Izhmash Prototype VS-121 Sniper Rifle

Steve Johnson
by Steve Johnson

Izhmash has unveiled a prototype sniper rifle called the VS-121. This bullpup rifle uses an action based on the Dragunov sniper rifle action. With its heavy profile 24.4″ barrel it weights just under 10 lbs. It will be chambered for 7.62x54mm, 7.62x51mm and a new cartridge Izhmash is developing.

Izhmash Chief Designer Vladimir Zlobin With The VS-121
Izhmash Chief Designer Vladimir Zlobin With The VS-121

Izhmash competitor OTs supplies a very similar rifle to Russian security forces. The OTs-03 SVU is also a Dragunov bullpup conversion, but the older design lacks modern features such as full length picatinny rails. The Dragunov action is not known for its accuracy. The long and heavy barrel should compensate for this, but I am curious why the company did not scale up their new AK-12 and use it instead. I suspect Izhmash plans on competing with OTs for government contracts.

OTs-03 SVU

Many thanks to Peter and Emilio for the tips.

Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson

I founded TFB in 2007 and over 10 years worked tirelessly, with the help of my team, to build it up into the largest gun blog online. I retired as Editor in Chief in 2017. During my decade at TFB I was fortunate to work with the most amazing talented writers and genuinely good people!

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