Dragonuv!

[lamazza]

A beautiful rifle enjoy it. I was looking for one on gunsamerica the other day and didn't see any for less than $2k or thereabouts

 

[Bob R]

The primary differences between the original Dragunov and the PSL are the Dragunov receiver is milled while the PSL's is formed from stamped sheet metal and the Dragunov utilizes a unique spring-loaded, short-stroke gas-piston rod that is not attached to the bolt carrier while the PSL uses the long-stroke AK/AKM system in which the piston rod is integral with the bolt carrier. There are other minor differences like the design of the cheek piece, the forearm, the trigger, the muzzle brake, disassembly, quality of machining, but basically from an overall external profile, both models look exceedingly similar.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_5_51/ai_n13469625

Bold/italics are mine.

So, with that being said, I guess you can keep calling your PSL a Dragunov. Of course, some people will just shake their heads at you, wondering why you don't know what your rifle is. And others will go, "Wow!! Really!! That's cool!!" I just it guess depends on how you look at things.

I don't even call what I have a Dragunov, because in my eyes it in't. When people ask what is is I tell them it is a civilian export version of the Soviet SVD that is called the "TIGER". If they want more info, I tell them the differences between this one and a "real" Dragunov SVD.



Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

With that out of the way, I think you got a good deal on the PSL.

bob

 

[Ash]

The piston design is not all that unique, as it is based on the WWII SVT (Tokarev) gas system.

Ash

 

[TooTaxed]

Several of the soldiers I shoot with at Fort Benning have bought these...they are a fun gun! They shoot them to 500 yards, though with standard milsurp ammo they are mostly good to about 350 yards...we had a man-sized torso steel target at 360 yds they could ring with every shot (though I could do the same with my SKS). Sellier and Beloit ammo is very high quality, and I believe the cases are boxer primed and reloadable. Quality Soviet ammo is very hard to locate.

They come with both 8-power and four-power Russian scopes, both with a rather good ranging reticule and very durable. The 8-power scopes are scarce, but you appear to have one...

 

[MachIVshooter]

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.

I was just about to call you lucky, but then I thought about it; How much would you have to pay for something like an Armalite AR-10 SuperSASS? (if you could get it). They are about $2,800 here.

It's all relative, I guess.

The 8-power scopes are scarce, but you appear to have one...

Nope. 4x6

I still think it's a pretty good deal, considering the new WASR's are creeping up past $400 these days. I have come to appreciate the 7.62x54 round more as of late. It really gives up nothing to the 7.62 NATO (except cost). Right now, it seems to be the cheapest centerfire rifle round out there.

This rifle will be more of a play toy, as I save my bolt guns for serious long range work. I'll be content with ~2" 100 yard groups using mil-surp ammo. I'll probably start playing with handloads and modifications once I get bored with just emptying the magazine.

 

[White Horseradish]

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?

Because there is an agreement on non-importation of semi-automatic arms between Russia and US.

 

[Evil Monkey]

Because there is an agreement on non-importation of semi-automatic arms between Russia and US.

Then explain the Saiga's....

 

[Cosmoline]

It's an excellent rifle in its own right. I've never seen any evidence that the real SVD's are more accurate than the PSL's. Indeed the PSL can give an M-14 a run for its money.

From all I've heard, these prefer light ball type 54R rather than the heavy 180 and 200 grain stuff. Wolf has a new lighter loading out that should be ideal.

 

[saltydog]

The only difference between a Dragunov Tigr model and an SVD is "nothing" as far as the "action" is concerned. A PSL/FPK is a different animal all together. All the parts are available to put the Tigr into near SVD status => but 4 inches of barrel will be the only deciding factor that the SVD will have over the Tigr when the upgrade has been done. Other than that, a Drag is a Drag is a Drag. The receiver and the internal components determine the actual design of a weapon. FS's, stock sets, sight hoods, etc, just determine the model you have. Another example is an AK with a butthole stock and no muzzle brake is still an AK, period.

 

[slzy]

perhaps OT,but my tigr comes fairly close to the scout rifle concept,enough to suit me any way.

 

[slzy]

i have not done this myself,but i have "heard" that if you change to the appropriate magazine release latch ,the svd and psl magazines would interchange.

 

[kennedy]

I have a tigr and love it, so far have picked up 2 extra 5 rd mags and a 10 rd very pricey but worth it. add a rare russian bipod, hand load and its a very good shooter.

 

[White Horseradish]

Then explain the Saiga's....

Exsqueeze me. Non-importation of non-sporting autoloaders. You know the goofy stocks Saigas come with? Those make them "sporting".

 

[Jackal]

...Oh no...now I want a Dragunov...darn you THR... :banghead: