The AS "Val" (Avtomat Special'nyj Val, Russian: Автомат Специальный Вал or Special Automatic Rifle, code name: "Shaft") is a Soviet designed assault rifle featuring an integrated suppressor.
It was developed during the late 1980s by TsNIITochMash (Central Institute for Precision Machine Building) and is used by Russian Spetsnaz special forces and the MVD, FSB and select units of the Russian Army. Since 1987, it was added to the arsenal of the Soviet Army and the KGB.
Its effective range is approximately 300 m, as it uses heavy subsonic 9x39mm SP-6 (high performance armor piercing) ammunition, as well as the SP-5 ball round used by the VSS Vintorez. It can also use the same 10 or 20-round magazines as the VSS. Controls are similar to all AK-type rifles with charging handle on the right side, tangent rear sight, magazine release button behind magazine well and safety lever above the trigger guard. The fire selector is however located within the trigger guard, behind the trigger. The "Val" has two modes of fire, single shot and automatic fire at a cyclic rate of 900 RPM. According to its users, the "Val" is reliable, accurate and well liked.
It has an AK-type side mount for various optical sights, including the 4x PSO-1 scope and night sights calibrated for use with the 9x39mm round. The standard open sights are graduated up to 400 m in 25 m increments.
The "Val" has a 70% piece commonality with its sister-gun, the VSS Vintorez. Differences are furniture made of high impact polymer and a skeletonized steel stock which folds to the left for storage and transportation (gun can operate with stock folded).