SVD

Arguably one of the first designated marksman rifle appeared in modern warfare, SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova, Dragunov Sniper Rifle) is a signature Soviet semi-automatic rifle that bears the designer's name. SVD would often be addressed just as Dragunov. The effective combat range of ground troops are significantly reduced with the introduction of automatic rifles/SMGs with their intermediate rifle/pistol cartridges, the Union was in demand for a 7.62×54mmR calibre marksman rifle to fill the longer range engagement duty of the Soviet Army that was previously filled by the Mosin-Nagant rifle. SVD was developed in between 1958–1963 by Yevgeny Dragunov to meet the Union's demand for such a weapon, defeating several other submitted rifle designs and emerged as the victor from a series of intensive field tests. SVD's receiver bears a number of similarities to the Kalashnikov rifles, such as the large dust cover, AK style iron sights and lever safety selector, but these similarities are mostly for cosmetic purposes. The internal operating mechanism would not allow SVD to fall under the category of a Kalash derivative, SVD classifies as a gas-operated, rotating bolt action rifle with a short-stroke gas-piston system. Practical rate of fire of SVD is around 30 rounds per minute, fed by it's 10 round magazines, able to propel the bullet at a muzzle velocity of 830m/s, covering 800 metres of effective range (up to 1400m with PSO-1). SVD is one of the longer rifles that measures above 1200mm in length, the barrel itself measures 620mm, integrated with a slotted flash suppressor and is able to mount bayonet on the lug pinned to the end of the barrel. The barrel also have a thin profile to save weight, it is only partially rifled up to a length of 547mm. It is also connected by a spring-loaded mechanism to the handguard, so the handguard can move with the barrel during firing, this makes SVD's barrel semi free floating. Early model SVD featured a two-piece wooden handguard and a skeletonized wooden thumbhole stock, modernized variants would have replaced the wooden parts with polymer materials parts. Other than iron sight, SVD have access to the PSO-1 optical scope which was developed especially for the rifle, attachment of the scope relies on optic clamp mounts, so it does not block view of the iron sight. Modernized/current production model of SVD added compatibility to combat accessory rails of Warsaw Pact or Picatinny variety. Much like the PK machinegun, SVD entered service immediately after the test, inspiring various successor weapon designs, widely distributed/exported to ex-Soviet/ex-Warsaw Pact countries, while continues to serve both regular and irregular armed forces in modern warfare all over the world even today. Notable variants/derivatives include the compact SVDS for airborne troops, 9.3×64mm calibre SVDK, the TsKIB SOO made bullpup configured OTs-03 SVU, the Norinco made Type 79/Type 85 and the Iranian Nakhjir 3.