KO-8,2 (hunting rifle)

In the early 1930s, it was decided to develop a large-caliber hunting cartridge with an expanding bullet and a hunting rifle for this cartridge based on the design of well-known standard military rifle. In 1932, Tula Arms Plant began serial production of the NK-8,2 mm hunting carbine,[1] which lasted until 1941.[2]

After the end of World War II, production continued, with the weapon being renamed KO-8,2.[2][4][3]

After start of the serial production of new hunting rifles (Bars, Los and Medved), the production of KO-8,2 hunting carbines and 8.2×66mm cartridges for them was discontinued.[2]

The NK-8,2 (KO-8,2) hunting rifle is a standard M1891/30 military rifle without bayonet with a new 8.2mm barrel and new bolt.[2]

• NK-8,2 (НК-8,2)[4] - first model, pre-war production, made by Tula Arms Plant[2]
• KO-8,2 (КО-8,2) - first model, post-war production (renamed without changes in design)[2]
• KO-8,2M (КО-8,2М) - second model, since August 1961. It has new 500mm barrel with four right grooves (320mm twist rate), new wooden gunstock and detachable scope base for optical sight[4] ТО-4[2]
• KO-9 (КО-9) - third model (9mm version of KO-8,2M for 9×53mmR ammunition). It had new 600mm barrel with muzzle brake, different wooden gunstock with recoil pad and detachable scope base for optical sight, one test prototype was built[4]

Also, in 2005, the Vyatskiye Polyany Machine-Building Plant announced that it would begin production of new VPO-103 (ВПО-103) hunting carbine (a surplus 7.62mm M1944 military carbine converted to fire 9×53mmR ammunition).[6]

• ten rifles are in collection of Tula State Arms Museum in Tula Kremlin[7]