Imitation SVD

[Willtallica]

I see them on sale for about 700/750 bucks, and they seemed to look like one of the cooest rifles I've ever seen.


The top one is suppose to be the cheap, not in comparison to the real deal which is on the bottom, but I honestly think the Romanian one looks better.

I'm thinking about buying one after the holiday as a nice little stress relief, any comments, links for more into, and where to buy them from?

I know some of the basic things, like it's reciever is from an RPK, and also it's really not an SVD.

[aubie515]

Not to sound like a jerk...but you seem to be more concerned about looks over function. I promise you that a kewl looking weapons will not save your six if it doesn't perform. If you are going to dump around $800 on a semi...get yourself a DPMS LR 308 Panther...it will be so much more accurate than any dragunov at any price.

[JayBell]

the Dragunova nd the Romak PSL are 2 completely different weapons, in almost every way but caliber.

the PSL is a light sniper rifle that uses a very long AK style action, the Dragunov is more like a cross between an AK and an SKS.

I had a Romak PSL, its accurate fro a short while, within 10 shots its stringing shots all over, the barrel is too thin.
Mags are different than the drag.
Add to the the fixed gas piston, and the less rigid action, no way to affix a bipod, and the scope is slightly offset from the bore centerline, the gun is not a good deal.

also, the proper ammo for these rifles are not available in the us readily, you really have to handload to get the good groups.

the Drag is a pretty darn good rifle, and much higher quality, much more accurate.

as Aubie says, get a DPMS, or Armalite, in a NATO caliber if you want something good.

[Willtallica]

Awe, if it's that crappy then damn it.

^^^By the way I'm very into looks, and would never buy an ugly gun.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by Willtallica

...not in comparison to the real deal which is on the bottom, but I honestly think the Romanian one looks better. [/i]

...

The "SVD" above is a TIGR, which was a later import made specifically for the US market. Some features were removed to appease US politicos...flash hider, bayonet lug, IR metascope detector inside the PSO scope, etc.

The earliest SVD imports were from China re-named the NDM86. Later Chinese NDM-86s were also offered in .308 Win, all the reports I've heard were positive except for the firing pin spring recall and retrofit.

A year or two later someone (was it KBI?) imported a few Russian SVDs.

The Chinese NDMs are now in the 3k range, Russian approx 5K. Both are very rare. Sometime after 1993-94 the Feds stopped the SVDs, and thus the introduction of the TIGR. I think the Voluntary Restraint Agreements with Russia stopped he SVDs, abd the import ban on China stopped the NDM-86 series.

This is my oldest holding our SVD...



It shoots very well & lives up to it's reputation, but like all other precision rifles it requires premium match ammunition to get the performance. An SVD like this commands a price just north of $3k, for the same money you can get a NICE boltgun (Remington 700P) with a top shelf Leupold scope. I recommend the 700P as a starter to ease ammunition issues. The SVD is more a collector's item since the 7N1 match ammunition is difficult to find.

[PA Rifleman]

BTW, the top rifle is a Romanian PSL, which *is* a military sniping rifle sans bayonet lug. They supposedly shoot well.



More info here.

[Willtallica]

Yeah, turns out it's not really that bad, but I can't even afford it anymore. I'm look way after chirstmas now.

[EDOGZ818]

PARIFLEMAN & JAYBELL WERE RIGHT ON TIME WITH THIER SVD ASSESMENTS. THAT INFO WAS WORTH $19.95 EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. GOOD JOB ON THE INFO AND POINTS WELL TAKEN. ME PERSONALLY, I'LL TAKE AN UGLY RIFLE THAT COVERS MY SIX OVER ONE THAT LOOKS COOL 100X OVER. LEARNED THAT IN THE CORPS.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by EDOGZ818

PARIFLEMAN ... I'LL TAKE AN UGLY RIFLE THAT COVERS MY SIX OVER ONE THAT LOOKS COOL 100X OVER. LEARNED THAT IN THE CORPS.

Have you been to the sandbox yet? From the photos I'm seeing, SVDs are eveywhere, so match grade 7.62x54R ammunition is likely there too. In that case, I'd be using an SVD as a medium range force multiplier and saving the 700P/M24/M40s for critical applications.

For those considering a precision rifle, here are a few links of interest:

700P/700PSS-Remington's 700P ad and Lightweight variant - M24 - M40 re-intro - more

Post Scrip-don't cheap out on the scope.

[Willtallica]

Originally Posted by EDOGZ818

PARIFLEMAN & JAYBELL WERE RIGHT ON TIME WITH THIER SVD ASSESMENTS. THAT INFO WAS WORTH $19.95 EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. GOOD JOB ON THE INFO AND POINTS WELL TAKEN. ME PERSONALLY, I'LL TAKE AN UGLY RIFLE THAT COVERS MY SIX OVER ONE THAT LOOKS COOL 100X OVER. LEARNED THAT IN THE CORPS.

Take, sure, but of course. Pay, is a whole other story.