Russian Izhmash Dragunov SVD Military Sniper Rifle 7.62x54Rmm
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Russian SVD sniper kit from the Izhmash factory in Izhevsk. In addition to the five magazines and pouch, there is a cleaning kit with sectioned rods and a remote scope battery compartment plus an amber polarizing filter. Scope is standard PSO-1M2 4x24 power which is detachable via a side dovetail rail. |
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Fully accessorized modern SVD with 1P21 scope, updated polymer stock set, and S-1 bipod. The sling is a standard Kalashnikov canvas type. |
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What the SVD is: A semi-automatic (one shot per pull of the trigger) rifle designed for reliable operation in extreme environments. Its main purpose is to extend the reach of an infrantryman beyond the limitations of their standard rifle's caliber and sighting system. Accurate aimed fire at fleeting targets is possible due to the 4 power scope's wide field of view and lead correction markings on the reticle. One-ragged-hole groups are not necessary with this type of rifle, though it is capable of excellent accuracy with proper ammunition. What the SVD is not: A traditional sniper's rifle capable of extreme accuracy at great distances. Comparing the SVD to a Remington 700, Sako TRG, or similar rifle is like comparing a Jeep to a tank. |
 Typical SVD environment. |
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HistoryThe Russian SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova) was intriduced in 1963 as a replacement to the Mosin Nagant M91/30 and SVT Tokarev sniper rifles. The designer, Evgeniy Dragunov, had the complex task of designing a sniper rifle that was both accurate and reliable in a wide variety of condtions. From Valery Shilin's excellent biography of E. Dragunov, he describes the complicated task of obtaining this goal. Since the Dragunov SVD is more expensive to manufacture than the ubiquitous Kalashnikov, only a few countries have been able to produce the rifle themselves. |
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The first version of the SVD rifle featured laminated wood hand guards with 6 holes (3 on each side), lightening cuts on each side of the receiver, a ribbed receiver cover, and a PSO-1 scope with a built-in infra-red light detection screen. | ||||||
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Chinese variation of the SVD is called the Type-79 sniper's rifle, later updated to the Type-85. | ||||||
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Iran manufactures a copy of the Chinese Dragunov called the Nakhjir. | ||||||
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Poland attempted to update their aging Russian SVD rifles during a military modernization trial program. Their model SWD-M was upgraded with a heavier barrel, variable magnification scope, and detachable bipod. The SWD-M rifle did not survive the change to NATO standardization in Ploand's military. | ||||||
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Izhmash arsenal cartouche (arrow with fletching feathers in a triangle). Early SVDs had the receiver markings applied by hand with an engraving tool. Note the SVD from 1971 has a letter prefix and a 3 digit serial number (the last number is digitally obscured).
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The г (Г in Russian ciryllic) is an abbreviation of "год" (the Russian word for year) and just signifies the number is a date rather than a serial number. | ||||||
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An update to the SVD features black polyamid plastic hand guards with a ribbed gripping area. This aided the sniper in keeping hold of the SVD while seated in a vehicle or helicopter with the muzzle pointed up. |
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The PSO-1 scope was replaced with the PSO-1M2 which deleted the obsolete infra-red detector. | ||||||
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After 1990 a new receiver was developed that eliminated the lightening cut out on the sides. This gave added strength to the receiver and allowed Izhmash to offer the SVD in other calibers. |
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A new black polyamid butt stock was also added that is more ergonomic and weather-resistant. Plus the built-in cheek pad eliminated the problem of lost or stolen pads during use. | ||||||
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This Russian sniper demonstrates the proper aiming position of the SVD. Note the support hand is holding the magazine and not the hand guards. The sling is allowed to hang free as it would induce pressure on the barrel. A magazine hold also eliminates the upward pressure of the hand guards against the barrel, which interferes with barrel harmonics. This is also why a bipod can not be effectively mounted below the hand guards. (Photo by RomanS of militaryphotos.net) |
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A soldier stationed in Iraq emailed this photo of a personal trophy liberated in the field. This Russian SVD has seen heavy use. Note the modified Romanian ten round PSL magazine inserted instead of the proper Russian version. |
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The built-in optics dovetail rail on the SVD allows the use of a wide variety of day and night optics. | ||||||
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The SVD on the bottom features a 1PN58 night vision scope. | ||||||
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The Dragunov design was further updated in 1994 with the model SVDS (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, Skladnaya). The differences between the SVD rifle and the SVDS carbine are: 1) folding
buttstock |
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An early SVDS with the lightening-cut receiver. | ||||||
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The SVDS is only 35.5 inches long with the stock folded. | ||||||
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The SVDS is shorter but slightly heavier than the SVD due to the metal butt stock and thicker receiver and barrel. | ||||||
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These photos were taken by the very talented Russian photographer "KardeN". KardeN is a lieutenant colonel in a special unit of the Interior Ministry of the Russian Federation with almost twenty years of experience with weapons. | ||||||
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The short conical flash hider specifically designed for the SVDS. Note the cross pins at the sight base are closer together than on the SVD. This flash hider will not fit a SVD barrel (or US imported Tiger) without adding a thin sleeve around the barrel. |
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The rear of the receiver had to be redesigned to accomodate the folding stock mechanism. The folding stock is very strong and was specially designed to solidly lock in place, giving the shooter a stable platform on which to aim. The folding stock can not be mounted on a standard SVD or Tiger without extensive modification to the receiver. |
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The latest version of the SVDS includes a new polymer magazine, which still holds ten rounds of 7.62x54R. It is lighter and longer than the original steel magazine. | ||||||
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The lightening cut is barely visible above the magazine well. For more info on these cuts click here. |
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The button to fold the stock is visible just above the pistol grip. Also note the smooth, non-ribbed, receiver cover. This cover is thicker and more rigid than the revious design and gives even more stability to the receiver against flexing. | ||||||
| You can see how the rear of the receiver is very different on the SVDS from the standard SVD (and Tiger). To accomodate the folding stock mechanism a redesign was needed which also features a completely flat bottom for the pistol grip to attach. It would require significant welding and fabricating of metal to adapt a Tiger receiver to take the SVDS folding stock. | |||||||
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The latest incarnation of the Dragunov is this SVU bullpup. The short barrel has an integral sound supressor. |
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7,62мм снайперская винтовка ОЦ-03 The OTS 03 version of the SVU has a longer barrel and a new hand guard with a bipod rail and lacks iron sights. Optics are also mounted on top of the hand guards instead of the side rail. |
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