SOVIET SNAIPERSKAYA: DA ИЛИ NYET?

STEVE T PUTS A NEW AIRSOFT REPLICA OF THE MOTHERLAND’S SV-98 SNIPER RIFLE FROM TAIWAN THROUGH ITS PACES.

Ah, there’s nothing quite like the smell of a wooden-bodied rifle - even before it’s seen action and absorbed the blood, sweat and tears from crushing defeats or hard-won victories. Thinking about it, maybe especially before…

In a sector dominated by Tokyo Marui’s plastic, hollow-bodied VSR-10, it’s so refreshing to feel a natural material in hand, thanks to the SV-98 Deluxe Edition Airsoft Sniper Rifle by a new manufacturer from Taiwan; RAPTOR.

SNAIPERSKAYA SPEAKING

Russia fans, get your geek on, because this is a rare example of a recent RIF drawn from the motherland - and it isn’t an AK!

It may look more like a relic from the cold war to some, but the Snaiperskaya Vintovka Model 1998 - SV-98 to its friends - was designed by Vladimir Stronskiy right at the end of the 20th Century. It was issued to Spec Ops forces in 2003 and saw combat in Chechnya.

Created to engage targets at a range of up to 1KM, the SV was based on the Record Shooting rifle by Izhmash - better known as JSC Kalashnikov Concern - with a cold-hammer-forged receiver and free-floating barrel. The laminated plywood stock can be adjusted for height and pitch, with an adjustable cheek riser.

The SV is arguably most recognisable for the old skool detachable carrying handle to the right side, but the glass fiber reinforced nylon 10-round magazine speaks to its modernity.

Izhmash developed an upgraded variant in 2013 with an aluminum alloy receiver and skeleton stock.

The SV-98 has seen service with armed forces in and Armenia, and you’ll find it in videogames such as Warface and Escape From Tarkov.

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