Category Archives: Sniper / Precision Rifles

Want to trigger me? Call a Romanian PSL a Dragunov!

I guess we all have our pet peves. One of my many irks is when people call a Romanian PSL rifle a “Dragunov”. I see it all the time on Facebook and GunBroker. Honestly, it bugs the hell out of me. The PSL is an oversized AK for all intents and purposes. The Dragunov is a brilliant Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) that is it’s own creature. With that said, let’s take a look at the two.

I. Executive Summary

The Russian SVD Dragunov and the Romanian PSL are both iconic semi-automatic rifles chambered in the 7.62x54mmR cartridge, designed to serve as Designated Marksman Rifles (DMRs) within Eastern Bloc military doctrines. A common misconception persists that the PSL is merely a direct clone or licensed variant of the SVD. However, a detailed examination reveals that while they share a similar operational role and external appearance, they are fundamentally distinct in their mechanical design and underlying philosophical approaches to firearms development.1

Figure 1. This is a Russian Dragunov. Note the sleek lines, long handguard, milled receiver, and lack of a protruding rear sight block compared to a PSL. (Obtained from Wikimedia)

The SVD, or Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, emerged from a dedicated design competition in the Soviet Union, resulting in a purpose-built platform featuring a short-stroke gas piston system and a precisely machined (milled) steel receiver.3 This design reflects a focus on refinement, optimized performance, and a balance between accuracy and battlefield mobility for a squad-level marksman.7 In contrast, the Romanian PSL, or Puşcă Semiautomată cu Lunetă, was developed independently due to geopolitical tensions and Romania’s desire for self-sufficiency in arms production.1 It is essentially a scaled-up and reinforced adaptation of the Kalashnikov/RPK light machine gun platform, utilizing a long-stroke gas piston and a stamped steel receiver.1 This approach prioritized ruggedness, reliability, and cost-effective mass production over the SVD’s more complex and expensive manufacturing processes.9

Figure 2. This is a PSL. Note the different flash hider, gas block, hand guards, rear sight block, stamped steel magazine, magazine stampong and buttstock design compared to the Dragunov. (Obtained from Wikimedia)

These fundamental differences in design philosophy and mechanical execution lead to varied performance characteristics, particularly in terms of inherent accuracy and sustained fire capability. While both rifles are designed for engaging man-sized targets at extended ranges, the SVD generally exhibits a higher standard of quality control and consistent accuracy, whereas the PSL, though robust and reliable, may require aftermarket modifications to maximize its precision potential.10 The distinction between these two rifles is not merely academic; it highlights how military doctrine, political autonomy, and industrial capabilities shape the development of firearms, leading to distinct solutions for similar operational requirements.

II. Introduction: The Role of Designated Marksman Rifles

The evolution of infantry combat in the mid-20th century revealed a critical gap in the capabilities of standard small arms. While assault rifles, such as the ubiquitous AKM, proved highly effective for close-to-medium range engagements, typically up to 300-400 meters, targets appearing beyond this distance often remained unengaged or required specialized, slower-firing bolt-action sniper rifles.1 This tactical void necessitated an intermediate class of firearm: the Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR).

DMRs are designed to bridge this gap, providing infantry squads or platoons with an organic capability for increased effective range and precision without resorting to highly specialized sniper teams. Their primary function is to enable engagement of targets beyond the capabilities of standard issue assault rifles, typically out to 600-800 meters, while maintaining a semi-automatic rate of fire to support dynamic battlefield scenarios.1 This role emphasizes “combat accuracy”—the ability to consistently hit man-sized targets quickly and effectively—rather than the extreme sub-Minute of Angle (MOA) precision often associated with Western sniper rifles.8

The SVD Dragunov and the Romanian PSL stand as two prominent and historically significant examples of this DMR concept, both emerging from the Cold War era to fulfill similar roles within their respective military doctrines. Their development paths, however, diverged significantly, offering a compelling study in firearm design and geopolitical influence.

III. Historical Development and Design Philosophy

A. The SVD Dragunov: Soviet Precision and Doctrine

The SVD Dragunov’s genesis lies in a Soviet military requirement for a new self-loading sniper rifle, initiated through competitive trials spanning from 1958 to 1963.6 This was the third significant attempt to equip Soviet infantry with such a weapon, following earlier efforts like the SVT-40.20 The competition ultimately saw the design by Yevgeny Dragunov emerge victorious, leading to its official adoption on July 3, 1963.6 Dragunov’s background as a factory machinist, senior armorer, and a competitive shooter with extensive experience in sports and target rifle design proved instrumental.20 His unique perspective, honed from years of working with and competing in precision shooting, allowed him to approach the challenge with a fundamentally different philosophy than his competitors, who were more rooted in automatic combat weapon design.20

The core design philosophy behind the SVD was not to create a Western-style, extreme-precision sniper rifle, but rather a Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) optimized for “combat accuracy”.8 This meant prioritizing the ability to score effective hits on man-sized targets rapidly, even against moving targets in dynamic battle scenarios, rather than achieving the absolute maximum possible accuracy.18 This doctrinal approach had a profound impact on the SVD’s design choices. For instance, the rifle was initially designed with a relatively thin, “pencil-profile” barrel to save weight, enhancing the marksman’s maneuverability and ability to keep pace with an infantry squad.6 While this design choice compromised some inherent accuracy, it aligned with the Soviet emphasis on a lightweight weapon system for squad support.8 Later, the modernized SVDM variant would feature a heavier barrel to enhance rigidity and harmonics, thereby improving accuracy, indicating a continuous refinement process.7

Another significant design decision reflecting this doctrine was the change in rifling twist rate. Originally, the SVD featured a 320 mm (1:12.6 in) twist, optimized for heavier civilian ammunition.6 However, in 1975, this was increased to a standard 240 mm (1:9.4 in) twist. This modification, while reducing precision with the dedicated 7N1 sniper cartridge by approximately 19%, was a deliberate choice to allow for acceptable accuracy when using standard “light” ball steel core LPS Gzh ammunition, which was more readily available for general issue and machine guns.6 This adjustment underscores the Soviet emphasis on logistical commonality and battlefield practicality over achieving peak theoretical precision with specialized ammunition. The SVD’s design, therefore, represents a sophisticated balance of precision, reliability, and battlefield utility, tailored to a specific military doctrine that valued effective fire support at the squad level.

B. The Romanian PSL: An Independent AK-Derived Solution

The development of the Romanian PSL (Puşcă Semiautomată 7,62 mm cu Lunetă) was born out of a unique geopolitical context that diverged from the unified Warsaw Pact arms development strategy. In August 1968, Romania’s President Nicolae Ceaușescu publicly condemned the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, a move that significantly strained relations with the Soviet Union and solidified Romania’s independent foreign policy.1 This political rift directly influenced Romania’s military industrial complex. To reduce its reliance on Soviet military equipment and foster national self-sufficiency, Romania accelerated the development of its own small-arms production capabilities.1

When the Soviets proved hesitant to share the detailed specifications for their SVD Dragunov, Romania embarked on an independent project to develop its own semi-automatic designated marksman rifle.9 The PSL was officially launched in 1974, leveraging Romania’s existing and well-established small-arms manufacturing infrastructure.1 Critically, instead of attempting to reverse-engineer or replicate the SVD’s complex, purpose-built design, Romanian engineers opted for a pragmatic approach: adapting a proven domestic platform. The PSL’s design is fundamentally based on the PM md. 64 light machine gun, which itself was a licensed copy of the Soviet RPK, an enlarged variant of the AKM.1 This means the PSL belongs to the Kalashnikov family of weapons, sharing many of its core operational principles.17

The Romanian design priorities for the PSL emphasized ruggedness, reliability, and cost-effective mass production.9 Unlike the SVD’s milled receiver, the PSL utilizes a stamped sheet steel receiver, similar to the RPK, but reinforced with a “bulged” front trunnion to accommodate the more powerful 7.62x54mmR cartridge.1 This choice of stamped construction made the PSL cheaper and easier to mass-produce compared to the SVD’s more labor-intensive milled design.9 The internal mechanism, being familiar to troops trained on AK-pattern rifles, also meant a shorter training period for designated marksmen.17 The PSL’s development therefore stands as a compelling illustration of how political autonomy and economic realities can drive distinct military hardware solutions, even when fulfilling a similar operational role and sharing a common cartridge type. The result is a robust, reliable, and widely distributed rifle that, while cosmetically similar to the SVD, is mechanically a different weapon system.

IV. Technical Specifications and Mechanical Differences

Despite their superficial resemblance and shared 7.62x54mmR cartridge, the SVD Dragunov and Romanian PSL exhibit profound mechanical differences that stem from their distinct design philosophies and manufacturing approaches. These divergences impact everything from their internal operation to their accuracy potential and logistical considerations.

A. Operating Mechanism and Receiver Design

The most fundamental mechanical distinction between the SVD and PSL lies in their operating mechanisms and receiver construction. The SVD employs a short-stroke gas piston system.3 In this design, a separate gas piston impacts a pusher, which in turn drives the bolt carrier rearward, but the piston itself does not travel the full length of the receiver with the bolt carrier.3 This approach minimizes the mass of reciprocating parts, contributing to reduced felt recoil and potentially better accuracy by reducing the disturbance to the rifle’s harmonics during the firing cycle.3 The SVD’s receiver is precisely machined from a solid block of steel (milled), providing a rigid and stable platform for the barrel and operating components.2 This manufacturing method, while more costly and time-consuming, enhances the rifle’s inherent precision and durability.

In stark contrast, the PSL utilizes a long-stroke gas piston system, a hallmark of the Kalashnikov family of weapons.1 In this system, the gas piston is permanently attached to the bolt carrier, and the entire assembly travels the full length of the receiver during the operating cycle. While this design is renowned for its exceptional reliability and robustness, it involves a larger and heavier mass of reciprocating parts, which can introduce more vibration and impact accuracy, particularly during rapid fire.10 The PSL’s receiver is constructed from stamped sheet steel, similar to the RPK light machine gun, but it is “beefed up” and reinforced, particularly at the front trunnion, to handle the more powerful 7.62x54mmR cartridge.1 This stamped construction is significantly less expensive and faster to produce than a milled receiver, aligning with Romania’s emphasis on mass production and cost-effectiveness. The choice of these differing core mechanical architectures highlights the distinct design philosophies: the SVD as a purpose-built precision instrument, and the PSL as a pragmatic, robust adaptation of an existing, reliable platform.

B. Barrel Characteristics

Both rifles feature chrome-lined bores, a common practice in Eastern Bloc firearms to enhance corrosion resistance and extend barrel life, especially when using corrosive surplus ammunition.6 However, their barrel profiles and rifling twist rates present notable differences impacting accuracy.

The original SVD was designed with a relatively thin, “pencil-profile” barrel to minimize overall weight, a crucial consideration for a rifle intended for squad-level mobility.6 While this contributed to a lighter weapon, it inherently limited the barrel’s rigidity and its ability to dissipate heat effectively during sustained firing, which can negatively affect accuracy. Recognizing this, later modernized variants like the SVDM incorporated a heavier barrel profile to enhance rigidity and improve barrel harmonics, thereby boosting accuracy.7 The SVD’s rifling twist rate also saw an evolution. Initially, it was 320 mm (1:12.6 in), optimized for heavier civilian ammunition.6 However, in 1975, the twist rate was standardized to 240 mm (1:9.4 in). This change, while reportedly reducing precision with the dedicated 7N1 sniper cartridge by 19%, allowed for acceptable accuracy with standard “light” ball steel core LPS Gzh ammunition, reflecting a pragmatic compromise for logistical commonality.6

The PSL also features a chrome-lined barrel, typically with a 1:10 twist rate.9 However, a significant characteristic of the PSL’s barrel is its relatively thin profile.10 This design choice, likely influenced by weight considerations and manufacturing simplicity, has a direct and pronounced impact on its sustained accuracy. Reports indicate that the PSL’s thin barrel heats up rapidly, causing groups to widen considerably after firing as few as 3 to 5 rounds.13 This makes the PSL less suitable for prolonged rapid-fire engagements where consistent precision is paramount, highlighting a practical limitation of its design when compared to the SVD’s more robust barrel characteristics, especially in later variants.

C. Magazine Design and Interchangeability

Both the SVD and PSL are chambered for the same powerful 7.62x54mm Russian rimmed cartridge and are fed from 10-round detachable box magazines.1 This shared ammunition and capacity often leads to the mistaken assumption that their magazines are interchangeable. However, this is a critical point of divergence: the magazines are not interchangeable between the Dragunov and PSL without significant modification.1

This incompatibility stems directly from their fundamentally different receiver designs and internal dimensions. The SVD, being a purpose-built design with a milled receiver, has a magazine well precisely machined to fit its specific magazines. In contrast, the PSL, as an enlarged AK/RPK variant, adapted its magazine well to accommodate its scaled-up Kalashnikov-style internals. Visually, PSL magazines are distinguishable by a characteristic X-shaped pattern stamped on their sides, whereas Russian and Chinese SVD magazines typically feature a waffle-style stamp.1 This seemingly minor detail carries significant logistical implications for military forces or civilian users who might operate both rifle types, as it necessitates separate supply chains for magazines despite the shared ammunition. The non-interchangeability of magazines serves as a tangible illustration of the deep mechanical differences between the two platforms, reinforcing that the PSL is not simply a “Romanian Dragunov” but a distinct weapon system.

D. Optics and Mounting Systems

Both the SVD and PSL were designed to be used primarily with optical sights, reflecting their role as designated marksman rifles. They share a common philosophy of side-mounted optics, a characteristic of Eastern Bloc firearms, which allows for the use of iron sights even when the optic is mounted.18

The SVD is typically issued with the PSO-1 (or later PSO-1M2) optical sight.3 This 4x magnification scope features a distinctive reticle that includes a stadiametric rangefinder for estimating target distance, chevrons for bullet drop compensation (BDC) at various ranges, and horizontal marks for windage adjustments.22 The PSO-1 is designed to mount to a Warsaw Pact rail on the left side of the SVD’s receiver. This mounting system is engineered to allow for the optic’s removal and reattachment without a significant loss of zero, a crucial feature for field maintenance and transport.18 The SVD’s milled receiver provides a robust and stable base for this rail, contributing to consistent optic performance.

The PSL is typically equipped with the LPS 4×6° TIP2 scope (Lunetă Pușcă Semiautomată Tip 2).1 This optic is a simplified version of the Russian PSO-1, sharing a similar basic design, 4x magnification, and the distinctive stadiametric rangefinder and BDC reticle features.1 It also mounts to a riveted side rail on the left side of the PSL’s stamped receiver.1 While the shared design philosophy of integrated rangefinding and BDC aims for rapid target engagement without complex calculations, there can be differences in optical quality and consistency. Some reports indicate that the LPS optics found on PSLs may be “dim and hazy” compared to the PSO-1.4 The PSL’s riveted rail on a stamped receiver, while functional, may not offer the same inherent rigidity and stability as the SVD’s integrated rail on a milled receiver, potentially impacting the consistency of zero retention over time, though the side rail concept itself is designed for repeatable mounting.18 The differences in optical quality and mounting stability reflect the differing manufacturing standards and the overall refinement levels of each nation’s arms industry.

E. Other Key Distinctions

Beyond the major differences in operating mechanisms, receivers, barrels, and magazines, several other mechanical distinctions contribute to the overall character and performance of the SVD and PSL:

  • Trigger Groups: The SVD features a more refined and easily removable trigger mechanism.3 This design contributes to a smoother and lighter trigger pull, which is beneficial for precision shooting. In contrast, the PSL, being derived from the AK platform, utilizes a fire control group that is more akin to the standard Kalashnikov design.3 While robust and reliable, these triggers are often characterized by a military-grade coarseness, with some creep and grittiness, which can be less conducive to achieving maximum accuracy.10
  • Gas Regulation: The SVD incorporates a two-position adjustable gas regulator.6 This feature allows the operator to fine-tune the gas system to compensate for varying environmental conditions (such as fouling in the gas port, extreme cold, or high altitude) or to optimize performance with different ammunition types. This adjustability helps maintain consistent recoil impulse and reliability. The PSL, however, typically has a non-adjustable gas system.1 This lack of adjustability can lead to issues, particularly when using heavier ammunition (147 grain or greater) or silencers, as the increased gas pressure can cause excessive wear, including bolt carrier cracking.1 To mitigate these issues, aftermarket adjustable gas pistons are a common and recommended modification for PSL owners.1 This difference underscores the SVD’s more optimized design for its cartridge compared to the PSL’s adaptation of an existing platform.
  • Bolt Hold-Open: The SVD features a last-round bolt hold-open mechanism, which keeps the bolt open after the last cartridge in the magazine has been fired.6 This is a valuable feature for military applications as it provides immediate feedback to the operator that the rifle is empty and facilitates faster reloads. While military-specification PSLs generally incorporate this feature, some civilian import versions may lack it due to modifications made to comply with import laws.1

These cumulative differences highlight the engineering trade-offs inherent in each design. The SVD’s features reflect a commitment to optimizing performance and adaptability for its specific role, while the PSL’s design reflects a pragmatic approach of adapting existing, proven technology, even if it means some inherent limitations or the need for user-level modifications to achieve optimal performance.

V. Performance Analysis: Accuracy and Operational Range

The performance of the SVD Dragunov and Romanian PSL is best understood within the context of their intended role as Designated Marksman Rifles, rather than traditional precision sniper rifles. Both were designed for “combat accuracy”—the ability to consistently hit man-sized targets in dynamic battlefield conditions—rather than achieving minute-of-angle (MOA) groups typically expected from dedicated Western sniper platforms.9

A. Accuracy at 500 meters and 1,000 meters

Evaluating the accuracy of these rifles at 500 and 1,000 meters requires distinguishing between factory specifications, optimal conditions with match-grade ammunition, and practical performance with standard military ball ammunition.

SVD Dragunov Accuracy:

Factory inspection requirements for the SVD were stringent for its class, mandating a median deviation of no more than 0.7 MOA in three 10-shot groups when using the dedicated 7N1 sniper ammunition.6 This translates to an approximate overall accuracy of 3 MOA under factory test conditions.6 More specifically, with 7N1 sniper cartridges, the extreme vertical spread was required to be no more than 1.24 MOA (with a 240 mm twist rate barrel) or 1.04 MOA (with a 320 mm twist rate barrel) in 5-shot groups.22 However, when using standard 57-N-323S cartridges (light ball), the precision of the SVD is notably reduced to approximately 2.21 MOA extreme vertical spread.22 U.S. military tests and Soviet technical bulletins further indicate a requirement for the SVD to hold a 14.7-inch group at 600 meters (approximately 2.3 MOA) with standard ball ammunition.19 This level of accuracy is considered acceptable for engaging man-sized targets at these distances. While the SVD can achieve hits at 1,000 meters, its design is not optimized for consistent precision at such extreme ranges. An experimental prototype, the SVK, chambered in 6x49mm, was developed to offer nearly a fourfold accuracy improvement over the SVD at 1,000 meters, underscoring the SVD’s inherent limitations at that distance.7

Romanian PSL Accuracy:

The PSL is often cited as being capable of 1 Minute of Angle (MOA) or less under ideal conditions.1 However, this potential is frequently hampered by practical limitations. A significant issue is the PSL’s relatively thin barrel, which heats up quickly, causing groups to widen considerably after only 3 to 5 rounds.13 This makes sustained precision fire challenging. Furthermore, the lack of an adjustable gas system can lead to issues like bolt carriers cracking when using heavier ball (147 grain or greater) ammunition or suppressors, due to excessive gas pressure.1 Despite these challenges, with proper tuning, such as the installation of an aftermarket adjustable gas piston (like the KNS piston), and selection of specific ammunition (e.g., 150-grain or 180+ grain loads), the PSL has demonstrated the capability to make 500-yard shots with ease, with some reports indicating its accuracy can be “on par with the Drag”.12 It is consistently emphasized that the PSL, like the SVD, is a DMR intended for hitting man-sized targets, not a precision competition rifle.9 For example, tests at 300 yards showed the PSL capable of a 10-shot rapid-fire group, and with specific match ammunition, it could achieve groups near 1.5 MOA.11

Comparative Assessment:

At 500 meters, both rifles are capable of engaging man-sized targets. The SVD, particularly with 7N1 sniper ammunition, is generally more consistently accurate out of the box due to its higher quality control and more refined design.10 Its factory specifications and military requirements suggest a reliable capability for hits within 2-3 MOA at this range.19 The PSL, while capable of similar or even better initial accuracy with optimal ammunition and tuning, suffers from rapid barrel heating, which significantly degrades its sustained accuracy after a few shots.13 Therefore, for a single, well-aimed shot at 500 meters, both can perform, but the SVD offers greater consistency across multiple shots and varying ammunition types without modifications.

At 1,000 meters, neither rifle is considered a true precision sniper rifle in the Western sense. While their optical sights (PSO-1/LPS) have bullet drop compensation markings up to 1,000 meters or beyond, and their cartridges possess the ballistic energy to reach these distances, achieving consistent, precise hits on man-sized targets becomes significantly more challenging.1 The SVD’s limitations at 1,000 meters are acknowledged by the development of the SVK prototype, which aimed for a fourfold accuracy improvement at this range.7 For the PSL, its thin barrel and inherent design limitations make consistent accuracy at 1,000 meters highly improbable without extensive modifications and specialized ammunition, even then it would be considered an extreme shot.10 In practical terms, neither rifle is reliably accurate for precision work at 1,000 meters, though engaging area targets or suppressing fire might be possible.

B. Realistic Operational Range

The realistic operational range for a designated marksman rifle is the distance at which a trained operator can consistently achieve effective hits on typical battlefield targets (e.g., a man-sized silhouette) under combat conditions.

SVD Dragunov:

The SVD’s sighting systems are graduated for considerable distances: 1,300 meters with the optical sight and 1,200 meters with the iron sights.27 However, its maximum effective range is widely cited as 800 meters.19 This 800-meter range aligns with Soviet sniping doctrine, which focused on accurate engagement of multiple high-profile targets within this distance.19 The SVD is designed for a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s with standard ammunition.27 The rifle’s “killing range” is theoretically listed at 3,800 meters, but this refers to the maximum projectile flight distance, not effective accuracy.15 For direct fire, the SVD has a direct fire range of 350m for a 30cm head figure, 430m for a 50cm chest figure, and 640m for a 150cm running figure.32

Romanian PSL:

The PSL’s effective firing range is generally stated to be between 800 and 1,000 meters.30 Its LPS 4×6° TIP2 optical sight features bullet drop compensation out to 1,000 meters.1 Similar to the SVD, the PSL has a theoretical maximum firing range (killing effect) of approximately 3,000 to 3,800 meters.15 With a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s using a 10-gram projectile (7N14) 30, its ballistic performance is comparable to the SVD. Romanian military doctrine for the PSL, like the SVD, focused on its role as a squad-level DMR to engage targets beyond the capabilities of standard assault rifles, typically between 400 and 800 meters.15

Conclusion on Operational Range:

Both the SVD and PSL are realistically effective at engaging man-sized targets out to approximately 800 meters under typical battlefield conditions. While their optics and ammunition allow for shots at greater distances, consistent hits on individual targets become increasingly difficult beyond this range due to ballistic limitations, rifle characteristics (like barrel heating in the PSL), and the inherent precision requirements for such shots. Their design and doctrinal role align with providing extended-range fire support within the capabilities of a standard infantry squad, rather than engaging targets at extreme “sniper” distances.

VI. Design Superiority and Practicality

Assessing the “superior design” between the SVD Dragunov and the Romanian PSL is nuanced, as each rifle represents a different set of design priorities and compromises. The determination of superiority often depends on the specific criteria being evaluated: refinement, reliability, manufacturing cost, and maintenance.

Refinement:

The SVD is widely considered the more refined design.2 Its purpose-built nature, featuring a precisely milled receiver and a short-stroke gas piston system, contributes to a smoother operation, reduced reciprocating mass, and better inherent accuracy potential.3 The SVD’s trigger mechanism is also noted for being more refined and easily removable.3 This level of engineering and manufacturing precision typically results in a weapon that feels more “tight” and consistent. The PSL, being an adaptation of the RPK/AKM platform, exhibits a “military-grade coarseness” in its construction.9 While robust, its stamped receiver and long-stroke gas system, though beefed up, operate closer to their mechanical limits when firing the powerful 7.62x54mmR cartridge, leading to less inherent refinement in its action.10

Reliability:

Both rifles are renowned for their reliability, a hallmark of Eastern Bloc small arms designs. The PSL, benefiting from its Kalashnikov heritage, has a well-earned reputation for ruggedness and reliability, performing well even in extreme field environments.10 Its simpler, more robust long-stroke gas system is inherently forgiving of fouling and harsh conditions. The SVD also boasts legendary reliability, having undergone rigorous torture testing in various climatic conditions to ensure flawless performance.42 While the PSL’s non-adjustable gas system can lead to issues with heavy ammunition or suppressors, requiring aftermarket modifications 1, its basic operating reliability remains high. In terms of sheer ability to function under adverse conditions, both are highly dependable, though the PSL’s simplicity might give it a slight edge in raw field ruggedness for the average soldier.

Manufacturing Cost:

The PSL is significantly less expensive to produce than the SVD.9 This cost difference is a direct result of their differing manufacturing methods. The SVD’s milled receiver and more complex, purpose-built components require more machining time and higher material costs.2 In contrast, the PSL’s stamped receiver and adaptation of existing AK/RPK tooling allowed for more cost-effective mass production, a key Romanian design priority.9 This cost advantage made the PSL a more accessible option for many nations and for civilian markets, especially when compared to the scarcity and high price of genuine SVDs.2

Maintenance:

Both rifles are designed for relatively easy field maintenance, a common characteristic of Soviet and Warsaw Pact firearms, often described as “Ivan-proof”.16 Disassembly and reassembly procedures for both are straightforward, allowing for routine cleaning and lubrication in the field.17 The PSL’s AK-derived design means its maintenance procedures are familiar to anyone accustomed to Kalashnikov-pattern rifles.9 The SVD’s trigger group is notably easy to remove for maintenance.3 The adjustable gas system on the SVD also simplifies maintenance by allowing the operator to compensate for fouling or extreme cold.6 While both are robust, the PSL’s inherent simplicity, being an enlarged AK, might be perceived as marginally easier to maintain for a general infantryman without specialized training.

Overall Assessment of Superiority:

There is no single “superior” design; rather, each excels in different areas based on its original intent.

  • The SVD Dragunov is generally considered the superior design in terms of inherent precision, refinement, and optimized performance for its designated role.2 Its purpose-built architecture and higher manufacturing standards contribute to more consistent accuracy and a more refined shooting experience. It represents a dedicated engineering solution to the DMR problem.
  • The Romanian PSL is superior in terms of cost-effectiveness, ease of mass production, and raw rugged reliability.9 It is a highly successful pragmatic adaptation of an existing, proven platform, making it a robust and widely available solution for forces requiring an extended-range semi-automatic rifle without the higher investment of the SVD.

Therefore, if the priority is maximum inherent accuracy and refinement, the SVD is the superior design. If the priority is widespread issuance, cost-effectiveness, and robust reliability under demanding conditions, the PSL presents a highly effective and practical solution.

VII. Global Adoption and Variants

Both the SVD Dragunov and the Romanian PSL have seen extensive military service globally, particularly within the former Eastern Bloc and among nations that received Soviet or Romanian military aid. Their widespread use underscores their effectiveness in the designated marksman role.

A. SVD Dragunov: Military Users and Variants

The SVD Dragunov, having entered service with the Soviet Army in 1963, quickly became the standard squad support weapon for numerous countries, especially those of the former Warsaw Pact.6 Its robust design and effective performance ensured its continued relevance across decades of conflict.

Current and Former Military Users:

The SVD has been widely adopted by state forces across various regions.28 Notable users include:

  • Russia: Continues to use and upgrade the SVD, with newer SVDM variants being issued.45
  • Former Soviet Republics: Including Kazakhstan 46, Ukraine 45, and Moldova.
  • Eastern Europe: Hungary 46, East Germany (issued as SWD) 6, Czechoslovakia (entered service in the 1970s).6
  • Middle East & North Africa: Iraq 2, Syria 46, Egypt.
  • Asia: China (produced under license as Type 79 and 85) 6, Vietnam.
  • Other: Afghanistan.47

The SVD has been used in numerous conflicts, including the Vietnam War, Soviet-Afghan War, Iran-Iraq War, Iraq War, Syrian Civil War, and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.6 Non-state actors, such as the Islamic State and Lord’s Resistance Army, have also utilized SVDs.6

Figure 3. Nigerien solider calling himself “Romeo” poses for VOA Africa at Camp Assaga, Diffa, Niger. Photo by the Voice of America and obtained via Wikimedia.

Notable Variants:

  • SVD (Original, Russia): The foundational model, characterized by its skeletal stock and long, narrow profile.28
  • SVDS (Russia): A variant featuring a tubular, folding stock, designed for paratroopers.28
  • SVDK (Russia): Resembles the SVDS but is rechambered to fire a larger 9.3x64mm cartridge, intended for targets in heavy body armor or behind cover.28
  • SVU (Russia): A ‘bullpup’ version of the SVD, reconfigured with the magazine behind the trigger assembly to reduce overall length.22
  • Type 79 / NDM-86 (China): Chinese copies of the SVD, visually identical to the original; differentiation often requires checking manufacturer markings.2 The NDM-86 was also produced in 7.62x51mm NATO for export.3
  • Al-Kadesih (Iraq): An Iraqi variant distinguishable by a palm tree embossed on the magazine.28

B. Romanian PSL: Military Users and Variants

The PSL, introduced into Romanian military service in 1974, has also achieved significant global distribution due to its robust design and cost-effectiveness.1

Current and Former Military Users:

The PSL was adopted by all branches of the Romanian Army, internal troops, and police units.1 Its export success led to widespread use in various regions:

  • Romania: Primary user since 1974.1
  • Middle East & North Africa: Iraq (5,000 delivered to Republican Guards in 1978) 1, Iran 17, Libya (including Anti-Gaddafi forces) 1, Syria 17, Egypt.1
  • Africa: Eritrea 1, Ethiopia 1, Angola 17, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda.17
  • Asia: Afghanistan 1, Bangladesh 1, North Korea 17, Pakistan 17, Vietnam.17
  • Europe: East Germany 1, Republic of Moldova.17
  • Central America: Nicaragua.17 The PSL has been employed in numerous conflicts, including the Angolan Civil War, Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Syrian Civil War, and the ongoing conflict in Donbas.17
Figure 4, An Afghan National Army soldier uses a PSL rifle during a demonstration to display weaponry and communicatons capabilities at Camp Joyce, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jordan Carter) (Released). (Photo from Wikimedia)

Notable Variants:

  • PSL 54 (Romania): The standard semi-automatic military version, chambered in 7.62x54R.1
  • PSL 51 (Romania): A semi-automatic version chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, primarily for export.15
  • PL (Romania): A repeating (bolt-action) version chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.15
  • PSL-54C / Romak III / FPK / FPK Dragunov / SSG-97 (Export): These are sporting versions intended for the export market, particularly the United States. They are largely identical to the military version but feature modifications to comply with import laws, such as the removal of the bayonet lug and receiver modifications (e.g., two trigger mechanism axis pin holes instead of three).1 The “FPK Dragunov” designation is purely commercial and does not imply mechanical commonality with the SVD.1

VIII. Summary Table of Major Features

The following table provides a concise comparison of the key features of the SVD Dragunov and the Romanian PSL, highlighting their similarities and fundamental differences.

FeatureSVD Dragunov (Russia)Romanian PSL (Puşcă Semiautomată cu Lunetă)
TypeDesignated Marksman Rifle (DMR), Sniper RifleDesignated Marksman Rifle (DMR)
Place of OriginSoviet Union (Russia)Romania
In Service1963–present 61974–present 30
DesignerYevgeny Dragunov 21Romania – Cugir 31
Operating MechanismGas-operated, Short-Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt 3Gas-operated, Long-Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt 1
Receiver TypeMilled Steel 2Stamped Sheet Steel (RPK-type, reinforced) 1
Caliber7.62x54mmR (original), 9.3x64mm (SVDK variant) 287.62x54mmR (original), 7.62x51mm NATO (export variant) 1
Muzzle Velocity830 m/s 27830 m/s 30
Weight (unloaded, with optical sight)4.3 kg 274.31 kg 30 (4.9 kg with mag & scope, no bayonet 15)
Length (without bayonet)1220 mm 271150 mm 30
Barrel Length620 mm 28620 mm 24
Barrel ProfileOriginally thin, later heavier (SVDM) 6Relatively thin 10
Barrel Rifling Twist240 mm (1:9.4 in) (since 1975) 61:10″ (254 mm) 24 (some sources 320mm 31)
Magazine Capacity10 rounds, detachable box 2710 rounds, detachable box 1
Magazine InterchangeabilityNot interchangeable with PSL magazines 1Not interchangeable with SVD magazines 1
Standard OpticPSO-1 / PSO-1M2 (4x) 22LPS 4×6° TIP2 (4x) 1
Gas SystemAdjustable (two-position) 6Non-adjustable 1
Bolt Hold-OpenYes (last round) 6Yes (military spec), some civilian imports lack it 1
Factory Accuracy (7N1 ammo)~1.04-1.24 MOA (5-shot groups, extreme vertical spread) 22Capable of 1 MOA or less (but with caveats) 1
Effective Firing Range800 m 29800–1,000 m 30
Max Sighting Range (optic)1300 m 271300 m 15
Notable VariantsSVDS, SVDK, SVU, Type 79, Al-Kadesih 28PSL-54C, Romak III, FPK, SSG-97 (export) 1
Countries Used In (Examples)Russia, Ukraine, Iraq, China, Hungary, Syria 6Romania, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Libya, Eritrea 1
Manufacturing CostHigher (milled receiver) 43Lower (stamped receiver) 9

IX. Conclusion

The comparative analysis of the Russian SVD Dragunov and the Romanian PSL reveals two distinct yet functionally similar Designated Marksman Rifles, each a product of unique design philosophies and geopolitical circumstances. The common perception of the PSL as a mere “Romanian Dragunov” is a misnomer, as the rifles are mechanically dissimilar, sharing only their ammunition, optical philosophy, and a general aesthetic.1

The SVD Dragunov stands as a testament to Soviet engineering, purpose-built from the ground up to fulfill a specific doctrinal role: providing squad-level marksmen with rapid, effective fire at extended ranges. Its short-stroke gas piston system and precisely milled receiver reflect a commitment to refinement and inherent accuracy, balancing these qualities with the need for battlefield mobility.3 The evolution of its barrel profile and twist rate further illustrates a pragmatic approach to optimizing performance across various ammunition types and operational conditions.6

In contrast, the Romanian PSL emerged from a different set of imperatives. Driven by political autonomy and a desire to reduce reliance on Soviet military hardware, Romania leveraged its existing Kalashnikov/RPK manufacturing capabilities to create an indigenous DMR.1 The PSL’s long-stroke gas piston system and reinforced stamped receiver, while less refined than the SVD, embody ruggedness, reliability, and cost-effective mass production.1 This approach made the PSL a highly practical and widely distributed solution, demonstrating how economic and political factors can lead to distinct, yet effective, designs for similar military requirements.

In terms of performance, both rifles are effective within their designated roles for engaging man-sized targets out to approximately 800 meters. While the SVD generally offers more consistent out-of-the-box accuracy due to higher quality control and a more stable design, the PSL, with proper ammunition and potential aftermarket modifications, can achieve comparable initial precision.10 However, the PSL’s thin barrel and non-adjustable gas system present limitations for sustained fire and use with heavier ammunition or suppressors, highlighting areas where its adapted design reaches its practical limits.1

Ultimately, the SVD Dragunov represents a dedicated, optimized design for a designated marksman rifle, emphasizing a balance of precision and battlefield utility. The Romanian PSL, while often overshadowed by its Russian counterpart, is a highly successful and reliable adaptation, prioritizing affordability and robust performance through a pragmatic application of existing technology. Both rifles have proven their worth in numerous conflicts worldwide, solidifying their legacy as iconic examples of Eastern Bloc DMRs.

In short, please don’t refer to a PSL as a Dragunov!

Image Sources

Main Image is “SVD and SVDS sniper rifles at Engineering Technologies 2012” Obtained from Wikimedia. Author is Mike1979 Russia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SVD_and_SVDS_sniper_rifles_at_Engineering_Technologies_2012.jpg

Figure 1 is from Wikimedia and the authors is Hokos. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SVD_Dragunov.jpg

Figure 2 is from Wikimedia and the author is Verein der Freunde und Förderer der Wehrtechnischen Studiensammlung Koblenz e. V. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dragunow_sniper_rifle_at_Wehrtechnische_Studiensammlung_Koblenz.jpg

Figure 3 is a Nigerien solider calling himself “Romeo” poses for VOA Africa at Camp Assaga, Diffa, Niger. Photo by the Voice of America and obtained via Wikimedia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nigerian_sniper.jpg

Figure 4 an Afghan National Army soldier uses a PSL rifle during a demonstration to display weaponry and communicatons capabilities at Camp Joyce, Afghanistan, Feb. 12, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jordan Carter) (Released). Photo from Wikimedia.https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Afghan_National_Army_soldier_with_PSL_rifle.jpg

Works Cited

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Plano All Weather Rifle and Pistol Hard Cases Are Good To Go

I’m a happy user of Plano All Weather rifle and pistol hard cases. Plano Molding harks from Plano,

I’m a fan of Plano’s All Weather hard cases. Maybe you haven’t encountered them but they are solid, waterproof, and have pluckable foam so you can easily custom fit whatever firearm(s) you want to store.

To fit the Bergara with plenty of room on both ends, I bought a 52″ Plano All Weather case for $157.99 + tax off Amazon. They have other sizes available on that Amazon page also.

It’s a big case for sure. ID is 51.5x14x5.5 inches. OD is 53.5x17x7 inches.
The pluckable foam makes customization easy and there are keys for the locking latches.
I lay my rifles on the foam and then pluck out the sections until I get the fit I want.
Once I get the rifle situated, I’ll then do whatever other “pockets” I need for magazines, ammo, etc. In general, I like to keep the weapon away from the edges as much as I can to ensure protection. Once everything is done, I spray the bottom of the pluckable foam layer (it is removable) and then spray it with 3M Super 77 spray adhesive to lock it in place.
Savage Stealth Evolution .338 Lapua in an All Weather case. This one fell out of the back of a UTV as my friend Scott decided to fly up a hill. It protected the rifle and optic no problem.
This is a Sabatti Urban Sniper in .308 in an older first generation All Weather case. One thing they changed with the new models was to get rid of the annoying end snaps – especially the one under the handle to the right.

Summary

If you are looking for a very decent hard case for your rifle or pistol, check out the Plano All Weather cases. I’ve been using them for years and can honestly say I’ve never had a weapon damaged in their care.

Various sizes of All Weather rifle and pistol cases plus replacement foam inserts are on Amazon – click here to see them.


Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, I may be paid via an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay.


Two Bergara Factory Tour Videos – Watch Barrels, Receivers, and B14 Rifles Being Built

During the course of my researching Begara, the history of the brand and the parent company – Dikar S Coop, I encountered this very interesting tour of the Dikar S Coop factory in Bergara, Spain. It was conducted in 2019 and is a chance for you to see some of their barrel, bolt and receiver making plus assembly and testing.

In both videos, you can see in that they have invested in modern CNC manufacturing and have quality control steps integrated with manufacturing including visual inspections, go-no jigs and testing for run out.

They show their process for making B14 barrels. Here, they are getting ready to do button rifling.
Here’s a screen shot of the CNC milling of a B14 receiver body.
In addition to the manufacturing, you can see them assembling receivers.
Here, the gentleman is assembling a B14 Wilderness.
All rifles are proof tested. The person on the left is a rerpesentative of the Spanish proof house – he’s inspecting a casing.
The tested rifles are packaged and then stored in the warehouse to await loading into containers.

Now, watch the video!

This first video was produced by Bergara and was the source for the above photos:

Please note, all photos are screenshots from the video and remain the property of their respective owners. They are used solely to highlight the video.

A Second Video From 2022

This second video was produced by Pedro Ampuero in 2022 and is also very cool. I’d recommend watching it as well for further insights. It is just over 20 minutes long so he could get into more detail.

Summary

I hope you enjoy these videos as much as I did. I’ve learned a great deal about Bergara over the past year and the fine barrels and rifles they make and wanted to share these.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, I may be paid via an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay.


Customizing My Bergara B14 HMR

After going over my new Bergara B14 HMR, I realized there was actually nothing I needed to change in the base package itself. You need to understand, it is very rare that I don’t fiddle with a firearm and change things. The B14 HMR is a hidden gem in my opinion. A shooter wanting sub-MOA accuracy can buy one of these and then add the muzzle brake, bipod (if they want one) and a scope of their choice.

You’ll notice the brake and scope mirror what I added to my Aero Solus – I wanted to be able to compare the two rifles side by side. I always want a bipod option and that required a different tact with the B14 HMR than the Solus given the different chassis designs.

To do the work, I mainly used my Tipton Ultra Standing Gun Vise. If you need a free standing rifle vise, the Tipton is solid.

Muzzle Brake

I went with a Precision Armament Hypertap. It can cut felt recoil by up to 88% with little to no impacts on accuracy. Click here to visit their site.

I really like the Hypertap brakes.
The Hypertap has the big rear-angled exhaust ports to push the rifle forward and offset the recoil. The integral locking collar on the right allows you to time (rotate) the brake you want and secure it by tightening down that rear nut. The “dimples” you see on the body are locations you could drill additional gas ports to customize the venting of gasses to offset vertical forces.

Bipod

I like Picatinny rail mounts for bipods and the Bergara stock did not have one. I installed an Atlas BT17 4″ rail adapter that goes under the existing dual sling swivel studs to create a solid mounting point. This then enabled me to use an Atlas bipod.

You could install a bipod that mounts on the sling swivels if you wanted. In my case, I prefer having a rail on the bottom so I used an Atlas BT17 4″ rail adapter that uses the sling swivels. The rear slot gives you some “wiggle room” to allow for different distances between the first and second sling studs.

I haven’t settled on which exact bipod to use yet but it will be one of my Atlas units – either a BT65 or BT46 with an American Defense Manufacturing (ADM) clamp.

Base, Rings & Scope

The Bergara is drilled and tapped for a scope mount and uses the same pattern as a Remington 700 short action receiver. I installed a Seekins 0-MOA aluminum rail segment to accomodate Vortex Precision Rings and a Vortex Strike Eagle Scope.

I was working on the Aero Solus and Bergara B14 HMR back-to-back and bought the scopes and rings at the same time. The Bergara needed a mount and I bought a Seekins 1-piece 0-MOA Picatinny rail base. Vortex gave me a pleasant surprise in the box – a bag of their own Columbian Supreme coffee – it was surprisingly good.
My current go-to bit set is from Dewalt. I used a Wheeler for a while and slowly the most used hex head bits started rounding over so I bought this kit. It’s very nicely done plus I can use the bits in my Vortex torquing screwdriver.
Installing the scope mount. I applied blue loctite to the screws before installation. The longer screws go to the back – check that the bolt moves freely before you call it done.
I used a Vortex torquing screw driver (they refer to it as a wrench) to finish installation. It’s served me well for years and I always return the torque to zero to unload the spring in the driver. There are a ton of look-alike knock offs on Amazon. You have no guarantee of their accuracy or how they will hold up over time.
I really like Vortex Precision Rings. You can really dial in the height you want to get the scope close to the bore but also allow the bolt handle to clear the scope. By the way, a huge difference you will see witth quality rings is that they will give you torque specs because the material can handle it. Cheap rings and the marvel mystery metal they are made from are a “best guess” in terms of torque and often strip out. Quality rings also are true with the tube to correctly hold the scope.
To this day, I always enjoy opening a new scope and seeing it. This is a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm Front Focal Plane (FFP) scope with 34mm tube. The images are bright and crisp and it has a cool MRAD reticle.
I use a Wheeler Scope Level tool kit to make sure the scope and reticle are perpinduclar to the bore. The Wheeler unit is the easiest model I have found. There are cheap knock offs out there but I have no idea of their quality. I’d recommend sticking with the Wheeler unit.
I like using a Wheeler professional laser bore sight. I have one with a green laser but you may find the red laser model available at a very decent price. It attaches via a magnet to the muzzle and while it is quick to attach, the end of the muzzle must be cut perpendicular to the bore. I’ve found it doesn’t work well on barrels that have the muzzle sloppily cut or muzzle devices that aren’t true to the bore or unevenly machined as well.

Plano All Weather Hard Case

I’m a fan of Plano’s All Weather hard cases. Maybe you haven’t encountered them but they are solid, waterproof, and have pluckable foam so you can easily custom fit whatever firearm(s) you want to store.

To fit the Bergara with plenty of room on both ends, I bought a 52″ Plano All Weather case for $157.99 + tax off Amazon. They have other sizes available on that Amazon page also.

It’s a big case for sure. ID is 51.5x14x5.5 inches. OD is 53.5x17x7 inches.
The pluckable foam makes customization easy and there are keys for the locking latches.
I lay my rifles on the foam and then pluck out the sections until I get the fit I want.
Once I get the rifle situated, I’ll then do whatever other “pockets” I need for magazines, ammo, etc. In general, I like to keep the weapon away from the edges as much as I can to ensure protection. Once everything is done, I spray the bottom of the pluckable foam layer (it is removable) and then spray it with 3M Super 77 spray adhesive to lock it in place.

Result

Here’s the rifle with the muzzle brake, bipod rail adapter, and Vortex scope. Note the three spacers to the left of the recoil pad and the adjustable cheek piece is raised up just a tad.
A tad closer view of the scope.
Here’s the rifle laying in the other direction.
I find the brake design intriguing with it’s big ports and the ability to fine tune.

Summary

The base Bergara B14 HMR is a solid rifle to then do the final touches on. I added the things I like – the brake, bipod adapter and scope. With that done, it was ready for the range.

I hope this helps you out.


Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, I may be paid via an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay.


The Bergara B14 HMR Is Good to Go

In a recent post, I gave some background on Bergara and as mentioned, after learning more, I did go back to Michigan Gun Exchange and buy the Bergara B14 HMR.

The B14 HMR is made in Spain in a modern factory with CNC machines and careful quality control. This results in consistent parts with fairly tight tolerances – certainly better than years ago when parts still required a great deal of hand fitting.

With the Bergara B14, you are getting a receiver that has the same footprint as Remington 700 short action receivers. Bergara makes their own by the way plus one of their high quality button rifled barrels.

The barrel is a 20″ M24 profiled barrel that has a 1:10 twist. On the far end, it is threaded 5/8″-24. With the HMR, it is fully free floated meaning nothing touches it to affect accuracy. Bergara does have an interesting page about how they make barrels.

Bergara’s Performance Trigger is quite nice. It is set at 2.8 pounds at the factory and is adjustable from 2.8-4.4 pounds via an adjustment screw. I have run really light triggers in the past but 2.8 pounds is in my sweet spot and it breaks nicely when pulled.

The HMR stock has an aluminum chassis that stock is then formed around. This means the receiver has a solid platform that is not going to flex or warp.

One of the things I like about the stock is that it can be adjusted to fit the shooter and the “bottom metal” meaning the floor plate area, supports the use of an AICS-style magazine. This magazine design started with Accuracy International in their Chassis System ( hence “AICS”) and now a number of makers produce that pattern inclduing Magpul.

The base rifle comes in at 9.5 pounds and is 40 inches overall – bear in mind there are spacers in the recoil pad so between that and if you install a muzzle device, that overall length can vary.

What does it look like out of the box?

Not to be funny but what you get is a base bolt action platform that you then customize. Now you are getting a jump start in terms of having a really good stock and pretty decent trigger right out of the box.

Let’s look at some photos:

It comes in a box with a nice secure molded liner that protects everything. It looks like many other bolt action rifles albeit with a cool stock.
The stock design is very well thought out and fit me very well.
This is an interesting view of the bolt face. You can see the big ejector and the extractor claw off to the left plus the firing pin hole. What you also ought to notice are the wear marks on the bolt lugs. This bolt has two lugs – the protrusions on the left and the right. When you push the bolt in and then bring the bolt handle down, these lugs are travelling in the receiver into a locked position that then withstands the enormous pressure of the cartridge when it is fired. The wear marks are showing the contact points where the bolt is rubbing on the receiver as it goes into the locked position and also when it is unlocked. How well the receiver, lugs and bolt body “fit” each other contribute to how smooth the action feels. Also, the more consistent the lock up, the better the repeatable accuracy is.
This is the back underside of the bolt assembly. We are looking at the firing pin to the left and the Bergara is designed to cock on open, meaning that as you open the bolt, the firing pin is pulled back and spring compressed. You’ll note there is some debris here that needs to be cleaned up. Even so, it was pretty smooth right out of the box. Scott had the rifle on display so there’s no guessing how many times the action was cycled – at least a hundred of times probably – before I bought it. Also, note the oversized bolt knob. The larger size makes manipulating the bolt easier.
The receiver comes drilled and tapped for whatever Remington short action scope mount you want to use. The bolt release is sticking out at the rear, closest to us. The left close to the “B-14” in the photo is the safety lever.
It comes with a very decent thick recoil pad on the far right. The black “discs” are spacers that you can add or remove to adjust the scope to your desired length of pull.
Protected by a muzzle cap are the 5/8″-24 TPI threads. This is a very common thread size for .308 muzzle devices and gives you a ton of options.

Summary

I’m going to wrap this post up at this point. The base Bergara B14 HMR is a very nice rifle – sub MOA guarantee, good barrel, action was pretty smooth, decent trigger and a very slick stock. It definitely gave me a starting platform to build on and a rifle I wholeheartedly recommend. In the next post, I’ll tell you about what I added.

I hope this helps you out.


Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, I may be paid via an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay.


Who Is The Rifle Maker Bergara?

To be honest, Bergara wasn’t even on my radar until the Summer of 2023. I was talking to my good friend, Scott Igert, who, along with his wife Alicia, own Michigan Gun Exchange, about a slick looking bolt rifle he bought for inventory to sell – it was a Bergara B14 HMR. I’d not heard of the brand before and he told me they were known for their barrels. If I had heard of Bergara before then, I really hadn’t paid attention and what was in front of me was a very nicely done bolt gun with a sub-Minute of Angle (MOA) guarantee.

The Bergara B14 HMR looked and felt good – nice trigger, smooth action and shouldered well. My only problem was that I knew nothing about them so I didn’t buy it and decided I better do some digging. What I found out was impressive and want to share it – by the way, I did go back and buy the rifle a few weeks later.

Corporate and Brand Structure

Like many arms companies these days, understanding the organizational and brand structure around Bergara took some research. Bergara is basically a brand owned by Dikar S Coop of Spain who is owned by Mondragon. Let me show you a chart to better explain this – click on the diagram to see a full size copy:

That diagram is the best I can come up with after reading Mondragon, Dikar S Coop and BPI Outdoor websites, 3rd party stories, etc. If anyone from BPI or Dikar want to email me some corrections, I’d very much welcome them.

Let’s Look At Each

  • Mondragon Corporation – Books could be written about this firm and their cooperative business model – I can only summarize a tiny bit. Mondragon was founded in 1956 in Mondragon, Spain. Today, Mondragon is the seventh largest corporation in Spain (based on asset turnover) and is a worker cooperative [Click here for a ton of webpages that cover their “co-op” model in more detail]. In 2024, it had over 70,000 workers, 30,660 in the Basque Country, 29,340 in the rest of Spain and around 10,000 abroad. It has four broad categories of business – finance, industrial/equipment (I’ve seen this group mentioned three different ways – industrial, equipment and manufacturing), retail, and knowledge. To me, I think of them as a holding company with a very interesting set of management principles.
  • Dikar S Coop – Is a cooperative owned by Mondragon Corporation. It’s part of the industrial/equipment group. Dikar S Coop focuses on sporting goods. It was formed by the merger of two Spanish gunmakers in 1969 Mendi S Coop (shotguns) and Jukar (muzzle loaders). Jukar was looking for access to the US market and Mendi mainly sold there. It joined Mondragon in 1991. In 2003, Dikar bought BPI Outdoors who was their largest barrel customer at that time. Today, Dikar it has over 300 people and markets in 45 countries. Note, their website links to online stores for Quake and Bergara direcly.
  • Dikar Portugal – Launched in 2003 initially to produce products for Quake Industries. There are current references to them making products for Bergara, CVA and Quake.
  • Bergara – the brand was launched in 2010 initially focused on barrels and introduced rifles and accessories to the US market in 2015. Within five years, Bergara sales exceeded the other brands. Note, the Dikar website is ambiguous but I think they mean within five years after the introduction to the US market. What I find interesting is their early emphasis on producing high quality barrels. They actually retained Ed Shilen, the brains behind Shilen custom barrels, to help them understand the process and methods behind quality barrels. While you may know Bergara for their rifles, they make a ton of different barrels for other big name companies.
  • Quake Industries – while focused on the American market, Quake products are sold in 45 countries. They make various accessories for shooters including bags, belts, optics covers, staps/slings and more.
  • BPI Outdoors – Black Powder Inc (BPI)was founded in 1999 and bought Connecticut Valley Arms (CVA) that same year. BPI Outdoors is directly owned by Dikar S Coop and isn’t surprising given Dikar’s history of muzzleloaders. As of September 2024, they employee about 75 people in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
  • CVA – is the #1 brand of muzzle loader rifles in the US. In 2020, they entered the centerfire market. They did get a black eye with a barrel quality problem in 1995 and 1996 model years but that was before BPI bought them in 1999. My understanding is that Bergara makes the CVA barrels now.
  • PowerBelt – is a leading brand of muzzle loader ammunition launched in 2002.
  • Durasight – is a brand of sights, scope bases and rings for CVA firearms launched in 2005.
  • Bergara Custom Rifles – In 2012 BPI hired retired USMC Msgt Dan Hanus. Mr. Hanus was schooled and then led the USMC’s Precision Rifle Section in Quantico, VA. He then brought in a few more builders he knew plus BPI invested in CNC machines for them to use. Their custom rifles were almost immediately adopted by a number of Georgia SWAT teams. If I had $5-6,000 + money for a comparable optic, I’d sure get in line for one of their BCR19 Heavy Tactical rifles.
  • Bergara Academy – they offer long-range shooting classes in Montana and Wyoming. Small class sizes and all-inclusive pricing makes their offerings very interesting. [Read that as “I would go in a heartbeat if I could afford it!”]

Summary

You’d think “Who is Bergara?” would get a simple answer. I guess it depends on where you stop but I learned quite a bit. For example, I had no idea that Bergara started with barrels and that partly explains why my B14 HMR was so accurate. I also didn’t know about the business model set forth by Mondragon.

In short, there is a lot of experience behind Bergara not to mention capital for innovation and expansion. I also think there is a lot of good momentum pushing them forward and we will see more and more from them.

I hope this helps you out.

References

This post took some digging so I want to provide the source pages in case you are interested:


Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, I may be paid via an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay.


Adding a Minimalist Spigot to a KRG Bravo Chassis

In my last post, I mentioned my disappointment that the Kinetic Research Group (KRG) Bravo chassis that Aero Precision sells with some of their Solus bolt rifle offerings is not truly bipod ready. In my opinion, Aero should either have discosed that the stock isn’t bipod ready and/or given an option during the purchase of the Solus to buy one of the models of spigots that KRG offers. Okay, that’s water under the bridge. I want to make this post about adding a spigot to a Bravo.

First off, sincere kudos to KRG for a really nicely done modular and extensible chassis that looks like a stock. It’s very well designed and executed. The Bravo has tons of ways you can configure it. Some are included such as the adjustable cheek piece, length of pull and one rail segment. Others you need to purchase such as forward mounts for night vision devices, ARCA Swiss mounting accessories and far more. One of the accessories you can buy are various spigots.

It’s time for me to explain what I am talking about – a spigot is an attachment point that extends forward past the front end of the stock where a bipod, and sometimes other accessories, can be attached.

In the case of the Bravo, a spigot will connect to the aluminum chassis and both move the bipod mounting point forward and provide an extremely secure mount directly to the chassis.

Nostalgia Time

The first time I encountered a spigot was with Versa-Pod bipods. It’s been so long, I can’t recall if I found out about Versa-Pods and then bought an Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS) for my Remington 700 XCR LR or it was the other way arround.

You can see the spigot sticking out of the front of the AICS – in this case it is an adapter to use a Versa-pod bipod.

I don’t really recall when but at some point I moved away from the Versa-Pods mainly because I didn’t like the rotation around the spigot unless you really cranked down the locking knob. These days, my go-to bipods are Atlas models.

Back to KRG Spigots

KRG literally has a whole page of different spigots. There really are three factors that distinguish them – whether it is an ARCA pattern, how far forward you want the mounting point and what all you want to attach.

I’ll be honest – I actually had to call KRG to figure out what I needed. The customer service person I talked to was great and patiently explained the pros and cons of each based on what I needed:

  • I did not need to connect an ARCA device, such as a tripod. Since I did not need ARCA this also ruled out their really long spigot.
  • I only needed a bipod mount. Their normal spigot provides all kinds of attachments for rails, QD studs, night vision, etc.

Ok, no ARCA and just a bipod. That pointed me to the Minimalist spigot. The Minimalist moves the mount closer to the bore – which means you can get lower all things being equal. It also moves the attachment about five inches forward.

One thing with the Minimalist – it does not come with a rail section. You can either use the polymer one that came with your stock or buy an aluminum section from them. There rails sit flat as they not have the typical M-Lok boss on the back. This also means you can’t use a common M-Lok rail.

Your other option is to bolt an Atlas bipod or a Harris bipod they sell directly to the spigot. I like using a rail because I can pair it with an American Defense Manufacturing (ADM) quick release lever and have the ability to quickly take the bipod off if I don’t need it. For example, if I am shooting from a bench rest.

How to install the Minimalist spigot

If you can turn a screwdriver, you can install the spigot has there are just a few steps:

  1. Remove the bottom chassis cover by removing eight bolts
  2. Screw the spigot into place – use blue/medium thread locker on the bolts
  3. Apple blue/medium strength threadlocker to each bolt and screw the rail segment onto the spigot – assuming you go that route
  4. Apply blue/medium strenth thread locker to each bolt and screw the bottom cover back on

It’s nice when something literally is that easy.

Remove the 8 screws that hold the cover on the chassis’ backbone. Note, the rear two are longer than the others.
The spigot will screw on in the front.
This is the Minimalist spigot that bolts right into place.
The machining is very well done. The holes all line up and it’s just a matter of screwing it together.
Apply medium strength thread locker to the screws they provide. Note the holes used above. The forward outermost holes in this photo are used to secure the cover.
In my case, I screwed in the rail section after applying medium strength thread locker to the screws.
Apply blue/medium strength threadlocker to the screws and install them. This is a polymer cover you are installing and do not need a lot of torque.. Bring it down snug/firm and let the threadlocker do its job.
This is an Atlas BT65-LS17 bipod. The BT65s are great rigid bipods that don’t pan left and right. It uses an ADM LS17 quick release clamp to secure quickly to rails. If I had wanted it, I could have ordered the BT65 without the clamp and installed it directly to the spigot. Due to all of the counterfiet Atlas bipods that are out there, I buy mine directly from AccuShot. I’d recommend you do that or buy them from a reputable dealer. Avoid buying an Atlas model from eBay like the plague.
The result is incredibly solid. If I had known how nice this setup was, I would have paid for it from the start.
The ADM LS-17 quick release clamp does a great job holding the Atlas BT65 solidly in place.
Here’s a view of the whole Solus Bravo .308 with the spigot and Atlas BT65-LS17 bipod.

Summary

Okay, I was starting to like the Bravo chasis more and more. The Minimalist spigot is absolutely worth it. You can then either mount your bipod directly or via a Picatinny rail section like I did.

Dear Aero – hint, hint – I would have paid for the spigot in a heartbeat had I known how solid it is and what a stable platform it can enable.

To anyone reading this who has a Bravo chasis – adding a spigot is very much worth it. I’m honestly glad I did.

I hope this helps you out.


Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, I may be paid via an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay.


The Aero Solus .308 Bravo With a 20″ M24 Profiled Barrel Is A Solid Performer – With Four Additions

Most of my time is spent working on ARs, AKs, and various Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCCs). Once in a while, I get a hankering for a precision rifle and take the plunge … in this case two plunges, an Aero Solus .308 with a 20″ M24 profiled barrel plus a Bergara B14 HMR also in .308. This post will focus on the Solus.

I was customizing a Zastava M77 designated marksman’s rifle (DMR) and then a sales email showed up from Aero Precision with a really good sale on the Aero Solus Bravo. Well, I decided to do some more digging to learn about the features:

  • You can get it in .308, 6mm or 6.5 Creedmor – I opted for .308 as I have plenty of match ammo for that caliber. Everything below is about the .308 20″ Bravo just to be clear. The Creedmor chamberings have a few differences such as barrel length.
  • Aero Precision makes the receiver and bolt
  • The receiver is patterned after a Remington 700 short action and is made from 416 stainless
  • The bolt is a 3-locking lug design, has a 60 degree throw and dual ejectors. It also cocks on open.
  • A 20 MOA 1913 Picatinny scope rail is integral with the receiver – no need to buy something there
  • Ballistic Advantage, a sister company to Aero, makes the barrel
  • The barrel is a 20 inch heavy M24 profile with a 1:10 twist, honed and lapped
  • The barrel is threaded 5/8-24 and comes with a protective muzzle nut
  • The trigger is made by TriggerTech, who I really like
  • And the unit on sale that I bought has a stock is the Bravo chassis system from Kinetic Research Group (KRG). It looks like a stock but an aluminum chasis is under the skin.
  • The stock has M-Lok slots in it for accessores – but I do have an issue and will mention it below – it is honestly not bipod ready as delivered.
  • The stock accomodates AICS-pattern magazines and comes with a 5-round Magpul P-Mag.
  • The base weight is around 9.6-10 pounds depending on the specification sheet you read – there is a lot of substance to the rifle – especially given the M24 barrel profile
  • Each rifle has a sub-MOA guarantee

The Solus was designed to give the common man an affordable entry-level precision rifle. I’m just fine with that because the only Accuracy International product I could ever afford was a chasis system that I dropped a Remington .300 Win Mag LR XCR barreled action in.

In 2011, I dropped a .300 Win Mag Remington XCR LR barreled action in an AICS chassis. That’s the closest I ever got to an expensive precision rifle. I must say, I’ve had some great rifles since that did not break the bank from Bergara, Ruger, Sabatti and Savage. That is a Storm Case iM3300 before Pelican bought them.

At any rate, I read good reviews plus I’ve owned a few Aero Precision M4 and M5 rifles over the years and decided to give it a try. I certainly couldn’t buy the parts and assemble it myself for the price.

The Solus arrived in the fall of 2023 and only for a quick once over, I had to put it on hold while clearing other projects off the deck. In January 2024, I finally had time to work on it – although the temperature outside was in the teens and my unheated shop wasn’t much warmer. After careful negotiation with my wife – sounds better than I begged her – I set up lights, a table and my Tipton Ultra Standing Gun Vise.

In many respects, the Solus comes ready to go other than an optic plus needing the bore cleaned and then everything properly lubricated. A user manual is included with the rifle but click here if you need to get an online copy.

I did find four things I want to share with you that made a big difference for me:

Added a Precision Armament Hypertap Muzzle Brake

My L1-L5 vertabrae and I are no longer on speaking terms so recoil mitigation means a great deal to me now. On one hand the Solus weighs quite a bit by itself – let’s say 10# ballpark and then about about 2 pounds for the scope and rings — 12 pounds can absorb a fair amount of energy. The KRG Bravo recoil pad was decent but I still wanted more and knew a muzzle brake was the answer.

I did some reading and ordered in a Precision Armament Hypertap. It can cut felt recoil by up to 88% with little to no impacts on accuracy. Click here to visit their site.

The Solus Bravo M24 is threaded. The size is 5/8-24 – meaning 5/8ths” diameter and 24 threads per inch (TPI).
The Hypertap is a very interesting brake and reflects Precision Armament’s experience gathered over the years. If nothing else, visit their site to learn more. It uses two wrenches they include to get the timing right on the brake while tightening down the rear integral locking nut.
On their site, read the installation instructions – there is a ton of flexibility if you want to use the identified divots to drill other holes to adjust lateral compensation. I left mine alone.

Added a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm FFP Scope

I called up my friends at Vortex and talked about what I wanted to do with the Solus and they recommended I buy a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56mm FFP scope and 34mm precision rings to go with it. With a 34mm tube and 56mm objective, a ton of light can be gathered No to mention this scope has their latest optics technology in it.

The Solus receiver has an integral 20 MOA Picatinny Rail scope mount. Look at that chunky pistol grip.
A few key things for the scope – the Vortex medium height 34mm precission rings, my Wheeler scope level kit and a Wheeler green laser bore sight. The Dewalt bit screw driver set reflects my old Wheeler bits are starting to show their age and rounding over. What you don’t see is my Vortex torquing bit driver I use for optics work.
I first use the Wheeler scope level set to level the rifle and barrel level. Once the barrel level is set, I can remove the level on the receiver and install the rings.
I started installing the ring caps on the scope and realized I better get thee length of pull that I wanted before finalizing the scope position and level. The KRG Bravo comes with three recoil pad spacers of different thicknesses to get the length of pull I wanted.
I then finalized my scope position and leveled the scope by putting a small level on the top turret and trued it to the level on the barrel. After that, I used the Wheeler green laser boresight outdoors to approximately zero the scope.
Vortex recommended torque spects were set using a Vortex torquing screw driver. I always take care to reset it to zero when I am done so there isn’t a load on the limiting spring causing it to lose accuracy over time. Note the use of Torx screws. I so wish the industry would stop using hex heads that round over and move to Torx instead.

Not surprisingly the scope is incredibly bright and clear. Vortex ups their game on quality with each new generation of scope and they are all backed by their no-hassle warranty.

Added a Spigot To Run a Bipod

To be honest, the one thing that really surprised me is that the KRG Bravo is not truly hard-use bipod ready. Sure, there is a sling stud there or M-Lok slots where you can install a piece of rail section they provide. The problem is that the bottom of the rail system is just polymer and not even very thick. You’d be connecting a bipod to a polymer rail sitting on a polymer handguard that would be absorbing recoil, getting hit wen moving around, etc. It just didn’t sit well with me.

You’d think you could just mount a bipod using an M-Lok slot – right? I wouldn’t recommend it.
The issue is that the polymer is a relatively thin skin that covers the actual aluminum chassis. Look at all of the holes in the chassis – they must be there for a reason.

What piqued my curiosity was seeing all of the extra holes in the bottom front of the chassis. Why were they there? Playing a hunch that there might be some kind of reinforcedd bipod connection, I visited the KRG website. Sure enough, there is.

KRG refers to them as “spigots” and they have four different types. They vary in length, what can be attached to them, etc. I bought the “minamalist” model because all I wanted was basically an aluminum bar where I could mount a Picatinny rail section.

I also had to buy a piece of aluminum rail from them. I’m sorry, but I’m just not cool with attaching a bipod to a rifle with some recoil via polymer. I’m a die-hard Atlas bipod user at this point and I buy them with the American Defense Manufacturing (ADM) clamps on them.

This is the KRG “Minimalist” spigon with an aluminum rail section attached. It is absolutely rock solid. My opinion is that this should have been included with the stock at the time of the Solus Bravo purchase or at least be given an option to purchase it. It took digging on my part to question the bipod attachment method and then to find out about the Spigot. I had to call and find out that the Minamilist didn’t include a aluminum rail section – although I could have used the polymer rail that came with the rifle, I wanted aluminum. I actually place the responsibility with Aero Precision – KRG just gave them what they asked for.

I’ll write up another post on the actual installation of the spigot. It’s pretty straight forward and the result is a rock solid bipod mount.

Last comment on the matter – I really did not expect to need to buy more accessories for a solid bipod mount – it came to about $120. Granted plenty of guys don’t use bipods but also, a lot do – including myself. I think Aero should have disclosed that a spigot was recommended for bipod use if nothing else – an option to buy one would have been even better. This is no fault of KRG’s just to be clear. They sold Aero what they asked for.

If I had known this bipod issue, I would have moved to Aero’s full blown chassis system as it wasn’t much more at the time of purchase (about $200-300 more at the time). Buying the chassis by itself now though is prohibitively expensive – at least for me – at $729-ish list. In general though, that is a pretty good price for a chassis of that type.

The Bravo with the spigot is incredibly stable with a good Atlas bipod – in this case a BT65-LW17. Note, there are so many poor quality Atlas counterfeit bipods out there that I prefer to buy direct from Accu-Shot, their maker, just to be sure.

Added a Plano All Weather 52″ Hard Case

Call me paranoid but whenever I build something where I care about the accuracy, I want it protected in a hard case. I used to spend the money on Pelican and Storm cases (now owned by Pelican) but those things can get expensive.

I’ve been a fan of Plano All Weather cases for years now. I kid you not, I looked up in my Amazon purchase history and I bought my first one in 2014 (they were “AW2” cases back then and Plano has improved them since and now refers to them as the “All Weather Gun Cases”. I have bought quite a variety of sizes since. Why? I honestly don’t think you can buy a better case at their price. I’m not jumping out of planes but I do want my firearms protected from life’s drops, hits and whatnots. I had an overhead pipe start leaking one year and the rifles in Plano All Weather cases stayed dry.

With that said. I bought a 52″ Plano All Weather case to protect the Solus and Vortex scope for only $157.99 + tax off Amazon. Folks, you get one heck of a nice case for that price.

  • Seriously heavy polypropylene case construction – I did receive one busted once. Amazon managed to put a fork truck tine completely throught the cardboard box, the case and out the other side. Their drivers still delivered it!! Amazon customer service sent a replacement after I showed them photos but still… Over the years, I have dropped my cases from cars, SUVs and pickups after loads shifted and then a door was opened — they held up just fine. No damage every to contents, loss of zero, etc.
  • The cases are water tight / dust tight with a full o-ring seal all the way around the cover
  • Really nice solid handes and latches
  • The latches are keyed and can be locked
  • Wheels on one end for easier transportation
  • Pluckable foam for fitting
  • Pressure valve to compensate for altitude and temperature changes – you really ought to care about this. Try taking a case from a hot range and opening it in a cold basement once it has cooled off and the air volume has shrunk – it is a bear to open without a valve. That exact example is why I always look for valves on watertight hard cases now.
  • TSA approved if you plan to travel with one.

Internal dimensions are 51.5″ long x 14″ wide. Depth of the top is 1.75″ and depth of the bottom is 3.25″.

This is a 52″ Plano All Weather Gun Case. In general, I really like these cases and have used them for years. Their pluckable foam allows you to quickly and easily custom fit firearms and accessories. Once fitting is done, I will spray the back of the pluckable foam layer with 3M Super 77 spray adhesive, push it down on the bottom layer and then let it set up to keep everything in place.

Summary

The Solus arrived in great shape – fit, finish, etc. were all superb. There were no surprises in terms of adding the muzzle brake and optic. Adding a bipod, which should have been a no-brainer exercise in adding a rail section to an M-Lok slot, turned into more expense but it is really nice mount – I’ll give them that.

I’d recommend the Solus barreled action and Triggertech trigger – no reservations there at all. I need to spend some time shooting the Bravo chassis at this point. The fit of a stock or chassis is a very individual fit item.

I need more time behind the rifle at the range to make a final decision about the Bravo chassis. I may decide to go hunting for a more adjustable chassis with a bit less “chunky” pistol grip.

I hope this helps you out.


Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, I may be paid via an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay.