 perspective sniper rifle, developed by the Central Design Bureau of Sports and Hunting Weapons, is not a revolutionary new development that opens up new horizons in its field, but at the same time is a model with certain advantages and prospects. With the available characteristics, a new product may be of interest to shooters-snipers of the armed forces or other security forces. Such weapons can be used for high-precision shooting at distances of up to several hundred meters and for defeating enemy personnel in various circumstances.
It can also be assumed that after some modifications, the OC-129 rifle will be able to enter the market for civilian weapons. However, for this you will need to change the design of some units, as well as remove other devices. For example, you will have to abandon the silencer and, perhaps, refine the butt to meet the requirements of the legislation in the field of weapon length.
OTs-129 rifle appeared not so long ago, but had already managed to go to the test. In addition, at the end of May, it was shown to representatives of potential customers. At the same time, the weapon was demonstrated both at the exhibition and at the shooting range. It is quite possible that according to the results of the Day of Advanced Technologies of Law Enforcement Forum, the leadership of the security forces will draw certain conclusions and decide the future fate of the rifle. With a positive decision, the product can be put into service and enter mass production.
For obvious reasons, the real prospects of the newest OZ-129 rifle remain questionable. With equal probability, this weapon can both be put into service and remain at the stage of testing and promotion through exhibitions. However, even now a new type of sniper rifle can clearly show that the domestic industry continues to develop small arms and create promising samples of various classes.
On the materials of the sites:
https://all4shooters.com/
http://nvo.ng.ru/
https://myslo.ru/
https://vk.com/voingroup
- Ryabov Kirill
- All4shooters.com, Vk.com/voingroup
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