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The SR-3 "Vikhr" (Russian: СР-3 «Вихрь»; Спетсиалнаыа Разработка 3, romanized: Spetsialnaya razrabotka «Vikhr», lit. 'Special Development' "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.
| SR-3 "Vikhr" | |
|---|---|
.jpg) SR-3MP 9×39mm compact assault rifle | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1996–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | TsNIITochMash |
| Designed | 1989 - 1994[1] |
| Manufacturer | Tula Arms Plant |
| Produced | since 1995[1] |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2 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) |
| Length | SR-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 length | 156 mm (6.14 inch) |
| Cartridge | 9×39mm |
| Action | Gas operated, Rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 295 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 200 m |
| Maximum firing range | 400 m |
| Feed system | 10-, 20-, 30-round VSS-pattern magazines |
| Sights | Iron Sights and various optical sights can be mounted using the Dovetail rail mount |
The SR-3 was originally known as the AM "Vikhr" – at times written as MA "Vikhr" (Avtomat Malogabaritnyj "Vikhr" – small-sized automatic rifle, code-name "Whirlwind"). Serial production of the Vikhr commenced in 1996, and was then designated as the SR-3 in fulfillment of the state request, with the FSB and Ministry of Internal Affairs quickly adopting the design in the same year.[2][3]
Due to the high cost of the SR-3 relative to its compact size and weight, it was not mass-produced for the Russian military. Instead, this specialized firearm is primarily utilised by Russian Special Operations Forces and Russian Federal Security Officers.
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The SR-3 "Vikhr" is a select fire, gas-operated action with a long stroke piston that fires from a closed bolt, chambered in 9×39mm subsonic cartridge.[2] Its action is heavily based on the AS Val; the only difference is that it lacks an integral suppressor, making it much more compact in comparison.
The SR-3 has a more compact, top-folding buttstock compared to the AS Val this was done for ease of concealed carry, a simplified flip-up rear sight that has an L-shaped blade with settings for 100 metres or 200 metres distance.
Operating mechanism
The bolt charging assembly on the SR-3 consists of dual sliders above the barrel and a non-reciprocating cocking handle, which must be grasped by the thumb and index finger and retracted to load the weapon. It features a machined steel receiver with a long-stroke gas piston positioned above the barrel and attached to the bolt carrier. The rotating bolt has six radial lugs that lock into the receiver, similar to the AS Val.
Firing mechanism
The trigger unit of the SR-3 is generally similar to the one used in the AS Val, which uses a striker-fired system with the striker spring located below the bolt return spring. However, the AK-type safety lever is replaced by an ambidextrous lever positioned above the trigger guard. The fire mode selector is a cross-bolt, push-button design located behind the trigger.[3]
Barrel and muzzle device
The SR-3 features a 156 mm (6.14 inch) with a compact hybrid muzzle brake-flash hider that is not compatible of attaching suppressors. However, this limitation was addressed with the SR-3M, which introduced a quick-detachable proprietary suppressor featuring seven baffles made from stamped steel, welded into a single removable unit.
Magazine
The SR-3 uses a common magazine with the AS Val and VSS Vintorez, which is a polymer double stack, dual-feed with a 10- or 20-round capacity. A 30-round magazine was later introduced with the SR-3M.
Ammunition
The SR-3 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. Alongside the SP-6, a lower cost SP-5 ball ammunition with a heavy bullet and PAB-9 ammunition is also used.[3]
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SR-3M
After the adoption of the SR-3, the FSB established new operational requirements with a goal to combine the qualities of the SR-3 "Vikhr", AS "Val" and VSS "Vintorez", which led to the creation of an improved and modified variant, the SR-3M (Russian: СР-3М).[2]
The SR-3M features an improved polymer construction, AS-style controls (cocking handle – attached to the right side of the bolt carrier, safety lever, semi-automatic/full automatic selector switch is inside the trigger guard – the selector positions are marked with white dots on the pistol grip: three dots on the left side marks the full-automatic setting, and a single dot on the right marks the semi-automatic setting), 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, and a larger 30-round capacity stamped steel magazine which provides a more reliable feeding during automatic fire.[4] It was ordered in May 2021 by an unnamed foreign country.[5]
SR-3MP
The SR-3MP is a further development of the SR-3M. Key improvements include a new Dovetail rail mount for attaching various optical sights. The handguard features Picatinny rails on each side for mounting laser sights, tactical flashlights, and other tactical accessories. Additionally, a rail beneath the pistol grip allows for the folding stock to be mounted, enabling operators wearing full-face shield masks, bullet-proof helmets, or night vision gear to aim comfortably from the shoulder without interference from the stock.[6][4]
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SR-3M (top), AS Val (middle) and VSS Vintorez (bottom)
SR-3M with a suppressor and PSO-1 scope
SR-3M with a PSO-1 scope
SR-3MP with a suppressor and an optical sight attached on its new Dovetail rail mount
Russia: Used by the Federal Security Service.
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