SR-3 Vikhr

The SR-3 Vikhr (СР-3 Вихрь, Russian for "whirlwind") is a Russian 9×39mm compact assault rifle. It was developed by A. D. Borisov, V. N. Levchenko and A. Tyshlykov at TsNIITochMash (Central Institute for Precision Machine Building) in the early 1990s and was manufactured in 1994. Heavily based on the AS Val, but lacks an integral suppressor, has a newly designed folding stock and charging handle for ease of concealed carry. The abbreviation "SR" stands for spetsialnaya razrabotka — special development.

SR-3 Vikhr
SR-3MP 9×39mm compact assault rifle
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service1996
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerTsNIITochMash
Designed1989 - 1994[1]
ManufacturerTula Arms Plant
Producedsince 1995[1]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass2 kg (without a magazine) (SR-3)
2.2 kg (without a magazine), 3.2 kg (with an empty 30-round magazine and a suppressor) (SR-3M)
LengthSR-3:
396 mm (15.59 inch): buttstock folded
640 mm (25.2 inch): buttstock extended
SR-3M:
410 mm (16.14 inch): buttstock folded
675 mm (26.57 inch): buttstock extended
700 mm (27.56 inch): buttstock folded with suppressor
970 mm (38.19 inch): buttstock extended with suppressor
Barrel length156 mm (6.14 inch)
Cartridge9×39mm
ActionGas operated, Rotating bolt
Rate of fire900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity295 m/s
Effective firing range200 m
Maximum firing range400 m
Feed system10-, 20-, 30-round detachable magazine
SightsIron Sights and various optical sights by the use of a Dovetail rail mount

Because the SR-3 Vikhr is a rather expensive weapon for its small size and weight, it was not mass produced for the Russian military. Although, it was primarily used by the Russian Special Operations Forces and certain government officials' security details.

History

After the adoption of the SR-3 Vikhr, the FSB established new operational requirements with a goal to combine the qualities of the SR-3, AS Val and VSS Vintorez, resulting in a new variant designated as the SR-3M (СР-3М).

Design
A right-side view of the SR-3

The SR-3 is a compact assault rifle chambered in 9×39mm subsonic cartridge. It is primarily used with the SP-6 armour piercing ammunition with a hardened steel penetrator, that can penetrate a 6mm steel plate at a range of 200 metres. Along side the SP-6, a lower cost SP-5 ball ammunition with a heavy bullet and PAB-9 ammunition is also used.[2] The SR-3 is based on the AS Val, but lacks the integral suppressor. As a result, it is much more compact than the AS Val.

The SR-3 is a select-fire, gas-operated action with a long stroke piston. It uses the same rotating bolt group from the AS Val, and fires from a closed bolt. It has a more compact, top-folding buttstock and a simplified flip-up rear sight which can be set for 100 metres or 200 metres distance compared to the AS Val. The redesigned charging handle, made in the form of dual sliders above the forearm, and must be grasped by thumb and index finger and then retracted to load the weapon. The trigger unit is generally the same as in the AS Val, but the AK-type safety is replaced by ambidextrous lever above the pistol grip. The fire mode selector is of cross-bolt, push button type and located behind the trigger, inside the trigger guard.[3]

Variants
SR-3M equipped with a PSO-1 scope
SR-3MP equipped with an optical sight and suppressor. Note the buttstock is attached underneath the pistol grip

SR-3M

The SR-3M is a modernised variant of the SR-3 Vikhr. It receives an improved polymer furniture, a more convenient charging handle, an AS-style controls (safety lever, semi-automatic/full automatic selector switch is inside the trigger guard), an AS-style side-folding stock, a redesigned handguard with a folding foregrip and where the rear sight is now located, a specially developed quick-detachable suppressor, a Warsaw Pact rail mount, and a new magazine with a 30-round capacity which provides a more reliable feeding during automatic fire whilst still compatible with the 10- and 20-round magazines from the SR-3, AS Val and the VSS Vintorez. It is also worth to mention that the 30-round magazine is also compatible with the AS Val and VSS Vintorez.[4][3]

SR-3MP

The SR-3MP is a further modernisation of the SR-3M. It features a new Dovetail rail mount for mounting various optical sights. The handguard receives two Picatinny rails on each side for mounting laser sights, tactical flashlights and other tactical accessories. An additional rail is added below the pistol grip for the folding stock to be mounted for operators who wears a full-face shield mask, bullet-proof helmet or night vision gear to still be able to aim by the shoulder without the stock getting in the way.[5][4]

  • The SR-3M (top), AS Val (middle) and VSS Vintorez (bottom)
  • A left-side view of the SR-3M equipped with a suppressor and PSO-1 scope
  • A right-side view of the SR-3M equipped with a suppressor and PSO-1 scope
  • The SR-3MP equipped with a suppressor and an optical sight via its new Dovetail rail mount

Users

 Russia: Used by the Federal Security Service.

See also

References
  1. Виктор Кораблин. Неизвестный "Вихрь" // журнал "Оружие", № 3, 2004. стр.10-15
  2. ARG. "SR-3 Vikhr Compact Assault Rifle | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2017-05-28.
  3. "Modern Firearms - SR-3 SR-3M Vikhr". modernfirearms.net. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  4. "SR-3 'Vikhr' MP: Russia's Elite CQB Assault Rifle". Guns.com. 2017-04-30. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  5. "New Russian SR 3 MP "Vikhr" Submachine Gun - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
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