To
remember Soviet Weapon Designer, Yevgeny Dragunov on his birthday, which falls
on the 20 February. I will post information about the SVD, AKA Dragunov Sniper
from Wikipedia and other links.
SVD (Dragunov)
|
|||
|
|||
Type
|
|||
Place of origin
|
|||
Service
history
|
|||
In service
|
1963–present
|
||
Used by
|
See Users
|
||
Wars
|
Vietnam War
Cambodian–Vietnamese War Soviet war in Afghanistan Nagorno-Karabakh War Salvadorian Civil War Gulf War Somali Civil War Operation Restore Hope Operation Gothic Serpent War in Afghanistan (2001–14) Iraq War Yugoslav Wars First Second Chechen Wars Cambodian–Thai border dispute 2008 South Ossetia War Kargil War 2011 Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War War in Donbass Yemeni Civil War (2015) |
||
Production
history
|
|||
Designer
|
|||
Designed
|
1958
|
||
Manufacturer
|
|||
Produced
|
1963–present
|
||
Variants
|
See Variants
|
||
Specifications
|
|||
Weight
|
4.30 kg (9.48 lb) (with scope and unloaded
magazine)
4.68 kg (10.3 lb) (SVDS) 4.40 kg (9.7 lb) (SVU) 5.02 kg (11.1 lb) (SWD-M) |
||
Length
|
1,225 mm (48.2 in) (SVD)
1,135 mm (44.7 in) stock extended / 815 mm (32.1 in) stock folded (SVDS) 900 mm (35.4 in) (SVU) 1,125 mm (44.3 in) (SWD-M) |
||
Barrel length
|
620 mm (24.4 in) (SVD, SWD-M)
565 mm (22.2 in) (SVDS) 600 mm (23.6 in) (SVU) |
||
|
|||
30 rounds/min
|
|||
830 m/s (2,723 ft/s) (SVD)
810 m/s (2,657.5 ft/s) (SVDS) 800 m/s (2,624.7 ft/s) (SVU) |
|||
Effective firing range
|
800 m (875 yd)
|
||
Feed system
|
10-round detachable box magazine
|
||
Sights
|
PSO-1 telescopic sight, 1PN51/1PN58 night vision sights and iron sights
with an adjustable rear notch sight
|
The
Dragunov sniper rifle (formal Russian: Снайперская
Винтовка системы Драгунова образца 1963 года Snayperskaya Vintovka sistem'y Dragunova obraz'tsa 1963
goda (SVD-63),
officially "Sniper Rifle, System of Dragunov, Model of the Year
1963") is a semi-automatic
sniper/designated
marksman rifle chambered in 7.62×54mmR and developed in the Soviet Union.
The
Dragunov was designed as a squad support weapon
since, according to Soviet and
Soviet-derived military doctrines, the long-range engagement ability
was lost to ordinary troops when submachine guns and assault rifles (which are optimized for
close-range and medium-range, rapid-fire combat) were adopted. For that reason,
it was originally named Самозарядная Винтовка системы Драгунова образца 1963
года "Self-Loading Rifle, System of Dragunov, Model of the Year
1963."
It
was selected as the winner of a contest that included three competing designs:
by Sergei
Simonov, Aleksandr Konstantinov and Yevgeny Dragunov. Extensive field testing
of the rifles conducted in a wide range of environmental conditions resulted in
Dragunov’s proposal being accepted into service in 1963. An initial
pre-production batch consisting of 200 rifles was assembled for evaluation
purposes, and from 1964 serial production was carried out by Izhmash.
Since
then, the Dragunov has become the standard squad support weapon of several
countries, including those of the former Warsaw Pact. Licensed production of the
rifle was established in China (Type 79 and Type 85) and Iran
(as a direct copy of the Chinese Type 79).
Russian soldier aiming a Dragunov SVD
[PHOTO SOURCE: http://military.wikia.com/wiki/Dragunov_sniper_rifle]
|
Design
details
Operating
mechanism
The
Dragunov is a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle with a short-stroke
gas-piston system. The barrel breech is locked through a rotating
bolt (left rotation) and uses three locking lugs to engage corresponding
locking recesses in the barrel extension. The rifle has a manual, two-position
gas regulator. A gas regulator meters the portion of the combustion gases fed
into the action in order to cycle the weapon and sets the recoil velocity of
the gas-piston system. The gas regulator can be set with the help of the rim of
a cartridge. The normal position #1 leaves a gas escape port opened in the form
of a hole that lets some combustion gas escape during cycling. Position #2
closes the gas escape port and directs extra combustion gas to the piston
increasing the recoil velocity of the gas-piston system and felt recoil. It is
used for when the rifle does not reliably cycle due to carbon fouling build-up
in the gas port, when shooting in extreme cold or high altitude or using low
powered ammunition.
After
discharging the last cartridge from the magazine, the bolt carrier and bolt are
held back on a bolt catch that is released by pulling the cocking handle to the
rear. The rifle has a hammer-type striking mechanism and a manual lever safety
selector. The firing pin is a "free-floating" type and, as a result,
some soft-primered ammunition had the reputation of causing a "slam fire"
event. Thus, military-grade ammunition with primers confirmed to be properly
seated is recommended for the Dragunov and its variants. This appears to have
solved the "slam fire" issue. The rifle's receiver is machined to
provide additional accuracy and torsional strength. The Dragunov's receiver
bears a number of similarities to the AK action, such as
the large dust cover, iron sights and lever safety selector, but these
similarities are primarily cosmetic in nature. These cosmetic similarities will
many times lead to miss-categorization of the Dragunov as an AK variant, however,
the Dragunov does not belong to the AK family of rifles as the Dragunov's
design is unique and operationally different from the AK.
Barrel
The
barrel
profile is relatively thin to save weight and is ended with a slotted flash
suppressor. The barrel’s bore is chrome-lined
for increased corrosion resistance, and features 4 right-hand grooves. It is
not rifled
over its full length but partly over a length of 547 mm (21.5 in). In
the 1960s, the twist rate was 320 mm (1:12.6 in). During the
1970s, the twist rate was tightened to 240 mm (1:9.4 in), which reduced
the accuracy of fire with sniper cartridges by 19%. This adaptation was done in
order to facilitate the use of tracer and armor-piercing incendiary ammunition,
since these bullet types required a shorter twist rate for adequate
stabilization.
Ammunition
feeding
The
weapon is fed from a detachable curved box magazine with a 10-round capacity and the
cartridges are double-stacked in a staggered zigzag pattern.
PSO-1's unique reticle. The rangefinder is in the lower left,
chevrons for bullet drop compensation are found in the middle, and stadia marks
for windage to the left and right of the center reticule. The reticule is
illuminated by a small battery-powered lamp.
|
Sights
The
rifle features mechanically adjustable backup iron sights
with a sliding tangent rear sight (the sight can be adjusted to a maximum range
of 1,200 m (1,312 yd)). The iron sights can be used with or without
the standard issue optical sight in place. This is possible because the scope
mount does not block the area between the front and rear sights.
The
Dragunov is issued with a quick-detachable PSO-1 optical
sight. The PSO-1
sight (at a total length of 375 mm with a lens cover and sun shade, 4×
magnification and 6° field of view) mounts to a proprietary Warsaw Pact side
rail mount that does not block the view of the iron sight line. The PSO-1 sight
includes a variety of features, such as a bullet drop compensation (BDC) elevation
adjustment knob and an illuminated rangefinder grid that can be used up to
1,000 m (1,094 yd), a reticle that enables target acquisition in low light
conditions as well as an infrared charging screen that is used as a passive detection
system. The current version of the sight is the PSO-1M2. This telescopic sight
is different from the original PSO-1 only in that it lacks the now obsolete
Infra-Red detector. The PSO-1 sight enables area targets to be engaged at
ranges upwards of 1,300 m (1,422 yd); effective ranges in combat
situations have been stated at between 600 to 1,300 m (656 to
1,422 yd), depending on the nature of the target (point or area target)
quality of ammunition and skill of the shooter.
Several
other models of the PSO sight are available with varying levels of
magnification and alternative aiming reticules. Rifles designated SVDN come equipped with a night sight,
such as the NSP-3, NSPU, PGN-1, NSPUM or the Polish passive
PCS-5. Rifles designated SVDN-1
can use the multi-model night scope NSPU-3 (1PN51) and rifles
designated SVDN2 can use the
multi-model night scope NSPUM (1PN58). Non military issue commercially available adaptor
mounts that attach to the Warsaw Pact side rail allow use of Picatinny
rail-mounted aiming optics.
SVD Dragunov rifle featuring a wooden
handguard/gas tube cover and skeletonized stock used before the change to
(black) synthetic furniture.
|
Stock
The
Dragunov has a vented, two-piece wooden handguard/gas tube cover and a
skeletonized wooden thumbhole stock equipped with a detachable cheek rest; the
latter is removed when using iron sights. Newer production models feature
synthetic furniture made of a black polymer – the
handguard and gas tube cover are more or less identical in appearance, while
the thumbhole stock is of a different shape.
The
barrel is semi free-floated, since it is connected by a
spring-loaded mechanism to the handguard/gas tube cover so the handguard can
move with the barrel during firing.
Ammunition
For
precision shooting, specifically designed sniper cartridges
are used, developed by V. M. Sabelnikov, P. P. Sazonov and V. M. Dvorianinov.
The proprietary 7N1 load has a steel jacketed projectile with an air pocket, a 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 that travels at the same 830 m/s, but
it has a sharp hardened steel core projectile. The rifle can also fire standard
7.62×54mmR
ammunition with either conventional, tracer or armor-piercing incendiary
rounds.
The
Russian military has established accuracy standards that the SVD and its
corresponding sniper grade ammunition have to meet. Manufacturers must perform
firing tests to check if the rifles and sniper grade ammunition fulfill these
standards. To comply to the standards, the SVD rifle with 7N1 sniper cartridges
may not produce more than 1.24 MOA
extreme vertical spread with 240 mm twist rate barrels and no more than
1.04 MOA extreme vertical spread with 320 mm twist rate barrels. When
using standard grade 57-N-323S cartridges, the accuracy of the SVD is reduced
to 2.21 MOA extreme vertical spread. The extreme vertical spreads for the SVD
are established by shooting 5-shot groups at 300 m range. The accuracy
requirements demanded of the SVD with sniper grade ammunition are similar to the
American M24 Sniper Weapon System with M118SB
cartridges (1.18 MOA extreme vertical spread) and the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System
with M118LR ammunition (1.27 MOA extreme vertical spread).
Accessories
A
number of accessories are provided with the rifle, including a blade-type bayonet (AKM clipped
point or the AK-74 spear point bayonet), four spare magazines, a leather or
nylon sling, magazine pouch, cleaning kit and an accessory/maintenance kit for
the telescopic sight. Also included is a cold weather battery case with a
"shirt clip", with a permanently attached cord [approximately
24" long] ending with another battery case cap that has an extension to
press against the internal contact in lieu of the battery to complete the
circuit. Placing the external battery case into the shooters' clothing close to
the body keeps it from freezing; using the clip ensures it remains in place.
The clamp-style bipod attaches to machined-out reliefs near the front of the
receiver, it literally grabs the two cut out areas and securely mounts with a
large round sized head on the clamp bolt able to tightly attach the bipod. The
legs are individually adjustable [as opposed to fixed length found on many
rifles and LMG's] and can be folded and stowed in a forward position negating
the need to remove the bipod before placing the rifle into the canvas carrying
case. Interestingly enough, the two legs are held close together with a
"J" shaped clamp attached to one leg and swung over the other leg.
Original Soviet/Russian SVD bipods fetch a very high price when they rarely
appear on the market.
Variants
In
the early 1990s, a compact variant of the SVD designed for airborne infantry
was introduced, known as the SVDS (Russian:
снайперская винтовка Драгунова складная, short for Snayperskaya Vintovka
Dragunova Skladnaya, "Dragunov Sniper Rifle with folding stock"),
which features a tubular metal stock that folds to the right side of the
receiver (equipped with a synthetic shoulder pad and a fixed cheek riser) and a
synthetic pistol grip. The barrel was also given a heavier profile, the
receiver housing was strengthened, the gas cylinder block was improved and a
ported, conical flash hider was adopted.
The
SVDS also comes in a night-capable variant designated SVDSN.
In
1994, the Russian TsKIB SOO company (currently, a division of the KBP Instrument Design Bureau)
developed the SVU sniper rifle (short for Snayperskaya
Vintovka Ukorochennaya, "Sniper Rifle, Shortened") offered to
special units of the Russian Ministry of Internal
Affairs (MVD).
The
SVU, compared to the SVD, has a considerably shorter overall length because of
the bullpup
layout and shortened barrel that also received a triple-baffle muzzle
brake with an approx. 40% recoil reduction effectiveness. The rifle was
equipped with folding iron sights (rear aperture sight in a rotating drum) and
the PSO-1 telescopic sight.
A
variant of the SVU, designed with a selective-fire capability and using
20-round magazines, is called the SVU-A (A – Avtomaticheskaya).
The
SVDK is a
Russian SVD variant chambered for the 9.3×64mm 7N33 cartridge. The SVDK is mechanically
adapted to use dimensionally larger 9.3×64mm Brenneke cartridges.
In
1998, Poland
adopted a modernized variant of the SVD designated the SWD-M, which uses
a heavy barrel, bipod
(mounted to the forearm) and LD-6 (6×42) telescopic sight.
Another
variant of the SVD is the Iraqi Al-Kadesih. The 7.62×54mmR
Al-Kadesih rifle is not to be confused with the Iraqi 7.62×39mm
Tabuk sniper rifle.[13]
The Al-Kadesih while stylistically similar to the SVD is kind of a hybrid
between the SVD and Romanian PSL
rifles and has some key differences with the SVD that prevent parts
interchangeability with the SVD. The Al-Kadesih has a unique pressed-metal
receiver which is longer than that of the SVD, although the overall length of
the rifle is similar to that of the SVD. It is fitted for the Soviet-era PSO-1
optical sight. Further, the barrel is pinned, rather than screwed, to the
receiver, although it is of the same length as that of the SVD. The fore-end
has four longitudinal slots on each side instead of six short slots. Another
readily visible distinguishing feature of the Al-Kadesih is that the magazine
has an ornamental relief pattern showing a stylised palm tree.
Commercial
variants
The
Dragunov also served as the basis for several hunting rifles. In 1962, the
state armory in Izhevsk
developed the Medved (Bear) rifle, initially chambered first in the 9×53mm cartridge and later in the 7.62×51mm
NATO round for export. In the early 1970s, Izhevsk introduced the Tigr
(Tiger) hunting rifle with a fixed thumbhole stock without a cheekpiece. They
were originally produced individually, but, since 1992, they have been made
serially in batches. Today, they are available with shortened (520 mm) and
full length (620 mm) barrel, different stocks (including SVDS style folding
stock) and chambered in 7.62×54mmR, .308
Winchester, .30-06 Springfield or 9.3×64mm Brenneke.
Deployment
The
Dragunov is an original rifle design for several reasons. First, it was not meant
for highly trained and specialized sniper teams, but rather for designated marksmen. After the introduction of
the SVD, the Soviet Army deployed designated marksmen at the basic motorized infantry rifle
platoon level. Those designated marksmen were often chosen from personnel
who did well in terms of rifle marksmanship while members of DOSAAF. Such
marksmen were estimated to have a 50% probability of hitting a standing,
man-sized target at 800 m (875 yd), and an 80% probability of hitting
a standing, man-sized target at 500 m (547 yd). For distances not
exceeding 200 m (219 yd) the probability was estimated to be well
above 90%. To attain this level of accuracy the sniper could not engage more
than two such targets per minute. Later in every platoon of Warsaw
Pact troops, there was at least one Dragunov rifle marksman. In the German Democratic Republic arsenals
alone, there were almost 2,000 Dragunov rifles, while in many Western armies
there was not even a single sniper rifle except in special forces units (as an
example, in the Italian Army until the 1990s), but in Warsaw Pact
troop formations, the Dragunov marksmen were widespread among the regular
units. To fulfill this role, the rifle is relatively light for a sniper rifle,
but well balanced, making it easier to use in a dynamic battle. It is also a
semi-automatic rifle, a rare feature for accuracy-oriented rifles in the 1960s
(except for customized ordnance, like M1 Garands),
to allow rapid fire and quicker engagement of multiple targets. As with all
precision-oriented rifles, the user has to take care not to overheat the barrel
and limit the use of rapid fire. In order to fire effective API ammunition, its
accuracy potential was slightly downgraded by shortening the twist rate,
another uncommon priority for a pure sniper rifle. It has a relatively light
barrel profile; its precision is good, but not exceptional. Like an assault
rifle, the rifle has mounts on the barrel to fix a bayonet. The standard AKM
bayonet can even be used to cut electrified barbed wire. Lastly, the rifle was
meant to be a relatively cheap mass-produced firearm.
These
features and unusual characteristics were driven by the tactical use doctrine
of Dragunov armed marksman, which was: from (just behind) the first line
targeting high-value targets of opportunity and providing special long-distance
disrupting and suppressive fire on the battlefield, even with
sudden close encounters with enemy troops in mind. A relatively small number of
marksmen could assist conventional troops by combating or harassing valuable
targets and assets such as: key enemy personnel like officers, non-commissioned officers and radio operators,
exposed tank commanders, designated marksmen and snipers, machinegun
teams, anti-tank warfare teams, etc.
Users
- Argentina - 60 rifles donated by Hugo Chávez.
- Armenia
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Bangladesh: Uses Chinese Type 85 copy. Used by Black Eagle Battalion.
- Belarus
- Bolivia
- Bulgaria
- China: Norinco-made copy of the SVD, known as the Type 79. Equipped with a 4× magnification optical sight which is a copy of the PSO-1. The rifle has a slightly shorter butt. Also produced a modified Type 85 and several other commercial copies of the SVD.[25][26][27] An upgraded variant called the CS/LR19 was also debuted. Export variants such as the "NSG-85" were also produced.
- Czech Republic
- Finland: Known as the 7.62 TKIV Dragunov, which stands for tarkkuuskivääri henkilömaaleja vastaan (sniper rifle against infantry targets).
- Georgia
- Hungary
- India: Principal sniper rifle of the Indian Army. Used by "Designated Marksmen".
- Iran: Locally produced as the Nakhjir 3 Sniper Rifle.
- Iraq: Al Kadesiah, made based on SVD and PSL. Official Iraqi designation is either Al-Qadissiya or Al-Gadissiya.
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Libya
- Mongolia
- Nicaragua
- North Korea
- Pakistan: Used by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Corps (Balochistan), Elite Police Commando.
- Poland: Polish SVD modernization; known as SWD-M- and updated with a heavier barrel, variable magnification scope and detachable bipod. It's planned to replace SVD with MSBS's marksman variant.
- Russian Federation: SVD-M.
- Slovakia
- Soviet Union: Entered service with the Soviet Army in 1967.
- Tajikistan
- Turkey: Used by Gendarmerie General Command and Polis Özel Harekat.
- Turkmenistan
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
- Venezuela: Over 1000 rifles purchased by the Army of Venezuela in 2007.
|
OTHER
LINKS:
No comments:
Post a Comment