The Bars (Russian: Барс, lit. 'Snow leopard') is a Soviet and Russian bolt-action hunting rifle.^[1][2]

"Bars" was designed in the early 1960s.

In May 1965, the price of one standard rifle was between 120 and 140 roubles.^[4]

In 1967, "Bars" was awarded the golden medal of the Leipzig Trade Fair and Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant began its serial production in large numbers.^[5]

In 1993, Kazan Optical-Mechanical Plant began production of night-vision device for "Bars", "Los-4" and "Los-7" hunting rifles.^[6]

In the 2000s, Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant began production of PKO-2 (ПКО-2) reflector sight for "Bars-4" hunting rifles.^[7]

In 2017, Kalashnikov Concern announced its intention to replace the production of "Bars" hunting rifles and previous models of "Los" hunting rifles with a new model (Baikal 145 "Los"). In June 2018, the start of its production was announced^[8] and production of "Bars" hunting rifles was discontinued.

The barrel is chrome-plated.^[9]

The "Bars" has staggered column detachable box magazine.^[9][2]

It has manual safety switch^[9]

All variants of "Bars" rifles have iron sights, and they were equipped with scope base for optical sight.^[9]

• PO-4×34 (ПО-4×34)^[9] and TO-4 scopes were standard optical sights,^[2] although custom aftermarket variants are known.

"Bars-223" was equipped with PO-4×24 (ПО-4×24) scope made by Novosibirsk Instrument-Building Plant.^[3]

• "Bars-1" (КО-5,6–60 «Барс-1») – first model, 5.6×39mm.^[4][2] Its barrel has six grooves^[9]
• "Bars-4" («Барс-4») – second model, 5.6×39mm and 7.62×39mm, since 1985^[1]
• "Bars-4-1" («Барс-4-1») – since 1990s, 5.6×39mm and 7.62×39mm
• "Bars-223" («Барс-223») – "Bars-4-1" chambered in .223 Remington, it was designed in early 2000s,^[10] in 2001 – 2002 small number were made, in January 2003 its serial production was announced.^[3]

•  Soviet Union – was allowed as civilian hunting weapon^[4]
•  Belarus - is allowed as civilian hunting weapon^[11]
•  Kazakhstan^[12][13]
•  Moldova - is allowed as civilian hunting weapon^[14]
•  Russian Federation – is allowed as civilian hunting weapon^[15]
•  Ukraine – is allowed as civilian hunting weapon^[16]
•  USA - the import was allowed^[17]