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SVD Dragunov: The First Purpose-Built DMR (Ad-free)
🕑 Added 2024-12-03 11:00:04 +0000 UTCThe development of the Dragunov designated marksman’s rifle was spurred by the NATO adoption of the 7.62x51mm cartridge. The Red Army had standardized on a new suite of infantry weapons using the intermediate-sized 7.62x39mm round, and feared being out-ranged in open terrain by NATO units. The Soviet squad needed some way to reach out and engage a NATO machine gun or antitank weapon that might be beyond the range of their RPD light machine gun. And so in 1957, specifications were issued for a new 7.62x54Rmm precision rifle.
Three designers responded with proposals; Dragunov, Konstatinov, and Simonov. The Simonov was not really suitable (it was ascaled-up SKS in essence), and the Konstantinov was not as accurate as the Dragunov. And so, Evgeniy Dragunov’s rifle was adopted in 1963 as the SVD. Dragunov himself was a talented competitive marksman, and this experience undoubtedly contributed to the quality of hhis design. The SVD is a rotating bolt rifle with a lightweight short-stroke gas piston and a light-be-accurate barrel. It was issued to ever squad in mechanized infantry units, and was an important part of infantry armament, still in service today.
Video on detail differences between SVD, Tiger, and NDM-86: https://youtu.be/8gcE45knbNA
Video interview with Max Popenker on Dragunov history: https://youtu.be/eDhEOQPaDu0
Comments
Reed Gregory
always wanted one, worked with a dude that had a original norinco dragunov and he sold it for 6 grand. these babies go for big bucks
John Simpson
Great job, Ian. Once again, let me know if you need access to a PSO-1 Mod 1 scope for a video or the upcoming James Bond book. Despite the dispersion problem, the CIA gave this rifle a max effective range of "875 yards" in their 1969 'Intelligence Handbook Soviet Ground Force Weapons and Armored Vehicles.'
Guido Schriewer
ain't much better finding a svd original not tigr in europe. and if the price will be through the roof.
Guido Schriewer
damned! I would love to get one of those. THAT seems to have worked very very well for the commies. get that many dmr's out. this rifle sounds very very handy compared to more recent western attempts.
Thomas Batha
Another great presentation. The one question that comes to mind is why that un-godly long barrel? Seems obvious that shortening it 6 inches and thickening up the barrel would have cured the heat problem, stiffened the barrel for accuracy made the whole thing easier handling and maybe reduced weight.
