Steyr SSG-69, Steyr SSG PII, Steyr SSG PIIK, Steyr PIV Rifle

Steyr SSG-69, Steyr SSG PII, Steyr SSG PIIK, Steyr PIV Sniper Rifle

The basic member of this series, the Steyr SSG-69 Rifle (also known as the SSG-PI), has a 25.6-inch barrel which is cold-forged for strength and accuracy, and the rifle is fed from a 5-round internal magazine. (An option for feed by a 10-round box magazine was once offered, but weapons with this option have not been manufactured for several years.) The stock is adjustable for length of pull by the use of spacers, and also has a padded butt. The standard stock is synthetic, but wood is available if desired.

Steyr SSG-69 Sniper Rifle

Steyr SSG-69

The standard trigger for military and police models is two-stage, but a set trigger is available upon request. Standard military versions have backup iron sights; civilian and most police models do not. The standard sight sold with the weapon is a Hensoldt ZF-500 or 800 6x42, attached by standard NATO-compatible sight rings which mount on a longitudinal rib atop the receiver. For non-NATOcompliant scopes, adapters are available from Steyr.

Steyr SSG-PIIK Sniper Rifle

Steyr SSG-PIIK

Steyr  SSG  PII  Sniper Rifle

There are four variants: the Steyr SSG-PII (formerly known as the SSG-P) uses a heavier barrel, black furniture, a larger bolt handle, and a set trigger. It was specifically designed for police sharpshooters, and has no iron sights. The Steyr SSG-PIIK is a smaller version of the Steyr SSG-PII using a shorter but heavier bull barrel 20 inches long. The Steyr SSG-PIV (formerly known as the SSG-P Special) has a shorter barrel and is threaded for a silencer (which is normally fitted); it normally has no iron sights. The Kefels-M80 is made by EBO in Greece; it has a heavy barrel and a weighted synthetic stock, and is markedly heavier. The Kefels-M70 is the military counterpart to the Kefels-M80; is uses laminated wooden furniture and is much lighter than the Kefels-M80 (but still heavier than the SSG-69).

Steyr SSG-PIV Sniper Rifle

It should be noted that while Steyr does chamber the SSG-69, SSG-PII, and SSG-PIIK for .243 Winchester, virtually no military units or police departments actually use this round; the .243 chambering is mostly for civilian use. The Steyr SSG has acquired a reputation for accuracy and ease of maintenance. As the SSG-69, it is the standard sniper rifle of Austria and Greece, and is also used by thousands of police departments around the world. It is also a popular rifle for competition shooters.