Dragunov dot net - Izhmash Dragunov Tiger Hunting Rifle

Russian Izhmash Tigr

The Izhmash factory arsenal in Izhevsk, Russia manufactures the Tigr (Tiger) rifle. This rifle is available in three main calibers, though only the 7.62x54R version was sold in the US. Special-order calibers are also available including a Tigr in .30-06. From Izhmash's web site:

"The Tigr self-loading hunting rifles are intended for big-and medium-size game hunting under various climatic conditions. The rifles are based on the venerable SVD Dragunov sniper rifle and differ in their improved accuracy of fire. "

7,62 mm Izhmash Tigr semi-automatic rifle

Cartridge: 7.62 Operation: gas Locking: rotating bolt Feed: 5 or 10-round box magazine Muzzle velocity: 2723FPS, 830 m/s Rate of fire: 650 rds/min Firing mode: single shot semi-auto	Sights: fore, post; rear, U notch; adjustable 0 to 300 m; Scope 4 x 24 Weapon length: 43.3", 1100 mm Barrel length: 20.86", 530 mm Barrel twist: 4 grooves RH, 1:12.5", 320 mm Weight without magazine: 8.6 lbs, 3.9 kg Weight empty magazine: .5 lbs, 0.21 kg PSO-1 Scope: 1.27 lbs, 0.575kg

Specifications	"Tigr"	"Tigr-308"	"Tigr-9"
Calibre, mm	7.62	7.62	9
Cartridge	7.62x54R	.308 Win(7.62x51)	9.3x64
Barrel length, inches	20.86	22.24	22.24
Rifle total length, inches	43.30	43.30	43.30
Rifle weight, empty magazine, pounds	8.6	8.7	8.7
Magazine capacity, rds.	5 or 10	10	5

The Tigr is offered in two barrel lengths (up to 24 inches) and various muzzle brake styles.

Cartridge designation	Bullet weight, gr	Muzzle velocity, fps	Muzzle energy, J
7.62x54R	203	2362	approx 3600
.308Win (7.62x51)	150...180	2854...2624	approx 3700
9.3x64	247...293	2690...2559	approx 5800

You can also choose from 3 or 4 different butt stock styles.

Century Arms International import

Russian Dragunov Tiger rifles were imported into the U.S. from the Izhmash (sometimes stamped "Izhmach" on the receivers) factory by three different companies: Big Bear Arms, B-West, and Century Arms International. The CAI imported Tigers have uniquely marked receivers with no Russian arsenal logos as can be seen at left.

Tiger Receiver Markings

Some Tigers came with a hooded front sight though this is a rare variation. Most had an exposed blade which is held very tightly in place.

The unique markings of a B-West of Arizona imported Tiger.

"сделано в россии" means "Made in Russia"

"Izhmach" is from the original name of the arsenal "Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant"(Ижевский Машиностроительный Завод). At some point they changed the spelling from Izhmach to Izhmash (ИЖМАШ), which is closer to how the word is pronounced.

Still another version of Tiger markings.

The "тигр" under the safety lever is the word "TIGER" in Russian cyrillic.

Differences between the Military SVD and Tiger hunting rifle

Specifications	Military SVD	Tiger
Barrel length - inches	24	20
Rear sight leaf marking - meters	1200	300
Adjustable gas system	Yes	No
Thumbhole butt stock	Steel butt plate, detachable cheek pad.	Rubber butt plate, no cheek pad
Front sight assembly	Flash hider, bayo lug, hooded post	Bare muzzle, blade sight
Magazine capacity, rds.	10	5
Front sling mount assembly	Small loop for sling hook	Wide loop for flat sling tab

The Tiger is basically a hunting rifle, though some dealers would rather you thought it a true sniper's rifle.

Shooting one of these is not unlike shooting a Mosin-Nagant M44; Huge muzzle flash and very strong recoil. These rifles are as light as an AK but fire the full-size 7.62x54R cartridge.

Your Izhmash Tiger should have come with these accessories which include spare bulbs, rubber switch covers, scope polarizing filter, spare spring-loaded firing pin, oil bottle, some scope tools, and a manual for both the scope and the rifle (in Russian).

Tiger package as offered in the US. This one has the military polymer SVD butt stock and hand guards installed and an extra 10 round magazine.

A high mounted scope and no cheek raiser means you have a "chin weld" instead of a cheek weld. This position gives more percieved recoil because your chin does not help absorb the recoil like your cheek would.

Many owners have replaced the commercial stock set with a military SVD stock which has a cheek pad and vented hand guards.

B-West of Tucson, Arizona import mark.

The chrome chamber of the Tiger.

Tiger acceptance mark

Rear latch lever. Rotate down and back to remove the cover.

The late variation receiver cover has no indents at the rear like on the Chinese version.

The Tiger was imported with the military style PSO-1M2 scope manufactured in Belarus. These Zenith-Belomo factory scopes are rarely offered for commercial sale and are similar in quality to the current NPZ-manufactured scopes from Russia.

The rifle shoots the Wolf 7.62x54R 154 grain FMJ ammunition well at 100 yards. Muzzle flash is massive with this ammo.

Heavier bullets are permitted. See here for more info.

March 1995 CDNN ad. Note the comment above the price.

March 1995 CDNN sale ad. Note for an extra $100 you could opt for the military stock.

Original J&G Sales dealer ad. Note $799 price.

There is a "California Armory Tiger" that was imported in the early 1990's that came in with all the military features, including buttstock, flash supressor, etc. However they have the shorter 20" barrel and no adjustable gas system.

The rifles are numbered as if they are a limited production run of 1000 but importation was cut off before all 1000 arrived. There are actually only about 700 of these California Armory Tiger rifles in the USA. These are the second most rare Dragunov variant in the USA, behind the KBI imported SVDs of which only 100 came in.

The flash supressor/bayonet lug assembly was not originally attached to the rifle but was included in the box. Most owners or retailers put these on the rifles because the assembly also has the front sight on it and you couldn't use the iron sights without it.

Picture courtesy of russianwarrior.com

Now there has been a recent ruling by the BATFE that verifies flash hiders are legal to mount on these guns. Click here to read the letter on this ruling.

Izhmash Tigr rifles as offered in other countries

The Izhmash Tigr-03 model with the monte carlo butt stock. The trigger is modified so it is easier to reach with this style stock.

This model is offered with long and short barrels.

Though it looks like an SVDS, this is a commercial Tigr in 7.62x54R with folding buttstock.

Tigr folding buttstock

Tigr folded butt stock

All commercial Tigers sold in Russia feature a special chamber design that has a "step" machined into the chamber. This results in the fired cases being marked with an indented ring around the neck, which aides in forensic criminal investigation.