VSS Vintorez: Russia's Silent Sniper Rifle
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- Опубліковано 10 гру 2023
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The VSS (Special Sniper Rifle) Vintorez was one of two dedicated silenced rifles developed in Russia in the 1980s. The Vintorez was given a very good barrel and intended for precision shooting, while the AS (Special Assault rifle) Val used the same action and suppressor, but had a pistol grip and folding stock, and was intended for use as a typical carbine. Both were chambered for the 9x39mm round, which came out at subsonic velocities to ensure very quiet operation. Both designs also included a selector switch.
The example I am looking at today is a commercial-sale version of the modernized VSS-M. The modernized version of the rifle replaced the smooth top cover and AK-style receiver side rail with a picatinny railed top cover, as well as revising the handguard design. The difference between the commercial and military versions is simply the lack of a selector switch (commercial is semiauto only) and the lack of a detachable stock (on the military version the stock can be removed much like a Colt Thompson stock).
Internally, the VSS and AS are very different from the Kalashnikov design. They use a linear hammer much like a vz58, and a six-lug rotating bolt. The gas system is a long-stroke piston, and the barrel has four rows of ports just a few inches in front of the chamber. The suppressor consists of an initial expansion chamber filled by the barrel ports and then a series of five very simple baffles.
Doctrinally, these rifles were intended to replace the use of suppressors and subsonic 7.62x39mm on standard AKM rifles, although only for special operations sort of troops (not standard Army recon). While very quiet and effective, they are liable to overheat quickly under sustained fire, and were not deemed appropriate for uses where they might be drawn into a conventional infantry battle. Instead, they went to groups like special police and intervention teams who were basically intended to deploy, shoot a couple bad guys in a blockaded building, and then return to base. By today, they have been generally replaced by newer designs, but like so much else, they have both appeared in the fighting in Ukraine.
Many thanks to the IRCGN (Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale) for allowing me access to film this very rare rifle for you!
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@ForgottenWeapons @12:43 the baffle stack points in the wrong direction
No thanks. UA-cam is still free and you haven't completely committed to leaving the platform, so why should your viewers?
@@volkoff6357That's like the difference between Porn Hub and the Playboy channel.
You're missing a 's' in the link above so it doesn't work.
Will Ian ever go to Ukraine? Sounds like he's hinting around...
We are getting to the centre of the zone, with this one !!!
ALL HAIL TO THE MONOLITH!
Get out of here stalker
Well come in don't just stand there
theres an emission coming in 16 hours, better be near somewhere to get away from it
Remember no glitches or crashes, just anomaly activity
In theory it's hard to come by, but there's actually a free Vintorez in the attic of one of the barracks just to the north of Freedom's base. Or alternatively there's a ruined example way up north, just next to the railway line, depending on the game.
Keep it sneaky breeki!
PAROOZHY OBREL!
I think theres one in a burning village.
Get out of here, STALKER!
You can get an infinite amount of VSS Vintorez from the Forester if you close the dialogue at the right moment.
Vintorez means "tool for cutting screw-thread". And Val can have many meanings. In mechanics or engineering it means Shaft, it also mean wall, made by piling up earth or other material, it can mean really huge ocean wave (that's probably there Ian got Avalanche from), it also have related verb " valit' " that means to get something down, like cutting trees.
Who names their guns after the Home Depot drill bit aisle?
@@ForgottenWeapons state planning, it can't make too much sense.
@@ForgottenWeapons Soviets! 😄
@@ForgottenWeaponsProbably the same people who named heavy ordnance after flowers and trees.
@@ForgottenWeaponsTo be fair Q named half their suppressors off of types of meat.
"It will fly across the room and you will ABSOLUTELY never find it again."
I have the funniest feeling that this happened more than once with the Vintorez. I can only imagine the migraine the quartermaster/armorer must have felt.
No matter the nation or people...the armorer always has a migraine.
@@RustyDroid And there will always be that one gun design that has a small part connected to a spring that will fly off to another dimension if you stri the gun down improperly.
I have a feeling that the more forward thinking armourer/ Quartermaster might take steps to "acquire" a box of the things.
If I was to get my hands on one of those, I think my first task would be to solder that groove cloose, so that piece doesn't fly off as easily. It's not something you'll have to disassemble very often anyway
Imagine taking it apart out in a forest and having that part fly off =P
Credit to the designer -- there are some neat tricks in how this was made that save significant manufacturing time and material.
I swear Russia is to firearms as IKEA is to furniture
And as usual with Soviet weapons it comes at a noticeable cost to the other performance characteristics of the rifle.
the designer (one of them) - Pyotr Serdukov
@@ev6558🤡
@@ev6558 Frankly, it does exactly what it was supposed to do.
It's silent, it's light, it's can fit inside of an SU-25 cockpit and it has both semi auto and full auto capabilities.
What more do you really want?
The VSS and AS VAL have to be some of my favourite weapons of all time. They're just so strange, unique, and I love them.
And... not terribly useful.
They look like Fisher Price toys and I love the blocky aesthetic of them.
Well, there's also SR-3M Vikhr. Essentially a VAL without integral suppressor (attachable one included) and slightly downsized. Had some firsthand experience with it. Nasty thing.
I loved the VSS in the old stalker games.
When software removes the worst issues a gun has, it's usually fun to play with 🙂
@@vladcrow4225 also 9A-91/VSK-94
for ppl that want to know why the barrel is ported instead of just making the ammo weaker: 2 reasons. 1. the pressure is higher so the gun can cycle more reliable and its easier to hit the sweetspot for the gasport size especisllx because its so extremely close to the chamber. 2. the barrel is ported to make it longer. even those slow bullets need stabilisation and by porting the barrel you can make it longer but do not need to put the supressor so far forward. instead, as you can see, it can go aroumd thr barrel and so its shorter. mp5sd does the same
"Винторез" can be translated not only as "screw-cutter" but also "rifling-cutter". The word "винтовка" (rifle) has the same root "винт".
That really does make sense, given that rifling in its simplest form is a type of threading.
it literally means "thread cutter" named after a tool that is used to make a thread on a bolt or a screw or inside a barrel... they used this slang name inside design bureau for project name before GRAU designation but it went on to live along official designation
@@fyaunzaun they're both pretty much the same when you're turning threads on a lathe; good try sounding smart tho 👍👍
@@fyaunzaun Метчик для внутренней резьбы и метчик для внешней резьбы.
@@well--wisher метчик и метчиковая плашка
«Val» doesn't mean Avalanche, it is either especially big wave, as in «7th wave is the biggest» or protective wall made out of soil, as in old fortresses. I think, big, crushing wave, has more sense here.
«Vintorez» on the other hand is made-up word, with two roots: «vint» is a «bolt» (as a fastener, not as part if a gun) and «rez» is «to cut» or «cutter». But it sounds to Russian ear not as «bolt cutter» but more as «thread cutter», something that produces bolts, not cut them in half. But, again, it is made-up word.
val means just spindle. Vintorez means thread cutting jig for metall lathe.
"Chtob na val ne nakrutilo, zakatay rukav mudilo" - is where both names come from.
Also "Val" can be translated as "shaft" which is what I think they ment when they were naming the rifle.
A "vint" is not a bolt, it's a screw.
that is so interesting
@@user-zm2zv6bw8i Screw don't need nut always (shurup/шуруп is a screw too). Distinguishing betweenv vint/винт and bolt/болт is the topic for long threads on forums.
I take a sip of vodka and the VSS gets uploaded?? Coincidence, probably, appreciated? Absolutely
Keep going till we get the Val video too.
@@fire_tower Deal!!
During Chechen wars reconnaissance unit had a guy on a team who carried AS or VSS as a second weapon to AK so, it essentially had the same role as something like PSS or PBM pistol. The weapon was used primarily for starting and engagement and maintaining stealth for as long as possible (usually until camp is surrounded so, team is ready to go loud). In a forested mountains of Caucasus 9x39's range is not an issue although sustained fire still is.
Eventually most units transitioned to just using suppressed AK-74 with supersonic ammo.
Oh, I just wrote an almost identical comment! Good to know I was correct n my understanding of things.
@@VasiliyTolstoyWere you deployed that way or just know about it?
I’m American, Chechen War is something I know about and get some basics of, but I never really looked too deep into it. Nothing as far as soldiers and their experiences or what equipment they utilized, how they applied said equipment correctly or incorrectly, and so on.
Do you mean subsonic? Standard ammunition is already supersonic.
@@rdinc.2035 No. 5.45 is pointless in sub configuration.
00:55
Vintorez is a compound word made from two words - "vint" (screw) and "rez" (cutter).
So I think the sort of accurate translation would be "screwcutter" or more in the spirit of the word rather than literal translation "threadcutter". As in "the bullet will cut a thread in you".
By the way, "КО" before "ВСС" in the markings stands for "Карабин Охотничий" - "Hunting Carbine". It's a standard marking for civilian variants of Russian military firearms.
Is that why Starfield calls the VSS "Old Earth Hunting Rifle"...? So there actually is some logic there?
@@tbthegr81 , yes.
Glad you were finally able to get your hands on one of these. That 80s-90s period of Soviet/Russian weapons development is so interesting to me, so many oddball designs coming out of that time period.
I love the design aesthetics of 90s - early 2000’s Russian gun designs
You are right,
For examble the DMR Dragunov from the 60s,
Now every good army run with DMRs, but the Bundeswehr get these first in Afghanistan 2011 because of nees.
And the 9x39 aupressed sub sonic is the father of rounds and the thinking of 300 Blackout, 8,6 Blackout and more
@@sherlockholmes5087 read about 458 socom. Subsonics were a universal demand at the time and the asval had an american parallel. Now with the 8.6 the technology marches forward and the future is bright.
A guy who goes to the same range as I do has one of these but he rebuilt it to look like an AS-VAL, he also had the suppressor rebuilt with modern baffles so I suspect it a bit quieter than an original. It's a really smooth shooting gun and I would love to have one myself but as you can expect, they're VERY expensive when you find them these days.
I have been a sucker for the Vintorez since the first time I saw one, and I cannot imagine anyone better to do a breakdown and explanation. (Unless we had Max Popenker joining Ian.)
As Oxide pointe out in his video on the VSS, it makes much more sense when you look at the specifications. The VAL and VSS are replacing suppressed submachine guns while having nearly the same weight and size (compared to MP5SD) and much greater performance. Definitely much more useful against body armor or for long range engagements.
Nope, man you are wrong. VSS and AS VAL replaced AKM and AKMS 7.62x39 rifles with PBS-1 silencer and subsonic US ammo. Since 9x39 cartridge made out of 7.62x39. This is the only reason why 9x39 appeared. After that they developed 9A-91 and SR-3 carbines with detachable silencer. Since all fights in Ukraine happens at short distance below 500mm therefore 9x39mm has reasons to be used. VSS and Val has less weight, more powerful ammo and very quite compared to AKM with PBS-1 and subsonic ammo.
Always loved how Vintorez looked, it's such an unique and recognisable weapon.
The day has come for Ian to review VSS
I can’t be the only one feeling like a prayer has been anwsered by this vid, Ian finally covering the VSS. Been waiting eversince i started watching in 2017.
Hi, just a couple corrections:
These weapons weren't used by NKVD, as NKVD was reorganised to "Ministry of Internal Affairs" -- MVD, basically police, in 1943 and some years later KGB had been created to encompass some of the three-letter-agencies type of stuff.
Vintorez literally and technically could be translated as a screw-cutting lathe or a thread cutting machine, but it has a second meaning in criminal (and later not only criminal) slang meaning simply "a rifle", because of the threaded barrel.
@@hexagontactical full-auto, firefight type intensity, like in his description?
This (original version with side mounted optics) along with 1911 are my all time favourite guns. I wish i could own both (or any)
Wow this thing is amazing. The more i get into guns, the more i’ve started to appreciate the simplicity and rugged nature / ease of use and maintenance of Russian firearms.
The Vintorez and Val are some of the coolest guns. Love their style.
It's interesting that despite your VSS being a civilian version, the supressor has the same detatchment method like the military one. The civilian version should have threads along with the button and the supressor is screwed on with multiple turns instead of just one twisting motion. Great video. Looking forward to the demonstration one day.
The civilian version does not have a silencer - it is a pipe for the required barrel length according to the law and matches the appearance of the original. The civilian Vintorez is said in Russia to be one of the worst purchases for a Hunter, it is terrible. In Russia you can't have silenced weapons.
@@rinaldoman3331 The civilian version in Russia does not, the civilian versions exported abroad often do, or did.
Some of the civilian versions sent to countries in northern europe had fully functional supressor systems if the countries allowed.
Its obviously a narrow list, countries that have permissive gun laws and open trade with russia, but for a time some places did allow these
Hello, I'm from Russia and have a little interest in weapons.
Thank you very much for reviewing our weapons.
I would like to clarify a few points
1. NKVD (People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs USSR) was transformed into the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ministry of the Interior USSR) in 1946 VSS developed in 1987 this is a small thing, but still.
2. You also noticed “that this weapon is not particularly intended for patrol use”; the name of this weapon implies its “SPECIAL” purpose, therefore, as far as I know from sources and from personal communication with military friends. Rifles are intended for special groups such as reconnaissance officers and snipers under military conditions and special forces groups of the USSR and subsequently the Russian Federation (KGB, FSB, GRU, Airborne Forces, Ministry of Internal Affairs) in counter-terrorist counteraction, if explained in simple terms. For other tasks of general military use, the Russian Army has many other weapons, both universal and specialized for other tasks.
3. You also noticed that since the end of the two thousandth VAL, VINTOREZ were replaced by other weapons with caliber 9.39. This is not true, as you can verify on the wiki site and see that weapons are still being produced to this day. Also there on the wiki website you can get acquainted with the key points of its use (both Chechen wars, counter-terrorism operations in the Russian Federation, the war in Donbass) but weapons chambered for 9.39 cartridge were actually still being created, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with it AS “Vikhr”, SR-3 “ Whirlwind, Automatic 9A-91, sniper rifle VSK-94, Complex OTs-14 “Groza”. As for the VSS and VAL itself, they underwent a rather cosmetic modernization and now it looks like something like what you see; they acquired an ergonomic design and picatinny rails; the VSS received a bipod and a new butt.
4. Among the disadvantages of the weapon, one can highlight the necessary attention to the care and thorough cleaning of the integrated silencer, the persistence of the bullet and the short range.
Thank you again for your attention to Russian weapons.
Thanks for your information, it was a good read, Russian friend!
I've been watching forgotten weapons for almost 5 years now and I have long awaited the day you get your hands on one of these!
3:25 Not to be pedantic, but 'spetsnaz' is not a group or unit by itself, but rather a classification (similar to 'special forces' in english, or more literally 'special purpose unit'). Alpha is a specific unit, FSB is not a single special forces group either. There's many different 'spetsnaz' within the russian army, some of which might not even constitute 'special forces' in the strictest sense. Here's a short overview for those interested, although it might be somewhat incomplete (and if you see any gaps, please do comment).
FSB (intelligence service) has a couple of units: Alpha anti terrorism unit (As you mentioned, also known as spetsgruppa A) but also Vympel (which is less well known, originally specialized in penetration and sabotage of ex. nuclear reactors and dams behind enemy lines during the cold war).
MVD (interior ministery) had Vityaz and Rus (which functions similarly to Alpha, and generally seen similar in terms of skills too), currently merged into a new unit the 604th special purpose center of the national guard. I think the MVD has almost no combat units anymore. SOBR is also a spetsnaz unit of the interior ministery, more geared towards operations internal in russia (police type special unit, like FBI-HRT).
There is also the (in)famous GRU military intelligence unit, which has a whole list of units, all of which have their own specialties, and all of which (partially) fall under the russian ground, maritime and airborne forces. Most notable is perhaps the 45th guards special purpose brigade. Also they have two units specialized in naval/beach operations (analog to the SEAL teams).
The FSO (federal protective service, same name as the US equivalent) obviously has specialists in security services.
The SVR is the foreign intelligence service (note that administratively it operates separately from the FSB), mostly focused on intelligence operations outside of the country. Very little is known about their units, one can guess that many of its separate directorates have their own 'special purpose units'. Zaslon is one of the few units actually acknowledged to exist. Among their tasks is at the very least security of embassies. Perhaps most similar would be the CIA SAC type units. Personally I wouldn't be surprised if there are more secretive units deeply embedded within the SVR.
Finally, independent of the army, there is the special operations command, KSSO/KSO/SSO (US eqv. JSOC). These generally perform tasks that could be classed under delta force/green berets/rangers etc. These are likely also the ones seen as 'green little men' in crimea. They have also provided a crucial role in Syria in doing training, coordination, guiding artillery/airpower etc.
As can clearly be seen, there is no central structure for all units, and instead every agency/organization has its own force specialized in tasks they are required to do.
Ты не за.. бался это писать?
@@romantitov8229 watch your language, russki
@@JD-rt5sd Завали е..бальничек
Maybe a controversial opinion, but I think the VSS is arguably the best-looking rifle of all time. The wood stock, the girthy toob, and that sexy taper where the barrel meets the magazine well. Gorgeous.
FAL/G3/CETME are stiff competition
Awesome to finally see one on this channel! Definitely one of my favourites, it's such a cool, unique, interesting, and aesthetically pleasing rifle. :D
It is my birthday today and this is the video I've been waiting for! Great timing!!
Two corrections here:
1. Your civilian version has steel "buffers" in the suppressor. Military one has replaceable rubber ones at the same spots
2. Val/vss aren't getting replaced in the military anytime soon. They are being mass-produced th the point when most recon/special force/elite infantry troops have one as a secondary weapon. They are commonly used for a night fighting because their muzzle flash is minimal, sound is quiet and you don't need long range at night anyway. They are usually fitted with a night/thermal scope for that (if a person can afford it, but elite units usually have good enough salary)
Sr3, 9a91 are interesting models but they haven't been produced in large numbers, so they can be found only in the anti-terrorist units
I am SO EXCITED for this! I've been waiting a decade to see you review the Vintorez. Like the H&K G11, it's so incredible that you're able to get your hands on an example and share it with us.
Every few months I search "forgotten weapons vss"
It's been too long
Thanks Ian, I've been hoping for a video on this one for awhile!
fell in love with this gun as a kid when I played STALKER for the first time
Holy shit. That is the most elegant FCG I've ever seen. Just incredibly simple and robust use of 2 opposing cams, but honestly such a brilliant way of making a compact and easy to manufacture linear hammer system. You can see it working at 8:57.
Until it gets hot.. or cold.. or a speck of dust gets in and it starts to jump around..
@@DenDodde I have no idea what you're talking about, that's the brilliance of it. Look at it, it's just 2 opposing cams. No tolerances to get affected by temperature, no real interface surfaces that can get dirty. Compare this to something like the (relatively) overcomplicated and fussy design of an AR FCG for example and this is absolutely bomb proof.
@@DenDodde What are you talking about? the trigger group on the VSS literally has less working parts than an AK
Millitary Vintorez just like Val can be fired full-auto. It is rough on the internals of the firearm, but it is an option. That is why I love this sniper rifle.
At 8:32 and other times in the video someone grunts and I thought I was going crazy thinking the noise was in my house
I just got my signed copy of your latest book on US WW2 small arms and so far it is a fantastic read; and the pictures really are quite exquisite and detailed in their coverage.
A .300 Blackout suppressed AR is essentially the western take on this kind of concept, since the Russians did it first. Slightly different executions but same principle.
I do think the 9x39 and the VSS achieve the goal better than .300 blackout does but the newer 8.6 blackout cartridge is superior to both as it maintains good penetration despite the low speed of the projectile.
@@dominuslogik484after 40 years it better be
300 black is better in every aspect. ARs are just really bad at shooting suppressed. VSS is a piston gun, therefore it is better for suppression. Piston driven AR would be better for suppressed use.
@@ShersGarage I would sure hope it's better! 9x39's been around for a bit. New suppressor designs can run on DI rifles equally well, so piston rifles aren't the no brainer they used to be. Also, a piston AR is still an AR. :P
It's a long stroke gas piston rifle with a touch of MP5SD in the ported barrel - you could replicate the idea today with contemporary parts pretty easily.
the tunnel full of snorks ua-cam.com/video/h1hwZSCHQzk/v-deo.html
3:41 An observation from this point: It is very curious how almost all Russian guns some way resemble each others. They all have this trademark Kalashnikov look to them even though they are internally very different. That has made many people to think they all are basically the same gun with just a different configuration. This misconception is especially present between AK rifles and Dragunov, where people tend to think Dragunov is just an AK with a longer barrel and different stock.
I would really love to see you take this gun to a match. Especially something special forces related such as the recent night-/thermal vision matches.
SVD looking AK?
u mean this? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSL_(rifle)
This is a requirement of the GRAO for Russian weapon developers. If possible, so that all the switches on the weapon are of the same type, then any soldier who receives a weapon that he has not used before intuitively knows how to use it.
If you think about it this really started with the AVS-36 and SVT-40 with the gas tubes on the top, a tall front sight and the receiver "hump" at the back
Its the same reason a lot of American weapons look like an ar15 scaled up/down. ease of use and familiarity
in Russia there is even a proverb: no matter what weapon you create, there will be Kalashnikov rifle
Such a beautiful firearm. One small issue, though: Reflex sight instead of the good ol' PSO-1 scope.
Great video! Thank you, Ian.
A very small correction: in 1946 the NKVD was renamed to the MVD - the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The secret-police parts were spun out to the new Ministry of State Security (the MGB). This then sort of became the KGB at some point, but there are a lot of random Soviet ministries that could have used this stuff.
VSS and AS had same barrels, the difference was that VSS is army supply and AS Val is police (MVD) supply
Ballistics and capabitilites are same
Obviously they share mags and they also can fit 30 rounder from SR-3M
NKVD🤣 it's called KGB, and Alpha was part of it
Spetznaz is only a vague word for anyone in special ops, recon, counter-terrorism, not a particular unit
but thank you anyway
civilian version does not represent all suppressor technology and capabilities since suppressors are "illegal" for russian market
my own little experience with it was mindblowing, since it's really small and extremely light compared to standard AK
Ok
Spetznaz seems like its getting to be a little bit of a rare breed in the Russian military other than internal security. I haven't seen any reports of Spetznaz activities in Ukraine or elsewhere in at least a year now.
"NKVD", Ian sometimes lets slip that he's a time traveller. We try not to draw attention to this to avoid embarrassing him.
As I unserstand, VSS and AS have different barrel twists (VSS optimized for sniper ammunition and AS for deep penetration ammo), Max Popenker mentioned this I believe.
It's not true AS is only used by police (the MVD troops were disbanded in 2016). There are plenty of pictures of soldiers with the AS.
This is an exceptionally interesting video for me but I do enjoy all your content for sure. 👍👍
Thank you very much for the quality of the french subtitles ! Perfectly clear, it doesn't contain any errors.
I did not know the technical difference between the Vintorez and the Val, that's very interesting that they would be so similar but made for distinct purposes.
It's a pity that it is falling out of use because it is one of the coolest looking guns ever in my opinion. My Stalker has made good use of one of those for a long time 😉
It is falling into disuse due to poor armor penetration
@@SimpleHuman-ug8fk Ah, well, the rule of cool is displeased regardless xD
@@SimpleHuman-ug8fk you can't have subsonic gun that can penetrate NIJ IV class armor. But old SP-6 can penetrate NIJIII class and new BP always penetrate NIJIII class armor. And the Russians can make a 9x39 cartridge with a tungsten carbide core, which will allow this cartridge, in theory, to penetrate NIJIV class armor like the M993 does.
"a Good Firearm Design is one which can be Identified by its Silhouette Alone."
VSS and AS VAL have passed that test
Then you start to take it apart and go: No, oh no, no, please no, oh god, get this piece of shit away from me!
@@DenDodde Hold on can You show Me?
I have never seen that before
You could say the same about cars, but there are tons of very attractive looking cars that run like absolute crap and everyone knows are not worth the cost.
@@Blueshirt38 Key word here "Design" I never say it that was actually good for use
A correction: NKVD was long disbanded(in 1946) by the time the first vss rifles were produced (1987).
What a cool gun! I really enjoyed the breakdown of this one. Thanks, Ian!
One of the coolest weird guns out there. Always had a special place in my mind from movies and games. The rarity just makes it that much cooler
3:17 - Well, yeah, but NKVD was abolished in 1946 - like 41 year before VSS adoption
I assume he was referring to the KGB and got them mixed up.
I've been waiting so long for you to finally get a hold of one of these
Finally, at long last, I have been waiting YEARS for this vid! I've been so obsessed with these guns for so long, I even built an AR in 9x39
3:16 NKVD was dissolved in 1946, so KGB maybe?
These are some interesting tedhnical pieces, if it comes to use and ergonomics, as many people can't imagine anything better than AR, it really is on personal preference from what I saw used on battlefield. In todays conflict we can see modern AK variants but even in units which are stocked fully with them you see guys with Vintorez or short ak-47 which is interesting as you might think they are not suitable versus modern weapons. So really a good weapon is made by skilled person who is comfortable with them, not to mention different ammo types, it's interesting for an army to let soldiers use weapon of their choice and unit to request certain ammo types 🤔
Yes! I really enjoy this video Ian!
A video long overdue, thank you Ian! As i understand the "Val" means "Shaft" and Vintorez translated to something like "Thread Cutter". Is this Wikipedia being incorrect? Also is the civilian version new to the market? I saw them available in Sweden and was surprised as to how tf someone smuggled a VSS from Ukraine, only now did i find out it was actually a civilian production. Id love to see you fire one of these and give your opinion as to their effectiveness! Ive heard theyre more comparable to an MP5 in feel than a full range AR/AK with a supressor.
Markings on 4:40: KO stands for карабин охотничий, that means hunting carbine. Interesting way to sell this special purpose rifle 🙂
This is just a civ-market rifle designed to look-a-like Vintorez. Everything for civ-market is a hunting carbine or hunting shotgun. Pistols/revolvers are completely prohibited for everyone.
Ah, so that is how it got into Starfield as a Old Earth Hunting Rifle
If Ian ever gets to shoot one of these it had better be a STALKER themed shoot.
Finally! After long last you the VSS! Would love to see a range video of it in action!
I think Brandon Herrera built one with parts kit, but his VSS has baffles way more complex than the original ones.
His is also semi-auto only.
@@cryptable_the one in the video is too, it's missing the selector switch entirely
I have this quote from Razvedos (former Russian SOBR officer) on the negative experience of the AS and VSS in Ukraine:
"The special sniper rifle (VSS) and the special assault rifle (AS) have comparable combat characteristics and are in service in "sniper units" - therefore, I consider them within the framework of one publication. Probably, these are the most mythologized and at the same time relatively widespread samples of special weapons. I will say more - both "Vintorez" and "Val" turned out to be so tightly wrapped in a "special forces halo" of wonderful combat properties that even professionals believed in it. However, they can be understood - there has never been such a war as is going on today, and the "Legends from the Exclusion Zone" have proven themselves ... not very well. Firstly, if you SHOOT them, and not just carry and fuck around, then both samples turned out to be very demanding of timely and full-fledged maintenance. For example, a couple of shot "twenties" without subsequent cleaning, already on the next day led to regular malfunctions that called into question the use of the weapons for their intended purpose. Secondly, all the special cartridges used today are frankly weak and do not "beat" any combined-arms vest [I guess he means plate carriers], and also work extremely badly on targets behind cover. By the way, the "armor-piercing" cartridges of the SP-6 are designed to work on targets in the "armor" of 2-3 classes [GOST] and this is really funny. AS A RESULT. Despite these shortcomings, both are used as a "secondary" - that is, a plus to the main sniper rifle, since there are not enough "silenced" assault rifles for everyone. I will finish the note by repeating the conclusion that I made a long time ago - "cans" [suppressors] turned out to be a more effective and universal solution than special silent weapons, and this was fully manifested in the war."
“Legends from the Exclusion Zone”
Is S.T.A.L.K.E.R just seen as real in the slavic world?
I always seem to find it the same with most Russian equipment in general, they all look great, just that their performance seems to struggle
Боже, разведос😂
Смешнючий персонаж
I remember reading that it was initially developed for special police units. It would make sense that it's not quite up to military standards.
@@adrien5834 it was developed forty years ago. Of course it's not up to the modern military standards.
Absolutely gorgeous rifle, I love every time one pops up on youtube.
Wasn't ready for that suppressor coming off. Wild
Эта штука нарезает резьбу в том, в кого попадает 😊
I always thought these guns were a great example of the divergent evolution of suppressors. Sure in other parts of the world you can get a suppressor/silencer with no paperwork and they're encouraged, but the flip of that is that they're often very basic designs that aren't very effective or durable. The flip is that in the US because it's so expensive and takes so long to get, we tend to put far more engineering into suppressors to make them last forever and suppress significantly better.
One of my all-time favourite firearms. Just a beauty with interesting mechanics and history.
out of all the special russian firearms in the world this is the #1 that i hoped to see covered on this channel!
Stalker, I have good weapon for you. Don't believe me? Listen to this podcast from man with beard outside zone.
Ian I as a Russian native speaker may tell you that Vintorez just doesn't really mean anything real it just sounds cool
A great very interesting video round and rifle Mr.GJ.Have a good one.
Always amazed by your videos ! :)
Russian guy here.
"Vintorez" is, in fact a military slang name, or alias, for any rifle. For example, one may say something like that: "There is a guy over there with a vinotorez". "vinotorez" in this context is just a "rifle", not a particular type of one. Another example of a military slang is "vertushka": the literal translation for this word is "pinwheel", but in military it means "helicopter", "chopper"
another russian here.
No, only VSS called like "Vintorez", the rest of the weapons have an appropriate slang name. Я точно могу сказать что никто не называет остальные винтовки винторезами, ну либо конкретно у вас в месте где вы служили это являлось особенностью.
it is usually believed that the name "Vintorez" appeared due to the use of this word in technical documentation.
Ah nu cheeki breeki i v damke!
GSC missed out on an excellent advertising opportunity...Gun Jesus goes searching for Strelok...!
Thank you Ian great work Sir
Fun factoid: The VSS Vintorez is in the videogame StarField renamed Old Earth Hunting Rifle.
Oh lawd, the holy grail.
Remember picking up one of these in Akila, for an old earth weapon they hold up pretty well in the final frontier.
Vintorez could be translated as " Screw cutter" or a self cutting screw, like a screw that cuts it's own hole
Ian is as far as I know the best gun youtuber.
He behaves himself calmly, he doesn't need to scream like obnoxious gun youtubers do
he knows his shit
he doesn't wear cringe tacticool gear
he shoots actual steel/paper targets and not water jugs or melons
the video format is really nice, good length and doesn't have those annoying cuts like giggling keys in front of a baby
It was probably already said in the comments, but Brandon Herrera owns a civilian VSS (A kit build, i believe) and did a video on it a little while ago. Probably your best chance of getting to shoot one, Ian :P
He built it off a blank firing kit. Even a commentator who builds AKs off parts said it was dangerous to shoot it because the dimensions on the blank kits were way off the actual guns but ol' white washed didn't respond.
But then he would have to put up with Herrera's shitty 4chan level jokes
I was wondering when you'd get your hands on one of these! Can't wait!!
such a cool rifle, from design, to appearance, i have always wanted one of these
There is no way this thing was as quiet as the legends say. Just look at that under engineered suppressor
ua-cam.com/video/wMAKtZzRadk/v-deo.html the Russian design approach, when everything is simplified but continues to work reliably.
It is. Volume over baffles in this instance. They're remarkably quiet if you get into the Russian firearms part of UA-cam.
The sheer amount of gas lost through all the holes in the barrel!
@@HumanityisEmbarrassing The holes allow the gases to be evenly released from the barrel of the rifle into the refrigerator (a roll of stainless metal mesh is wound on the barrel at this point), where the gases are cooled and reduce the volume.
VSS Vintorez’s suppresor was designed with calculus equations afaik. It is actually very quiet. The simple sheet metals have an angle close to 30 degrees. I don’t remember exactly why but it had something to do with sound. The tradeoff is a huge suppresor and ported barrel. If they used a western style suppresor with true baffles they could have achieved the same results in a more compact and more expensive package.
I’m surprised he did not reach out to Brandon, given their previous collaboration on the “Worst AK” video.
His Vintorez is a build and not 100% accurate to the original design, though. The suppressor on his, for example, is much more modern and effective.
Fantastic and informative as usual Gun Jesus.
Thanks Ian have a great week
This weapon is used by army special forces units. One fighter in the group is armed with it. Targets are enemy patrols and soldiers on guard, sentries at military installations. Which does not cancel SVD and AK with PBS.
I watched Brandon Herrera and apparently the silencer is very crudely made so Brandon took it upon himself to improve it using actual baffles. I’m curious as to whether or not this also improves the life span of the barrel itself.
Civilian versions don’t have baffles.
The civilian one has just one big expansion chamber I believe, no baffled.
@@NapoleonGeligniteoh ok thank u i kinda missed that part ngl 😅
@@abdou.the.hereticgotchu. The entire time i thought the VSS was only exclusive to Russia’s military. And i missed the part where Ian mentions “civilian version”
Amazing video Ian, yours is the first I've seen that's an actual video and not a critique or goof off. I love the history and lessons on the mechanisms as always. The Russians did the same thing the British did with the Sten Mk5, porting the barrel with a thread on supressor. Have a Merry Christmas❤
Interesting caliber, it reminded me of the 9.3x57 Mauser.
Another Great Video 💯 Thanks Ian 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Seen a Ukraine video of a guy taking this as a trophy badass.
Our Armed Forces captured it from regular Russian troops already in 2014 during their first direct invasion.
ua-cam.com/video/j1Imwa5iWC4/v-deo.htmlsi=kN-FNJ_mE0H6PQL1&t=186
In Russia, a sniper rifle is anything with a thumbhole stock.
Awsome to see the ammo explanation in the same video :)
So far 3 times in a row, the day after ive told someone that this is my favorite gun, one of the gun youtubers i follow posts a video about it.
Not russian, its soviet.
no difference, they're both equally incompetent & drunk