Dragonuv!

[MachIVshooter]

Today I decided to go to a gunshop across town to pick up some ammo and possibly an SAR-2 if he had one. Also just to check out the new store front; this dealer is a regular at the gunshows but has only had a metro area storefront for a few months now. He has always carried a lot of the imports that are so popular with the group here but often less than readily available at most gunshops or box stores.

Anyway, I didn't find an SAR-2 but did find a good deal on Bulgarian 7.62x54R ($39/330 rounds). And I'll be damned if something else didn't fllow me home:



Romanian PSL-54C Dragonuv clone. Not sure what teh going price should be, as no one else has gotten one in to date. But this guy has always been more than fair, so I figured $730 for the package (rifle, scope, sling and cleaning kit) was a good deal.

I have always fancied the Dragonuv and Tigr, but have never been willing to fork over the cash for a real one. I'm sure they are superior to the Romanian, but for $4K I'll but another .50. The Romanian was priced right.

 

[MikeH]

SOG used to advertise it at close to $700. But they have been on perpetual back-order and gone from the latest flyer. I'd say what you said isn't bad for retail.

 

[Limeyfellow]

Its not a Dragunov clone. It merely uses a Kalishnikov action that is made to look the same. Still its alot cheaper than a real Dragunov and at least can be found on the market so you can buy one. They have quite the cool factor to them. The only downside I tend to see of getting one is that the match ammo the Russians designed for them, such as the 7N1 is kind of rare and that really takes down the accuracy unless you reload of what it should be able to do.

 

[Logan5]

I'd say you got a good deal. I didn't get an extra mag for more than you paid.

For best results, you'll want to stick to lighter ammo, ideally 147gr and under. Finding good, consistent ammo in the proper bullet weight range is really the only problem there is with one. That and figuring out what "strega" and "dreaptha" mean.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Its not a Dragunov clone. It merely uses a Kalishnikov action that is made to look the same.

True, but the real SVD and TIGR are also based on the Kalashnikov. And FWIW, this thing has a pretty good trigger. A bit of creep, but much better than I had expected.

I've been doing a little research since i logged on. Seems an average price is ~$800 online (plus shipping and transfer), so I think I did OK. Range reports indicate that handloading can make this an ~MOA rifle at 100 yards, though most milsurp is giving 1.5-2.5 MOA.

I would love to have a real SVD or NDM, but like I said, I've got higher priorities for $4K. If I was going to spend that for a 7.62mm precision autoloader, I would buy an AR-10 SuperSASS with a real supressor and spend the extra $1,200 on ammo.

And I still plan to call it a Dragunov

Edit:

Another deciding factor on picking this up is the ever-evolving laws on imported firearms. Seems like the selection gets whittled away while no one is looking. I see this thing as gainin a fair amount of value over the coming months and years, despite not being an actual SVD/NDM/TIGR. Simply for what it is.

 

[White Horseradish]

True, but the real SVD and TIGR are also based on the Kalashnikov.

No, they are not. True, they are both gas-operated and have rotating bolts, but that does not make them the same action.

 

[MachIVshooter]

No, they are not. True, they are both gas-operated and have rotating bolts, but that does not make them the same action

Based on. The Mini-14 does not use an M1A action, but no one can argue the inspiration.

 

[MisterPX]

The PSL/FPK/Romak3 is pretty much just a long barrelled AK, in long action. Parts interchange with Dragunovs/Tigersm is minimal. Calling a PSL a Dragunov is akin to calling a Lusa a HK94.

Anyhow, as to your purchase, that's a good price considering that there's bnon in stock at any retailers. Is it a Romanian built gun, or a Tennessee guns kit? ALso, check to make sure your FSB isn't crooked when using iron sights.

 

[saltydog]

True, but the real SVD and TIGR are also based on the Kalashnikov.

Kinda true. Only comparison I can make is that there both reliable as hell.

 

[1 old 0311]

Good buy. Always liked the looks of those.

 

[Bob R]

Here is a site with lots of info on the Dragunovs and the PSL. You don't need to DL the language pack, it is in English.

http://www.dragunov.net/

bob

 

[MachIVshooter]

Is it a Romanian built gun, or a Tennessee guns kit? ALso, check to make sure your FSB isn't crooked when using iron sights.

Romak. Riveted receiver.

 

[Evil Monkey]

Calling a PSL a Dragunov is akin to calling a Lusa a HK94.

Ok, now that's just hilarious!!

Lusa A2 Select Fire

MP5 A3

 

[jagdpanzer347]

MachIVshooter, nice looking rifle. I'd like to pick up a PSL at some point myself. jandcsales.com still has some 7N1 in stock if you want to try it out.

-jagd

 

[Medusa]

Poor guys, you there, a brand new SVD, straight from Izhmash, costs around 2000 USD here. And I can buy the SVDS if I like. On the other hand, anything AR-like is pretty rare.

 

[Frog48]

Nice rifle, price sounds reasonable too.

 

[MikeH]

I know that all Chinese military firearms are still banned, but why is it that Russian SVD and other clones aren't being imported these days?

 

[Evil Monkey]

That would be great. Let Russia export real Drags with thumb-hole stocks, no flash hiders, and 10 round mags. Then manufacturers in the US can make 10+ mags, pistol grips, flash hiders, and all other stuff.

I would like to see them come in 7.62mm NATO.

 

[JesseL]

Don't real Dragunovs have a safety sear on the hammer to prevent firing out of battery, and are thus considered machine guns by the BATFE?

 

[Daemon688]

Price sounds pretty good, even though its not a true Dragunov still a pretty rifle. I would love to see a .308 saiga with the same furniture being produced. No better source than mother Russia herself

 

[Ash]

The PSL is a cousin to the Yugoslavian m76. Both are DMR's just like the Dragunov. Both get the same general accuracy as the SVD. Of the three, though, the PSL is available in this country at reasonable prices. Anyone who buys a real deal SVD Dragunov is doing so for collectors value and not because it shoots any better because it doesn't by any appreciable margin.

Ash

 

[Davo]

I wonder what kind of accuracy you will get at 100/600 yards.
If they make somthing like the palma round(155 gr mk) in .311 for your rifle that seems like a good choice.
Let us know how it shoots and how that scope performs.
Im in California and we can't be trusted with those here.

 

[MikeH]

Once watched a guy shoot his PSL at 2 to 4 MOA, 200 yards, using surplus ammo. Pretty decent for its intended use.

 

[PirateJoe]

Don't real Dragunovs have a safety sear on the hammer to prevent firing out of battery, and are thus considered machine guns by the BATFE?

both the sks and, i think, the m1 garand (as well as many others, i suppose) have that, and they aren't considered machine guns.

 

[Dionysusigma]

And FWIW, this thing has a pretty good trigger. A bit of creep, but much better than I had expected.

Something to help with that, plus adds the option of adjustability:

http://www.redstararms.com/488.htm

There's a lot more on that site, too. Micro-click adjustable rear sights, to name one.