Introduction
TheAS Val is a compact, completely silent assault rifle designed in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Chambered in 9×39 mm, it was developed for Russian special forces, reconnaissance units and troops operating in urban environments or on covert missions. The AS Val is directly derived from the VSS Vintorez, a subsonic sniper rifle, and shares many features with it, including an integrated sound moderator.
Powerful, discreet and designed for infiltration, the AS Val combines the advantages of an assault rifle and a silenced machine pistol. Its unique role in the Russian arsenal makes it an emblematic weapon of modern unconventional warfare.
History and development
The AS Val was designed by TsNIITochMash (Central Research Institute for Precision Engineering) and adopted in 1987. It met a specific need: to equip Soviet special forces with a compact, silent automatic weapon capable of penetrating body armor at short range.
Its development is closely linked to the 9×39 mm caliber, a subsonic cartridge derived from the 7.62×39 mm, with a heavy warhead ensuring both acoustic discretion and excellent ballistic penetration.
AS Val is adopted by several units:
FSB (intelligence services)
Spetsnaz (special forces)
close protection and reconnaissance units
Technical data
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9×39 mm SP-5 / SP-6 |
| Capacity | 20 or 30 shots |
| Length | 875 mm (615 mm with stock folded) |
| Barrel length | 200 mm |
| Weight | 2.5 kg (without charger) |
| Mechanism | Rotary cylinder head, gas borrowing |
| Firing rate | Approx. 900 shots/min |
| Special features | Integrated sound moderator |
Operation and ergonomics
The AS Val uses gas borrowing with a rotating bolt, similar to the AK rifle. However, it is distinguished by several innovations:
Integrated silencer along the entire length of the barrel, drastically reducing detonation noise
Tubular steel folding stock for easy transport in confined spaces
Adjustable metal sights and side rails for optical mounting
Pistol grip and optimized ergonomics for rapid-fire shooting
Its system is designed to withstand the stresses of subsonic cartridges with heavy warheads, which retain a high perforation capacity at close range.
9×39 mm ammunition
One of the keys to AS Val’s success lies in its ammunition:
SP-5: precision subsonic cartridge
SP-6: piercing version, capable of penetrating 6 mm steel at 200 m
This ammunition enables the AS Val to combine acoustic discretion and stopping power, while remaining compact.
Variants and derivatives
VSS Vintorez: precision rifle based on the same platform, but with a fixed wooden stock and dedicated PSO-1 optics.
SR-3 Vikhr: compact version without fixed silencer, for short-range operations
AS Val-M: modernized version with Picatinny rail, tactical handle and improved modularity
Comparison with other compact weapons
| Model | Caliber | Integrated silencer |
|---|---|---|
| AS Val | 9×39 mm | Yes |
| MP5SD | 9×19 mm | Yes |
| VSS Vintorez | 9×39 mm | Yes |
The AS Val outperforms most subsonic weapons in terminal power, thanks to its SP-6 ammunition. However, it remains limited by its effective range (approx. 400 m) and its specific 9×39 mm design, which is not widely used outside Russia.
Operational use
The AS Val is still in service today in many Russian units. It has been seen in :
conflicts in Chechnya, Ukraine and Georgia
clandestine intelligence and counter-terrorism missions
special operations requiring stealth and power at close range
Its reputation as a “stealthy but lethal” weapon makes it an ideal tool for special urban or forestry actions.
Conclusion
TheAS Val is a masterpiece in the arsenal of Russian special forces. Its unique combination of integrated silencer, powerful subsonic ammunition and compactness make it an extremely formidable weapon in close combat and covert operations.
Although it remains a rarity outside Russian military circles, the AS Val continues to fascinate armaments enthusiasts for its atypical design, singular performance and role in modern conflicts.
