The end of the 80s of the last century turned out to be very successful for the Klimovsky Central Research Institute Tochmash. At this time, two models of small arms were created and adopted - the VSS rifle and the Val submachine gun - in addition, on their basis, another submachine gun began to be created, this time a small one. The Tula Instrument Design Bureau (KBP), taking into account the success of the Klimovsk weapons, did not want to completely give up the promising niche of weapons to competitors and began work on its version of the multipurpose "platform".
The basis of the unified complex, created in Tula, was supposed to be a small-sized machine gun 9A91. As the main competitive advantage of both the assault rifle and all other types on its basis, it was initially planned to use greater manufacturability and, as a result, lower cost than the weapon of the Central Research Institute of Tochmash. It was decided to use the same ammunition as on the Klimovsk assault rifles and rifle - cartridges 9x39 mm SP-5 and SP-6. However, due to some manufacturing characteristics, these cartridges were relatively expensive. Therefore, in Tula, they also took up their own ammunition. The PAB-9 cartridge turned out to be much cheaper than the SP-5 and SP-6, but had different ballistic characteristics and a slightly heavier bullet. Despite the clear financial advantage of the Tula patron, it did not receive much distribution - all production was limited to several batches, after which the PAB-9 was discontinued.
Almost simultaneously with the 9A91 assault rifle itself, a sniper rifle based on it was created. The rifle sniper complex of the 94th year, or simply the VSK-94, differed from the original machine gun with a skeletal butt instead of a folding and pistol grip, a silent firing device and an optical sight. The entire set is supplied in a special case, and it takes about a minute to transfer a rifle from a traveling configuration to a combat one with proper preparation of the shooter. The VSK-94 automatic equipment is completely similar to the 9A91 automatic machine and is based on a gas engine. The barrel is locked by four lugs before firing by turning the bolt. The trigger-type trigger mechanism allows you to fire both single shots and bursts. This "legacy" of the machine is called one of the advantages of the whole complex. The flag of the safety-translator of fire on the early series of the machine was located on the left side of the receiver, and then it was transferred to the right. In both cases, the flag is located above the trigger guard. Also, during production, the shutter handle underwent some changes: at first it was rigid, and then it was folded up. The VSK-94 is powered from a detachable box magazine for two dozen rounds. The rifle can use sniper cartridges SP-5, armor-piercing SP-6 and PAB-9.
The complex, in addition to the actual "firing unit", includes a silent firing device. The use of PBS allows you to completely eliminate the flash and significantly reduce the noise level when firing. As a result, the PBS, together with a subsonic cartridge, allows you to fire without the risk of being detected already at distances of 30-40 meters. Another important feature of VSK-94, which can also be considered an advantage over VSS, "Val" and "Whirlwind", is gas automation. Since the rifle sniper complex was created on the basis of an assault rifle, its mechanics work with or without a silencer. Recall that on the Klimovsky silent weapon, for the operation of the gas engine, the constant presence of a muffler is required, which, among other things, provides a sufficient pressure of the powder gases. The VSK-94 does not have such a requirement - if necessary, the shooter can remove the silencer and use the rifle as an ordinary "noisy" machine gun without loss in shooting performance. It is especially noted that there are no elements in the design of the silent firing device that must be replaced after a certain number of shots. Moreover, the PBS is made non-separable. However, some shooters prefer to flush it with gasoline from time to time. KBP representatives argue that this procedure is optional, although it can indeed extend the life of the muffler to some extent.
Sights VSK-94 consist of an open adjustable sight (completely switched to the rifle from 9A91). In addition, on the left side of the receiver there is a bar for mounting an optical, collimator or night sight. Rifles of the first series were equipped only with a PSO-1 optical sight, modified for the ballistics of the cartridges used. Later, the PKS-07 collimator sight with a sevenfold magnification and a night PKN appeared. When using day sights, the aiming range is 400 meters. At night, depending on the conditions, this figure drops to 200-350 meters (without the Moon / with clouds, with the Moon).
It is believed that the VSK-94 has a number of advantages over the noiseless weapon of the Central Research Institute of Tochmash. The main thing is that the Klimovsk Institute has created a separate sniper rifle, a separate silent and separate small-sized machine gun. With all the high degree of unification, this is still an independent weapon. VSK-94, in turn, can be used in all three forms without any major modifications - just remove the muffler / telescopic sight. Some snag in this case is the awkward butt that comes with the 94th rifle complex, but in the light of other advantages, this drawback does not look fatal. Due to the approach used in the creation of an assault rifle and a rifle, the VSK-94 is sometimes called a “sniper assault rifle”.
In 1994-95, the VSK-94 rifle and the 9A91 assault rifle were adopted by the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense. Around the same time, the first appearance of the rifle in the photo and video materials of the press belongs. According to the reviews of the soldiers who worked with the VSK-94, this is a reliable and convenient weapon. At the moment, the rifle is produced in small batches to replenish the arsenals of special forces.
