Osv 96 12.7 mm sniper rifle performance characteristics. Russian large-caliber sniper rifles

The OSV-96 “Burglar” sniper rifle is the most popular domestic large-caliber rifle. Developed in the first half of the 1990s and entering service at the end of the 90s, it perfectly demonstrated its outstanding tactical and technical characteristics even then.

The history of the creation of the OSV-96 sniper rifle

In the early 1990s, the question of the need to develop large-caliber sniper rifles arose in Russia. Similar types of sniper weapons have long existed in large European countries and the USA. To create a domestic large-caliber rifle, many design bureaus were involved throughout Russia. It should be recalled that a large-caliber rifle is considered to be one whose caliber exceeds 9 mm.

Over the course of 10 years of painstaking work, the design bureaus were able to develop a whole range of large-caliber sniper rifles of 12.7 and 14.5 mm caliber. One of the first successful models was the experimental development of the 12.7 mm B-94 caliber sniper rifle, which was developed at the Tula Instrument Design Bureau. The implementation of this project became possible thanks to the participation of A.G. Shipunov, who headed the design bureau during these years.

In 1994, a prototype of the B-94 large-caliber sniper rifle underwent a series of tests, which showed that it needed some modifications. Over the next two years, the B-94 rifle was refined at the KGP in Tula. In 1996, having successfully passed a series of factory and state tests, the B-94 sniper rifle was put into service Russian army.

Despite the fact that the rifle satisfied the Russian military in all respects (there was still no alternative), the Tula KGP continued work on further modernization of its large-caliber rifle. As a result of the modernizations, the B-94 sniper rifle by 2000 received the following design changes:

  • The bipod of the rifle began to be mounted on a special bracket, which significantly increased the strength of the attachment;
  • The bipod became adjustable in height, which made it possible to better adjust the position of the rifle;
  • The sniper rifle received a different muzzle brake design, which helped reduce recoil slightly;
  • The wooden butt first received a modified shape, and then it began to be made of plastic. This helped reduce the weight of the rifle. In addition, the new plastic stocks turned out to be much stronger and more reliable than wooden ones;
  • The sniper rifle received new sights;
  • A special handle appeared, designed for carrying a rifle.

The modernizations carried out changed the appearance of the B-94 rifle so much that it was decided to give it a new name. After a series of state tests, the updated model of the 12.7 mm sniper rifle was put into service in the spring of 2000. New model became known as the “12.7 mm OSV-96 sniper rifle.”

Since the new OSV-96 sniper rifle was quite expensive to produce, it entered service only with the following law enforcement agencies:

  • Special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
  • Special groups participating in the elimination of terrorists.

Currently widely used in the Syrian military conflict.

Design of the OSV-96 sniper rifle

The large-caliber sniper rifle is an automatic weapon. Automation operates using the energy of powder gases. Since the OSV-96 rifle has very significant dimensions, the manufacturer found an original way out of this situation. Instead of having to disassemble the rifle each time for transport, you can simply fold it. This not only eliminates unnecessary work on assembling/disassembling the weapon, but also makes the rifle always ready for battle - after all, you can put it in a combat position in a few seconds.

The new muzzle brake-compensator has significantly increased the accuracy and efficiency of shooting. The brake operates on a reactive principle, using the energy of powder gases.

The barrel channel of the OSV-96 sniper rifle is locked with a bolt. To increase reliability, it is locked with 4 lugs. For this caliber you need exactly this reliable way locking. To place the bipod, a special console is used, which is placed on the receiver. The bipod is height adjustable. As a result, the rifle can be installed on any uneven surface. The system for attaching the bipod to the receiver has one significant drawback - this type of attachment can negatively affect shooting accuracy, although professional snipers have long adapted to this feature of the OSV-96.

Technical characteristics of the OSV-96 rifle

TTX OSV-96 looks like this:

  • The overall length of the rifle is 1,746 mm;
  • With the barrel folded, it decreases to 1,154 mm;
  • The barrel itself has a length of 1,000 mm;
  • The ammunition used is 12.7x108 mm cartridges;
  • A sniper rifle is capable of hitting targets that are located at a distance of up to 1,800 meters from it;
  • In this case, shooting at targets wearing body armor or located behind small obstacles can be carried out no more than at a distance of up to 1,000 m;
  • The weight of the rifle without an optical sight reaches 11.7 kg. You can only shoot from a rifle with such weight from a bipod.

In addition, it is possible to install any optical sight instead of the standard one.

Modern versions of the OSV-96 sniper rifle have only plastic stocks. They are equipped with rubber butt pads, which significantly reduce the recoil effect when firing.

Operating principle of the OSV-96 sniper rifle

The OSV-96 large-caliber sniper rifle is an automatic weapon. This means that all operations related to reloading and preparation for the next shot occur automatically due to the energy of the powder gases. This procedure proceeds as follows:

  1. At the moment of firing, powder gases penetrate through the gas outlet hole in the barrel into the gas tube, from where they act directly on the piston, which ejects the bolt frame;
  2. When the bolt carrier is thrown back, the barrel is unlocked and the spent cartridge is removed and discarded. At this very moment return spring it is compressed, the firing pin is cocked, and the next cartridge from the magazine is sent to the ramming line;
  3. Thanks to the action of the return spring, the bolt frame returns to its original position. In this case, the barrel bore is closed due to the movement of the bolt.

Despite the use of automatic weapons, the OSV-96 sniper rifle is not inferior in terms of accuracy to many models of classic bolt-action sniper rifles.

Putting a sniper rifle into combat readiness

In order to bring a sniper rifle into combat readiness mode, you need to carry out the following steps:

  1. First, the rifle needs to be unfolded. To do this, remove the latch, which is engaged with the trigger housing;
  2. Line up the barrel and receiver in one line;
  3. Having achieved a straight line between the barrel and the receiver, you need to connect them. To do this, you need to manipulate the locking handle. Ultimately, the handle must be fixed to a special hook on the stop;
  4. Next, you will need to hold the cocking handle and set the safety to the “Fire” mode. After this, you should release the moving parts of the rifle and pull the trigger. Before you pull the trigger, you need to mandatory make sure the rifle barrel is pointed in a safe direction;
  5. Next, you need to prepare the bipod for installing the weapon in a combat position. To do this, the bipod racks must be released from the latch that secures them;
  6. Prepare sights for shooting. If you plan to use an optical sight, it must be attached to the rifle. If you plan to use a mechanical sight, you should raise the rear sight housing and the post with the front sight;
  7. Next, you should equip the magazine with cartridges, after which the loaded magazine is attached to the rifle. Before loading cartridges into the magazine, you need to make sure that they are in a condition suitable for shooting. Cartridges that can be loaded into a magazine should not have any dents, cracks, green deposits or other defects. Do not use contaminated cartridges. They must be cleaned before use;
  8. Next, you should cock the moving parts of the rifle;
  9. After cocking, the rifle must be put on safety;
  10. Just before firing begins, the safety should be set to the “Fire” position.

The rifle is now fully operational.

Checking the accuracy and effectiveness of shooting from the OSV-96 rifle

In order for shooting from the OSV-96 rifle to be truly effective, it must be zeroed. You need to know that ammunition from different manufacturers can produce different accuracy. For zeroing, you need to take several boxes of cartridges from different manufacturers. First you need to shoot cartridges from one manufacturer, then (at another target) cartridges from another manufacturer.

You need to shoot from a bipod in a prone position. Shooting is carried out at various distances, starting from 100 meters. When shooting, you need to remember that the recoil of a large-caliber rifle, despite the presence of a rubber butt pad, will be very significant. The weapon is sighted using both an open sight and an optical or night sight.

Before using the iron sight, it must be configured. The procedure for setting up the sight is described in detail in the instructions for the weapon, which is included in the kit.

Options and modifications of the OSV-96 sniper rifle

Since the OSV-96 sniper rifle is a relatively young weapon, it has only two modifications;

  • B-94 "Volga";
  • OSV-96 "Burglar".

The first model, although it was adopted, was never mass-produced. It was represented by several prototypes, which were constantly being improved. There is no point in listing all the intermediate options, so the B-94 rifle, which was in service with the Russian army from 1996 to 2000, is considered to be the first and only modification that preceded the OSV-96.

A more advanced modification is the OSV-96, which is now actively used by special forces of law enforcement agencies. It received many improvements that made it not just an upgraded version of the B-94, but a new model.

Countries that actively use OSV-96

Since the OSV-96 rifle is the very first domestic sniper rifle of this class, representatives of law enforcement agencies of many countries were very interested in purchasing it. Basically, it was bought by states that are part of the CIS, but it is also in service with several non-CIS countries.

The technical features of the OSV-96, which make it possible to hit targets wearing body armor at a distance of 1,000 meters, have led to high demand for these rifles in the following countries:

  • Belarus - these rifles are in service with special units of the Almaz type;
  • Kazakhstan purchased OSV-96 for airmobile troops and special forces;
  • In Kyrgyzstan, these rifles are also used by special forces;
  • The Azerbaijani Army adopted the SALT-96 into service with its army;
  • India has purchased a batch of rifles for its naval special forces "MARCOS";
  • The Syrian Army also has a significant amount of SALT-96 in service, as they demonstrated during the recent conflict.

As can be seen from the list, the OSV-96 large-caliber rifle is too expensive a weapon to equip regular army units with. But its purchase for special forces proves that the combat qualities of this weapon are very great.

The OSV-96 rifle is a striking example of the fact that Russia is still capable of developing the best small arms in the world.

In the USSR, the development of large-caliber sniper weapons began in the second half of the 1980s. based on the experience of combat operations in Afghanistan. The standard 12.7*108 mm caliber cartridge from the Degtyarev-Shpagin (DShK) heavy machine guns was chosen as ammunition for the new rifles.

With the collapse of the USSR, work slowed down significantly due to insufficient funding. And only in 1994, specialists from the Tula Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) created the first Russian AMR class rifle, designated B 94. After minor modernization, it entered service with the special forces of the FSB and the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Russian Federation under the designation OSV-96.

According to some reports, the OSV-96 rifle was widely used in combat operations in Chechnya by snipers of the FSB Alpha special forces. The use of large-caliber rifles by Chechen militants, probably captured from the federals, was also recorded. The folding design of the first Russian large-caliber rifle, OSV-96, is a unique phenomenon in the global arms industry.

The specialists of the Kovrov plant named after V.A. Degtyarev began creating their large-caliber weapons several years later than their Tula colleagues. Employees of the SKB plant E.V. Zhuravlev, M.Yu. Kuchin, V.I. Negrulenko and Yu.N. Ovchinnikov presented their SVN-98 rifle (“Negrulenko sniper rifle”) just when the rifle was already put into service OSV-96 Tula KBP.

After some modifications based on the SVN-98, an intermediate model was released, designated ASVK, as well as the KSVK rifle (“Kovrov large-caliber sniper rifle”), which was adopted by the special forces of the Russian Federation. It was successfully tested during the Chechen campaign. KSVK rifles are currently produced in small quantities. One of the disadvantages of the weapon is the insufficient firing accuracy of the standard 12.7 mm cartridge. Standard

large-caliber cartridges are specially manufactured in such a way as to provide some dispersion when fired from a machine gun, providing the ability to hit large areas. Currently, special SPB 12.7 sniper cartridges have been developed, which have increased armor penetration and improved accuracy.

Thus, today in service in the Russian Federation there are tactical analogues of anti-tank rifles from the Second World War. The KSVK sample with a manual bolt can be compared with the single-shot rifle PTRD-41 designed by Degtyarev, and the semi-automatic OSV-96 with the semi-automatic model PTRS-41.

DESIGN FEATURES
OSV-96 is a semi-automatic weapon with a 5-round magazine and automatic operation that uses the removal of powder gases from the barrel. The uniqueness of the OSV-96 is that in the stowed position the shooter has the ability to fold it. This may be due to the special design of the rifle. The folding unit is located near the attachment point of the barrel to the receiver, so that the OSV-96 folds almost in half. A special hinge is located in the breech area of ​​the barrel. The rifle barrel, together with the gas outlet tube, is folded and secured with a latch. The chamber opening that opens is sealed with a special lever mechanism, which prevents clogging of the barrel and the automatic mechanism. In the folded position, the length of the OSV-96 is only 1100 mm with a barrel length of 1000 mm. The standard sight is a special POS 13*60 optics with 13x magnification and the ability to display data on the sight screen (POS 12*54 without displaying the set range). In addition, lighter and less effective PSO-1 optical sights from the SVD rifle are often used.

DESIGN FEATURES
Unlike the OSV-96, the SVN-98 rifle had a bullpup layout, which made it possible to reduce its length to 1350 mm compared to 1700 mm for the OSV-96 with the same barrel length. Negrulenko's sample was equipped with a thicker barrel made by cold forging. Another innovation was the so-called floating barrel - a characteristic feature of all NATO sniper rifles. The SVN-98 is a non-automatic repeating weapon with a manual bolt. Thanks to all of these features, it was possible to create a rifle that is much more accurate than the OSV-96.

Using

In 1994, the large-caliber 12.7-mm self-loading rifle V-94 was created at the Instrument Design Bureau (Tula). After modifications, the B-94 sniper rifle was adopted by Russia under the designation OSV-96.

The OSV-96 large-caliber sniper rifle is designed to solve general tactical sniper tasks (destruction of manpower protected by means of personal armor, lightly armored vehicles, defense of coasts from small ships, detonation of sea mines), as an anti-sniper (defeating enemy snipers) or sabotage weapon (incapacitating Radar, missile and artillery installations, aircraft in parking lots).

The OSV-96 rifle is a self-loading weapon.

The mechanism is gas-operated, locking is carried out by turning the bolt directly behind the barrel, which allows you to unload the receiver and make it fold around the front end, immediately behind the barrel attachment point.

In combat and marching position

Folding is necessary, since in combat-ready form the rifle is very long and inconvenient to store and transport.

Reduction of recoil during shooting was achieved by installing an effective muzzle brake and a shock-absorbing butt plate.

The rifle barrel is equipped with a long muzzle brake - a flame arrester.

The bipod is mounted on a special console mounted in the front (folding along with the barrel) part of the receiver.

The butt has a rubber shock-absorbing pad.

The rifle is not intended for hand-held shooting and does not have a handguard.

The rifle is equipped with POS 12x50 or PKN-05 sights. At the same time, OSV-96 can be equipped with various optical and night sights.

Shooting at night at a distance of up to 600 m is carried out with an electron-optical sight.

The five-round magazine and automatic reloading allow it to fire at a high rate if necessary.

The OSV-96 sniper rifle was mainly adopted by the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB of Russia.

In addition, the rifle was offered to all interested domestic and foreign buyers - various government security agencies.


  • Weapons » Sniper rifles » Russia / USSR
  • Mercenary 12813 1

Rifle OSV-96 - large-caliber weapon Russian production, capable of hitting targets at long distances. The development of the weapon began in the first half of the 90s, and entered service with the army at the end of the same decade.

The device of the OSV-96 rifle

The operation of a gun is based on the action of powder gases after a shot. The designers found a way to compensate for the large size of the weapon, which is inherent in all models of this class. For convenient transportation, the OSV-96 can be folded: the barrel and gas system are folded back to the receiver, and the breech end of the barrel and the box itself are covered with a cover. If there is an urgent need to fire, it will take a few seconds to transfer to the firing position from the folded position.

To increase the accuracy and efficiency of shooting, a compensator brake was installed, designed as a reactive action. It is mounted on the muzzle and dampens the withdrawal of the barrel by powder gases after the shot. The standard sighting mechanism is represented by a front sight and a rear sight, which fold along the barrel.

The bolt is responsible for locking the barrel bore. This occurs on four combat ledges. They are fastened to the breech stops when locked and transfer the force of the powder gases after the shot to the bottom of the ammunition casing. The cocking lever is on the right.

There is a special console on the front of the receiver. A bipod is placed on it, which can be adjusted in height. The bipod is responsible for rotating the console in the longitudinal plane relative to the gun barrel. This function allows you to adjust the rifle for use on surfaces with any unevenness. The downside is that the bipod is attached to the barrel. This negatively affects shooting accuracy.

Tactical and technical characteristics of OSVM-96 Burglar:

  • For food, 12.7x108 mm ammunition is used;
  • Barrel length - 1000 mm;
  • Total length with folded barrel - 1,154 mm;
  • Total length with the barrel unfolded - 1,746 mm;
  • The width of the folded gun is 196 mm;
  • The width of the unfolded weapon is 381 mm;
  • Maximum working distance - 1.8 km;
  • The weight of an unloaded OSV-96 sniper rifle without optics is 11.7 kg.

If the shooter is not satisfied with the factory sight, optics can be installed on the Picatinny rail for night and day shooting. DS 3×12-50MCT is considered standard, but the owner, if desired, can install another one similar to this one. The choice of sights for the OSV-96 sniper rifle in gun stores is wide.

The first years of production, the stock was made of wood. On modern models it has given way to high-strength plastic. A rubber butt plate is installed on the butt, the main task of which is to dampen recoil after a shot, which can reduce accuracy.

How does Burglar work?

The work is based on automatic system. The barrel locks and unlocks independently. The cartridge case of the spent charge is ejected from the gun during operation of the mechanisms without the participation of the shooter. New ammunition from the magazine is fed and sent into the chamber under the influence of mechanisms that are influenced by the force of the powder gases.

As mentioned above, the operation of automation is based on the power of powder gases. After the shot, they pass through the gas outlet hole in the barrel and clip, then enter the gas tube and begin to move the bolt to the rear extreme position, putting pressure on the bolt frame piston.

When it begins to move to the rearmost position, the following happens:

  • The bore is unlocked;
  • The cartridge case of the spent charge is removed from the chamber and thrown out through a special window;
  • The return spring is compressed to its maximum;
  • The drummer is moved to the cocked position;
  • A new cartridge arrives from the magazine to the dispensing line.

When the return spring begins to expand, the bolt is sent to its extreme forward position. At this time, what happens is that the barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt. The leading protrusion interacts with the figured groove of the bolt frame. The capsule is heated by a firing pin, which is located inside the bolt of the OSV-96 sniper rifle. Loading the weapon is carried out by pulling the bolt frame all the way back and sharply moving it forward.

Checking the quality of shooting from OSV-96

Checking the performance characteristics of OSV-96 is carried out with ammunition from the same batch. A standard sighting mechanism or mounted optics are used for night or day shooting (depending on the time of day). The principle of setting up the built-in mechanical sight is described in the technical documentation of the weapon, which is included in each kit.

To assess accuracy, a standard target is used: a black rectangle on a white background. Its dimensions are 25x37 centimeters. It is necessary to place the rectangle at a height equal to the shooter’s eye level. The aiming point is the center of the bottom line of the black rectangle. The control point is the center of the target.

We conducted testing at a distance of 100 meters. The rear sight is moved to the fourth position. The shooter's position is lying down from the bipod with the butt resting on the shoulder. Four shots are fired in a rectangle. Normal accuracy indicators - the dispersion of shots does not exceed 15 centimeters. If the value is higher, four shots must be fired at the new target.

If the result is satisfactory, the midpoint of impact must be determined. The two closest shots are connected by a line, the length is divided into two equal parts. Connect the hole from the third shot to this point, break the resulting segment into three equal pieces. From the point closest to the first two hits, a line is drawn to the fourth hole, the segment is divided into four equal parts. The point that is closest to the first three hits is considered the midpoint of the hit.

What conclusion can be drawn about the OSV-96 rifle?

OSV-96 Burglar is capable of neutralizing lightly armored vehicles located at a distance of 1.8 kilometers. If an enemy soldier wearing a bulletproof vest is in cover and the distance to him does not exceed one kilometer, he can be neutralized with this sniper rifle. The main advantage of the weapon is its excellent accuracy for the set rate of fire.

It entered service in the late 90s of the last century. The security forces of our country are used to resolve armed conflicts within the country and neutralize terrorist groups around the world. For the last two years it has been used by soldiers participating in civil war in Syria.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

OSV-96 “Burglar” is a heavy self-loading large-caliber sniper rifle. The prototype, the V-94 Volga, was developed by the Tula Instrument Design Bureau in the early 1990s and first shown in 1994. The main differences between the OSV-96 and the prototype are the design of the muzzle brake, the shape of the butt and the carrying handles. Currently, the V-94 and OSV-96 rifles are in service with the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB and other law enforcement agencies of Russia.


Construction[edit]


Sniper rifle OSV-96 “Burglar”


The rifle is self-loading, the automation works by removing powder gases from the barrel, locking is carried out by turning the bolt with 4 lugs directly behind the barrel, which allows you to unload the receiver and make it fold around the front end, immediately behind the barrel attachment point. Folding is necessary, since in combat-ready form the rifle is very long and inconvenient to store and transport (in this case, the breech end of the barrel and the receiver are overlapped to prevent clogging). The rifle barrel is equipped with a long muzzle brake - a flash suppressor. The rifle is equipped with a bipod mounted on a special console mounted in the front (folding along with the barrel) part of the receiver. They allow it to be rotated relative to the barrel in a longitudinal plane, so the rifle can be used on any surface. However, the bipod (as well as the carrying handle) is attached directly to the barrel, which does not have the best effect on shooting accuracy. The butt is made of wood and has a rubber shock-absorbing cushion; it is not adjustable in length and height. The rifle is not intended for hand-held shooting and does not have a handguard. OSV-96 can be equipped with various optical and night sights.


Purpose and performance characteristics[edit]

The rifle is designed to engage lightly armored and unarmored targets at distances up to 1500 m, as well as enemy personnel behind cover and wearing personal protective equipment at distances up to 1000 m. When firing sniper cartridges at a distance of 100 m in series of 4-5 shots, the dispersion diameter does not exceed 50 mm (for SVD this figure is approximately 1.5 times worse). The initial energy of a bullet when fired from the OSV-96 exceeds that of the SVD by about 5 times and is about 18860 J.

One of the disadvantages of the rifle is that the shot sound is too loud, as a result of which it is recommended to fire with headphones.

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