Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

[CCCCanuck]

I work for a small defense company and we are in the process of designing a new product. My question is, what is the most common insurgent sniper round? Are they using standard FMJ rounds or steel-core? 7.62x39 or 7.62x54R? Any guidance those who are or have been over there can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

I'd just like to state for the record, that this "Engineer from Syracuse" apparently has nothing to do with actual Canucks. And us real Canucks lay no claim nor responsibility whatsoever to those who aspire to be, let alone pretend to be, actual Canuckians.

Let the games, begin!

 

[Maggot]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

WTF

Interesting to see where this goes.

 

[netranger6]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

The last one that sent a whiz by my CP was using this:
http://www.airsoftatlanta.com/svd_airsoft_sniper_dragunov_p/87059.htm

Good thing I was name tag defilade.

 

[CCCCanuck]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean the Nailer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd just like to state for the record, that this "Engineer from Syracuse" apparently has nothing to do with actual Canucks. And us real Canucks lay no claim nor responsibility whatsoever to those who aspire to be, let alone pretend to be, actual Canuckians.

Let the games, begin!

</div></div>

Hahaha!

Explanation:

I grew up in Buffalo, watched Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday as a kid, so i became a Vancouver fan, therefore getting the nickname "Canuck" in school. Obviously it stuck...

ETA: But seriously guys, wondering this for a legitimate reason. I figured this would be a decent resource to get answers on protection level required.

 

[notquiteright]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

While I never worked for a small defense company I can only wonder just how pogue an outfit has to be to not have anyone on staff to first give better parameters to the question, second not already have the answer.

Guess every geek is trying to get in on the 'contractor' money.

 

[dadzic]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

I'm pretty positive that most insurgent snipers are using Soviet made SVD's, Romanian PSL-54's and Chinase NDM-86 type weapons. I've also heard some Mosin Nagants and other WWII era rifles being used. These usually come equipped with military PSO scopes and are chambered in 7.62x54R. The rounds used are usually FMJs made for military use. Most of the insurgents are equipped with some AK variant that is chambered in 7.62x39 but these are not snipers. I'm not in the military but that is what I gathered over the years talking to friends that have been overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

[shooter6.5]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

sniper- 7.62x54
most common AK 7.62x39

 

[kortik]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

It would be also safe to assume that both have mild steel cores, unless bullets are APs, in which case penetration capabilities are sufficiently greater.

This kind of info is actually a common knowledge.

 

[CCCCanuck]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kortik</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It would be also safe to assume that both have mild steel cores, unless bullets are APs, in which case penetration capabilities are sufficiently greater.

This kind of info is actually a common knowledge.



</div></div>

Kortik,

That was what I was trying to find out, if they are mainly mild steel core or AP. If they're mainly mild steel, you have answered my question. Thanks.

 

[shane45]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

Ok so the guy that gets shot at by the uncommon one is SOL?

 

[18Echo]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: notquiteright</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While I never worked for a small defense company I can only wonder just how pogue an outfit has to be to not have anyone on staff to first give better parameters to the question, second not already have the answer.

Guess every geek is trying to get in on the 'contractor' money. </div></div>

You're an ass.

I've done 2 tours in Iraq. One with the JSOTF during the war, and one as a private contractor after the war.

I don't care if it's a Medal of Honor awardee or some "Pogue" trying to get in on some contractor money, if they can make a product that will protect me from an insurgents sniper bullet more power to them, hallelujah, and pass the kool aid.

 

[CCCCanuck]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shane45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok so the guy that gets shot at by the uncommon one is SOL? </div></div>

Well, it depends on how uncommon it is. I know you guys don't want to carry around a lot of extra weight. If AP isnt a threat, it could decrease the weight significantly of this product, thus making it more likely that it will be carried instead of left home.

And 18Echo, I appreciate your response. I've gone to many trade shows and have had soldiers come up to me and say our products saved their lives, or their buddies lives. That's what we love to hear. Thanks.

 

[KYS]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

Can you tell us who you represent?

 

[CCCCanuck]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

I work for Defenshield here in Syracuse.

 

[longebow]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

Agree with the above, that the 7.62x54R is the most common "sniper round" and that 7.62x39mm was the "most common" round. In my personal experience, after unloading captured SVD and PSL magazines, was that the use of actual AP rounds (with black painted tips) was much more common that I was expecting. The communist bloc AP rounds have a machined steel penetrator, similar to NATO AP bullets, and I would expect similar performance from these bullets.

 

[GoWyo]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

I would imagine that the .303 british is as common a "sniper" round as any that is being fired at our troops.

 

[CCCCanuck]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longebow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Agree with the above, that the 7.62x54R is the most common "sniper round" and that 7.62x39mm was the "most common" round. In my personal experience, after unloading captured SVD and PSL magazines, was that the use of actual AP rounds (with black painted tips) was much more common that I was expecting. The communist bloc AP rounds have a machined steel penetrator, similar to NATO AP bullets, and I would expect similar performance from these bullets. </div></div>

So AP is a possible threat. Best bet is to go NIJ IV then. Thanks.

 

[CE1371]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

7.62X54R AP in Helmand. Found a few caches with boxes of that shit courtesy of Afghanistan's neighbor to the west.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Insurgent Snipers in Afghanistan

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CCCCanuck</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longebow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Agree with the above, that the 7.62x54R is the most common "sniper round" and that 7.62x39mm was the "most common" round. In my personal experience, after unloading captured SVD and PSL magazines, was that the use of actual AP rounds (with black painted tips) was much more common that I was expecting. The communist bloc AP rounds have a machined steel penetrator, similar to NATO AP bullets, and I would expect similar performance from these bullets. </div></div>

So AP is a <span style="text-decoration: line-through">possible</span> <span style="color: #FF0000">PROBABLE</span> threat. Best bet is to go NIJ IV <span style="color: #FF0000">and an armored vehicle</span> then. Thanks.</div></div> Fixed it for you. And armor piercing... does....