AS Val and VSS Vintorez
Produced by Tula Arms Plant
The AS Val (Russian: АС «Вал»; Автома́т Специа́льный, romanized: Avtomát Spetsiálny "Val", lit. 'Special Automatic–Shaft'), GRAU designation: 6P30, is the assault rifle variant that features a folding stock and was developed in 1985. The VSS Vintorez (Russian: ВСС «Винторе́з» Винто́вка Сна́йперская Специа́льная, romanized: Vintóvka Snáyperskaya Spetsiálnaya "Vintorez", lit. 'Special Sniper Rifle–Thread Cutter'), GRAU designation: 6P29, is a Soviet-designed specialised sniper rifle/designated marksman rifle that features an integral suppressor and is capable of fully automatic fire. Its initial development began in 1983. The VSS Vintorez and AS Val were developed by TsNIITochMash to replace modified general-purpose firearms, such as the AKS-74UB, BS-1, APB, and PB, for clandestine operations, much like the PSS Vul. Manufacturing began at the Tula Arms Plant after its adoption by the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union in 1987.