AK I.O. Inc’s SSG97 on
Steroids
Text and photos by Peter G. Kokalis
The concept follows the SVD, but the details are much different in this Romanian sniper rifle.
The Romanian SSG 97 (PSL) exhibits the usual Kalashnikov robustness and reliability. It’s surprisingly accurate for a long-stroke piston semi-automatic rifle.
T
he SSG 97 sniper rifle as imported by I.O. Inc. (Dept. SGN, P.O. Box 847, Monroe, N.C. .28111-0847; phone: 866-8821479; fax: 704-225-8362; website: www.ioinc.us) is based upon the Romanian PSL (Puska Semiautomata Luneta) military sniper rifle system. Both have receivers and operating systems based upon upon the Romanian Romanian RPK squad automatic, automatic, not the Russian Samozaryadnaya snaiperskaya vintovka Dragunova—SVD sniper rifle. The SVD receiver is a milled drop forging. The SSG 97’s is a pinned and riveted sheet metal stamping. As the RPK squad
automatic is chambered for the intermediate-size 7.62x39mm cartridge, a steel reinforcing plate was riveted to each side of the PSL receiver at the rear to accommodate the greater recoil impulse of the full-size 7.62x54R round. There are also two prominent reinforcing ribs, one on each side of the receiver wall and directly below the trunnion—almost 3 inches in length—each attached by a single rivet—exactly as found on the RPK squad automatic. They further serve to strengthen the receiver and stabilize it during the recoil and counter-recoil travel of the reciprocating parts. The sheet metal
top cover has been stamped with reinforcing ribs in the AKM manner. All steel components, with the exception of the hardchromed piston, have been provided provided with a black oxide finish. The SSG 97 is manufactured by ROMARM (aka RATMIL, Dept. SGN, 48-50 Calea Victoriei, Pasajul Victoriei, sector 1, Bucharest 70102, Romania; phone: +40-1-613 43 66; fax: +401-312 29 88). Its overall length is approximately 45.3 inches (1150mm) and it weighs about 9 pounds (4.06kg), empty and without the optical sight. The scope weighs about 22 ounces (.62kg). The barrel is 24.6 inches (625mm) in length, and has
Top: Romanian SSG 97 (PSL) with 6x42mm POSP scope; bottom: Russian SVD Dragunov sniper weapon system with Talon PO 3-9x42 sniper scope. The SVD is noticeably longer.
per and magazines must be which is adjustable for both elevation and windage zero with the inserted from the front and proper armorers’ tools. The sliding tangent-type rear sight has an rolled back to engage the open U-notch and is adjustable for elevation in 100-meter intercatch. vals from 100 to 1200 meters. The 300-meter battle-sight setting While similar in con- is marked with the letter for “P.” struction and appearance, Disassembly procedures for this rifle are exactly those of any Romanian PSL and Russian Kalashnikov. First remove the magazine and cycle the action by SVD magazines are not hand several times to make sure no round remains in the chaminterchangeable. Both are ber. Pivot the scope mount’s locking lever to the rear and slide staggered-column, detach- the scope assembly off the receiver. Push inward on the serrated able boxes with reinforcing rear end of the recoil spring guide rod assembly and while doing The receiver’s two prominent reinforcing ribs stamped into the sheet so lift off the sheet metal top cover. ribs, one on each side of the receiver wall metal body walls. The folPush the recoil spring guide rod assembly out of its retaining directly below the trunnion, are almost 3 lowers are made of steel and slot in the end of the receiver and lift it up and out of the rear of inches in length and riveted in place. they have an easily remov- the bolt carrier. Slide the piston/bolt carrier group to the rear and able floorplate for mainte- lift out of the receiver after aligning it with the slots in the receivA steel reinforcing plate riveted to receivnance. For some odd rea- er designed for that purpose. Separate the bolt from the bolt carer rear accommodates the greater recoil four grooves with a right-hand twist of one son, the PSL magazine sup- rier. Rotate the gas cylinder’s locking lever (located on the right of the 7.62x54R. This strengthens the turn in 10 inches (254mm) over 22.4 inches plied with Shotgun News’ side of the receiver, just in front receiver and stabilizes it during recoil. (570mm) of rifling. The bore and chamber test specimen was serial- of the rear sight) upward until are chrome-lined in the manner common to numbered to the rifle. the gas cylinder can be lifted up all ComBloc small arms. The iron emergency and away from the barreled To meet original BATFE import regulations (which currently sights on this rifle were taken directly from the Romanian RPK action. Pivot the locking lever no longer apply) the bayonet lug has been milled off. In any squad automatic. Two ears integral with the front sight assembly on the bottom forearm’s front event, bayonets don’t belong on sniper rifles. In addition, the (held to the barrel by two pins) protect the round front sight post, bracket upward until you can unique Romanian PSL flash hider has been altered to a BATFEapproved muzzle compensator configuration. The skeletonized, wood-laminate buttstock is only somewhat reminiscent of that of the Dragunov. Instead of a removable padded cheekpiece (all too easily lost in the field) there is a swell on top of the stock that serves as an integral cheekpiece. The rear sling swivel, located inside the rear end of the stock, retains the ribbed, steel buttplate and itself is held in place by two steel pins driven through the laminate. The buttplate is spring-loaded—a unique feature that helps to moderate the substantial recoil impulse of the 7.62x54R cartridge. A reddish-brown Bakelite pistol grip cap is held in place by a single screw. Both the top handguard, which is part of the gas cylinder assembly, and the bottom forearm (which has five elongated ventilation ports) are of solid wood construction. All of the wood furniture has a clear varnish finish. The spring-loaded buttThe curved SSG 97 magazine holds 10 rounds, and since this plate helps to moderate is a rimmed cartridge, care must be taken that the round on top the substantial recoil of is in front of the rim of the cartridge beneath it. Unlike most the 7.62x54R. As a conKalashnikovs, there is a hold-device that locks the bolt rearsequence, the SSG 97 ward after the last shot has been fired. The magazine release Instead of the Dragunov’s removable padded cheekpiece (all too easily lost in the is much more pleasant field) there is a swell on top of the stock that serves as an integral cheekpiece. to shoot than the SVD. catch, directly in front of the trigger, is a spring-loaded flap-
I.O. Inc’s SSG97
the SSG 97 shot about 1.5 moa groups from the bench at 100 meters. This is really outstanding accuracy for a Kalashnikov action and perfectly acceptable for a mass produced, un-tuned semiautomatic sniper weapon system with a 6X scope and horrendous trigger. In addition, be advised that the 6x42 scope sits too high above the rifle for the operator to obtain the cheek weld required for accurate Both the top handguard, which is part of shooting with scoped rifles. the gas cylinder assembly, and the bottom When placed in this 9.5forearm (which has five elongated ventila pound package, the recoil tion ports) are of solid wood construction. slide the bracket forward enough so the forearm can be removed. impulse of the 7.62x54R No further disassembly is recommended. cartridge, which has a wellReassemble in the reverse manner after cleaning and l ubrica- deserved reputation as a tion. Never lubricate either the piston shaft or interior of the gas hard kicker, is moderate. cylinder. Use the following ComBloc soldier’s trick to simplify Furthermore, the muzzle compensator is quite effective in reducThe numbers “3” to “9,” with marks in-between, are arranged the final reassembly steps. Place the rear end of the recoil spring ing muzzle jump, albeit at t he expense of a noticeably increased around the circumference of the reticle together with an index guide rod assembly just in front of and below its retaining slot in flash signature. The ejection pattern of the empty cases was typ- mark at the very top of the reticle. Rotating the power knob on the receiver. Hold down on the top cover while retracting the ically that of the Kalashnikov series, about 5 to 8 feet to the right the right side of the scope tube will both power the magnificacocking handle. The end of the guide rod will jump into the and slightly forward. tion up or down and increase or decrease the size of the reticle square hole at the end of the top cover and its retaining slot in the Complete with the 6x42 scope, one 10-round magazine, a pattern. receiver. green nylon sling, oil bottle, three-piece steel cleaning rod, AKThere is a small vertical rectangle above the aiming point with Evgeniy F. Dragunov used a short-stroke piston not attached to type buttstock cleaning kit, the SSG 97 carries a price of a horizontal line directly under it. The width of the box subtends the bolt carrier on his Samozaryadnaya snaiperskaya vintovka $799.95. When equipped with the 4x24 scope, the price is .5 meter (about 1.6 feet). The distance from the top of the recDragunova—SVD sniper rifle because he felt the Kalashnikov’s $749.95. This is a reasonable price for an accurate and legally tangle to the line below it is 1.5 meters (4.9 feet). The length of long-stroke oper-ation resulted in the movement of a heavy mass importable example of the normally rare Romanian PSL sniper the box itself is exactly half that (.75 meter). which would jar the rifle and degrade its accuracy potential. weapon system. Determine the approximate length of the target, place it either Our test and evaluation of the SSG 97 sniper rifle did not in the rectangle or with it s feet on the line and its head toward the Russian Optical sights demonstrate this to be the case. The Russian 150-grain 7N14 top of the box, then power up or down until the target exactly fits sniper ball ammunition that we used in our test and evaluation of The SSG 97 rifle used in our test and evaluation was equipped in that space and pull the trigger. It’s simple. It works. It’s soldierwith a Belarus-made POSP 6x42 scope that evolved from the proof. It produced the same accuracy as the POSP 6x42 scope. Russian-made 4X PSO-1 scope with a 24mm objective lens that The SSG 97 (PS L) Sniper Rifle: How It Operates was originally fielded with the SVD Dragunov sniper weapon The rear sight has an system. The POSP 4x24 and 6x42 scopes have illuminated retiAll Kalashnikov rifles, squad automatics and the SSG 97 are open U-notch and is cle patterns. They take commonly available watch batteries and gas-operated, without an adjustable gas regulator (with the adjustable for elevayou need two lithium 303/357 batteries for this purpose. exception of the caliber 7.62x51mm NATO Yugoslav RPK) and tion in 100-meter intervals from 100 to The Russian models use a battery almost impossible to locate fire from the closed-bolt position. After ignition of the primer 1200 meters. The 300in the United States. When turned on, the reticle pattern is illu- and propellant, gases are diverted into the gas cylinder on top of meter battle-sight is minated in red. A rubber eyepiece provides the correct eye relief the barrel. marked with a “P”. of 2.6 inches (66mm). Field of view is 4 . With coated lenses, The hard-chrome-plated piston is an exceptionally long 9.65 light transmission is very good and the image is sharp and clear inches (245mm) in the case of the SSG 97/PSL series, to accomat all useful ranges. Equally important, it will hold zero with modate the gas vent’s location farther down the barrel (because repeated removal and re-installation. The scope comes with a of the 7.62x54R chambering). It is driven rearward and the bolt rubber protective cap for the objective lens, a black canvas storcarrier, attached to the piston extension, goes through about age case and a less-than-useful instruction booklet in the Russian 8.5mm of free travel until the gas pressure drops to a safe level. language. The 6x42 scope weighs 22 ounces (.62kg). The piston and bolt carrier are threaded and pinned together with There is also an unusual rangefinding reticle pattern that has a slight amount of free play that is designed to absorb the initial been adapted from the RPG-7V’s optical sight. It consists of a impact of the recoil impulse. series of steps above a solid baseline. Every other step is marked Like all Kalashnikovs, the bolt has three locking lugs. The in 200-meter intervals, from “2” (the highest step) for 200 meters largest lug, which has slot cut into it to accommodate the extracto “10” (the step closest to the base line) for 1000 meters. Just tor, also has a projection on it that serves as the cam that rides in align an enemy soldier with his feet on the base line. The system is based upon a target 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) in height. The step that matches the top of his head indicates his distance to you in meters. Then dial this distance on the elevation knob’s bullet drop compensator on top of the scope and you’re good to go. There is also a graduated scale, covering plus/minus 10 mils in 1-mil increments, for windage adjustment above the elevation reticle pattern. Use the tip of the centerline in the center of the windage scale as your aiming point. Both the Israelis and Swarovski of Austria have copied this rangefinder reticle pattern. We also fired the SSG 97 with the Russian Talon PO 3-9x42 sniper scope. It’s a 3-9X variable scope with an exceptionally Two ears sharp image at all power ranges. Equally important is its simple, integral with but ingenious, rangefinder reticle pattern. the front sight The center of the reticle contains a graduated scale, covering assembly (held to plus/minus 10 mils in 1-mil increments, for windage adjustment the barrel by two with the aiming point in the center, in a manner similar to that of pins) protect the round front sight post, the PSO-1. Five arrows arranged vertically below the primary A reddish-brown Bakelite pistol grip cap is held in place which is adjustable for aiming point provide elevation holdover for distances beyond by a single screw and adds an unexpectedly classy touch both elevation and windage. 900 meters—out to 1400 meters. to this mass-produced military sniper weapon system. The PSL flash hider has been altered to a BATFE-approved muzzle compensator and the bayonet lug removed. In any event, bayonets serve no function on a sniper rifle.
°
AK on Steroids
adverse conditions. Trigger pull weight on SGN’s test specimen was 4.25 pounds, and exhibited the horrendous creep associated with all Kalashnikovs. The auto-safety-sear, which protrudes through a slot in the right receiver rail of almost all selectivefire Kalashnikovs, is not present on the SSG 97. In full-auto. the autosafety-sear holds the hammer back and must be tripped by the bolt carrier to free the hammer to fire another round. The five-component anti-bounce device added to the trigger mechanism when pinned The side mount rail will accept a substantial number of optical sights, including and riveted, sheet-metal receivers Russian night vision scopes, which still have a reputation for grainy imagery. replaced the milled, forged receivers of the AK47 series, has also been deleted from the SSG 97. Russian 7N14 sniper ball ammunition is packed in sealed the bolt carrier’s cam path to rotate the bolt 35 to the left to Its primary function is to prevent firing out of battery during tins with 440 rounds in 20-round paper packages. Quality unlock it from its recesses in the barrel extension, and during the burst fire sequences. compares well with U.S. Lake City match-grade ammunition. counter-recoil stroke to rotate it into battery. Unlike many other The selector lever, a stamped sheet-metal bar on the right designs, the Kalashnikov provides no primary extraction during side of the receiver is manipulated by the thumb and remains, the bolt rotation. Thus, an exceptionally large extractor claw is in my opinion, one of the Kalashnikov’s few defects. It is noisy, required in all calibers. The fixed ejector is part of the left side stiff and difficult to operate (although much less so on the receiver guide rail. The cocking handle is permanently attached SSG 97). There are no selector markings on the receiver to the bolt carrier and reciprocates with it. body. The top position is safe. In this position, the trigger As the bolt travels back, it rolls the hammer over and com- is blocked, but the bolt can be retracted just enough to see if presses the recoil spring. The bolt group ceases its rearward trav- the chamber has a loaded round. The lower position is for semiel when the carrier slams into the rear end of the receiver. The automatic fire. recoil spring then drives the bolt group forward, another round is The 7.62x54R Cartridge stripped from the magazine and chambered, and the bolt then comes to rest. The bolt carrier continues onward for about The 105-year-old Russian 7.62x54R cartridge has outlived 5.5mm after the bolt’s two locking lugs have engaged their some glorious military contemporaries, such as the French 8mm recesses in the barrel extension. Lebel, .303 British and U.S. .30-‘06. Adopted in 1891 for the The SSG 97’s long, multiple-strand recoil spring is wrapped Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifle, and also known as the “3 line around a two-piece, telescoping guide rod assembly. The front Mosin Nagant”, this supposedly outdated rimmed cartridge is retaining cap permits user separation of the spring and rod still going strong as a machine gun (PK series) and sniping assembly. The rear end of the guide rod assembly slides into a (Russian Dragunov and Romanian FPK) round. It appears that it notch on top of the receiver’s end piece and serves to hold the will continue to be fielded well into the foreseeable future, as stamped sheet-metal receiver top cover in place. these latter two weapon systems remain in production in several This wooden crate contains 880 rounds of Russian 7N14 sniper ball ammunition. Only the crate and sealed tins The trigger mechanism is based upon the U.S. .30 M1 countries and popular throughout the world. identify the ammunition as the rare sniper ball ammo. Garand’s. The hammer has two hooks, and there are two sears: a First bullets for this cartridge were flat-based, round-nosed primary sear on an extension of the trigger and a spring-loaded projectiles weighing approximately 211 grains. In 1908, a 149secondary sear directly to the rear. When the hammer is cocked, grain spitzer projectile with a conical hollow base (which its left side hook is held by the primary sear. When the trigger is expands to form a gas seal to enhance accuracy in worn barrels) code the bullet tips and 7.62x54R ball ammunition manufactured pulled, the trigger extension rotates forward and the primary sear was issued as the Type “L.” In 1930, a boattail 182-grain projecafter this time usually, but not always, omits this feature. disengages, leaving the hammer free to rotate forward. tile with lead-alloy core, designed as a long-range machine gun Early 7.62x54R case lengths measured 53.5mm. Current types In semiautomatic fire, when the bolt rolls the hammer back, it round, was introduced as the Type “D” (heavy ball—yellowmeasure 53.65mm in length. The rim diameter is 14.3mm and is caught at the rear by the secondary sear. When the trigger is tipped projectile color code). the head diameter is 12.2mm to 12.3mm. Except for commercial released, the trigger extension and primary sear move back to The current boattailed bullet, called the Type “LPS” (light ammunition manufactured by Norma and in Yugoslavia for catch the hammer as it is released by the secondary sear. In full- ball—white- or silver-tipped projectile color code), has a mild export to the United States, the brass, copper- or brass-washed auto, a mode in which the SSG 97 is not capable of firing, a boss steel core and weighs about 150 grains. This latter bullet leaves steel or l acquered-steel rimmed cases are Berdan-primed. (missing on the SSG 97) on the selector-lever axis pin forces the the muzzle at about 2750 fps. Performance of this cartridge, and Cases in this caliber can be instantly recognized by their pecusecondary sear back so that it plays no role in controlling the the various full metal jacket bullets developed for it, is equivaliar partially convex base contour. Headstamps are found either hammer. lent to U.S. military .30-‘06 ball. impressed or raised around the edge of the base. Bullets measure The trigger mechanism’s mainspring is of the multiple-strand By the late 1970s, Type LPS ammunition had completely .311" in diameter. In addition to either heavy or light ball rounds, type, which lasts longer and offers better performance under replaced both the Type L light ball and the Type D heavy ball. As this caliber will be encountered with tracer (since 1972 this proa consequence, it was no jectile exhibits a step just forward of the case mouth), AP, API, longer necessary to color- APIT, ranging high explosive incendiary (HEI) projectiles, °
Light transmission of the Belarus-made 6x42mm scope is very good and the image is sharp and clear. The rangefinding reticle pattern has been adapted from the RPG-7 sight.
The Russian Talon PO 3-9x42 sniper scope, shown here attached to an SVD Dragunov rifle, is a 3-9X variable scope with an exceptionally sharp image at all power ranges.
I.O. Inc’s SSG97
grade 7.62x54R ammunition with 200-grain boattail projectiles, distributed in the United States by Wolf Ammo.
Kokalis found the portable bench from Stukeys Sturdy Shooting Benches perfect for supporting the SSG97 during testing. It’s a substantial unit with a 3/4" plywood top.
crimped blanks for grenade launching, short-range practice ball and drill rounds. Since 1945, 7.62x54R ammunition has been manufactured in Bulgaria, China, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, East Germany, Finland, France, Hungary, Iraq, North Korea, Norway, Poland, Spain, the Soviet Union, Sweden, Syria and Yugoslavia. Prior to World War II, it was also produced in Britain, Germany, Mexico and the United States. The existence or not of match-grade ammunition for the M91/30 and Dragunov sniper rifles puzzled cartridge collectors and small arms authorities alike for many years. In fact, the factory making match-grade 7.62x54R ammunition is located in Novosibirsk and their headstamp code during the Cold War was “188.” The new headstamp is “LVE”, which stands for the name of the factory, “Low Voltage Equipment Plant.” Unfortunately, match-grade 7.62x54R ammunition cannot always be identified by the headstamp alone, as this factory makes standard ammunition also. Only the wooden crates and the two sealed tins they contain, which in turn each hold 440 rounds in 20-round paperwrapped packages, state whether or the ammunition was designed for the Dragunov. During the war in El Salvador, I used to cull out from captured lots all 7.62x54R ball with a “188” headstamp for the National Police’s Special Reaction Team’s captured SVD. It never shot well and in the end I assumed it was standard ball ammunition that the FMLN was probably using in the PKM GPMG. The guerrillas always destroyed the packaging, as they thought that was the only way the country of origin could be determined. Several years ago I obtained two wooden crates (a total of 1,760 rounds) of Russian 7N14 7.62x54R sniper ball ammunition. Some of this was used in SGN’s test and evaluation of the SSG 97. The copper-washed steel case carries a “188 97” headstamp, indicating manufacture at the Low Voltage Equipment Plant in 1997. It is Berdan-primed with two primer pocket holes and with a red primer annulus and red case mouth sealant. The case is filled with 49 grains, nominal, of an extruded
AK on Steroids
tubular kernel powder that produces a muzzle velocity of approximately 2670 fps (830 m/s). The boattail 150-grain FMJ bullet has a steel core and a gas cup at the rear inside the jacket. The quality and performance of this ammunition is certainly comparable to U.S.-made Lake City match-grade ammunition. The Low Voltage Equipment Plant also manufactures match-
Stukeys Sturdy Shooting Bench Testing sniper weapon systems for accuracy requires no small amount of shooting off a bench. Most of the so-called portable shooting benches available are too insubstantial to provide the solid support needed to evaluate the system’s accuracy potential. Stukeys Sturdy Shooting Benches (Dept. SGN, P.O. Box 136, Kaycee, Wyo. 82639; phone: 307738-2245; website: www.shooting benches.c om) makes the best portable shooting bench I have ever used. The 40x32-inch top, cut for rightor left-handed shooters, is made from heavy cabinet-grade plywood. The three powder-coated steel legs interface with the top using a unique floating-nut plate/socket and collar arrangement that eliminates wobble and provides an exceptionally solid lock-up between the legs and the bench top. A carrying handle is attached to both the top and one of the legs. The top weighs approximately 30 pounds and the leg bundle about 35 pounds. Easy to set up, it will fit in most car trunks. The bench costs $395 plus shipping and handling. A leg caddy to secure the legs is an additional $35. A final useful addition is the Contico Shooters Box/Seat for another $35. It includes a tote caddy with a slide-out tray. I now keep everything required for testing off the bench stored permanently on the shooters box, as I usually get to the range only to discover I have forgotten something. I can recommend this truly excellent equipment without reservations of any kind.
Specifications
SSG 97
Caliber: 7.62x54R. Operation: Semiautomatic; locked breech; gas-operated
with long stroke RPK piston; three-lug rotary bolt duplicating Kalashnikov method of operation; AK-type safety lever. Weight: (with scope, empty) 9.5 pounds (4.3kg). Length, overall: 45.3 inches (1150mm). Barrel: Four-groove with a right-hand twist of one turn in
adjustable for elevation in 100-meter intervals from 100 to 1200 meters. 300-meter battle-sight setting is marked with the letter for “P”. Furniture: Skeletonized, wood-laminate buttstock with a
swell on top of the stock that serves as an integral cheekpiece. Both the top handguard, which is part of the gas cylinder assembly, and the bottom forearm are of solid wood construction. Finish: Black oxide. Manufacturer: ROMARM (aka RATMIL), Dept. SGN,
48-50 Calea Victoriei, Pasajul Victoriei, sector 1, Bucharest 70102, Romania; phone: +40-1-613 43 66; fax: +40-1-312 29 88.
10 inches (254mm) over 22.4 inches (570mm) of rifling.
Importer: I.O. Inc., Dept. SGN, Box 847, Monroe, N.C.
Barrel length: 24.6 inches (625mm).
28111-0847; phone: 866-882-1479; fax: 704-2258362; website: www.ioinc.us.
Feed mechanism: Five- and 10-round, staggered-col-
umn, detachable box-type magazines. One 10-round magazine supplied. Optical sight: 6X42mm POSP with battery-powered ret-
icle illumination; field of view is 4°; rangefinder reticle pattern after that of the RPG-7V. The optical sight’s Warsaw Pact side mount is integral with the scope tube. Emergency sights: AK-type: round front sight post,
which is adjustable for both elevation and windage zero; sliding tangent-type rear sight with an open U-notch,
Price: $799.95, complete with 6x42mm scope and car-
rying case, one 10-round magazine, a green nylon sling, oil bottle, three-piece cleaning rod and AK-type buttstock cleaning kit. When equipped with the 4x24mm scope, the price is $749.95. T&E summary: The usual Kalashnikov robustness and
reliability. Surprisingly accurate for a semiautomatic rifle operated by means of a long stroke piston. Reasonably priced. Highly recommended, especially to military small arms collectors.
