AN-94

[happygeek]

I read somewhere that in tests the AN94 didn't quite live up to the 2 bullets in the same hole hype, and hence didn't defeat Level IV armor.

 

[7.62x51NATO]

The As-Val is a similar concept to the VSS Vintorez no? I do recall seeing a couple of them and they were quite similar looking, and fired the same 9x39 caliber round except I recall the VSS having a much different stock and was configured as more of a "sniper" or marksman rifle. Though I don't see the REAL benefit due to the subsonic round unless it is for closer range engagements.

 

[TurtlePhish]

The As-Val is a similar concept to the VSS Vintorez no? I do recall seeing a couple of them and they were quite similar looking, and fired the same 9x39 caliber round except I recall the VSS having a much different stock and was configured as more of a "sniper" or marksman rifle. Though I don't see the REAL benefit due to the subsonic round unless it is for closer range engagements.

They have 70% parts interchangeability, action is pretty much identical. Intended use is 400m, max.

Fun fact: the VSS can quickly be disassembled and put into a briefcase, James Bond style, for KGB use. I've also seen videos of it being used to shatter dangerously large icicles hanging from buildings in cities (obvious safety reasons), due to the low report.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Oh, them Russians...

 

[WardenWolf]

The AS Val is a fine piece. Incredibly lightweight, low recoil, and damn near silent. It's literally a "click" sound. Same goes for the Vintorez. One of the cool things about the Vintorez is it can be fired full-auto and take the same magazines as the AS Val, making it an extremely versatile weapon. It can switch from sniper to assault rifle at will. It's definitely one of the better designs to come out of Russia.

 

[7.62x51NATO]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the AS-VAL a select-fire weapon as well? I thought both were at least. Definitely serves its purpose, though. Has one heck of an AP/Body armor defeating bullet to it. Kinda reminds me of a scaled down 15.2x169 that the Steyr IWS 2000 used. Which was one HECK of an armor-piercing round IIRC. Don't mean to get off topic though!

 

[WardenWolf]

Indeed, they both are.

 

[Ian]

Cool! Where did you get to play with one? And was there any noticeable balance/handling issue with the offset mag?

The mag wasn't loaded, but I expect you would notice a bit of odd balance because of it when full. Not enough that you wouldn't get used to it (think of side-magazines SMGs like the Sten and Sterling, where it doesn't cause a major problem), but something noticeable when you pick the rifle up. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to shoot or disassemble it - it had just recently been acquired by the British NFC (Pattern Room collection) when I was visiting there this spring.