Type Assault Rifle In service 1996 Designer TsNIITochMash | Place of origin Russia Used by FSB Designed 1994 | |
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The SR-3 Vikhr (СР-3 Вихрь, Russian for "whirlwind") is a Russian compact fully automatic assault rifle chambered for the 9×39mm subsonic round. It was developed by TsNIITochMash (Central Institute for Precision Machine Building) in the early 1990s. It is based on the AS Val silenced assault rifle but lacks an integral suppressor and has a newly designed folding stock and charging handle for ease of concealed carry.
Contents
History
After the adoption of SR-3, 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 SR-3M (СР-3М). It features a quick detachable suppressor and a redesigned handguard with a collapsible foregrip. The iron sights have also been relocated to the upper front handguard as opposed to being located on the suppressor, apparently for when the gun is used without the suppressor attached. For this weapon a larger 30-round magazine was developed, which can be used also by the AS Val and the VSS Vintorez.
Design
The SR-3 features the receiver, machined from a bar of steel, and gas-operated action with long stroke piston, plus the same rotating bolt group from the AS Val. It has a more compact, top-folding buttstock and simplified flip-up rear sight compared to the AS Val. The redesigned charging handle, made in the form of dual sliders above the forearm, 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, 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.
The SR-3M differs by having AS-style controls (safety lever, semi-automatic/full automatic selector switch inside the trigger guard, charging handle), improved polymer furniture, AS-style side-folding shoulder stock, quick-detach mount for proprietary suppressor at the muzzle, and a side-rail for mounting of various optical equipment (Red-dot or telescope day sights, night sights).