In 1959, as a prototype of a sniper rifle, a rifle model was designed, designed by the legendary Soviet weapons designer MT Kalashnikov. In the technical documentation, the product is listed as the ICS (Kalashnikov sniper rifle). This rifle unit was developed in two versions. Rifles were distinguished by handles: pistol and semi-pistol types. Information on the history of creation, design and performance characteristics of the SVK rifle is presented in this article.
History of creation
According to military experts, on the eve of the Great Patriotic War, Soviet gunsmiths made several attempts to replace the store-type sniper rifle. In 1942, the self-loading SVT-40 was discontinued. In service, they decided to leave the rifle with store-fed ammunition in 1930. It was planned that in the future its place will be taken by a more advanced self-loading rifle, adapted for firing with a cartridge of R 7.62x54 mm. Work in this direction began only in 1958.
The main missile and artillery directorate of the USSR Ministry of Defense (GRAU) announced a competition for the design of such a rifle. Several options for sniper rifle units were submitted to the commission for consideration. Participants in the competition were Dragunov E.F., Konstantinov A.S., Simonov S.G. and Kalashnikov M.T. At that time, Red Army soldiers were widely used Kalashnikov assault rifles. In addition, we tested a light machine gun and a modernized machine gun of this designer. Designing a new SVK sniper rifle, the Soviet gunsmith tried to unify it as much as possible under AKM and RPK.
Result
In 1959, two versions of the SVK rifle were presented to the attention of the expert commission. One sample was equipped with a stock having a semi-pistol neck and a special influx on the left side under the arrow of the cheek. This model has a gas vent completely covered by a barrel trim.
In an effort to unify the ICS as much as possible for the already used AK, the designer equipped the sniper rifle with a similar butt Kalashnikov assault rifle. The second sample has a pistol grip. Designing the receiver, the cover for it, the safety lever and open sights, Kalashnikov also focused on the design of the AK.
About device
According to experts, the SVK rifle and the Dragunov rifle unit with an automatic gas engine and a barrel channel locking method were similar to AK. However, there were differences between these weapons units.
In the SVK rifle, Kalashnikov decided not to connect the slide frame and stock. The latter with a short stroke and combined with a gas piston. ICS turned out to be an enlarged version of the AK, modified to use more powerful cartridges R 7.62x54 mm. The trigger mechanism provides for shooting exclusively single. The place for the fuse-translator of the fire mode was the right side of the receiver.
Ammunition in the amount of 10 pieces is contained in removable box stores. Due to the presence of special grooves in front of the slide frame and a short cover on the receiver, it became possible to carry out equipment from the clip of the attached store. The optical sight is mounted on a bracket, a place for which was allotted on the left side of the receiver. ICS was produced with a split stock, consisting of a wooden stock, forend and barrel lining.
About the performance characteristics
The indicators are as follows:
- SVK refers to the type of sniper rifle.
- The first model with an empty ammunition weighed 4.226 kg, the second - 4 kg.
- The length of the rifle is 115.5 cm (first option) and 110 cm - sample No. 2.
- In both cases, the barrel length did not exceed 60 cm.
- Shooting is conducted by a cartridge of 7.62x54 mm R.
- ICS works by removing powder gases with a rotary shutter.
- Rifle shooting of the first sample is effective at a distance of up to 700 m, of the second - 1 thousand m.
- Ammunition store.
- ICS with an open sight. In addition, the design of the rifle involves the use of additional optical.
