Abstract
This article examines the history of the MTs-566 precision rifle, reviewing its unique and potent design that makes it stand out amongst other Russian military f irearms. To provide context for the origins of the rifle, a brief, general history of Russian sniper weapon systems is provided. The history of the MTs-566 is then presented, with an examination of the weapon’s general design, key features, and important variants. The research underpinning this article is based in large part on interviews with the design and manufacturing team, documentation for the rifle, and personal familiarity of the author with the platform. The relevance of the MTs-566 in modern warfare is briefly examined as well, with a description of its combat use based on interviews with servicemen who have recently used the rifle. The article is illustrated with photographs of multiple examples of the MTs566 taken by the author, as well as further photographs provided by servicemen interviewed by the author.
Get access.
Issue: Vol. X No. 2
Published: 31 December, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52357/armax71975
Peer-reviewed?: Yes
Keywords: Russia, TsKIB SOO MTs-566, precision rifles, semi-automatic rifles, snipers
Bibliographic Information
Deni Almaskhanov, ‘The Russian TsKIB SOO MTs-566 Precision Rifle’, Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Vol. X № 2 (2024), pp. 25–48, <https://doi.org/10.52357/armax71975>.
About the Author
Deni Almaskhanov is an independent firearms historian, focusing on twenty-first century firearms designed in Russia. The author currently works primarily with Kalashnikov journal, in which he has authored a series of articles on the history of underwater firearms. The author has focused on gathering information on the MTs-566 rifle for the past three years, since the rifle was officially released to the civilian market. Managing to interview both the developers and the end-users of the weapon system, taking exclusive photos, and having some experience with the gun in question, the author hopes to shed more light on the topic to English-speaking audiences.