Steyr SSG 69

Steyr SSG 69

Steyr SSG 69 PI
Type Sniper rifle
Place of origin Austria
Service history
In service 1969–present[1]
Used by see Users
Wars Syrian Civil War[2][3]
Production history
Manufacturer Steyr Mannlicher
Produced 1969–2015
Variants SSG 69 PI, SSG 69 PII, SSG 69 PIV
Specifications
Weight 4 kg (8.82 lb) (SSG 69 PI)
4.2 kg (9.3 lb) (SSG 69 PII)
3.8 kg (8.4 lb) (SSG 69 PIV)
Length 1,140 mm (44.9 in) (SSG 69 PI)
1,190 mm (46.8 in) (SSG 69 PII)[4]
1,003 mm (39.5 in) (SSG 69 PIV)
Barrel length 650 mm (25.6 in) (SSG 69 PI, SSG 69 PII)
409 mm (16.1 in) (SSG 69 PIV)

Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO, .243 Winchester, .22-250 Remington (SSG 69 PII)[5]
Action Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity varies by type of round used
Effective firing range 800 m (875 yd)
Maximum firing range 3,700 m (4,046 yd)
Feed system 5-round rotary magazine
Sights iron sights on SSG 69 PI
telescopic sight

The SSG 69 (Scharfschützengewehr 69 = Sniper Rifle 69) is a bolt-action sniper rifle produced by Steyr Mannlicher and serves as the standard sniper rifle for the Austrian Army.[6]

Adopted in 1969 (hence the designation), it was ahead of its time with the use of synthetics and cold hammer-forged barrels for durability. Aside from being the Austrian Army's standard issue sniper rifle it's also used by several law enforment organizations. It is extremely accurate and several international competitions have been won using an SSG-69 with accuracy being sub 0.5 MOA.

There are several variants made with mostly cosmetic differences, the only anomaly being the SSG-PIV using a 409 mm barrel with a 1:250 mm (1:10 inches) twist designed to handle heavy subsonic ammunition in conjunction with a suppressor.

The bolt action uses rear-locking (in common with the SMLE), rather than the more common front-locking lugs. This, and the fact that it is only produced in the 'short action' length limits the chambering to non-magnum calibres, a legacy of a military weapon designed only to fire the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It is essentially a target/police/military weapon, however with its caliber and inherent accuracy, it lends itself to hunting requiring longer distance shots.

Diagram of the rotary 5-round SSG 69 magazine

An unusual feature is the standard rotary 5-round magazine. A 10-round staggered box is available as an accessory. Both are transparent-backed, immediately showing remaining capacity.

In 2015 Steyr has decided to end production of the SSG 69.

Users

Gallery

See also

References

  1. "Modern Firearms". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  2. "Free Syrian Army / Syrian Rebel Fighters in Action | Global Military Review". globalmilitaryreview.blogspot.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  3. "Ground Zero: Syria (Part 7) – Snipers of Aleppo – YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  4. ": 404". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  5. Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989–90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. p. 125. ISBN 0-7106-0889-6.
  6. 1 2 BMLVS – Abteilung Kommunikation – Referat 3. "sterreichs Bundesheer – Waffen und Gerät – Scharfschützengewehr SSG 69". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  8. Meyr, Eitan (January 6, 1999). "Special Weapons for Counter-terrorist Units". Jane's Law Enforcement. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
  9. Gander, Terry J.; Hogg, Ian V. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995/1996. Jane's Information Group; 21 edition (May 1995). ISBN 978-0-7106-1241-0.
  10. picture showing an FSA member sniping with a STEYR SSG 69 in Syria.
  11. "Image: Steyr SSG 7.62mm Sniper rifle.jpg, (800 × 410 px)". greekmilitary.net. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  12. "Með Glock 17 og MP5". Fréttatíminn. 23. 09. 2011. p. 12-14.
  13. "Hindustan times".
  14. "IRELAND’S ARMY RANGERS". Tactical Life. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  15. "Garda College Yearbook listing weapons training on page 66" (PDF).
  16. "ݿ ù ߵƴ". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  17. Materiel of the Netherlands Marine Corps (Dutch)
  18. "Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, Dutch core Expeditionary Force". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  19. "Pakistan Army".
  20. Kochaski, Stanisaw (1992). Jrygady antyterrorystyczne Operacje Uzbrojenie. SIGMA NOT. ISBN 83-85001-66-2.
  21. "cyberpioneer - home". mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  22. "Tunisian special forces (exclusive and inclusive)". Pakistan Defence. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  23. http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.notdenizi.com/img313.imageshack.us/img313/5441/x446134zi3.jpg.pagespeed.ic.wNuPMiyk_b.jpg
  24. "Image: 190963_polis-ozel-harekat.jpg, (333 × 248 px)". image.samanyoluhaber.com. Retrieved 5 September 2015.

External links

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