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Finally, the Russian VSS Vintorez, sniper rifle used by the Spetsnaz, has been released to the airsoft world. And it is coming in two airsoft forms: the Echo1 Red Star IGOR and the King Arms VSS Vintorez. Let's take a look at how the airsoft replica compares to the real thing from an external perspective.
The statistics shown in this article are from Wikipedia, various reputable airsoft sources, such as the manufacturers or the retailers, and other reputable articles about the real VSS Vintorez firearm. You can see our list of sources in the "Related Links" section below.
Nothing speaks more than photographs. Evike has excellent profile photos of both guns. So we start by showing them here:
The real VSS Vintorez is 820.72mm long. The length of the Echo1 and King Arms versions are 955mm and 910mm, respectively. It's interesting that neither of the replica matches the real VSS Vintorez in length. You would think that the airsoft manufacturers can save some material cost by reducing the barrel length to match. But instead, the airsoft version exceeds the real thing by 100mm (4 inches)!
The real VSS Vintorez uses a shortened AS Val magazine that holds 10 rounds. It is fully compatible with the 20 and 30 rounds AS Val magazines. The shortened magazine allows the operator to lie prone without the magazine getting in the way.
There is no airsoft version of the AS Val. Therefore, the VSS magazines are brand new in the airsoft world. Echo1 produces a shortened version for its Red Star IGOR. However, King Arms produces a full-size version.
Strictly speaking, the real VSS Vintorez uses the shorten magazine, so the Echo1 replica is more true. However, the full size AS Val magazine is also useable in the VSS Vintorez, so King Arms replica is valid as well.
The real VSS Vintorez allows for semi-auto and full-auto firing modes. The selector switch is behind the trigger. The King Arms version models this switch is the same manner. On the other hand, Echo1 has gone a different route by using the safety latch as the mode selector, much like other AK47 airsoft guns.
The real VSS Vintorez has real wood shoulder stock. The King Arms replica this feature. However, the Echo1 provides two different version of the Red Star IGOR. One version has a plastic faux wood shoulder stock. The other version has a black plastic shoulder stock.
Looking at the profile photos above, you'll see that the King Arms VSS Vintorez shoulder stock and a slight downward slope. The Echo1 Red Star IGOR shoulder stock, on the other hand, has a slight upward slope. In this regard, the Echo1 version is true to the real VSS Vintorez.
The real VSS Vintorez weighs 2600 grams. The Echo1 Red Start IGOR weighs 2500 grams. And the King Arms VSS Vintorez weighs 2400 grams. All three guns are made out of metal.