Dragunov (SVD)

The Dragunov Sniper Rifle (Russian: Снайперская винтовка Драгунова, Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, abbreviated SVD, GRAU index 6V1), is a semiautomatic rifle designed by Evgeniy Fedorovich Dragunov in the Soviet Union between 1958 and 1963. It is basically a battle rifle with a scope. The SVD was the world's first purpose-built military precision marksman's rifle, and is common (along with several variants) throughout the former Eastern Bloc. The Dragunov SVD is one of two rifles made by Dragunov, the second being the Dragunov Tiger.

History

The need for a new precision platoon-level, semi-automatic rifle became apparent to Soviet military leadership in the 1950s, and in 1958 a contest among Soviet arms designers was opened for the creation of such a rifle. The winner of the contest was a rifle designed by a team headed by Evgeniy Fedorovich Dragunov. In 1963, the Dragunov Sniper Rifle was accepted into the arsenal of the Soviet Army.

Ballistics

The SVD is chambered for the 7.62 x 54R rimmed cartridge, with a muzzle velocity of about 830 meters per second. The rifle can accept the older Mosin Nagant M1891/30 cartridge, but a more accurate 7N1 round was designed specifically for it. The 7N1 was the original load developed by Russian armorer Sabelnikov in conjunction with the development of the SVD back in the late 1950s. It has a steel jacketed projectile with an air pocket, steel core, and a lead knocker in the base for maximum terminal effect. The 7N1 was replaced in 1999 by the 7N14 round. The 7N14 is a new load developed for the SVD. It consists of a 151 grain projectile which travels at the same 2723 ft/s, but it has a lead core projectile and is supposed to be the more accurate of the two. Nikolai Bezborodov, head of R&D at Izhmash, stated that it was the most accurate load for the SVD. However, the Soviet Union never offered this ammunition for export, and it is very rare outside of Russia. This ammunition can be identified by its packaging which has Russian: "Снайперские" (Sniper) stamped on its crates, cans, and paper wrap to prevent it from being wasted in other weapon applications.

Although the rifle is lethal at ranges above 1000 m, it is not really intended or designed for ultimate accuracy and can only reasonably engage targets at up to 600 m with standard ammunition, achieving 2 Minutes of arc at that distance. This range and accuracy can be improved upon with the specialty ammunition. Inaccuracy in this weapon is primarily due to the effects of the semiautomatic action of the SVD on the barrel harmonics; the accuracy of the rifle suffers at greater ranges. However, the weapon handles easily for its size, and is designed to be very durable; the gas system and bore are chrome lined to resist against corrosion and it is easy to clean. The rifle also has a bayonet lug for close-quarters combat, although the mounting of a bayonet will cause a slight change in center of gravity, affecting the handling qualities of the rifle, and possibly accuracy.

Equipment

The SVD comes standard with a PSO-1 scope, a 4×24 device which includes a battery-operated reticule and a passive infrared filter. At the time of its development, the PSO-1 scope was considered one of the most advanced sniper scope designs ever fielded. Its reticule consists of multiple aiming points (chevrons) which are used for distances beyond 1000 meters. There is also a range finder built in to the reticule which allows approximate distance calculations based on the height of an average human (which the Soviets felt was 1.7 meters tall). Many other conventional and night-vision optics are available. In case of scope failure, the rifle has non-detachable iron sights, a feature that does not exist on most sniper rifles. The SVD also came with a bayonet identical to that of the AK-47, a cheek rest, a carrying strap, magazine pouch and basic cleaning utensils and maintenance tools.

Battlefield Usage

While the Soviet army was in operation each squad was issued one SVD. Soldiers issued an SVD typically are specially trained for the weapon. They move with their squad and are intended to increase the range of their infantry squad up to and above 600 m (without an SVD, the effective range of a squad when the rifle began production would have been 300 m due to the limitations of the AK-47). As such, it is not a sniper's rifle in the sense used by, among others, the U.S. military, but the first example of what is today known as a designated marksman's weapon.

Designed with the simple purpose of extending a squad's range, the weapon is rugged and durable. This shows in the fact that it is designed to have a mounted bayonet and has backup iron sights in case the scope fails. The rifle's reliability is still recognized, and the weapon is still fielded by the Russian army and Russian law enforcement agencies.

Russian small arms are generally regarded as very sturdy and this has led to widespread use and long "careers" for particular Dragunovs. The rifle has been used in numerous conflicts around the world such as the Vietnam War, the Lebanese Civil War, Chechnya, Operation Desert Storm and in the Iraq War to name only a few. As seen in the picture, guerilla forces may adopt considerably more informal tactics than used by professional armies: this insurgent may make up to some degree for a lack of a spotter by adopting positions on the fly.

Modernization

In the 1980s, Evgeniy Fedorovich Dragunov developed the SVDS (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova Skladnaja), a version of the SVD with a folding metal stock, shortened (590 mm) but heavier barrel, and a shortened flash suppressor, intended for paratroopers and motorized infantry. The bayonet lug has also been removed.

Initial versions of the SVD were manufactured with wooden furniture (stock, pistol grip and handguard). Today the SVD is made with polymer furniture to decrease weight and manufacturing costs and increase ergonomics.

Variants

USSR/Russian: SVD, SVDS, SVU (a bullpup version of the SVD with a shorter (520 mm) barrel, bipod and a flash/sound suppressor), SVU-A (SVU with selective fire capability).

VSS vintores is a silenced and shortened version of the Dragunov SVD.

Chinese: Type 79 and Type 85 (military designation), Norinco NDM-86 (commercial export in .308 Winchester).

Polish: SWD-M, a modernized version with heavier barrel, detachable bipod, new side mount and PCO LD-6x42 scope. About 70 were created in ZM Lucznik for Polish Army and Ministry of Internal Affairs units before the project was canceled in favour of buying new 7.62 mm SAKO TRG-21 rifles.

Civilian version of the rifle is called Tigr (Russian: Тигр, Tiger). It is also available in a variety of large game hunting calibers including .308 Winchester.

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