The SR-2 "Veresk" (, English: Heather) is a Russian

submachine gun A submachine gun (SMG) is a magazine (firearms), magazine-fed automatic firearm, automatic carbine designed to fire handgun cartridges. The term "submachine gun" was coined by John T. Thompson, the inventor of the Thompson submachine gun, to descri ...

designed to fire the

9×21mm Gyurza The 9×21mm ''Gyurza'' (''Гюрза'', Russian for " blunt-nosed viper") round is a Russian handgun round designed to defeat body armor that was developed by TsNIITochMash for its SR-1 Vektor semi-automatic pistol and SR-2 Veresk submachine ...

pistol cartridge.

History

Development of a new submachine gun chambered for the

cartridge (also used by the SR-1 "Vektor" pistol) was launched in the mid-1990s on the request of Russia's

Federal Security Service The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation �СБ, ФСБ России (FSB) is the principal security agency of Russia and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union's KGB; its immediate predecessor was the Federal Counterin ...

(FSB). A weapon was presented in 1999, developed by TsNIITochMash in Klimovsk, which received the designation of SR-2 (, English: Special Development 2) and nicknamed "Veresk" (" Heather"). "Veresk" and its round were created as a compact weapon capable of engaging enemies wearing Russian class-II body armor (able to stop ordinary pistol bullets, such as

9×19mm Parabellum The 9×19mm Parabellum (also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO or simply 9mm) is a Rim (firearms)#Rimless, rimless, Centerfire ammunition, centerfire, tapered cartridge (firearms), firearms cartridge. Originally designed by Austrian firearm designer ...

and 7.62×25mm Tokarev), and soft-skinned vehicles, at distances up to 200 metres.

Features

The SR-2 "Veresk" differs from most submachine guns by its gas-operated action with rotating bolt, typically used in assault rifles (normally SMGs utilise different blowback principles). This design is partially borrowed from the SR-3 "Vikhr" compact assault rifle. Externally the "Veresk" is similar to the Uzi; 20- or 30-round magazines are inserted into the pistol grip. There are two AK-style control levers on both sides of the receiver: the right one is the safety switch, the left is a fire-mode selector. The cocking handle is on the right side and is fixed to the bolt carrier, so it moves during firing. There is a mount for a "red dot" sight on top of the receiver (unlike the AK-style side rail). The weapon has an upwards-folding metal stock.

Variants

SR-2M

Modified version that also has a forward pistol grip under the handguard, with a protrusion to protect the shooter's hand from muzzle blast and accidents (similar to the grip on the MP5K). Its stock can be fully folded even with "red dot" sight installed. It is currently being supplied.

SR-2MP

Further modernised version that features

picatinny rail The 1913 rail (MIL-STD-1913 rail) is an American rail integration system designed by Richard Swan that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. It forms part of the NATO standard STANAG 2324 rail. It was originally used for mount ...

s on each side of the handguard and a sound suppressor.

Users

* **

** Law enforcement in Russia

References

External links

SR-2 "Veresk" on Modern Firearms

Handgun:Пистолет-пулемёт "Вереск" (СР-2, СР-2М)
{{Personal defense weapons Personal defense weapons Submachine guns of Russia TsNIITochMash products Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1999