This Russian Gun Fires Over 6,000 Feet

One of Russia’s longest-range guns is a machine gun developed in 1971. The NSV heavy machine gun was once the standard weapon used by the Soviet Union forces. It’s still used today, and it’s also found in the arsenals of countries such as Afghanistan, Mongolia, Iraq, and Kuwait. Beyond that weapon, Russia has an arsenal of firearms that can reach ranges of 650 feet and beyond. (Also see Russia’s most heavily armed tanks.)

24/7 Wall St. identified the Russian military’s firearms with the longest range by reviewing modern Russian guns listed on Military Factory, an online archive that catalogs military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. We ranked the guns on their maximum effective range. We also included supplemental information regarding the year introduced, type, caliber, and feed of each weapon.

Here is a look at the longest-range firearms in the Russian military:

Why You Should Know

Russia’s military has long prioritized range and firepower while developing its weaponry. Looking at Russia’s firearms with the longest range shows the country’s current military and technological capabilities. This highlights how Russia maintains power in certain regions and what strategies the country feels it needs to employ for future success.

22. SR-3 Vikhr (Whirlwind)

• Type: Silenced assault rifle
• Year introduced: 1992
• Caliber and feed: 9x39mm subsonic; 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 656 ft.

21. AS Val (Avtomat Special’nyj)

Avtomat M1916 Fedorov noBG (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Hmaag

• Type: Silenced assault rifle
• Year introduced: 1987
• Caliber and feed: 9x39mm SP-6; 10-, 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 984 ft.

20. Izhmash AN-94 (Abakan)

• Type: Assault rifle
• Year introduced: 1994
• Caliber and feed: 5.45x39mm; 30-, 45- or 60-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,212 ft.

19. VSS Vintorez

• Type: Silenced sniper rifle
• Year introduced: 1987
• Caliber and feed: 9x39mm SP-5; 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,312 ft.

18. Kalashnikov AK-103

• Type: Assault rifle
• Year introduced: 1994
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x39mm M43; 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

17. Kalashnikov AK-200

• Type: Assault rifle
• Year introduced: 2013
• Caliber and feed: 5.45x39mm M74m 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm; 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

16. Kalashnikov AK-74

• Type: Assault rifle
• Year introduced: 1978
• Caliber and feed: 5.45x39mm; 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

15. Kalashnikov AKM

• Type: Assault rifle
• Year introduced: 1959
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x39mm M1943; 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

14. Kalashnikov AK-12

• Type: Assault rifle
• Year introduced: 2014
• Caliber and feed: 5.45x39mm Soviet, 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm NATO; 30-round detachable box magazine, 100-round drum
• Maximum effective range: 2,000 ft.

13. Kalashnikov SVDM

• Type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year introduced: 2018
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x54mmR; 10-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

12. Kalashnikov AK-15

• Type: Assault rifle
• Year introduced: 2019
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x39mm Soviet; 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

11. Kalashnikov AK-19

• Type: Assault rifle
• Year introduced: 2021
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

10. Kalashnikov RPK-16

• Type: Squad automatic weapon
• Year introduced: 2018
• Caliber and feed: 5.45x39mm; 30- or 96-round magazine capacity
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

9. Kalashnikov PKM

• Type: General purpose machine gun
• Year introduced: 1969
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x54mmR Russian; 100-, 200- or 250-round belt
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

8. Accuracy International L96

• Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
• Year introduced: 1982
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, .308 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum; 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 3,608 ft.

7. Dragunov SVD

• Type: Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• Year introduced: 1963
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x54mmR Soviet, 9x54mm, 9.3x64mm Brenneke, .308 Winchester; 10-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 4,265 ft.

6. KSVK 12.7 (ASVK)

• Type: Anti-material rifle
• Year introduced: 1999
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x108mm; 5-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.

5. ORSIS T-5000

• Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
• Year introduced: 2011
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, .408 Cheytac; 5-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.

4. PKP Pecheneg (6P41)

• Type: General purpose machine gun
• Year introduced: 2001
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x54mmR; 100-, 200- or 250-round belt
• Maximum effective range: 5,000 ft.

3. KBP OSV-96

• Type: Anti-material rifle
• Year introduced: 1996
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x108mm; 5-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft.

2. Kord-12.7mm

• Type: Heavy machine gun
• Year introduced: 1998
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x108mm; 50-round linked belt
• Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft.

1. NSV HMG (Utes / Utjos)

• Type: Heavy machine gun
• Year introduced: 1971
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x108mm Soviet, 12.7x99mm NATO; 50-round belt
• Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft.