Dragunov SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka sistemy Dragunova)

History

For a long time in the Cold War, the semi-automatic Dragunov series "SVD" ("Snayperskaya Vintovka sistem'y Dragunova") was the standard sniper rifle for the Soviet Army, the Warsaw Pact allies and Soviet export customers. Introduced in 1963, its action based on the highly successful Kalashnikov family of automatic assault weapons (aka the AK-47) was quickly respected for its reliability and accuracy.

As a semi-automatic rifle, the Dragunov SVD is closer to a Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), the term used today to differentiate class precision rifles from traditional precision sniper rifles (often using a manual bolt action system).

The Soviets have always had a penchant for large, powerful killing cartridges, so it's no surprise that the SVD continues to look for the ubiquitous 7.62x54mmR Soviet cartridge, which is delivered in a detachable 10-round box Type magazine composition. The result is a precise and accurate weapon system capable of engaging targets up to 875 yards away.

As part of the USSR, Poland was the main operator of the SVD series throughout its period, eventually developing a modernized form called "SWD-M". This product includes the addition of a bipod assembly under the front end, the use of a more powerful 6x42 magnifying glass, and a heavy barrel assembly that is more suitable for traditional sniper weapons.

Romania developed the PSL rifle from the SVD framework, and Iraq also developed the "Tabuk" and "Al-Gadissiya" sniper rifles.

In addition to the above global operators, there are users in Algeria, Argentina, Vietnam, Venezuela, etc. Some have turned to locally manufactured rifle products (both licensed and unlicensed), such as China North Industries Corporation and its "Type 79". Finland calls the SVD "7.

62 TKIV Dragunov", while Iran calls the local version "Nakhjir 3 Sniper Rifle".

Their global distribution means that the SVD series has seen quite a bit of combat action during its long service life. These include the Vietnam War (1955-1975), the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989), the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Gulf War (1990-1991), the Yugoslav War (1991-1999). ), the two Chechen wars (1994-1996, 1999-2000), Afghanistan War (2001-2014) and Iraq War (2003-2011), South Ossetia (2008), Libyan Civil War (2011) and the ongoing war in Donbas (since 2014) and the Syrian civil war (since 2011).

Despite its age, the SVD remains a favorite of trained military personnel, guerrilla fighters, rebels and sport shooters, and will no doubt be one of the rare guns to break the century mark with consecutive years of service .

Specification

Roles

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Performance

Changes