In the USSR, the topic of small-sized weapons chambered for a pistol cartridge was not popular for a long time. A niche in the army structures was occupied by the Stechkin pistol and the AKS-74U, a shortened version of the Kalashnikov assault rifle chambered for 5.45x39 mm. The same weapons were also used in the security forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs-KGB. For the time being, these weapons were sufficient. The designers repeatedly made attempts to turn the situation around, but the top leadership of the law enforcement agencies believed that linear weapons were quite sufficient.
A turning point in this area occurred in the 90s of the last century. The collapse of the USSR and the centripetal processes caused by it provoked rampant crime and the formation of organized criminal groups armed often with military weapons. This is where the need of law enforcement agencies for short-barreled automatic weapons arose, one of the examples of which is the SR-2 “Veresk” submachine gun.
General information about CP SR-2 “Veresk”
Users value the weapon for its high firepower, efficiency and lethality in close combat. Thanks to this, the weapon was included in the list of interests of the law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation, after which it was put into service. Western experts did not ignore the model, since it met the criteria of the PDW class. Weapons of this type are in high demand in the United States.
The first large batches of submachine guns had poor build quality and a crude design. This led to constant crashes, which is why users gave unflattering comments about the SR-2. Despite this, domestic gunsmiths highly appreciated the prospects of the project, so they continued to study and improve it.
Nowadays, production of SR-2 has been discontinued. Modernized versions of SR-2M and SR-2MP are coming off the assembly line, the development of which was based on the standard model. The main changes affected the following elements:
- The rigid emphasis on the forend gave way to a folding handle. It made it possible to increase accuracy and ease of use - when folded, the handle becomes part of the forend;
- The compensator was replaced with a muzzle stop. Its main function is to eliminate the possibility of the user’s hand moving forward and to protect against burns from the generated powder gases;
- The design of the fuse box has received a new basis.
The SR-2MP modification has a Picatinny rail. It was placed on the fore-end and receiver. The design of the weapon allows the use of a silencer for covert destruction of opponents and a butt of a different shape.
History of the creation of PP SR-2 “Veresk”
In the 1980s, the PWD category of shotguns emerged. The abbreviation was translated into Russian as “individual defense weapon.” Weapons of this class were used to arm technical trains of missile and anti-aircraft installations, military drivers, etc. The main task of such a weapon is the self-defense of military personnel whose small arms are not their main weapon.
The Soviet Union was designing various models for soldier self-defense, but the PWD concept was not introduced. In those years, the Stechkin automatic pistol was used to arm the technical teams of rocket launchers. At the end of the 70s it was replaced by the AKS-74U, but it was not included in the PWD category due to its large size.
The era of PWD in Russia began in the mid-90s. Then they developed new 9x21 mm ammunition. They had high power and penetrating force. High performance was achieved thanks to an increase in initial flight speed and a unique ammunition design. The developers planned to replace the outdated 9x18 mm cartridges that powered the Makarov pistol with new charges. Engineers created SR-1 projects for new ammunition, the unofficial name of which is “Gyurza”.
The new weapon was successful and was in high demand. This allowed the engineers to continue working, resulting in a new variant - the SR-2 Veresk. The development of the new project ended in 1999, now it is used in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, FSO, FSB and some other law enforcement agencies.
Ammunition[edit]
The Veresk submachine gun uses a high-power 9x21 mm cartridge; this is the most powerful pistol cartridge in Russia and one of the most powerful in the world. There are three varieties of this cartridge:
- SP11 with a low-ricochet bullet weighing 7.5 grams (lead core, bimetallic shell; a low-ricochet bullet is necessary when conducting combat, for example, in urban conditions);
- SP10 with an armor-piercing bullet weighing 6.7 grams (with a heat-strengthened core, the head part of which protrudes from the shell, a polyethylene jacket and a bimetallic shell);
- SP13 with an armor-piercing tracer bullet weighing 7.3 grams (with a shortened steel core, lead jacket, tracer compound and bimetallic jacket).
Technical characteristics of PP SR-2 “Veresk”
The tactical and technical characteristics are as follows:
- 9-caliber ammunition is used for shooting;
- Length with the butt unfolded - 603 millimeters;
- Length with stock folded - 367 millimeters;
- The weight of the unloaded pistol is 1.65 kilograms;
- The speed of the bullet after the shot is 415-440 m/s;
- The magazine holds 20 or 30 charges;
- Firing rate - up to 900 rounds per minute;
- The maximum target engagement distance is 200 meters.
To create a new product, Central Research Institute specialists considered several automation schemes. The choice fell on a scheme that was rare for this class of weapon - part of the powder gases was vented through the barrel bore, turning the bolt contributed to locking the barrel bore. The project was poorly financed, so the first prototype was assembled at the end of 1998.
The developers included the following task in the weapon - neutralizing opponents wearing second-class body armor at a distance of up to 200 meters, as well as defeating equipment not covered with armor at a distance of up to 100 meters. Central Research Institute specialists have developed several types of 9x21 mm cartridges:
- SP10 - the bullet was equipped with a steel core;
- SP11 - the core was made of lead, which reduced the possibility of rebound;
- SP12 - the device increased the stopping effect;
- SP13 - tracer bullet.
Practical tests have shown that 11 and 13 models of bullets have a destructive force 1.5-2 times greater than that of the cartridges used in the Makarov pistol. The use of SR-2 armor-piercing charges allows you to penetrate 4-mm steel sheets at a distance of up to 70 meters.
The automation operates using a gas exhaust system. The gas piston stroke is long. The piston is located above the barrel, it is firmly connected to the bolt frame. Inside the piston there is a cavity in which the front part of the return spring is located. The bolt has six lugs; they lock the barrel bore using cutouts in the receiver.
After the shot, the gas piston and bolt carrier move to the rearmost position, and the bolt rotates. As a result of this, the barrel channel is unlocked, and the spent cartridge case is ejected. The bolt, starting to move to its original position, sends new ammunition into the chamber, after which the barrel bore is locked. Rigid locking of the barrel channel was chosen due to the use of powerful cartridges. The cocking handle is firmly connected to the bolt frame on its right side.
Description of large-caliber submachine guns
The open-type sight provides targeted shooting at a distance of up to 75 m. The submachine gun has a non-automatic safety blocking the trigger and bolt. 9mm PM cartridges are used for shooting. A silencer can be mounted on the barrel of a submachine gun.
The magazines are similar to the “Wedge”, their capacity is 10, 20 and 30 rounds. When shooting from a rest without a stock at a distance of 25 m, bullets from one burst are placed in a circle with a radius of 67 mm, and most of the hits are 28 mm. In terms of ease of handling and shooting accuracy, the “Cypress” is superior to the “Wedge”. But “Cypress” has many milled parts, so its production is more expensive than the “stamped” “Wedge”. This was one of the reasons for the adoption of the “Klin” into service. As befits Russian weapons, “Klin” and “Cypress” are reliable, easy to disassemble and clean. Height with a magazine for 20 rounds is 172 mm, for 30 rounds – 226 mm.
Design of SR-2 Veresk
The Veresk PP device allows you to attach a collimator sight. It increases the user's tactical advantage over opponents using other weapons. The speed of aiming with it increases by 2-3 times, in contrast to the mechanical sighting mechanism.
The holding handle is located in front of the forend. The trigger mechanism is made of a trigger type. It allows the shooter to fire singly or in bursts. A safety lever was placed on the receiver. It has two modes (fire and fuse). On the left side there is a fire change lever. It has two modes: one point - single shots, three points - burst shots.
The stock is made of metal and can be folded. It is equipped with a spring-loaded butt plate, thanks to which the time it takes to transfer the gun to the firing position is reduced to a minimum. You can shoot point-blank at the shoulder. The magazines are box-shaped, there are two versions: 20 and 30 rounds. They are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The magazine is placed in the pistol grip fire control.
The standard sight is based on a front sight and a rotating rear sight, consisting of two sections (at 100 and 200 meters). The front sight is placed on a high post, so it can be adjusted vertically and horizontally. The bracket for attaching the red dot sight is located on the top of the receiver.
The device includes a compensator, at the top of which there is an inclined cut. The compensator reduces recoil to such an extent that the SR-2 can be fired with a “pistol” hold, which maintains high accuracy and accuracy. At the top of the case, at the front and back, there are swivels on which the belt is attached.
When partially disassembled, SR-2 consists of the following parts:
- Return mechanism;
- Bolt carrier;
- Mainspring with guide;
- Drummer;
- Gate;
- Handguard;
- Barrel with automatic transmission, trigger mechanism, butt and other surface parts;
- Shop.
The design of the submachine gun requires regular cleaning after each use. This approach to maintenance increases the working resource reserve and the overall service life of the tool. Cleaning accessories are included with the PP. Cleaning takes a little time and is recommended to be done within a few hours after shooting.
Safety precautions in the fire zone
During shooting it is prohibited:
- Allow persons who have not passed the safety test and are unfit for health reasons to wield weapons.
- Carry out operations with weapons without the permission of the commander (load, fire, etc.).
- Leave personal equipment unattended, as well as transfer it to third parties.
- Use unsuitable ammunition.
- Use personal devices (for example, a telephone) in the fire sector.
- Adjust your equipment with a weapon in your hands.
- Allow persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or strangers.
- Disassemble ammunition and troubleshoot them.
A powerful and effective modern weapon is the Veresk submachine gun. Photos allow you to evaluate its compactness and correct layout. Please remember that safety precautions should be followed whenever using a firearm. You also cannot ignore the rules of care, transportation and storage.
What can be concluded?
SR-2 Veresk is a successful Russian project; the weapon is used by security forces not only in our country, but also in neighboring countries. The standard package includes the following elements:
- Suspension. Used for covertly carrying PP. It includes a pouch for a spare clip, shoulder sling and holster;
- Belt. Used for open carrying. Attaches to swivels and can be adjusted in length; Oil can;
- Ramrod. The main element for the rapid cleaning of weapon elements;
- Affiliation. Consists of various elements that are used to clean and disassemble the submachine gun;
- Bag. Used to carry spare magazines, cleaning rods and accessories;
- Case. Used for long distance transportation.
Unique design, interesting design solutions and high-power ammunition are the distinguishing features of this product. He carries out all the tasks assigned to the soldiers.
Usage
“Veresk” is armed with units whose activities are classified or, at least, not advertised, however, it is known that these submachine guns were used during the fighting in Chechnya. Reviews about the weapon were quite favorable, both about the cartridge-weapon complex and specifically about the submachine gun.
Currently, the CP-2 PP is operated by the security forces of the FSB and state security. This weapon was noted among the soldiers of the TsSN FSB of the Russian Federation, in addition, there is information about the use of “Veresk” by the “Vympel” unit.
The most famous of the units using the SR-2 is the Moscow riot police; “Vereski” were one of the first to arrive there and are being used quite intensively.
