Steyr SSG 69

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Steyr SSG 69
Steyr SSG 69 PI
TypeSniper rifle
Place of originAustria
Service history
In service1969–present[1]
Used bysee Users
WarsCroatian War of Independence
Lebanese Civil War
Sino-Vietnamese War
Syrian Civil War[2]
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Saudi–Yemeni border conflict (2015–present)
Production history
ManufacturerSteyr Mannlicher
Produced1969–2015
VariantsSSG 69 PI, SSG 69 PII, SSG 69 PIV
Specifications
Mass4 kg (8.82 lb) (SSG 69 PI)
4.2 kg (9.3 lb) (SSG 69 PII)
3.8 kg (8.4 lb) (SSG 69 PIV)
Length1,140 mm (44.9 in) (SSG 69 PI)
1,190 mm (46.8 in) (SSG 69 PII)[3]
1,003 mm (39.5 in) (SSG 69 PIV)
Barrel length650 mm (25.6 in) (SSG 69 PI, SSG 69 PII)
409 mm (16.1 in) (SSG 69 PIV)
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO/.308 Winchester, .243 Winchester, .22-250 Remington (SSG 69 PII)[4]
ActionBolt-action
Muzzle velocityvaries by type of round used
Effective firing range800 m (875 yd)
Maximum firing range3,700 m (4,046 yd)
Feed system5-round rotary magazine
Sightsiron sights on SSG 69 PI
telescopic sight

The SSG 69 (Scharfschützengewehr 69, literally Sharpshooter Rifle 69) is a bolt-action sniper rifle produced by Steyr Mannlicher that serves as the standard sniper rifle for the Austrian Army.[5]

History[edit]

Designed as a sniper system to replace the SSG 98k sniper rifle (modified and accurized surplus Karabiner 98k rifles) and adopted in 1969 (hence the designation), it was ahead of its time with the use of synthetics like the stock, trigger guard, and magazines and cold hammer-forged barrels for durability. Aside from being the Austrian Army's standard issue sniper rifle, it is also used by several law enforcement organizations. For its era and weight, it is extremely accurate and several international competitions have been won using an SSG 69 with accuracy being sub 0.15 mrad (0.5 moa).

In 2015 Steyr ended production of the SSG 69.[6]

Design[edit]

The receiver and barrel were designed to provide maximum strength for minimum weight. For this the bolt action uses three pairs of rear-locking lugs (in common with the SMLE), rather than the more common front-locking lugs. This, and the fact that it is only produced in the 'short action' length, limits the chambering to non-magnum calibres. The bolt opening angle of 60 degrees is beneficial for mounting aiming optics relatively low over the receiver, and the receiver is prepared to accept the bases of SSG (quick detach) optical sight mounts.

The cold hammer forged barrel features a 304.8 mm (1 in 12 inch) twist rate to adequately stabilize the military 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition of the era. This twist rate is slow for optimally stabilizing not at the time available 7.62×51mm NATO sniping rounds loaded with 11.34-gram (175 gr) Hollow Point Boat Tail projectiles.

The fiber glass reinforced ABS polymer stock features removable spacers to adjust the length of pull and an accessory rail on the forearm bottom for mounting a bipod. The choice for a synthetic stock was remarkable, as other sniper rifles at the time were still using wood stocks. The trigger is user adjustable for trigger weight and travel.

The standard polycarbonate resin (branded as Makrolon by Bayer) detachable magazine features a 5-round rotary design that fits flush with the stock, although a 10-round staggered box is available as an accessory. Both are transparent-backed, immediately showing remaining capacity. Even though spool magazines are unusual in military rifles, Steyr-Mannlicher produced Mannlicher–Schönauer rifles with one from early 1900s until 1972.

The Austrian military combined the SSG 69 PI with the Kahles ZF 69 6×42 telescopic sight as an optical sight for their snipers. Later the similar Kahles ZF 84 10×42 telescopic sight was also offered. These optical sights on customer request can feature a Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) elevation turret tuned for the ballistic trajectory of a particular gun-cartridge combination with a predefined projectile weight/type, muzzle velocity and air density at ranges.

The ZF 69 sights BDC used by the Austrian military was calibrated from 100–800 m (109–875 yd) in 100 m (109 yd) increments up to 300 m (328 yd) and 50 m (55 yd) increments from 350 m (383 yd) upwards with 9.3-gram (143.5 gr) 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition.[7]

Variants[edit]

There were several SSG variants made with differences in barrel diameter and the presence of back up iron sights and cosmetic differences like the stock colour, the only conspicuous anomaly being the SSG-PIV using a 409 mm barrel with a 254 mm (1 in 10 inches) twist designed to handle heavy subsonic ammunition in conjunction with a suppressor.[8]

The SSG action was used in the civilian SSG Match UIT international 300 m target rile – the international shooting union was known as the UIT back then, today the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) – that featured a free floating heavy barrel, walnut wood half stock and a Walther target diopter and globe sight line.[9]

Aging problem[edit]

Aging cracks in the Makrolon trigger guard

A well-known weak point are aging cracks in the polycarbonate resin/Makrolon trigger guard in the area of the front action screw connection. These cracks have a negative effect on the screw tension and, as a result, also on the firing performance of the weapon.

The problem was solved by weapon designer Ing. Michael W. Mayerl, of the Styria Arms company in Austria, and is described in patent US20140165440A1[10] and German utility model DE202012008104U1.[11]

The Mayerl aftermarket conversion kits (known as "bottom metals") are fed by an AICS metal box magazines.[12][13] Originally, Mayerl aftermarket conversion kits were made of steel, and later of a black anodized Duralumin alloy to reduce weight. The Mayerl aftermarket conversion kits fit both the Steyr SSG 69 with single set match or double set trigger and the Steyr hunting rifle system size L with double set trigger in caliber .243 Winchester and .308 Winchester.

Users[edit]

Map with SSG 69 users in blue

Gallery[edit]

  • The SSG 69 (PI) with Kahles ZF 69 6×42 telescopic sight as issued to the Austrian military.
    The SSG 69 (PI) with Kahles ZF 69 6×42 telescopic sight as issued to the Austrian military.
  • The SSG 69 bolt-action.
    The SSG 69 bolt-action.
  • The SSG 69 PII heavy barrel variant without iron sights tailored toward law enforcement use.
    The SSG 69 PII heavy barrel variant without iron sights tailored toward law enforcement use.
  • The SSG 69 PIV silenced variant.
    The SSG 69 PIV silenced variant.
  • Diagram of the rotary 5-round SSG 69 magazine.
    Diagram of the rotary 5-round SSG 69 magazine.
  • The Mayerl aftermarket conversion kit with inserted AICS metal box magazine
    The Mayerl aftermarket conversion kit with inserted AICS metal box magazine

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Modern Firearms". Archived from the original on 1 September 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Ground Zero: Syria (Part 7) – Snipers of Aleppo – YouTube". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  3. ^ "404". Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  4. ^ Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989–90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. p. 125. ISBN 0-7106-0889-6.
  5. ^ a b "Scharfschützengewehr 69". Bundesheer – Waffen und Gerät. Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Steyr SSG 69 Being Retired". The Firearm Blog. 23 February 2015. Archived from the original on 11 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Instructions KAHLES ZF 95, ZF 84". 15 December 2014.
  8. ^ 1986 STEYR MANNLICHER Marksman & Match UIT, Luxus RIFLE AD
  9. ^ Steyr Match UIT
  10. ^ Google Patents. Trigger for firearms with removable magazine – A metal trigger for a firearm has a trigger body. A magazine receptacle is disposed in the trigger body and adapted to receive a removable cartridge magazine. A magazine securing lever is disposed on the trigger body. The trigger body has a feed ramp positioned at a slant at a ramp angle relative to a barrel of the firearm. The feed ramp is adapted to lift during reloading of the firearm a projectile tip of a cartridge from a removable cartridge magazine inserted into the magazine receptacle and to guide the cartridge in a direction of a cartridge chamber disposed in the barrel.
  11. ^ [1] Deutsches Patent und Markenamt. Abgerufen am 7. April 202]
  12. ^ Forgottenweapons acticle about Steyr SSG69 with trigger guard designed to use traditional box magazine
  13. ^ AICS Rifle Magazine: Precision, Reliability, and Innovation
  14. ^ a b c d e Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  15. ^ Meyr, Eitan (6 January 1999). "Special Weapons for Counter-terrorist Units". Jane's — Law Enforcement. Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 1 March 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
  16. ^ Gander, Terry J.; Hogg, Ian V. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995/1996. Jane's Information Group; 21 edition (May 1995). ISBN 978-0-7106-1241-0.
  17. ^ "SSG69狙击枪, 我国第一批购入专业狙击枪, 用于对越自卫". 7 July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  18. ^ "CROATIA - NATO MP COE". www.mpcoe.org. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  19. ^ Montes, Julio A. (May 2000). "Infantry Weapons of the Salvadoran Forces". Small Arms Review. Vol. 3, no. 8. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  20. ^ "MP-5, Glock, AR-15 og fallbyssur - Sjáðu vopnalista Landhelgisgæslunnar í heild sinni". DV (in Icelandic). 16 September 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Hindustan times". 21 August 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  22. ^ "Yonif Raider 509 Kostrad Latihan Menembak Senjata Kelompok Lintas Lengkung dan Penembak Runduk". Kostrad (in Indonesian). Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  23. ^ "IRELAND'S ARMY RANGERS". Tactical Life. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  24. ^ "Garda College Yearbook listing weapons training on page 66" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  25. ^ "SSG 69". Isayeret.
  26. ^ "Materiel of the Netherlands Marine Corps (Dutch)". Archived from the original on 30 March 2012.
  27. ^ "Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, Dutch core Expeditionary Force". 4 January 2001. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  28. ^ "Pakistan Army". Archived from the original on 12 October 2013.
  29. ^ Kochański, Stanisław (1992). Jrygady antyterrorystyczne Operacje Uzbrojenie. SIGMA NOT. ISBN 83-85001-66-2.
  30. ^ "Steyr SSG-69 Pi". 3 November 2020.
  31. ^ "With the Tenacity of Termites", Pioneer, p. 23, 1 October 1986{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  32. ^ "ݿ ù ߵƴ". 18 August 2011. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  33. ^ "Steyr SSG 69 Sniper Rifle". www.military-today.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to SSG_69.
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