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9A-91
9A-91
9A-91
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The 9A-91 is a compact assault rifle currently in use with Russian police forces. It is used as a cheaper and more versatile alternative to the SR-3 "Vikhr".[1]

Key Information

The 9A-91 is a gas operated, rotating bolt weapon, which utilizes a long stroke gas piston, located above the barrel, and a rotating bolt with 4 lugs. The receiver is made from steel stampings; the forend and pistol grip are made from polymer. The steel buttstock folds up and above the receiver when not in use. The charging handle is welded to the right side of bolt carrier on earlier production guns with current production guns having a charging hand that folds up, making the gun more low profile by decreasing the chances of the charging handle snagging onto articles of clothing and equipment. Earlier production models of the 9A-91 featured the safety / fire selector lever at the left side of the receiver, above the trigger guard. Current production models feature the safety / fire selector lever at the right side and a sight mounting rail on the left side of the receiver. This allows the user to attach various scopes and red-dots onto the rail to aid in aiming the weapon. The fire selector allows for semi- and full-automatic fire. The flip-up rear sight has settings for 100 and 200 meters range, but the relatively short sight base and steep trajectory of the subsonic bullet effectively restricts the 9A91 to ranges of about 100 meters.

The VSK-94 is a sniper rifle based on the 9A-91.

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  • Charging handle in the folded up position
    Charging handle in the folded up position
  • Modernised 9A-91
    Modernised 9A-91

Users

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See also

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References

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9A-91

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from Grokipedia
The 9A-91 is a compact developed in by the , chambered in the subsonic cartridge, and primarily intended for use by law enforcement and in close-quarters battle and counter-terrorism operations. Introduced in the mid-1990s as part of the family of personal defense weapons, it serves as a more affordable and versatile alternative to specialized systems like the , offering enhanced penetration against and light cover due to its ammunition. Development of the 9A-91 began in 1992 at the KBP bureau in Tula, with initial production starting in 1994 at the Tula Arms Factory, though it entered limited service rather than widespread military adoption. Originally conceived as a for , it was ultimately adopted by Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) and police units for its compact size and effectiveness at short ranges up to 100 meters. The rifle's design emphasizes portability, with an overall length of 605 mm when the stock is extended (383 mm folded) and a weight of approximately 2.1 kg unloaded, making it suitable for vehicle crews, entry teams, and high-risk operations. The 9A-91 operates on a gas-driven, long-stroke system with a , featuring a stamped receiver, polymer and forend, and a side-folding metal buttstock. It fires from a 20-round detachable box magazine at a cyclic rate of 700–900 rounds per minute, with selective fire options for semi-automatic and full-automatic modes controlled by a right-side lever. Standard are adjustable for ranges of 100 and 200 meters, while a side rail allows mounting of or night sights; later variants include a threaded barrel for suppressors. The ammunition, such as SP-5, SP-6, or PAB-9 rounds, provides subsonic around 270 m/s, prioritizing stealth and armor-piercing capability over long-range accuracy. In service, the 9A-91 has seen use primarily with Russian internal security forces, as well as in allied nations including , , and , often in urban and anti-terrorist scenarios where its compact form and barrier-penetration excel; it remains in limited use as of the , including by Syrian . Production has continued on a limited scale into the , with the design influencing related weapons like the suppressed . Early models featured a welded charging handle and left-side selector, while updated versions incorporate improvements like a foldable handle and enhanced rail compatibility for modern accessories.

History

Development

The 9A-91 was developed in the early 1990s by the in , as part of the broader family of compact firearms. The project aimed to produce a lightweight, cost-effective weapon for close-quarters battle, particularly suited to urban environments and the needs of police and in the post-Cold War era. This evolution addressed Soviet-era requirements for specialized operations, shifting focus toward versatile, non-military applications amid economic constraints following the USSR's dissolution. The primary objective was to create a cheaper and more versatile alternative to the , while serving as a non-suppressed counterpart to the AS Val, both of which also utilized the subsonic SP-5/SP-6 cartridge. Development was supervised by Vasily Gryazev, drawing on his prior work at KBP on compact and specialized firearms. Initial prototypes emphasized affordability through steel stamping and a streamlined design, avoiding the complexity of earlier suppressed systems like the AS Val. Prototypes underwent field testing in the early , leading to refinements such as the addition of a quick-detachable suppressor and optics rail in 1995 based on user feedback. The weapon was adopted by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1994, with initial batches delivered for use.

Operational history

The 9A-91 entered service with Russian internal security forces shortly after 1993, primarily adopted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) for counter-terrorism operations and high-risk urban engagements. It was valued for its compact design suitable for close-quarters scenarios. Russian special forces, including reconnaissance teams, employed the weapon in the early 2000s, often paired with aftermarket red dot sights to enhance accuracy in dynamic environments. During the in the , the 9A-91 saw notable deployment by Russian special forces supporting Syrian government operations, with documented appearances in media reports starting around 2015. Syrian Arab Army units also utilized limited numbers of the , particularly in urban settings, as evidenced by inventories and imagery from the campaign in 2013. Captured examples from Syrian stockpiles have since appeared in Western security analyses and reports, including instances of smuggling into detected in 2025. Production of the 9A-91 has remained limited, with serial manufacturing focused on the niche demands of Russian internal security, estimated in the low thousands to meet specialized requirements rather than issuance. Its reliability in urban operations has been highlighted in service evaluations, with no significant mechanical failures reported across deployments. As of 2025, the weapon continues in limited use among Russian MVD and police special forces elements for high-threat internal security tasks.

Design

Operating mechanism

The 9A-91 operates using a gas-operated system with a long-stroke gas located above the barrel, driving a that locks into the receiver via four radial lugs. This mechanism ensures reliable cycling in a compact form factor, with the piston directly attached to the bolt carrier for a simplified and robust action. The design draws brief influence from the AS Val's layout, adapting a similar gas system for unsuppressed use. The weapon fires the subsonic cartridge, specifically variants like the SP-5 for general-purpose use with a lead-core and the SP-6 for armor-piercing applications featuring a core. These rounds are engineered for inherent low noise and high penetration without requiring a suppressor, achieving muzzle velocities around 270 m/s due to their heavy 16-gram . The fixed gas system, lacking adjustable ports, prioritizes reliability across the 9A-91's short barrel lengths while maintaining consistent performance with these specialized subsonic loads. Ammunition feeds from a 20-round detachable box inserted into the receiver below , supporting selective fire modes including semi-automatic and full-automatic. In full-automatic mode, the cyclic reaches 700–900 rounds per minute, providing controllable bursts suitable for close-quarters engagements despite the subsonic ammunition's reduced .

Features and construction

The 9A-91 is constructed with a receiver formed from stampings for durability, paired with a forend and to reduce weight while maintaining a firm hold during operation. The buttstock is a left side-folding metal that collapses over the receiver, contributing to the weapon's compact profile, and the barrel measures 200 mm in length to support its role in close-quarters scenarios. Overall, the measures 605 mm with the stock extended and 383 mm when folded, weighing 2.1 kg empty or approximately 2.8 kg when loaded with a standard magazine. These dimensions and materials emphasize portability and robustness without an integral suppressor, distinguishing it from earlier suppressed designs like the AS Val. Standard sights on the 9A-91 consist of fixed , with a front post and rear flip-up notch adjustable for 100 m and 200 m ranges, while later models incorporate a side-mounted rail (Soviet standard) on the left side of the receiver for mounting optics such as red dots or low-power scopes. Later variants include a threaded barrel for suppressors. This modular rail enhances versatility for urban or vehicle-based operations, allowing quick attachment of aiming devices to extend the effective range beyond 100 m. The design prioritizes impact-resistant components suited for entry teams and vehicle stops, with the polymer elements providing resistance to environmental stresses common in tactical environments. Ergonomically, the 9A-91 features a conventional right-side layout for controls, including a three-position /fire selector (safe, semi-automatic, full-automatic) and a charging handle, with limited ambidextrous accommodations that reflect its focus on right-handed users in close-quarters combat. The ribbed forend and angled facilitate a secure grip during rapid maneuvers, while the overall lightweight build and folding stock make it ideal for personnel requiring a maneuverable with an effective engagement range of 100–200 m.

Variants

9A-91

The 9A-91 is a compact assault carbine chambered in subsonic ammunition, designed by the for close-quarters use by Russian police and . It employs a gas-operated, mechanism with a long-stroke gas piston positioned above the barrel, enabling reliable semi-automatic and fully automatic fire in a lightweight, maneuverable package weighing approximately 2.1 kg when unloaded. The weapon's standard configuration omits a suppressor, prioritizing affordability and versatility over stealth, and is optimized for urban police roles where suppressed operation is not always required. Unlike some contemporary compact firearms in its family, the 9A-91 utilizes a conventional non-bullpup layout with a stamped receiver and folding metal stock, providing a straightforward ergonomic without integrated grenade launcher capabilities. This configuration results in an overall length of 605 mm when extended and 383 mm when folded, facilitating easy handling in confined spaces. Limited-series production of the 9A-91 began in at the Tula Arms Factory, with output focused primarily on Russian domestic needs rather than large-scale export. Its manufacturing costs are approximately 50% lower than those of the , achieved through simpler construction and reduced use of specialized components. The 9A-91 supports accessory mounting via a side rail on the receiver, compatible with basic daytime optics such as red-dot sights, telescopic scopes, and night-vision or laser devices for aiming. It uses a standard 20-round detachable box magazine, which is incompatible with magazines from related suppressed weapons like the AS Val. The 9A-91 forms the baseline for family modifications, including the variant.

VSK-94

The VSK-94 is a suppressed chambered in , developed in 1994 by the in , as a low-cost alternative to the more complex VSS Vintorez sniper rifle. Derived from the 9A-91 carbine platform, it incorporates a longer 200 mm barrel to provide enhanced accuracy and an effective range of up to 400 meters compared to the compact base model. The design retains the gas-operated, long-stroke piston action with of the 9A-91 for reliable semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Key features include a detachable cylindrical suppressor for reduced sound signature, a fixed skeletonized buttstock for lightweight handling, and standard mounting for the 4× optical sight. Weighing 2.8 kg empty, the uses 20-round detachable box magazines and achieves a of 270 m/s with . It is particularly optimized for the SP-6 armor-piercing variant of the cartridge, enabling effective engagement of lightly armored targets at mid-range distances. Intended for roles, the serves as a precision weapon for designated marksmen in Russian special forces units, including and FSB counter-terrorism teams, supporting suppressed fire in urban or covert scenarios. Production remains very limited, with units primarily integrated into FSB service for specialized internal security tasks. The A-91 family of compact firearms, developed by the in Tula during the early 1990s, encompasses several modular designs sharing a mechanism and construction for enhanced ergonomics and reduced weight. These weapons were prototyped alongside the 9A-91 to provide versatile options for and , emphasizing compact layouts suitable for close-quarters combat. The bullpup assault rifle, chambered in 7.62x39mm, incorporates an integrated 40mm grenade launcher for added squad support capabilities, measuring 660 mm in length and weighing 3.97 kg. Its design prioritizes versatility, allowing compatibility with standard Kalashnikov magazines and featuring a gas-operated system. Intended primarily for export markets, it saw limited production and due to from established Kalashnikov derivatives. Overall, while the family shares core engineering principles, fewer models beyond the 9A-91 achieved widespread service entry.

Users

Domestic adoption

The 9A-91 has been primarily adopted by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) special police units, such as and , as well as the (FSB) , entering service with these organizations in 1994. Developed as a cost-effective alternative to more specialized weapons like the , it provides compact firepower for internal security roles. In Russian training and doctrine, the 9A-91 is employed in high-risk operations including vehicle stops, building entries, and counter-terrorism missions, where its subsonic ammunition delivers superior penetration against and light barriers at ranges of 100-150 meters. This capability, capable of defeating up to 6 mm of steel at 100 meters, enhances its utility in close-quarters battle (CQB) scenarios for special units combating and . These weapons are typically stored in armories for rapid deployment by MVD and FSB units. Later production models, from onward, incorporate upgrades such as side-mounted Picatinny rails on the receiver for modern optics, including red-dot sights and devices, addressing limitations in the original open-iron sights and improving aiming precision in low-light or dynamic environments. The safety and fire selector were also relocated to the right side for better .

International use

The 9A-91 has seen limited , primarily among former Soviet states and allies through small-scale acquisitions rather than large export contracts. In 2012, Belarusian acquired an unspecified number of 9A-91 compact assault rifles as part of efforts to modernize their equipment with Russian-sourced weaponry. Similarly, the Syrian Arab Army obtained a limited quantity of 9A-91 rifles prior to the outbreak of the in 2011, as part of a broader modernization program that included other Russian small arms to enhance close-quarters firepower and protection. Documented combat use of the 9A-91 outside has been confined to the (2011–2024), where it appeared in the hands of Syrian government forces. Weapons captured from Syrian regime units, including 9A-91 rifles, have been documented among opposition groups and subsequently smuggled out of the country, highlighting the rifle's rarity even within the conflict zone. It has also been adopted by in . No verified reports indicate adoption by Western or countries, and interest from other former Soviet republics like remains unconfirmed despite occasional rumors in defense circles. Official Russian export data for the 9A-91 is not publicly detailed, reflecting its niche role in special operations rather than widespread proliferation.
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