Keep it civil.
I just stumbled across this beast that was previously owned by a Russian sniper. It's got characteristics of an F-17 but it looks like the stock as been drilled out in places (or replaced) and I am about 60% sure that those are Vortex optics. Any ideas?
Instinctively, I think of Lobaev Arms rifles, which are used by the Russian military. Nothing on their website exactly matches the molding on the triggerguard to the magwell, but the overall design and especially the stocks are spot on, so I think this is a good place to start digging.
That is a much better match, actually. Now I am curious if the manufacturers share designers or if ORSIS just clones Lobaev.
I know more about Russian armor, not their firearms, so this was new to me. Still, thanks for the kick-off in a better direction.
I'll see if I can find a better match for the optics while I'm at it. Vortex optics have been showing up on Russian rifles recently, so it just made sense in this case.
My ability to positively ID high power optics is limited, not my area of expertise. The best I can point to is Dedal-NV, which is Moscow based and produces optics for the Russian military in some capacity. No promise that this is them though. I'm sure there are other Russian optics companies, and the idea of smuggled in Western optics is not unthinkable.
Since you were invested here, I did find more info. Others were curious so I got more pics, but still, it looks like you nailed the rifle type.
Dedal NV scopes have a very different style, it seems. Interesting scopes though, for sure.
But yeah, its likely a Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5x27x56 FFP. It's an older scope but still retails for $2,500. (It took a bit to find a picture of one in the correct orientation to identify the turret and it wasn't the Gen III version I thought it was at first.) Also, the original picture in the field has no grip accessories but does have the sun/glare guard attached making it appear longer. Still, I could be completely wrong.
Great work. I was curious and happened across a different picture you might be interested of. A Ukrainian with a different rifle and optic, but it made me think of this thread. No source or info on it.
