Description

The SVD Dragunov is a 7.62x54mm semi-automatic infantry-support sniper rifle developed in the former Soviet Union during the early 1960’s. The Dragunov is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, semi-automatic rifle that uses a short-stroke gas piston. The standard telescope sight is a 4X -magnification PSO-1 with range-finding reticles. While not typically used in the conventional sniper rifle role, the Dragunov is primarily used within an infantry squadron to extend their effective range of fire up to 600 meters as well as provide specific fire capabilities. Beginning in 1963 each squadron in the Soviet military was outfitted with at least one Dragunov. Since then, the Dragunov has become the standard squad-support weapon of several countries, including many former Warsaw Pact nations.