Lobaev Arms rifles in Special Operations
Sniper training using Lobaev Arms rifles
Russian snipers participating in the Special Operation to protect Donbass use small arms weapon a number of types, both those that have been in service for a long time and are well mastered, and those created in recent years. The latter includes a whole range of high-precision systems from the Lobaev Arms brand. Rifles of this family are distinguished by high levels of accuracy, accuracy and range of fire, which make them a convenient tool for solving all expected fire tasks.
Rifles at the front
The Lobaev Arms company from Tarusa (Kaluga region) has been developing and producing high-precision sniper systems for quite a long time. Initially, its products were intended for sports shooters and hunters, but later snipers from various structures and units were also included as potential users.
According to known data, Lobaev Arms rifles appeared in the Donbass back in the mid-1990s. Long before the start of the current Special Operation, they were received by riflemen of the republican militia. These weapons were successfully used against Ukrainian formations conducting the notorious “anti-terrorist operation.” During such operation, experience was accumulated that made it possible to clarify the methods of using weapons, and also influenced its further development.
A batch of rifles shipped to recipients in August-September 2023.
In the spring of 2022, Lobaev Arms joined the nationwide movement to collect assistance for the army and formations of the two republics. Initially, donations were used for sighting equipment and other devices needed by snipers. Then we managed to reach a new level of production, sufficient to produce and send to the front not the simplest and cheapest high-precision rifles.
The company's management regularly reports on the completion of fundraising for the next batch of materiel or rifle, as well as on their dispatch to active units. User reviews, photos and videos from the front, etc. are also published. The army is supplied with rifles of several models for different ammunition, equipped with certain additional devices.
It should be noted that the Ministry of Defense does not purchase Lobaev Arms rifles en masse or centrally. According to known data, this is due to the incomplete compliance of such weapons with the department’s requirements. Sniper units receive other weapons through official channels. However, fighters are not left without modern long-range weapons.
Russian army sniper call sign Cobalt and his DXL-3 "Retribution" rifle
It should be noted that during the Special Operation the troops received high-precision systems not only from Lobaev Arms. In parallel, as part of assistance to the troops, supplies of similar weapons of the BespokeGun brand are being made from the Moscow Arms Company. Rifles from two manufacturers, occupying the same niche, are not only used, but also compared with each other. Reportedly, there is no clear leader - both lines of weapons have advantages over each other.
Weapon family
The manufacturing company reported the supply and presence of several models of rifles in the Special Operation zone. Other samples of its products have not yet reached the front, but it cannot be ruled out that they will also reach combat use. In addition, Lobaev Arms continues to work, and in the future it will be able to introduce new models of rifles, which will probably also have a chance to be tested not only at the training ground.
The rifles mentioned in the manufacturer's communications are generally similar to each other. During their development, common goals were pursued in the form of increasing the range and accuracy of fire. This has led to the use of common or similar circuits, technical solutions and components. At the same time, rifles of different models differ in certain features or parameters - the cartridge used, the design of specific parts, etc.
A Russian Guard soldier with a DXL-5 "Devastator" rifle
First of all, the DXL series rifles, long-range multi-caliber systems suitable for use as a sniper and anti-sniper weapon, have gained some popularity. This line includes three products; all of them are present in the Special Operation area and are effectively used to solve the intended tasks.
DXL products are built according to a linear design. They have a long barrel mounted in a tubular receiver and hanging relative to the fore-end. A longitudinally sliding bolt of reinforced design with manual locking by turning is used. The use of different sighting devices and cartridges is envisaged, allowing for high firing characteristics.
The DXL-3 "Retribution" rifle is available in .338 Lapua Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum versions. With a barrel length of 740 mm, it has a length of more than 1,3 m. The weight of the rifle is approx. 7,9 kg. The declared effective firing range is up to 1,8 km with an accuracy of 0,42 MOA.
The DXL-4M "Sevastopol" uses more powerful .408 CheyTac and .375 CheyTac cartridges. An 820 mm barrel was used, giving the total length of the weapon 1,5 m. Weight - 9,1 kg. The .408 CT cartridge gives an effective firing range of up to 2,3 km, .375 CT – up to 2,8 km. Accuracy is stated at 0,45 MOA.
"Retribution" in firing position
The DXL-5 Devastator rifle has the maximum caliber - it uses 12,7x108 mm and 12,7x99 mm BMG cartridges. Interestingly, both modifications use a unified bolt group. The rifle with an 820 mm barrel is more than 1,5 m long and weighs 13 kg. The firing range reaches 2,3 km. 12,7 mm cartridges are not designed for precision shooting, which is why the accuracy does not exceed 1 MOA.
Also of interest is the well-known TSVL-8M1 Stalingrad rifle. Like the Retribution, it uses .338 LM and .300 WM cartridges. The 680-mm barrel allows it to confidently hit targets at a range of 1,6 km. At the same time, in terms of dimensions and weight, this weapon does not differ from other products - length is approx. 1,3 m, weight – 7,4 kg.
The longest-range representative of the Lobaev Arms brand is the SVLK-14S “Dusk” product. According to known data, these rifles have been used in the Donbass for quite a long time. There are two modifications of such weapons chambered for CheyTac cartridges in .375 and .408 calibers. The long 900 mm barrel gives increased muzzle velocity and bullet energy. Thanks to this, the firing range using .375 CT ammunition reaches 3 km. Accuracy – 0,5 MOA.
All main models of weapons from Lobaev Arms have high range and accuracy, and in this respect they are superior to standard weapons of the Russian army. The technical potential of such sniper systems is very high, and it is actively used to combat enemy manpower and some materiel.
"Devastator" and cartridges for it close-up
Nomenclature expansion
In the past, our snipers used only the old and well-deserved SVD rifle, as well as its new modifications. Despite all the advantages, this weapon has limited characteristics and cannot solve the entire range of tasks that arise for snipers in certain conditions. The Army needed new weapons with increased range, accuracy, and firepower.
In the recent past, several domestic companies have been engaged in the development and production of sniper systems, which differ from the SVD in increased characteristics and other capabilities. Now these organizations are mass-producing rifles of their own design and supplying them to active units, thanks to which they receive new combat capabilities.
Snipers of the armed forces actively use the received weapons of all models and brands, carrying out assigned combat missions. In addition, they are gaining experience necessary to further improve combat techniques and modernize weapon designs. All these processes should be considered clearly positive and useful for the army.
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