The Dragunov sniper rifle, officially known as the Snaiperskaya Vintovka Dragunova (SVD), is one of the best known and most widely used sniper rifles in the world. Developed in the Soviet Union under the leadership of Yevgeny Dragunov and officially introduced in 1963, the Dragunov was designed specifically for the needs of the Soviet armed forces to improve shooting accuracy at medium ranges and increase the effectiveness of infantry units.

Development history

In the late 1950s, the Soviet Union launched a program to develop a new sniper rifle to replace the older Mosin-Nagant and Tokarev rifles. The aim was to create a rifle that combined high precision with the reliability and robustness for which Soviet weapons were renowned. Yevgeny Dragunov, a talented weapon designer, was entrusted with this task and developed the SVD, which was officially put into service in 1963.

Technical characteristics

• Caliber: The Dragunov is manufactured in 7.62×54mmR caliber, one of the oldest cartridge calibers still in use, originally developed for the Russian Mosin-Nagant rifle.
• Weight: Approximately 4.3 kg (without scope and ammunition).
• Length: 1,220 mm with a 620 mm barrel.
• Magazine capacity: 10 cartridges.
• Effective range: Up to 800 meters, although experienced shooters can also hit targets at greater distances under ideal conditions.
• Firing mode: Semi-automatic, which means that a new cartridge is automatically loaded into the chamber after each shot, without the shooter having to manually repeat fire.

Design and features

The Dragunov is characterized by some special design features that set it apart from other sniper rifles of its time. It has a gas-operated loading system with a short stroke, which ensures high reliability under various environmental conditions. The rifle is equipped with a fixed wooden stock and many models feature a PSO-1 scope, which was specially developed for the SVD and has an integrated rangefinder and reticle illumination.

Use

The Dragunov SVD was designed to provide infantry units with greater range and accuracy without the need for specialized sniper training. It quickly became a standard piece of equipment in the Soviet Army and later in the armed forces of many former Warsaw Pact countries as well as numerous other countries around the world. The SVD has served in many conflicts since the 1960s and remains in use today.

Legacy and further development

The Dragunov SVD has influenced the design and conception of sniper rifles worldwide. Its simplicity, reliability and effectiveness have made it one of the longest serving and most widely used sniper rifles. Despite the development of newer models and technologies, the Dragunov remains a valued tool in the arsenals of armies and security forces around the globe.