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| ShAK-12 | |
|---|---|
 A right-side view of the ShAK-12 | |
| Type | Bullpupbattle rifle |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2011–present |
| Used by | RussianSpetsnaz[1] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | TsKIB SOO |
| Manufacturer | Izhmash |
| Produced | 2010–Present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6 kg (13 lb) |
| Length | 1,020 mm (40 in) |
| Cartridge | 12.7×55mm STs-130 |
| Caliber | 12.7 mm (0.50 in) |
| Action | Short recoil operation |
| Rate of fire | 500–750 rounds/min |
| 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 for various optics |
TheShAK-12, (Russian:ШАК-12) originally under the nameASh-12.7 (АШ-12.7, which stands for "Автомат штурмовой 12.7мм" or "automatic assault carbine 12.7mm")battle rifle is a dedicatedCQB/Urban Operations weapon, developed byTsKIB SOO ("Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Arms"),[2] a subsidiary of theKBP Instrument Design Bureau ofTula, Russia, by request from the RussianFederal Security Service (FSB). The weapon was designed with extreme short-rangestopping power in mind for FSBurban combat units. According to the Russian press, the first batch of ShAK-12 battle rifles were delivered to the FSB in late 2011.[citation needed]
The ShAK-12 is a dedicated "Close/Urban combat" weapon for high-risklaw enforcement operations, which must combine highstopping power with limited penetration and a short 'dangerous range', to avoidcollateral damage to innocent bystanders or hostages. To achieve these goals, the designers of the ShAK-12 developed special large-calibre ammunition, loaded with a variety of bullets. The ammunition used for the ShAK-12 is the12.7×55mm straight-walled, rimless brass case based on.338 Lapua Magnum, originally developed by the same organization that developed the silencedVKS sniper rifle.[3] Standard loading for the ShAK-12 is a lightweight, subsonic ammunition with an aluminium 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 7-33 grams when utilizing ShAK-12 loads. It has several loadings; light, heavy and a duplex load with two light bullets.
This new Russian cartridge bears certain conceptual similarities to a family of big-bore cartridges developed in the US for theAR-15 platform, such as.458 SOCOM, .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 and up.
The ShAK-12 features abullpup layout, with a stamped steel receiver and a polymer housing/stock. It utilizes a short recoil operating system, which means that after it fires the round the barrel slides backwards with the bolt for a short distance, utilizing the recoil of the cartridge, while the bolt keeps traveling backwards fully to eject the spent shell casing withoutredirecting gasses. It is unknown what kind of locking system it uses, however it most likely uses a 2 or 3 lug rotating bolt. 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 reardiopter sight and a folding front sight. A length ofPicatinny 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 underbarrelgrenade launcher. Muzzle devices include amuzzle brake or a quickly-detachablesuppressor.[citation needed] The Russian Federal Security Service has adopted the ShAK-12 in small numbers, with other designs such as theDragunov sniper rifle andHeckler & Koch MR308 remaining more common.[4]
