SR-2 Veresk

Development of a submachine gun chambered for the 9×21mm Gyurza cartridge, already used by the SR-1 "Vektor" pistol, began in the mid-1990s at the request of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). The weapon was presented in 1999 by TsNIITochMash of Klimovsk and designated SR-2, from Spetsial'naya Razrabotka 2 (Special Development 2), with the nickname "Veresk" ("Heather"). The design requirement called for a compact weapon able to defeat Russian class-II body armour, which stops ordinary pistol bullets such as the 9×19mm Parabellum and 7.62×25mm Tokarev, as well as soft-skinned vehicles.

The SR-2 departs from common submachine gun practice by using a gas-operated action with a rotating bolt, a system normally associated with assault rifles rather than the various blowback principles found in most submachine guns. The mechanism is partly derived from the SR-3 "Vikhr" compact assault rifle. Externally the weapon resembles the Uzi, with the magazine inserted into the pistol grip. Two AK-style control levers are fitted on either side of the receiver: the right-hand lever is the safety, the left-hand one the fire-mode selector. The cocking handle sits on the right side and is attached to the bolt carrier, reciprocating during firing. A mount for a red dot sight is located on top of the receiver instead of the AK-pattern side rail. The stock is of metal construction and folds upwards.

The SR-2 is used by the Federal Security Service and by law enforcement agencies in Russia. Two modernised versions have followed. The SR-2M adds a forward pistol grip beneath the handguard, incorporating a protrusion to shield the firing hand from muzzle blast in the manner of the MP5K grip; its stock folds fully even with a red dot sight fitted, and it remains the version currently supplied. The SR-2MP carries Picatinny rails on each side of the handguard and a sound suppressor.