KSVK 12.7

The KSVK 12.7 is a large caliber anti-material sniper rifle developed in Russia for the purpose of counter sniping and penetrating thick walls, as well as lightly armored vehicles.

The KSVK was developed in the late 1990s by Degtyaryov plant, based in Kovrov, Russia. It is based on the SVN-98 12.7mm experimental rifle. Initially known as ASVK, KSVK is currently used in small numbers by various Russian Special Operations units in Chechnya as a counter-sniper rifle, capable of penetrating a brick or a thick wooden walls and disabling terrorists hiding behind it.

KSVK is a bullpup configured, bolt action, magazine-fed rifle. It is equipped with massive muzzle device, which acts as an effective muzzle brake and a sound suppressor. The KSVK is equipped with a standard Russian side-mounted scope rail, and can be fitted with variety of day and night scopes. Open iron sights are installed for backup or emergency purposes.

The key problem with KSVK, and with any other 12.7mm rifles in Russia is a general unavailability of the "sniper-grade" 12.7 mm ammunition. With general issue, machine gun grade 12.7 mm ammo, KSVK groups are averaged at 16 cm at 300 meters, and if a sniper quality 12.7mm ammo becomes available, accuracy will increase significantly.