Tag Archives: SVD

Russia and also USSR, Sniper / Precision Rifles

Video: Max Popenker Discusses the History of the Russian SVD Designated Marksman’s Rifle

Folks, the number one firearm at the top of my bucket list is a Dragunov. I’ve wanted one for years and years and maybe if I get lucky and a firm either decides to make or import them, I’ll finally get to own one. In the mean time, I enjoy reading articles and videos about them.

Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons recently interviewed Max Popenker, a noted Russian small arms researcher, about the history of the Dragunov. The video goes into great detail about the historical context that led up to the design contest that resulted in the original Snáyperskaya Vintóvka sistém’y Dragunóva obraz’tsá 1963 goda (SVD-63). It’s really the best I’ve seen in terms of history and includes the modern SVD-M.

The three prototype designs competing for the Soviet sniper rifle from Simonov, Konstantinov and Dragunov. The SVD’s principle designer was Yevgeny Dragunov and he was a notable target shooter and this undoubtedly gave him significant insight into what was needed.
The SSV-58 model from 1959 compared to the accepted 1963 SVD. Note the removal of the diopter sights, addition of a muzzle device and bayonet lug.
Max explained there were bout 5=7,000 SVDs made each year and sometimes over 10,000.
And this is the current model – the SVD-M. Note the heavy shorter barrel, modern optics rail, adjustable scope and adjustable side folding stock.

And Here’s The Video

I hope you enjoyed the video as much as I did!

Please note that all photos were extracted from the video and remain the property of their resective owner(s),

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Russia and also USSR

Russian Spetsnaz Working Out With The PKM Machine Gun

Here you have a number of videos assembled to show a ton of shooting of the venerable 7.62x54R PKM machine gun by Spetsnaz operators.

You get to see the drills and they wrap up with some SVD and RPG action. Pretty cool.

Hand operated belt loader.

Here’s the Video

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Germany plus Historical East and West, Russia and also USSR, Sniper / Precision Rifles

Video: Ostfront 1987: Walther WA-2000 vs SVD Dragunov from InRangeTV

This 30:11 long video had me seriously drooling.  You have Ian McCollum from Forgotten Weapons and Karl Kasarda from InRangeTV squaring off on targets.  Ian is firing a rare German Walther WA-2000 sniper rifle in .300 Win Mag and Karl is shooting the Russian 7.62x54R SVD Dragunov.  They role play a bit and take this back to the Eastern Front of 1987.  I think both rifles are amazing and both presenters do a great job.  It’s very cool to see what the rifles can actually do vs. armchair myth.  Kudos to both men!

Here’s The Video

 

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AK & Related Rifles

Video: How the SVD Dragunov Works Using 3D Animation. — Pretty cool!!

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I love computer animations that show how a firearm’s action operates.  This video on the SVD Dagunov is narrated in Russian but you can definitely see how the gasses flow and hit the piston, push the operating rod back, and then operate the bolt and trigger.  I think videos like this provide valuable insight into what all is going on.

This one is very detailed and fascinating.  Definitely worth watching!

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AK & Related Rifles

Video: SVD Dragunov 7.62×54mmR Sniper Rifle by ArmlistMedia – Great Overview Plus Field Stripping

One of my regrets is that I have not had the funds and opportunity (at the same time) to buy a SVD Dragunov.  For those of you who do not know it, the Dragunov was developed as a designated marksman rifle (DMR) by the USSR and has evolved over the years.  Contrary to what some say, it is not an oversize AK – the Drag’s bolt carrier does not have an attached piston and all the mass associated.  Instead, there is a short stroke piston operating under left & right handguards over the barrel.  You get to see all of that and very straight forward field stripping guidance in this video.

 

I really like this video.  The narration is very straight forward with a touch of humor and the video quality is solid.  Some day, I will own a Drag 🙂

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AK & Related Rifles

Video: Dragunov Variations: Military SVD, Izhmash Tiger, Chinese NDM-86 by Forgotten Weapons – this is AWESOME!! May 6th RIA Auction

Guys, I am serious fanboying over this video.  I really like Dragunovs and this video has three Drag variants that are in the May 2017 auction at Rock Island Auction Company.  The presenter does an amazing job taking each of the rifles and giving history and explaining the differences.  He takes the bolts and trigger groups and sets them side by side and explains the differences.  This is AMAZING.  If you like Drags, you have to check this out.  Seriously.  I drooled on my keyboard just so you know.

Here are the auction links by the way:

Military SVD: https://www.rockislandauction.com/det…
Tiger: https://www.rockislandauction.com/det…
Chinese NDM-86: https://www.rockislandauction.com/det…

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