Steyr SSG 69
Steyr SSG 69 | |
---|---|
![]() Steyr SSG 69 PI | |
Type | Sniper rifle |
Place of origin | Austria |
Service history | |
In service | 1969–present[1] |
Used by | see Users |
Wars |
Lebanese Civil War Sino-Vietnamese War Syrian Civil War[2][3] Yemeni Civil War (2015-present)[4] Saudi-led intervention in Yemen (2015-present) Conflict in Najran, Jizan and Asir |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Steyr Mannlicher |
Produced | 1969–2015 |
Variants | SSG 69 PI, SSG 69 PII, SSG 69 PIV |
Specifications | |
Weight |
4 kg (8.82 lb) (SSG 69 PI) 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) (SSG 69 PII) 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) (SSG 69 PIV) |
Length |
1,140 mm (44.9 in) (SSG 69 PI) 1,190 mm (46.8 in) (SSG 69 PII)[5] 1,003 mm (39.5 in) (SSG 69 PIV) |
Barrel length |
650 mm (25.6 in) (SSG 69 PI, SSG 69 PII) 409 mm (16.1 in) (SSG 69 PIV) |
| |
Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO, .243 Winchester, .22-250 Remington (SSG 69 PII)[6] |
Action | Bolt-action |
Muzzle velocity | varies by type of round used |
Effective firing range | 800 m (875 yd) |
Maximum firing range | 3,700 m (4,046 yd) |
Feed system | 5-round rotary magazine |
Sights |
iron sights on SSG 69 PI telescopic sight |
The SSG 69 (Scharfschützengewehr 69 = Sniper Rifle 69) is a bolt-action sniper rifle produced by Steyr Mannlicher that serves as the standard sniper rifle for the Austrian Army.[7]
Adopted in 1969 (hence the designation), it was ahead of its time with the use of synthetics and cold hammer-forged barrels for durability. Aside from being the Austrian Army's standard issue sniper rifle, it is also used by several law enforcement organizations. It is extremely accurate and several international competitions have been won using an SSG-69 with accuracy being sub 0.5 MOA.
There are several variants made with mostly cosmetic differences, the only anomaly being the SSG-PIV using a 409 mm barrel with a 1:250 mm (1:10 inches) twist designed to handle heavy subsonic ammunition in conjunction with a suppressor.
The bolt action uses rear-locking lugs (in common with the SMLE), rather than the more common front-locking lugs. This, and the fact that it is only produced in the 'short action' length, limits the chambering to non-magnum calibres, a legacy of a military weapon designed only to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It is essentially a target/police/military weapon, but with its caliber and inherent accuracy, it lends itself to hunting that requires longer distance shots.
The standard magazine features an unusual 5-round rotary design, although a 10-round staggered box is available as an accessory. Both are transparent-backed, immediately showing remaining capacity.
In 2015 Steyr has decided to end production of the SSG 69.[8]
Users
Argentina: Used by the Argentine Army.[9] Austria: In use by the Austrian Army and EKO Cobra.[7][10] Chile[11] China: Limited use in Sino-Vietnamese War.[12] Free Syrian Army: Fighters have acquired SSG 69 Snipers.[13] Lebanon: Lebanese Armed Forces Greece[14] India: Used by the BSF and COBRA(CRPF).[15] Indonesia: Used by the Kopaska. Ireland: Garda Emergency Response Unit[16][17] Jordan[9] South Korea[18] Netherlands: Marine Corps[19][20] Pakistan: Used by the Pakistan Army.[21] Peru[9] Poland[22] Russia: Special forces use a small number. Singapore Used to be used by Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation. Saudi Arabia Slovenia: Used by special forces of the Slovenian Army. South Africa: Used by Special Forces Syria[9] Tunisia: Used by the Tunisian Land Army and USGN.[23] Turkey: Used by Polis Özel Harekat.[24][25] Togo[9] United States: In use with BORTAC (United States Border Patrol).[26]
Gallery
- The SSG 69 as issued to the Austrian military.
- The SSG 69 bolt-action.
- The SSG 69 PII variant.
- The SSG 69 PIV variant.
See also
References
- ↑ "Modern Firearms". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ "Free Syrian Army / Syrian Rebel Fighters in Action | Global Military Review". globalmilitaryreview.blogspot.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "Ground Zero: Syria (Part 7) – Snipers of Aleppo – YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_beWFtnhl98
- ↑ ": 404". Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989–90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. p. 125. ISBN 0-7106-0889-6.
- 1 2 BMLVS – Abteilung Kommunikation – Referat 3. "�sterreichs Bundesheer – Waffen und Gerät – Scharfschützengewehr SSG 69". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ "Steyr SSG 69 Being Retired". The Firearm Blog. 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ↑ Meyr, Eitan (January 6, 1999). "Special Weapons for Counter-terrorist Units". Jane's ��Law Enforcement. Archived from the original on March 1, 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
- ↑ Gander, Terry J.; Hogg, Ian V. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995/1996. Jane's Information Group; 21 edition (May 1995). ISBN 978-0-7106-1241-0.
- ↑
- ↑ picture showing an FSA member sniping with a STEYR SSG 69 in Syria.
- ↑ "Image: Steyr SSG 7.62mm Sniper rifle.jpg, (800 × 410 px)". greekmilitary.net. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "Hindustan times".
- ↑ "IRELAND'S ARMY RANGERS". Tactical Life. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ "Garda College Yearbook listing weapons training on page 66" (PDF).
- ↑ "ݿ ù ߵƴ". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ Materiel of the Netherlands Marine Corps (Dutch) Archived 30 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, Dutch core Expeditionary Force". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ "Pakistan Army". Archived from the original on 12 October 2013.
- ↑ Kocha�ski, Stanis�aw (1992). Jrygady antyterrorystyczne Operacje Uzbrojenie. SIGMA NOT. ISBN 83-85001-66-2.
- ↑ "Tunisian special forces (exclusive and inclusive)". Pakistan Defence. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
- ↑ "Image: 190963_polis-ozel-harekat.jpg, (333 × 248 px)". image.samanyoluhaber.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "Steyr SSG 69 Sniper Rifle". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
External links
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