Anti-sniper rifle OSV 96. Russian sniper rifles. Putting a sniper rifle into combat readiness

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, even then it perfectly demonstrated its outstanding tactical capabilities. specifications.

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 United States. 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 adopted by the 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. The 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. This caliber requires just such a reliable locking method. 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:

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;
When the bolt carrier is thrown back, the barrel is unlocked and the spent cartridge is removed and discarded. At the same moment, the return spring is compressed, the firing pin is cocked, and the next cartridge from the magazine is sent to the dispensing line;
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:

First, the rifle needs to be unfolded. To do this, remove the latch, which is engaged with the trigger housing;
Line up the barrel and receiver in one line;
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;
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 must make sure that the rifle barrel is pointed in a safe direction;
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;
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;
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;
Next, you should cock the moving parts of the rifle;
After cocking, the rifle must be put on safety;
Just before shooting 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 high.

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

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 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 adopted by the Russian army.

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.

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 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.

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

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;
When the bolt carrier is thrown back, the barrel is unlocked and the spent cartridge is removed and discarded. At the same moment, the return spring is compressed, the firing pin is cocked, and the next cartridge from the magazine is sent to the dispensing line;
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:

First, the rifle needs to be unfolded. To do this, remove the latch, which is engaged with the trigger housing;
Line up the barrel and receiver in one line;
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;
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 must make sure that the rifle barrel is pointed in a safe direction;
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;
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;
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;
Next, you should cock the moving parts of the rifle;
After cocking, the rifle must be put on safety;
Just before shooting 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

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".

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

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 high.

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.

Large-caliber sniper rifle V-94 was the direct predecessor of the rifle OSV-96

Large-caliber sniper rifle OSV-96 in a combat-ready position

The barrel is partially folded. The barrel lock on the left side of the receiver is clearly visible

Large caliber sniper rifle OSV-96 folded compared to a 7.62mm rifle SVD

Caliber: 12.7x108mm

Mechanism: gas-operated semi-automatic, locking by turning the bolt

Trunk: 1000 mm

Weight: 12.9 kg without cartridges and optical sight

Length: 1746 mm (1154 mm folded)

Shop: 5 cartridges detachable box-shaped

It was developed in the mid-1990s in Tula, at the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP). Originally known as the B-94, the rifle was first shown in public around 1995.

Later, after a number of modifications, the rifle received the designation OSV-96. Currently, the rifle is offered to all interested domestic and foreign buyers - naturally, this means various government security agencies. According to some reports, small quantities of OSV-96 are used in Chechnya by federal forces against separatists.

The OSV-96 rifle is self-loading. The mechanism is gas-operated, 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. 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 is made of wood and has a rubber shock-absorbing pad. 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.

The main purpose of OSV-96 is to combat light equipment (cars, etc.), defeat enemy personnel behind cover, and counter-sniper combat.

Large-caliber sniper rifle OSV 96 on a bipod, with a 12x optical sight

In 1995, the Tula Instrument Design Bureau presented an experimental self-loading large-caliber rifle V-94, chambered for 12.7x107 and designed to destroy manpower in personal armor, lightly armored vehicles, counter-sniper combat, incapacitation technical means enemy.

The rifle is automatic with a gas engine, the gas chamber is located on top of the barrel. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt, while the bolt engages directly with the barrel, which made it possible to unload the receiver. The relatively high recoil energy of a powerful cartridge is partially absorbed by the reactive muzzle brake (and the gases released by it do not create additional stress on the shooter) and the shock-absorbing butt on the wooden butt.

The pistol grip is plastic. The reloading handle is located on the right.

The cartridges are fed from a direct box-shaped detachable magazine with a capacity of 5 cartridges.

OSV-96 rifle in folded position

One of the problems with large-caliber rifles chambered for a powerful cartridge and designed for long sighting ranges is their large dimensions. The B-94 was made foldable - in the stowed position, the barrel with a gas exhaust system tilts back and forth to the right and is pressed against the receiver. In this position, it is more convenient to carry the rifle and place it in vehicles. When transported in this form, the breech end of the barrel and the receiver are covered with covers to prevent clogging.

It is possible to use various optical and night sights. In particular. the rifle was offered with a PSO-1M2-02 optical sight with sighting scales designed for ranges from 100 to 2000 m. A POS 12x50 daytime optical sight with a magnification factor of 12x was also offered. It is possible to install a PKN night sight, which belongs to the II generation night vision devices. The shooting support is an adjustable sliding bipod mounted on a special console under the barrel. The bipod hinge allows them to be rotated relative to the rifle in the transverse plane, which makes positioning easier.

After some modernization, the rifle entered service under the designation OSV-96, used mainly by the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and special units of the FSB.

Tactical and technical characteristics of OSV-96

Caliber: 12.7 mm
Cartridge: 12.7x107 sniper, 12.7x107 DShK
Weight without cartridges and sight: 12.9 kg
Weapon length:
in firing position: 1746 mm
in stowed position: 1154 mm
Barrel length: 1000 mm
Initial bullet speed: at least 800 m/s
Sighting range with optical sight: up to 1800 m
Magazine capacity: 5 rounds

Large caliber sniper rifles- this is a special type of sniper rifle with a caliber from 9 mm to 20 mm inclusive. As a rule, such models are significantly superior to ordinary sniper rifles in terms of effective firing range, bullet energy, dimensions, weight and recoil, which leaves an imprint on their use.

Currently, Russia has created a sufficient number of interesting solutions in this area, which are presented by both state and private manufacturers of small arms.

The main area of application of large-caliber sniper rifles is to disable:
— unarmored and lightly armored enemy equipment, including low-flying or grounded helicopters and airplanes;
— protected firing points (firing at embrasures and observation devices of pillboxes);
— control, communication and reconnaissance equipment (satellite communication antennas, radar, etc.);
— destruction of unexploded bombs and mines.