The SVD Dragunov: The Most Prolific Sniper Gun in the World and Its Olympic Roots

The SVD is so successful because it isn’t technically a sniper rifle. The SVD was designed to be integrated into every Soviet army unit as a support weapon, similar to a machine gun and grenade launcher. It only required to be accurate enough that it could engage enemy targets at a maximum distance of 800 meters. It was designed to accurately and suppressively fire on enemy positions, as well as pick up high-value targets. However, war is often a harsh reality and the squad-level Designated Marksman Rifle was put into service as a sniper. Although some Westerners might be apprehensive about a “sniper rifle”, that can’t achieve sub-minute of angle groups, the SVD is a great option for anyone in the world. This Soviet-made SVD was brought back from Vietnam. Rock Island Auction Company. The SVD’s distinctive style and widespread popularity have led to it being featured in many movies and video games. Even non-gun-savvy people can often picture them when they hear the name “Dragunov”. Rambo 3 was one of the first American films to feature an SVD. Photo:IMFDB.While the rifle’s large-scale production numbers and proliferation undoubtedly helped contribute to the SVD’s continued usage today, there are other reasons why this cold warrior is still kicking.SVD DevelopmentDevelopment on the SVD began in 1957 by Yevgeny Dragunov for the upcoming Soviet trials for a new marksman’s weapon. It was up against older, more experienced firearms engineers but Dragunov’s entry was ultimately deemed to be the best and was adopted in 1963 by the Soviets. Dragunov was born to a family of gunsmiths. He worked as an engineer and armorer for the military during WWII. He would later work on sporting rifles for commercial use, eventually creating one that would win the Russians many Olympic medals in shooting events. This combined with his personal interest in target shooting gave Dragunov the tools to create the rifle that would win the Soviet trials. It had to be chambered in 7.62x54R cartridge and have iron sights and a bayonet-lug. It was also ordered to have a new scope. The scope had to be chambered for the 7.62x54R cartridge, have iron sights, and a bayonet lug. They settled on a twist rate that would stabilize all ammunition, including tracers, AP, and explosive rounds. This was in addition to the 7N1 sniper ammunition that was specifically designed for it. Photo: Wikipedia. Design Details. Despite some similarities and controls, the SVD does not belong to the AK family. It operates with a short stroke gas piston, unlike the AK’s longer-stroke system. It draws more inspiration from rifles such as the SVT-40. Its bolt has three lugs instead of the AK’s 2. This allows for more repeatable lockup and better accuracy. However, it is still a semi-auto rifle that was developed in the late 50s. It was accurate enough to fire sub-par ammunition, and it served its purpose as a military rifle. The SVD’s accuracy is only acceptable when there is a lot of fire. The barrel with a thin profile, which was chosen to save weight, is susceptible to overheating. This issue was first experienced in Afghanistan by the Russians, who also developed heavier-barreled versions. Despite attempts by the Russians, all SVD receivers are still machined, despite attempts to make a stamped model, like the AKM. Although the cost of machined receivers is higher, they are more durable, rugged, and more accurate than stamped models. The SVD’s adjustable gas system allows for shooting in both normal and adverse conditions. This improves reliability. The SVD comes with a bayonet lug and iron sights, as well as a quick-detachable scope. This allows the user to quickly change their marksman weapon to be more suitable for close quarters. The rifle’s 10-round detachable magazines can be used in both this role and for traditional use. The PSO-1 4×24 telescopic scope, which was designed for the SVD, is as common as the rifle itself. It mounts on the Russian pattern side scope rail, which was originally designed for the AKM to use early-night-vision optics. The universality of Russian mounts and scopes led to the PSO-1 being used more often than the SVD. This optic also perfectly complements the SVD’s strengths. They are rugged and easy to use. The PSO’s magnification, field of view and magnification are ideal for the SVD’s intended range and function as a DMR. Even an untrained soldier can pick up an SVD in urban combat and see more effective results than with an AK. The reticle of the PSO-1 can be used to increase force multiplier effects for those with more advanced marksmanship skills. Photo: Wikipedia. Photo: Wikipedia. The rifle is well balanced and well liked by many modern SVD users. Scoped rifles of all types are rare in many of the world’s hot spots. Combatants use any weapon they can get their hands on. Although a similar argument could be used to explain the AK’s popularity, it does not change its intrinsic value as a weapon. The same holds true for the Dragunov. Just because it is often fighters’ only choice in scoped rifle does no detract from its strengths. The SVD has been used in a variety of environments, including the jungles of Vietnam and Africa, the Middle East deserts, and the streets of Grozny. They can be carried for days, are lightweight enough to be carried around, and durable enough to fire reliably even when covered in dust and dirt. The NDM-86, which is the U.S. name for the NDM-86, was created by the Chinese using captured Vietnamese examples. The PSL was a Romanian SVD-inspired rifle. The Yugoslavians followed the same pattern with their M91.NDM86 Chinese-made SVD clone. Photo:Rock Island Auction Company. This iconic firearm is a natural choice for American gun owners. Due to the import restrictions placed on Russia or China, only a few of these guns have ever made it to our shores. If you are interested in owning one, be aware that the price will make it prohibitively expensive. The most affordable models are the Russian “Tiger” commercial rifles. However, the more you get closer to a real military rifle, the more expensive and desirable they become. A small batch of these rifles was recently imported from Hungary. People were clamoring to be able to purchase one, despite the high price. The PSL or M91 are more popular options for those who want an SVD. The high demand for SVDs is due to the fact that only a few legal immigrants have made it into the United States. People can still purchase SVDs in countries like Switzerland, which allow private firearm ownership, and don’t have sanctions against SVD-producing nations. This amazing target pack is from Storm Tactical and contains 62 printable targets that can be used for rifle or handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be found in MOA. Perfect for long-range shooting! Get free targets