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The subject of this article appears in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. The subject of this article appears in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky. The subject of this article appears in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.

The Viper 5 is a submachine gun featured in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. It is so far the only submachine gun featured in the series.

Appearances[]

Shadow of Chernobyl[]

One of the best weapons in the submachine gun class. During the last decades of the 20th century it was adopted by the army and police special forces units in many countries. When it was gradually replaced with more up-to-date models, it appeared on the black market, and then in the Zone.
― In-game description

The 9x19 ammo is a very common round, making it a useful weapon against rookie and experienced stalkers equipped with sub-par weaponry. However, it will eventually outlive its usefulness due to its low powered nature, though it is still useful against most mutants due to its good stopping power and high fire rate. While the 9x19mm round is available in FMJ varieties, the round still does little against adversaries wearing medium armor or above (example, it will normally take up to 400 rounds to kill an exoskeleton-equipped NPC, on easy difficulty). The weapon is effective against unarmored or lightly armored Stalkers, like Bandits. It is also effective against mutants and is very controllable, even when fired on fully automatic.

The weapon is relatively accurate and can be used against certain armored foes if the user can achieve headshots. It may serve as a useful alternatives to shotguns thanks to its range, rate of fire and good performance in close quarters. Its low weight and corresponding ammo's low weight make it desirable as an emergency back up automatic. However, because of the high fire rate, it is the second least reliable weapon in the game (surpassed only by the GP37), and its condition bar relatively quickly depletes, which naturally results in a gradual decrease in accuracy and more frequent misfiring.

Despite this, however, the high rate of fire also has its advantages as the weapon is quite effective - it relatively quickly eliminates mutants or poorly armored humans despite its low stopping power and the low penetration of the 9x19mm round.

Acquisition[]

The Viper 5 is heavily employed by rookie and experienced bandits and Loners. The player will likely first pick up a Viper 5 at the Cordon near the exit to the Garbage being held by at least one Bandit, it then becomes a common sight from the Garbage onward. It is also sold by Barkeep. Two unloaded Viper 5s can be found in the Bandit base armoury in the Dark Valley.

The weapon can be found in the following stashes:

Notable users:

Unique variants[]

Clear Sky[]

Over the last few decades of the 20th century, Viper 5, one of the best submachine guns around, was in service with special armed forces and police units worldwide. After being gradually replaced with newer models, it was frequently spotted on the black market, from where it eventually made its way to the Zone in large quantities. Uses 9x19 mm ammo.
― In-game description

In Clear Sky, the Viper 5 can be upgraded by most technicians and made surprisingly more powerful than assault rifles. However, its lack of upgrades and additional add-ons (excluding the Silencer) will eventually wean its use. It is still however an invaluable starter weapon, especially since it can be modified to use the more common 9x18 cartridge.

Compared to assault rifles, like the AKM-74/2 and the TRs 301, the Viper 5 surprisingly has better damage and its accuracy is rivaled by the TRs 301. Its firing rate is also slightly higher than the two. However, as previously stated, it only has the same upgrades of the AKM-74/2U, which limits its maximum potential; along with its maximum effective range. Furthermore, its low powered ammunition cannot efficiently penetrate light body armor, making it virtually useless against better armed targets like those wearing an Exoskeleton or a Berill-5M armoured suit. Anyone with a bulletproof protection of 30 points can withstand several shots from this weapon before dying. It still remains useful against mutants since they have no armor (the only exception is a Pseudogiant, which has heavy natural armor).

Acquisition[]

The Viper 5 is a common weapon for Experienced stalkers in the Renegades, Bandits, Loners, and Clear Sky factions, as well as some Freedom Rookie stalkers. It's sold by a variety of traders and ammo for it is common found or cheaply purchased, making it a powerful weapon in the first to mid parts of the game. 9x19 ammunition can be rare at first, but the weapon can be converted by most technicians to fire the extremely common 9x18 round instead and 9x19 ammunition can be purchased from almost any trader.

It can be found very early in the game in the open, on a table in the Pump station in the Swamps, though sometimes a Renegade defending the area will pick it up. The weapon is also sometimes used by Renegades in the Northern farmstead, past the Machine yard.

It can be retrieved from the following stashes:

Upgrades[]

Color-coded upgrades are mutually exclusive.

SCS AR Upg 1
Bolt mechanism modification (750 RU)
CS RoF Fire rate +15%
A technological modification of the bolt mechanism allows for a higher rate of fire.
SCS AR Upg 2
Bolt mechanism modification (750 RU)
CS accuracy Accuracy +40%
Careful adjustment of the bolt mechanism increases the weapon's precision.
SCS AR Upg 7
Barrel modification (1125 RU)
CS Kickback Recoil -20%
Installing a muzzle brake allows recoil to be reduced significantly.
SCS AR Upg 3
Barrel modification (1125 RU)
CS Flatness Flatness +50%
An attachment which lengthens the barrel, increasing muzzle velocity.
SCS Shotgun Upg 7
Barrel modification (750 RU)
CS Handling Handling +10%
Replaces the standard barrel with a lightweight version.
SCS AR Upg 3
Barrel modification (750 RU)
CS Flatness Flatness +50%
An attachment which lengthens the barrel, increasing muzzle velocity.
SCS AR Upg 4
Operating rod modification (750 RU)
CS Kickback Recoil -20%
Mounting an operating rod compensator allows recoil to be reduced.
SCS AR Upg 5
Operating rod modification (750 RU)
CS Kickback Recoil -30%, RPM lowered
Reducing operating rod weight reduces recoil at the expense of the weapon's rate of fire.
SCS AR Upg 6
Extended magazine (750 RU)
CoP MagCap Mag. size +15
Increasing magazine capacity using improvised means.
SCS Viper 5 9x18 Upg
9x18 mm сaliber (1500 RU)
CoP calibre Caliber 9x18
The barrel is replaced and gun parts are adjusted to the new caliber. This replacement can only be performed once.

Unique variants[]

  • Viper 5m - cut from the final release of the game.
  • Major Zvyagintsev will give a unique Viper 5 to Scar if the player participates in his shooting range minigame. It comes with a few pre-installed upgrades which improve the weapon's accuracy, damage and bullet velocity, and is only capable of semi-automatic fire.

Call of Pripyat[]

This submachine gun has gained popularity around the world thanks to its reliability, ease of use and accuracy. Over the last few decades the Viper 5 was in service with special armed forces and police units worldwide. Not surprisingly, having flooded the global black markets, it eventually made its way to the Zone.
― In-game description

Viper 5 upgrade view CoP

Upgrade view

The Viper 5 rivals many assault rifles in stats, and against unarmored enemies is simply a better weapon than the AKM-74/2. 9x19mm ammo has low armor piercing performance compared to any of the rifle rounds, however, meaning that the Viper 5 is not particularly effective against armored human opponents, though it remains devastating against mutants.

Upgrades can severely boost its performance as the Viper 5 can be granted a much higher fire rate (with upgrades, it can fire at more than 1000 rounds per minute), accuracy and lower recoil, making it devastating. However, the high recoil and poor accuracy, as well as obstructive iron sights and the lack of optical attachments make it mostly a CQB-oriented weapon.

Since it is easy to find and offers a high rate of fire while using a common pistol calibre, this weapon may present a good choice for augmenting a friendly stalker's firepower. Simply quicksave, kill and loot them to see if they are carrying 9x19 or 9x18, and then reload and drop an accordingly upgraded weapon in front of their feet. This can be helpful in keeping NPCs alive, such as Topol's squad.

The weapon can be upgraded to use 9x18mm ammunition, at the cost of reduced durability. The usefulness of this upgrade is debatable, as both ammo varieties have equal performance, and while 9x19mm isn't as abundant as 9x18mm, it is still easily found or bought.

Acquisition[]

It is commonly carried by Bandits, Freedom, and Mercenaries members. Zombified Stalkers early in the game are almost guaranteed to have at least one copy of the weapon, especially if the player visits the Sawmill. It is commonly sold by Owl at the beginning of the game.

One in pristine condition can be found in the lower floor of the Waste processing station in Zaton along with some 9x19 ammo scattered around, however the area is guarded by mercenaries unless the player wipes them out or waits for them to go to Pripyat, after what they will vanish. Another one is held by Petruha - when he walks in the anomaly and falls, one can grab his Viper 5 before giving him a first-aid kit.

Upgrades[]

SCOP Viper 5 Upg 1
Additional return spring (500 RU)
CoP Kickback Recoil -10%
Installation of an additional spring with a reverse coil to reduce recoil without sacrificing flatness.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 6
Addition of a balancing element (800 RU)
CoP accuracy Accuracy +20%
A synthetic element installed onto rods ensures that they move strictly as intended, increasing accuracy.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 7
Titanium return mechanism rods (800 RU)
CoP RoF Fire rate +15%
Titanium rods can endure a much higher rate of fire than regular rods.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 13
Installation of a distribution link (1100 RU)
CoP RoF Fire rate +25%
A link that is opened by gases and closed by the return mechanism itself, which allows part of the gas energy to be used to operate the return mechanism.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 2
Rapid automatic release (500 RU)
CoP RoF Fire rate +10%
Despite the name, it is the bolt that is replaced, as it has to endure the consequences of an improved rate of fire.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 8
Addition of a longitudinal grooves (800 RU)
CoP Reliability Reliability +15%
The purpose of titled grooves on the receiver is to reduce friction and catch small particles, preventing contamination of the bolt section.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 14
Change to a roller system with a semifree bolt (1100 RU)
CoP accuracy Accuracy +30%
Often used in modern weaponry, a roller locking system reduces recoil and improves groupings.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 15
Creeping bolt installation (1100 RU)
CoP Kickback Recoil -30%
The weapon's bolt slides along the barrel, preventing upward movement of the muzzle section.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 3
Bolt hammer compensator (500 RU)
CoP Kickback Recoil -10%
The purpose of the bolt hammer compensator is to absorb some of the recoil, improving groupings when firing in bursts.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 9
Springless release (800 RU)
CoP Handling Handling +15%
Removal of the combat spring allows the first shot to be made half a second earlier. It may not be much, but it can save your life.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 10
Composite firing mechanism components (800 RU)
CoP Reliability Reliability +15%
A special selection of components made from various materials specific to that weapon. It may not be cheap, but it increases the life cycle of your firearm.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 16
Boltless fixing of the firing mechanism (1100 RU)
CoP RoF Fire rate +25%
Boltless fixing allows for automatic load to be increased, considerably improving the weapon's rate of fire.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 4
High durability alloy receiver (500 RU)
CoP Reliability Reliability +10%
A high durability receiver helps assault rifles endure combat conditions on a daily basis.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 11
Additional cooling jacket (800 RU)
CoP RoF Fire rate +15%
Installation of jackets helps to address increases in the weapon's rate of fire, which produce additional heat that must be controlled.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 17
Inclined handle (1100 RU)
CoP Handling Handling +25%
A light mobile component is installed in the inclined handle to stabilize the weapon by creating a counter-effect to recoil when the weapon is fired.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 18
Smoothing receiver groove and indent sputter (1100 RU)
CoP Flatness Flatness +30%
This sputter prevents the barrel from overheating, removes manufacturing defects and significantly increases the barrel's life cycle.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 5
Increased magazine capacity (1000 RU)
CoP MagCap Mag. size +10
Replacing a standard magazine with a bigger one.
SCOP Viper 5 Upg 12
Change of caliber to 9x18[note] (2500 RU)
CoP calibre Caliber 9x18
A complex, integrated alteration of the weapon's mechanical and automated parts, which allow its caliber to be changed at the cost of reliability.

^[note] Unavailable on the unique Viper 5, Frasier

Unique variants[]

Sounds[]

Shadow of Chernobyl Clear Sky Call of Pripyat
Draw
Holster
Shoot
Empty
Reload
Idle #1 N/A

Gallery[]

Shadow of Chernobyl[]

Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat[]

Trivia[]

  • The weapon uses a "waffle"-style straight magazine used on the original production models of the MP5.
  • In Shadow of Chernobyl and Clear Sky, the weapon has "HK MP5K-N" etched on the receiver, even though it is based on the full-size MP5A3 and not the compact "Navy"-style K-N version. This was removed in Call of Pripyat.
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