HISTORY
After World War 2 and the introduction of the Kalashnikov Russia needed a new sniper rifle. Many designers started to work on different designs. The on the Kalashnikov based design of Evgeniy Dragunov was selected. The new rifle was not designed as sniper rifle, but as an accurate rifle for ranges up to 500 metres. Such a rifle was needed while the Russian service rifle, the AK-47, has an effective range of only 300 metres. The new rifle was called SVD, which at first stood for Semipolarnya Vintovka Dragunova, Russian for Dragunov semi-automatic rifle, but when it was discovered that the SVD could also be used as a sniper rifle the name Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, Russian for Dragunov sniper rifle was adopted. The SVD is better known as the Dragunov. The SVD remains in production today and is produced by many nations.
DESIGN
The SVD is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62x54mm Russian and based on the Kalashnikov system. To increase the accuracy of the Kalashnikov system a few changes were made. The conversion from a long-stroke piston to a short-stroke piston is the main change. The rimmed 7.62x54mm round is also used by the PK machine gun. At first all SVD’s had wooden handguards and stocks, but since the 90’s polymer is also available. The SVD is normally fitted with the 4x24 PSO-1 scope, but can also be fitted with the NSPU-3 night sight. Back-up iron sights are fitted as standard. Since the 80’s a bipod is available for the SVD, however most are not fitted with a bipod. The SVDS is a compact version of the SVD. It The barrel of the SVDS is a little shorter and it is fitted with a foldable stock. The SVDS is meant for use with airborne and special forces units. It can’t be fitted with bayonet.
PERFORMANCE
The SVD was developed as a long range semi-automatic rifle to extend the range of a rifle squad. It functions perfectly in that role. The SVD is easy to produce and one of the cheapest military semi-automatic sniper rifles. The SVD is based upon the Kalashnikov system, which contributes both to its advantages as its disadvantages. The Kalashnikov system is extremely reliable, cheap and simple, but not very accurate. The SVD is not as inaccurate as the AK-47 while the 7.62x54mm round is much more accurate, especially dedicated sniper rounds. Accuracy averages about 2 MOA, depending on the quality of the gun. The effective range of the SVD lies between 600 and 800 metres. Targets can be engaged up to 1000 metres, but require repetitive fire. The SVDS has the same effectiveness as the SVD. The muzzle velocity of the SVDS is slightly lower because of the shorter barrel but doesn’t decrease the effective range. The PSO-1 4x24 scope is very effective, especially the reticule which allows the sniper to accurately estimate the range. The magnification is fixed. A rubber eyepiece gives the correct eye relief of 68mm. For firing up to ranges of over 600 metres a 4x scope is actually not adequate. That is why sniper often mount other scopes. The NSPU-3 night vision scope has a maximum sighting range of about 500 metres. The SVD can be fitted with a bayonet but it is not likely to be used. The weapons that were derived of the SVD show a similar reliability and performance.
Criticism
The SVD is often criticized to perform below par as a sniper rifle. At first it was decided a true sniper rifle was to be developed for the Soviet forces next to the long range semi-automatic rifle that became the SVD. When it became clear that the SVD can also be used as a sniper rifle a special rifle for that role was not developed. Despite the many good aspects of the SVD design, it is undeniable that the SVD does not provide pin point accuracy and does not have the effective range many 7.62mm sniper rifles have. This left true Soviet snipers with a mediocre marksman rifle. Only since a few years there is a new Russian rifle for this role: the SV-98.
After World War 2 and the introduction of the Kalashnikov Russia needed a new sniper rifle. Many designers started to work on different designs. The on the Kalashnikov based design of Evgeniy Dragunov was selected. The new rifle was not designed as sniper rifle, but as an accurate rifle for ranges up to 500 metres. Such a rifle was needed while the Russian service rifle, the AK-47, has an effective range of only 300 metres. The new rifle was called SVD, which at first stood for Semipolarnya Vintovka Dragunova, Russian for Dragunov semi-automatic rifle, but when it was discovered that the SVD could also be used as a sniper rifle the name Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, Russian for Dragunov sniper rifle was adopted. The SVD is better known as the Dragunov. The SVD remains in production today and is produced by many nations.
DESIGN
The SVD is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62x54mm Russian and based on the Kalashnikov system. To increase the accuracy of the Kalashnikov system a few changes were made. The conversion from a long-stroke piston to a short-stroke piston is the main change. The rimmed 7.62x54mm round is also used by the PK machine gun. At first all SVD’s had wooden handguards and stocks, but since the 90’s polymer is also available. The SVD is normally fitted with the 4x24 PSO-1 scope, but can also be fitted with the NSPU-3 night sight. Back-up iron sights are fitted as standard. Since the 80’s a bipod is available for the SVD, however most are not fitted with a bipod. The SVDS is a compact version of the SVD. It The barrel of the SVDS is a little shorter and it is fitted with a foldable stock. The SVDS is meant for use with airborne and special forces units. It can’t be fitted with bayonet.
PERFORMANCE
The SVD was developed as a long range semi-automatic rifle to extend the range of a rifle squad. It functions perfectly in that role. The SVD is easy to produce and one of the cheapest military semi-automatic sniper rifles. The SVD is based upon the Kalashnikov system, which contributes both to its advantages as its disadvantages. The Kalashnikov system is extremely reliable, cheap and simple, but not very accurate. The SVD is not as inaccurate as the AK-47 while the 7.62x54mm round is much more accurate, especially dedicated sniper rounds. Accuracy averages about 2 MOA, depending on the quality of the gun. The effective range of the SVD lies between 600 and 800 metres. Targets can be engaged up to 1000 metres, but require repetitive fire. The SVDS has the same effectiveness as the SVD. The muzzle velocity of the SVDS is slightly lower because of the shorter barrel but doesn’t decrease the effective range. The PSO-1 4x24 scope is very effective, especially the reticule which allows the sniper to accurately estimate the range. The magnification is fixed. A rubber eyepiece gives the correct eye relief of 68mm. For firing up to ranges of over 600 metres a 4x scope is actually not adequate. That is why sniper often mount other scopes. The NSPU-3 night vision scope has a maximum sighting range of about 500 metres. The SVD can be fitted with a bayonet but it is not likely to be used. The weapons that were derived of the SVD show a similar reliability and performance.
Criticism
The SVD is often criticized to perform below par as a sniper rifle. At first it was decided a true sniper rifle was to be developed for the Soviet forces next to the long range semi-automatic rifle that became the SVD. When it became clear that the SVD can also be used as a sniper rifle a special rifle for that role was not developed. Despite the many good aspects of the SVD design, it is undeniable that the SVD does not provide pin point accuracy and does not have the effective range many 7.62mm sniper rifles have. This left true Soviet snipers with a mediocre marksman rifle. Only since a few years there is a new Russian rifle for this role: the SV-98.