ASh-12.7

ASh-12.7
ASh-12 Bullpup battle rifle
Type Bullpup battle rifle
Place of origin Russia
Service history
In service 2011–present
Used by Federal Security Service
Production history
Designer TsKIB SOO
Manufacturer Izhmash
Produced 2010–Present
Specifications
Weight 6 kg (13 lb)
Length 1,020 mm (40 in)
Cartridge 12.7×55mm STs-130
Caliber 12.7 mm (0.50 in)
Action Gas-operated
Muzzle velocity 290–315 m/s
Effective firing range 100–300 metres (330–980 ft)
Feed system 10/20-round detachable box magazine
Sights Iron sights, Picatinny rail

The ASh-12.7 (АШ-12.7, which stands for "Автомат штурмовой 12.7мм" or "Automatic assault rifle, 12.7mm") battle rifle is a dedicated CQB/Urban Operations weapon, developed by TsKIB SOO ("Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Arms"),[1] a subsidiary of the KBP Instrument Design Bureau of Tula, Russia, by request from the Russian FSB (Federal Security Service).[2] The weapon was designed with extreme short-range stopping power in mind because it is intended for special units of the FSB which operate in urban environments against heavily armed and organized gangsters and terrorists who need to be killed in one shot. According to the Russian press, the first batch of ASh-12.7 assault rifles was delivered to the FSB in late 2011.

Overview

The ASh-12.7 is a dedicated "Close/Urban combat" weapon for high-risk law enforcement operations, which must combine high stopping power with limited penetration and a short 'dangerous range', to avoid collateral damage to innocent bystanders or hostages. To achieve these goals, the designers of the ASh-12.7 assault rifle developed special large-caliber ammunition, loaded with a variety of bullets. Ammunition for the ASh-12.7 is the 12.7×55mm straight-walled, rimless brass case based on .338 Lapua Magnum, originally developed by the same organization that developed the silenced VKS sniper rifle.[3] Standard loading for the ASh-12.7 is a lightweight, supersonic bullet with an aluminum core, exposed at the front and hollowed at the rear and partially enclosed into a bi-metal jacket. The cartridge has a bullet weight of 48.14-76.08 grams and a muzzle velocity of 290–315 metres per second. It has several loadings; light, heavy and a duplex load with two light bullets.[2]

This new Russian ".50-caliber" cartridge bears certain conceptual similarities to a family of big-bore cartridges developed in the US for the AR-15 platform, such as .499 LWR or .50 Beowulf, although the Russian cartridge uses a longer case and generally a heavier bullet load - its US counterparts are usually loaded with bullets weighing 19 grams/300 grs and up.[2]

The ASh-12.7 assault rifle has a bullpup layout, with a stamped steel receiver and a polymer housing/stock. It is believed to use a gas operated, rotary bolt action. Firing controls include two separate levers; a fire mode selector (Semi/Auto) at the rear and an ambidextrous safety (Safe/Fire) above the pistol grip. There are several configurations of the basic rifle. The first one features an integral carrying handle with a built-in rear diopter sight and a folding front sight. A length of Picatinny rail is installed on the carrying handle to accept various optical sights. Another version that was observed on some photos features a "flat top" configuration with a Picatinny rail running on top of the receiver, as well as front and rear sights installed on folding bases. Other variations have a Picatinny rail below the fore end or a 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher. Muzzle devices include a muzzle brake or a quickly-detachable suppressor.[2]

Ammunition

  • 12,7x55mm Легкой Пулей (Legkoy Puley (LP) > "Light Bullet") [Bullet Weight: 7 grams (108 grains)] Light supersonic saboted lead bullet with an aluminum core.
  • 12,7x55mm Тяжелой Пулей (Tyazheloy Puley (TP) > "Heavy Bullet") [Bullet Weight: 33 gram (509 grains)] Heavy subsonic lead bullet.
  • 12,7x55mm Двух Пульный (Dvukh Pul'niy (DP) > "Double-Bulleted", "Duplex Bullet") [Bullet Weight: 17 grams (262 grains) each] Two bullets loaded inline.
  • 12,7x55mm Бронебойный Пулей (Broneboyniy Puley (BP) > "Armor-Piercing Bullet") [Bullet Weight: 18 grams (277 grains)] Lead bullet with an armor-piercing core.

Users

See also

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, Steve (2013). "New Russian TsKIB ASh-12 .50 Cal (12.7x55mm) Bullpup Rifle". thefirearmblog.com. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Popenker, Maxim (2013). "ASh-12.7 assault rifle". world.guns.ru. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  3. ↑ 12,7х55 СЦ-130 Archived June 17, 2013, at Archive.is
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