SR-3 Vikhr (Whirlwind)

Assault Rifle / Silenced Assault Rifle [ 1992 ]

The SR-3 Vikhr assault rifle is another entry into the long line of Soviet/Russian automatic weapons making use of the 9x39mm subsonic cartridge.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/15/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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CNIITochMash developed a relatively new assault weapon system - the SR-3 "Vikhr" (meaning "Whirlwind") - designed around the subsonic 9x39mm cartridge. The cartridge was developed in the 1980s with the need to arm special operations units with a more powerful subsonic round under low velocity. The cartridge has since been introduced into a full line-up of Soviet/Russian weapons including the impressive AS "Val" and VSS "Vintorez" silenced assault/sniper (respectively) rifles. One of the unique qualities of the SR-3 itself is the very compact form that the base weapon takes on (more akin to a submachine gun than an assault rifle). This makes it highly suitable for special forces use as well as airborne infantry. Production of the SR-3 has been undertaken out of the famous Tula Arms Plant to which a modified form - the silenced SR-3M - has since emerged.

The SR-3 is a conventional gas-operated weapon utilizing a rotating bolt action. The received is slab-sided and rectangular in its general shape with a conventional pistol-grip/trigger unit and forward hand guard around the barrel/gas system. It sports a rate-of-fire of approximately 900 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 970 feet per second. The weapon is generally effective within ranges of 200 meters but can be used beyond to approximately 400 meters. There are two known versions of the SR-3, the extended design being the aforementioned "SR-3M". The base SR-3 production model is fed by way of a 20-round detachable curved box magazine while the modified SR-3M is seen with a 30-round magazine. Iron sites are provided for base accuracy. The SR-3 features a collapsing stock which folds over the receiver and forward hand guard. The SR-3M accepts a sound suppressor (fully removable) and features a vertical foregrip under a revised hand guard as well as a skeletal folding buttstock. Optics for this model are optional.

The SR-3 weighs in at 2 kilograms while the SR-3M is 3.2 kilograms. Overall length is 640mm for the SR-3 and 970mm for the SR-3M. In either form, the barrel remains 156mm in length.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Tula Arms Plant - Russia
Manufacturer(s)

Russia
Operators

1992
Service Year

Russia
National Origin

AUTOMATIC FUNCTION
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.

ASSAULT RIFLE
Modern class of long gun featuring select-fire properties, automatic internal function, and magazine feeding.

SILENCED / SUPPRESSED
This weapon is either inherently silent/suppressed or can be made so through special assembly added at the muzzle, specialized subsonic ammunition or a combination of both.

640 mm
(25.20 inches)
Overall Length

156 mm
(6.14 inches)
Barrel Length

4.41 lb
(2.00 kg)
Empty Weight

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt
Action

ROTATING BOLT
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

GAS-OPERATED
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

9x39mm Subsonic
Caliber(s)
May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
Rounds

Adjustable Iron; Optional Optics
Sights

Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information.

656 feet
(200 meters | 219 yards)
Max Effective Range

900
Rounds-per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

967 ft/sec
(295 m/sec)
Muzzle Velocity

SR-3 - Base Series Designation; 640mm overall length; 20-round magazine; collapsing stock over receiver.

SR-3M - 970mm overall length; 30-round magazine; removable suppressor assembly; revised forend; folding foregrip; relocated iron sights; skeletal stock.

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Images

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Right side profile view of the Russian SR-3 Vikhr assault rifle

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