{"id":101958,"date":"2019-08-30T16:37:56","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T16:37:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/08\/30\/this-is-kalashnikovs-newest-50-cal-sniper-rifle\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:28:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T11:28:34","slug":"this-is-kalashnikovs-newest-50-cal-sniper-rifle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/off-duty\/2019\/08\/30\/this-is-kalashnikovs-newest-50-cal-sniper-rifle\/","title":{"rendered":"This is Kalashnikov\u2019s newest .50 cal sniper rifle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kalashnikov Concern has had itself a heck of a year rolling out new weapons, including a series of infantry and special operations rifles<\/a>, a light squad machine gun<\/a>, as well as a pistol<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, Russia\u2019s most famous small arms manufacturer has unveiled yet another gun \u2014 this time an anti-materiel sniper rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officially known as the SV-18, this latest creation marks the first time since the 1940s that Kalashnikov has found itself building a new heavy caliber rifle that fits into the anti-materiel (i.e. designed primarily for use against enemy hardware versus enemy personnel).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lengthy design process which spawned the SV-18 produced a number of prototypes, each more drastically different than the previous. Eventually, Kalashnikov settled on a final design which they rolled out at this year\u2019s ARMY-2019<\/a> conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kalashnikov reportedly offers the SV-18 in two calibers \u2014 12.7×108 mm, which is popular with most Warsaw Pact countries including Russia itself, and 12.7×99 mm (also known as .50 BMG), which enjoys considerable usage among NATO member nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The new Kalashnikov SV-18 anti-materiel sniper rifle is a bullpup design and fires a round similar to a .50 cal. (Photo screen shot DefenseWebTV YouTube)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Immediately noticeable is the rifle\u2019s bullpup layout, which allows for a longer barrel in a more compact frame, offering the end user both added range and maneuverability in comparison to other heavy-caliber sniper rifles. Earlier versions of the SV-18 featured a simpler stock, which later gave way to a somewhat bulkier and more ergonomic setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast to other Russian 12.7 mm caliber sniper rifles used by Russian military and police forces, the SV-18 feeds from double-stack magazines<\/a> (i.e. generally larger capacity).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final product includes a top rail, which runs from the receiver to the end of the handguard, that allows end users to attach a variety of optics. Additionally, the rifle uses a fairly prominent muzzle brake to offset recoil and muzzle climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n