[NewShooter78]

Trying to get some opinions on this fine looking rifle. I'd also like to know about the availability of ammo and accesories for it as well.

[Quintin Likely]

Don't buy one if you want an accurate weapon...2 MOA is about the norm for a Dragunov with good ammo.

As far as I know, the only people that make decent 7.62x54R is Norma, and it isn't cheap, at about $30 for 20 rounds. Cheap military surplus stuff is berdan primed and usually corrosive.

If it can be had for a swan song, it'd be a neat rifle to keep around as a conversation piece. That's about it though.

[cheygriz]

Most countries outside of the U.S. consider 2 MOA adequate for a sniper rifle. I don't own a Dragunov, (yet) but I've fired several and they're a real fun gun.

They're actually just as accurate as a service grade M1A or M-1 Garand. (2MOA average with ball ammo) And the cartridge is in the same power range as .308 and .30-06.

There's plenty of cheap ammo available for them. Much of it non-corrosive, although you're supposed to clean your gun anyway, so that shouldn't be a concern.

I believe that PMP, S&B and Igman make new commercial ammo for it as well.

If the price is right, go for it. I don't think you'll regret it.

[Destructo6]

The Chinese imported a few Drags that were chambered in 7.62 NATO and CDNN still has some to sell.

7.62x54 is available practically everywhere, but the stuff intended for the Drag is less available. If you use the widely available Wolf, you'd be sorely disappointed with the result, though it would function.

While rooting around for 7.62x54 match ammo, I ran across this Dragunov FAQ you might find interesting:

http://www.dragunov.net/faq.html

[Nightcrawler]

The Russians issued the Dragunov much differently than the US deployed scoped rifles. The Russians would have one or two per infantry squad, as opposed to dedicated, highly trained scout-snipers, operating in two man teams. The idea was to have a battlefield-accurate weapon, firing a full rifle cartridge, complete with excellent optics, that would allow the infantry squad to deliver accurate fire beyond the effective range of their AKMs or AK-74s. This is essentially the "designated marksman" idea, which the US is only now starting to adopt, based on our experiences in Afghanistan, where sometimes a weapon with longer reach can be a big advantage. After all, artillery and/or air support isn't always going to be available, and it's always nice to be able to kill the enemy from as far away as possible.

[Detritus]

anybody remember what the Yugoslav version was called (think is was someting like Y-96 or similar)?? my understanding is that these was true Dragunov clones, not a Kalishnikov based look alike (such as the Romak). and also have heard that the Yugo versions were in many ways better than the russian SVD and like the chinese guns were also produced in 7.62 NATO

[NewShooter78]

Thanks for the info. That FAQ you posted was very enlightening Destructo6. I've seen a few of the Romak's on the online auction sites, and only one Chinese version, for a considerable mark-up. That's why I was looking for some opinions. I've just been really interested in this rifle since I first saw it in a movie, and wanted to know more about it. Thanks, and I think that I'll save up and try and find one when I can afford the Russian version.

[sasnofear]

well its accurate Enuff if it can go out 2 1000yrds!

[BigG]

I have a Russian Tiger. Here is my detailed review. Dragunov TIGR (http://www.epinions.com/otdr-review-4FA4-18071A51-3986F210-prod2) :cool:

[BigG]

By the way, they are not all alike. Most of the newer versions (Romanian/Yugo) are based on the RPK which is a long stroke AK47 squad automatic weapon, IIRC. The Dragunov is a short stroke piston like an M1 carbine. The Chinese (a true drag clone) do not have the same mystique as the Russian.

[vitiaz]

Here's another Dragunov related site,

http://www.dragunovparts.com/

:)

[gun-fucious]

heres a chicom .308 fer sale:
http://www.impactguns.com/store/chinese_dragunov.html

[Nightcrawler]

YOu know though, I'd probably sooner get a VEPR .308. Magazines may be expensive, but they're available. I've never seen a Drag magazine for sale. TAke the same side bracket mounts. Probably just as accurate. Oh, yeah, I'm left handed and can't use the Dragunov stock....

But then, it could just be because I want one of these to be best friends with my FAL, is all. :)

REALLY wish MOLOT would make one in 7.62x54mmR. REALLY wish they'd come out with a long-action version in .30-06... :cool:

[Noban]

If you purchase one, make sure you snug up the tang screw right away and on occasion. They tend to shoot loose and can lead to a split butt stock in that area. Same goes for the rest of the AK series.

[Tropical Z]

I saw and held my first one 2 days ago (Romanian).I wasnt impressed.It was built by the same chimps who build SAR's,only they werent quite as drunk!

[4v50 Gary]

The Romanian critter only outwardly appears like a Dragunov & internally, they're two different breeds - kinda like an Arabian and a Clydesdale. Both are horses, but they're different.

[beemerb]

More info on this site


http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/wwwboard/board2/


By the way I have a Russian tiger.I am just in the process of breaking the barrel in so I have no idea on what kind of groups I will get.
Bob

[BigG]

TIGR has a chrome bore. Don't know what kind of break in you have in mind?

[Tamara]

well its accurate Enuff if it can go out 2 1000yrds!

"Go out to 1000 yds", "Hit anything at 1000 yds" and "Do something to the thing it hit at 1000 yds" are three different things.

My .22 Ruger Bearcat will go out to 1000 yards.

[telewinz]

Before buying my Romak 3 rifle I did a great deal of research. Their is some mis-information about the performance of the Romak vs the Dragunov. Both were tested for their accuracy and reliability by NATO and both are considered to have the same performance ie. 2" groups at 100 meters with PROPER ammo. Both rifles exceed NATO's requirement for accuracy at 600 meters for a "sniper" rifle although not by much. The Drag has a better trigger and shorter recoil than the Romak 3 but this did not translate into greater accuracy by test rifles and the features were not considered particularly worthy of special mention by the evaluators. On a case by case bases, some Drags shoot better than 2" as do some Romaks, 2 inches is just the adverage. The Drag has a shorter gas piston rod to help remedy some of the the SVT 40's problems. Match grade and standard grade operating rods are much longer and heavier on the M1A's and M14's, yet this has not been deemed an accuracy problem by the shooting elite. Accuracy for the Drag and Romak3 is limited by there relatively thin barrels. In fairness, Soviet doctrine did not and does not require the "sniper" accuracy of the West. Workmanship is judged to be fair to good (by western standards)with some degree of variation regardless of manufacture. The Drags goes for $1500 and up since it's a collectors item and cannot be imported. The Romak3 is still available and goes for $750 and up. Please note that their is a factory recall for some Dragunovs in effect. Both make excellent shooters and felt recoil is very manageable for a 30/06 class cartridge. "Silver Tip" ammo is about the most accurate readily available surplus ammunition available.