Quality of Romanian Dragunov's

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I've noticed there are Romanian Dragunov's floating around the are selling around $700 or so and I'd really like to get a good, accurate gun like a Drag but I was wondering about the quality of these Romanians. I'm more than happy with my Romanian 47 and 74, but with Russian and Chinese Drag's selling in the thousands, I am at least concerned about quality.


Anyone have one?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I don't have one, been looking at them.

The new Shotgun News had a great article on them. They aren't Dragonov's. They are a gun designed by the Romanians and they differ from the Russian original quite a bit apparently.

I served with some Romanians who were carrying them around. They appeared to like them (hard to talk with them due to language issues) and trust them.

There are .308 versions now being made in Romania, think I would stick to the original myself though.

Hope that helped a bit. Try to find the Shotgun News article. It's worth a read.

 

[Destructo6]

The Romanian sharpshooter rifles are based on the RPK receiver, rather than the purpose built version of the Dragunov.

Being so, the Romanian rifle uses a long stroke gas piston, whereas the Drag uses a short stroke piston.

The Romanian guns aren't Dragunovs, but they are pretty nice.

Here's a Dragunov info page:

http://club.guns.ru/eng/dragunov.html

 

[natedog]

Curious, could someone provide a diagram or explanation showing the differences between short and long stroke gas systems? I've also head that the AK-47/AKM/AK-74's gas system is self regulating, is that true?

 

[JohnKSa]

The RPK action (and that of the Romanian rifle in question) is identical to the AK action. The only difference is that the RPK has a reinforced receiver.

In a long stroke gas system, the gas piston travels the same distance as the bolt. In a short stroke system, the gas piston travels a shorter distance than the bolt.

The AK is self-regulating. With a standard load, it cycles normally. With very hot ammunition, the extra energy is expended by the bolt slamming hard against the back of the receiver.

 

[jobu07]

A good friend of mine has one of them and i've shot it extensively. As soon as I get the coin, i'd like to add one to my collection too. It's a very accurate rifle despite the old rumors that it's not a "sniper rifle" and never will be etc. I think it's pretty darn acurate so long as you understand how the scope works. It's got a fine fit and finish, everything fits snug and it is a very comfortable and ergonomic rifle. And the fact that it fires such inexpensive ammo is just a plus! Buy one, or two, or three! No telling when they might ban this one.

 

[Ash]

The RomakIII or PSL as it is officially known, is as accurate as the Dragunov. There could be some technical accuracy superiority of the SVD over the PSL, but they are not realized in the real world. Both fill the exact same concept, which is firesupport on the battlefield, not assassination. That last statement is not meant as an attack on the US concept of the lone sniper doing his job, but the fact remains the Marine Sniper in the US, along with his spotter, seek out specific targets and eliminate them. The Comblock concept was that each platoon or so had a sniper to take out machine gunners or other important targets on the moving, fluid battlefield. Stealth, while important, was nothing on the scale of the Marine Sniper.

Both the SVD and the PSL (or the Yugoslav version, which is also AK based) fullfill this function in the same way. They are less accurate than the M24, but can be used as a battlerifle if the need arises whereas the M24 cannot.

The RomakIII's over here are good rifles. They can be surprisingly accurate for what they are. The finish isn't so great and the triggers are pretty gritty. But, the triggers can be smoothed without too much trouble.

But remember, like any rifle, the only way to get peak performance is with performance ammo. 147 grain ammo is most accurate out of the PSL, and if you shoot surplus machine gun ammo out of it, you will not realize the accuracy it is capable of. But then, if you shoot plane-jane Nato 7.62x51 out of an M1a, you'll notice the same thing.

Ash

 

[Tomac]

Quality lightweight match ammo isn't available for the Romak-3/SSG-97/FPK/PSL and that holds it back accuracy-wise. I used to own one and the best I could do was hit an 18" gong at 500m 8 times out of 10. With my NDM-86 Chinese Dragunov in .308 using match ammo I can shoot 4.5" groups at 500m. My personal best 4-shot ctc group at 100yds is .44" and my best 3-shot ctc group at 100yds is .24". I'd like to see what the Romak-3 could do w/a true 147gr match load.
Tomac

 

[Onmilo]

For about $200.00 less money you can buy a Saiga .308 including a Russian PSO-1 scope and mount.
The barrel is heavier and shorter than the Romak and better made.
The action functions identical to the Romak and both rifles use strengthened, stamped steel AKM type receivers.
The Saiga uses an 8 shot magazine instead of a 10 shot magazine but who cares.
Good quality .308 Winchester ammunition is available everywhere, it is cheap and the .Saiga will continue to shoot well even after it heats up.
I chose the Russian Saiga over a Romak Sharpshooter rifle and feel I made the best choice.

 

[cslinger]

Onmilo,

I would agree with you on what you said.......................but.

Anything even remotely Dragonuv is just so damn cool. I mean I am not going to be running around taking out tangos at designated marksman ranges. I am going to be on the 100 Yard line plinking away and answering all the "What kind of gun is that questions."

For many of us, the shooting sports are not always about technical superiority or need. Sometimes it's just about cool. Come on now, all you AR/ACOG owners didn't buy the ACOG for any practical reason now did you. You bought it because it was a great sight and more importantly it is just damn cool.

That being said I would take a Drag or Romak over a Saiga just for that reason. I do however own a VEPR with a PSO scope but I still want the Drag/Romak.

Chris

 

[armoredman]

I am really out there - I want the so-called "paratrooper" Romak III, with some 20 round mags, if someone would make them. I like 7.62x54R....and a sort of battle rifle to use it would be awesome....

 

[BryanP]

If it weren't too expensive I would buy a Romak-style rifle in .308. I really don't want to pick up Yet Another Calibre, no matter how inexpensive it is.

 

[B27]

www.dragunov.net



These rifles generally require some tinkering with to acheive anything close to their potential, but if fooling with an unusual rifle is your idea of fun they are a good bet.

The triggers SUCK.
Long, griitty, rough and inconsistent.
I replaced mine with a Red Star Arms trigger and it now has a trigger as good as my M1A.

The hanguards will be touching the barrel at various uneven places on the inside and some wood needs to be removed.

The buttstock fits no human being above the age of twelve that I have ever met.
It is too short and is impossible to get a decent cheek weld on.
Some people replace it, but I wanted to keep the original look.
So I just bought the thickest strap on cheekpad I could find, a Sinclair, and attach it when shooting the rifle.
The short length of pull I just live with.

Wolf is selling 7.62x54R loads with light bullets and it works surprisingly well.

I see now that they are being imported chambered for 7.62x51.

I chose the Romak 3/FPK/PSL over the Chinese NDM in 7.62x51 because I figured that ancient 7.62x54R cartridge with the goofy rim was half the fun anyway.

 

[natedog]

Oh, and to comment on the guns. I handled one once, and it seemed quite nice for a $600-700 semi-automatic rifle, with a decent scope already installed. As noted, the trigger sucked, but the action was smooth, and the glass was nice. It was long, but light in proportion to it's length.