The SVD (СВД; Russian : снайперская винтовка Драгунова , romanized : snayperskaya vintovka Dragunova , lit. 'Dragunov sniper rifle'), GRAU index 6V1 , is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle chambered in the 7.62×54mmR cartridge, developed in the Soviet Union .
89-614: The SVD was designed to serve in a squad support role to provide precise long-range engagement capabilities to ordinary troops following the Warsaw Pact adoption of the 7.62×39mm intermediate cartridge and assault rifles as standard infantry weapon systems. At the time, NATO used battle rifles chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO fully powered cartridge as standard infantry weapon systems and had not yet adopted an intermediate cartridge and assault rifle of their own, allowing them to outrange their Warsaw Pact counterparts. The SVD
178-522: A lance corporal (a rank the Army had in varying numbers and conditions from at least 1821 until 1920), a private first class (PFC) (the rank existing since 1846 but not earning its one chevron – taken from the abolished lance corporal rank – until 1920). or even a "senior" private (there being many long-service, or "professional," privates until the post-WWII era). In 1891, the US Army officially defined
267-415: A squad consists of one single dot (●) placed above a framed unit icon. Historically, a "squad" in the US Army was a sub-unit of a section , consisting of from as few as two soldiers to as many as 9-10 soldiers and was originally used primarily for drill and administrative purposes (e.g., billeting, messing, working parties, etc.). The smallest tactical sub-unit being the section, which was also known as
356-497: A squad is among the smallest of military organizations and is led by a non-commissioned officer . NATO and U.S. doctrine define a squad as an organization "larger than a team , but smaller than a section ." while U.S. Army doctrine further defines a squad as a "small military unit typically containing two or more fire teams ." In American usage, a squad consists of eight to fourteen soldiers , and may be further subdivided into fireteams. The standard NATO symbol for
445-530: A "squad" and a "rescue" are two distinct units. This is the case in New York City, where the FDNY operates eight squad companies. These special "enhanced" engine companies perform both "truck" and "engine" company tasks, as well as hazardous materials (Hazmat) mitigation and other specialty rescue functions. FDNY's five "rescue" companies primarily mitigate technical and heavy rescue incidents, and operate as
534-419: A 10-round capacity and the cartridges are double-stacked in a staggered zigzag pattern. After discharging the last cartridge from the magazine, the bolt carrier and bolt are held back on a bolt catch that is released by pulling the cocking handle to the rear. The rifle's receiver is machined to improve precision by adding torsional strength. The barrel profile is relatively thin to save weight. Its bore
623-401: A 12-man unit of three elements, or teams, Able, Baker, and Charlie, reporting directly to the platoon commander (an officer , usually a second lieutenant ), assisted by a sergeant assigned as the "assistant to platoon commander" (re-designated as "platoon leader" in 1940 and as "platoon sergeant" in 1943 with the officer then re-designated as "platoon leader".) The squad leader was still only
712-598: A bimetal lead and mild steel core. With standard 57-N-323S cartridges, the precision of the SVD is reduced to 2.21 MOA extreme vertical spread. This ammunition was later replaced by 7N14 in 1999, which replaced the mild steel penetrator with a hardened steel penetrator in response to the development of infantry body armour. The rifle features adjustable iron sights with a sliding tangent rear sight, graduated from 100 to 1,200 m (109 to 1,312 yd) in 100 m (109 yd) increments. The iron sights can be used with or without
801-454: A black polymer – the handguard and gas tube cover are more or less identical in appearance, while the thumbhole stock is of a different shape. A number of accessories are issued with the rifle, including a blade-type bayonet ( AKM clipped point or the AK-74 spear point bayonet), four spare magazines, a leather or nylon sling, magazine pouch, cleaning kit and an accessory/maintenance kit for
890-806: A copy of the SVD through reverse-engineered samples captured during the Sino-Vietnamese War as the Type 79 and 85. Iran also produced a clone, the Nakhjir 3, which was a direct copy of the Chinese Type 79. In Russian service, the SVD is to be replaced with the Chukavin SVCh sniper/designated marksman rifle. In February 2023 it was reported that the Chukavin SVCh began to be mass-produced by Kalashnikov Concern . When chambered for
979-443: A corporal (grade 5). The "platoon leader" (with the officer still being the "platoon commander") now became a staff sergeant , (grade 3). (In 1920 the enlisted rank structure was simplified and seven grades were established ranging from master sergeant as grade 1 to private as grade 7; staff sergeant being one of the new rank titles then established by combining several intermediate sergeant grades ranking above section leaders but below
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#17327870597551068-471: A corporal but the squad was also assigned a PFC (one of the scout riflemen) as the assistant to the squad leader. This soldier could serve as either the squad leader's messenger to the platoon commander or could be used to relay orders to other squad elements, as needed. While not a noncommissioned officer (NCO) the PFC was an experienced soldier, as prior to WWII the majority of enlisted men remained privates for
1157-603: A federal court in Texas ruled that the new ATF regulations exceeded the agency's statutory authority, and struck them down. However, on August 8, 2023, the Texas court's nationwide vacatur was temporarily placed on hold by the Supreme Court of the United States , leaving the new ATF regulations on unfinished receivers in place. A Zero Percent Receiver is a rectangular billet of metal of the appropriate size to make
1246-627: A finished receiver, but without any machining whatsoever. In California it is unlawful to possess an unserialized zero percent receiver, and it is unlawful to ship one into the state As of 2024 , several designs and at least two designs for 3D printable polymer lower unfinished receivers for the AR-15 have been released: the AR Lower V5 and the Charon . 3D printed designs may also be used to produce privately made firearms . The receiver or frame
1335-424: A frame or receiver parts kit, that is designed to or may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted to function as a frame or receiver". (The term "receiver" was also redefined as referring to non-handgun firearms, while "frame" was redefined as referring to handguns exclusively.) The new definitions went into effect on August 24, 2022. In the case VanDerStok v. Garland , filed on June 30, 2023,
1424-407: A half-platoon (the platoon itself being a half company ). Depending upon the time period, the squad "leader" (not an official position title until 1891) could be a sergeant (the sergeant, in sections with only one corporal , led the section's first squad, while the lone corporal served as assistant section leader and led the section's second squad), a corporal (in sections with two corporals),
1513-409: A machine gunner armed with an RPK-74 , a grenadier armed with an RPG-7 , a rifleman/assistant grenadier, a rifleman/medic, a rifleman, a BTR driver/mechanic and a BTR machine gunner. BMP rifle squads consisted of a squad leader/BMP commander, assistant squad leader/BMP gunner, a BMP driver/mechanic, a machine gunner armed with an RPK-74, a grenadier armed with an RPG-7, a rifleman/assistant grenadier,
1602-403: A massive restructuring of its Tables of Organization & Equipment (TO&Es) and increased the rank of the squad leader and assistant squad leader to staff sergeant and sergeant, respectively. (Platoon leaders now became technical sergeants , as grade 2, and first sergeants became equal in pay grade to master sergeants as grade 1.) The BAR man (automatic rifleman) and the senior rifleman of
1691-400: A metal stock which folded to the right as to not be interfered by the optic mount and also had a shortened barrel. The stock included a rubber shoulder pad and cheek riser. The barrel was also given a heavier profile, the receiver housing was strengthened, the gas cylinder block was improved and a ported, and a shorter conical flash suppressor was adopted. The SVDSN (6V3N) variants, much like
1780-463: A pure special rescue unit. Squads and rescues within the FDNY are part of the departments specialty operations command (SOC). In other departments, a squad is a name given to a type of apparatus that delivers EMS and rescue services, and is staffed by firefighter/EMTs or firefighter/paramedics. This type of service delivery is common in the greater Los Angeles area of California, and was made famous in
1869-563: A rifle "squad" as consisting of "seven privates and one corporal." The US Army employed the eight-man rifle squad through WWI and until the late 1930s under the Square Division organizational plan, in which sergeants continued to lead sections consisting of two squads. Under the Triangular Division organization plan in 1939 rifle squads were no longer organized into sections. Instead, the squads were reorganized into
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#17327870597551958-568: A rifleman/medic, a senior rifleman and a rifleman all armed with AKMs or AK-74s . Within a platoon the rifleman in one of the squads was armed with an SVD sniper rifle . In both BTR and BMP squads the vehicle's gunner and driver stayed with the vehicle while the rest of the squad dismounted. The squad (班), or section was the basic unit of the National Revolutionary Army (of the National Government of
2047-455: A sergeant (E-5) as squad leader and two five-man fire teams . Each fire team consisted of a corporal (E-4) team leader, an automatic rifleman, an assistant automatic rifleman, a grenadier , and a scout-rifleman. The assistant squad leader position was eliminated, with the senior fire team leader now filling this role as needed. In 1958, with the addition of the E-8 and E-9 pay grades, the ranks of
2136-558: A sergeant, and sometimes a corporal - 6 members in total. The squad consists of two teams each containing three members. When marching in single file, the squad members, from front to rear consist of: A squad is led by a non-commissioned officer known as a " squad leader ". His or her second in command is known as an "assistant squad leader". In Britain and in the Commonwealth, these appointments are known as "section commander" and "section 2IC" (second in command), respectively. In
2225-562: A squad systems operator. As of 2020, the structure has been changed to 15 men; assistant automatic riflemen are replaced with grenadiers and a new addition to Marine fireteams, anti mechanized infantry. All M16A4 rifles and M4A1 carbines are to be replaced with the M27 infantry automatic rifle. Depending on the mission, automatic rifleman may use the M249 light machine gun instead of the M27 IAR. In
2314-424: A standing, man-sized target at 800 m (875 yd), and an 80% probability of hitting a standing, man-sized target at 500 m (547 yd). To attain this level of accuracy the sniper could not engage more than two such targets per minute. For distances not exceeding 200 m (219 yd) the probability was estimated to be well above 90% regardless of time taken. Squad In military terminology ,
2403-830: A team leader and two scouts) while infantry scout squads consist of eight men divided into two three-man teams (each with two scouts and one radio operator) plus a team leader and assistant team leader. In the United States Marine Corps , a rifle squad is usually composed of three fireteams of four Marines each and a squad leader who is typically a sergeant or corporal, Other types of USMC infantry squads include: machinegun (7.62 mm), heavy machinegun (12.7 mm (.50 cal.) and 40 mm), LWCMS mortar (60 mm), 81 mm mortar, assault weapon (SMAW), antiarmor (Javelin missile), and anti-tank (TOW missile). These squads range from as few as three Marines (60 mm LWCM squad) to as many as eight (Javelin missile squad), depending upon
2492-546: Is chrome -lined for increased corrosion resistance and features four right-hand grooves. Originally, the twist rate was 320 mm (1:12.6 in), as it had been designed for use with heavier civilian ammunition. In 1975 the twist rate was increased to the standard 240 mm (1:9.4 in), which reduced the precision with the 7N1 sniper cartridge by 19% but allowed for the use of standard "light" ball steel core LPS Gzh (57-N-323S), as well as its variations (incendiary, tracer, armour-piercing) with acceptable precision. The front part of
2581-493: Is legally considered the actual receiver, although it is functionally a chassis that also houses the separate trigger group. In the FN-FAL rifle, it is the upper assembly that is serialized and legally considered the receiver. This has led to prosecutors dropping charges against illegal manufacturing of AR-type firearms to avoid court precedents establishing that neither the upper nor the lower receiver individually contain all
2670-522: Is not a firearm, purchasers do not need to pass a background check. The resulting firearm is known as a " ghost gun ". During the Biden Administration , the ATF imposed regulations on the sale and marketing of unfinished receivers and kits containing them by revising the legal definition of receivers to include "a partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional frame or receiver, including
2759-410: Is not retained, i.e. "free-floating", and it is therefore possible for accidental discharge to occur as the bolt pushes an unfired cartridge into the chamber, should there be an obstruction in the firing pin channel resulting from poor maintenance or extreme cold. The firearm is operated by a short-stroke gas piston system with a two-position gas regulator. The gas regulator can be set with the help of
SVD (rifle) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2848-644: Is organized as follows during offensive missions, according to Markstridsreglemente 3 Grupp (Ground combat regulation 3 Squad): During defensive missions, the two soldiers with anti-tank launchers are armed with a Granatgevär m/48 or m/86 instead, where one is gunner and the second loader. In accordance with Brigadreglemente Armén Pansar-/Mekskyttepluton/-grupp 90 (Army Brigade Regulation Armor-/Mechanized Rifle Platoon/Squad 90) from 2002: The squad has access to six Pansarskott m/86s , two Kulspruta 58Bs , and one Granatgevär m/48 . A Danish mechanized or armoured infantry squad (gruppe) consists of 4-5 privates,
2937-585: Is similar to .366 tkm Ak platform weapons common in the Russian gun market. SWD-M – A modernised Polish variant of the SVD adopted in 1998 which uses a heavy barrel, bipod (mounted to the forearm) and LD-6 (6×42) telescopic sight. Al-Kadesih – An Iraqi variant of the SVD, not to be confused with the Tabuk rifle . Although the design is very similar to the SVD, many parts are not interchangeable due to its unique dimensions and design characteristics. For example,
3026-420: Is used as the standard day optic. The SVDM rifle can be used with a detachable bipod, and with a quick-detachable suppressor. The iron sight line features a simplified rear sight element and a new front sight element located above the gas block. The SVDM has a length of 1,135 mm (44.7 in) (975 mm (38.4 in) with the stock folded) and weighs 5.3 kg (12 lb). OTs-03 SVU – A variant of
3115-626: Is used for units of this size, the NCO in charge, which in the British Army and Royal Marines is normally a corporal (OR-4), is termed a section commander . A squad can also be an ad hoc group of soldiers assigned to a task, for example, a firing squad . The Canadian Forces Manual of Drill and Ceremonial defines a squad as "a small military formation of less than platoon size which is adopted to teach drill movements. (escouade)". Receiver (firearms) In firearms terminology and at law,
3204-579: The NDM-86 or EM-351. CS/LR19 or NSG-85 – A modernised Chinese variant of the Type 85 adopted by the PLA in 2014. The SVD was used by designated marksmen designated in the Soviet Army as snipers at the basic motorized infantry rifle platoon level. For this purpose, the rifle was designed to be much lighter than more conventional precision rifles, making it better suited for use by infantry, and
3293-510: The U.S. Air Force Security Forces , a squad is made up of three fire teams of four members, each led by a senior airman , staff sergeant , or tech sergeant . A squad is a term used in the US Fire and EMS services to describe several types of units and emergency apparatus. Oftentimes, the names "squad" and "rescue squad" are used interchangeably, however the function of the squad is different from department to department. In some departments,
3382-447: The firearm frame or receiver is the part of a firearm which integrates other components by providing housing for internal action components such as the hammer , bolt or breechblock , firing pin and extractor , and has threaded interfaces for externally attaching ("receiving") components such as the barrel , stock , trigger mechanism and iron / optical sights . Various firearm receivers often come with 1 or 2 sections,
3471-425: The upper receiver which houses the barrel/trunnion, bolt components etc and the lower receiver ( Trigger Mechanism Housing in some cases) that holds the fire control group, pistol grip, selector, stock etc. The receiver is often made of forged , machined, or stamped steel or aluminium . Apart from these traditional materials, modern techniques have introduced polymer and sintered metal powder receivers to
3560-515: The 12-man squad was too large and unwieldy in combat. The squad leader was again called a sergeant (but retained the grade 3 pay grade and insignia of the rank of a staff sergeant, which was then eliminated.) The two scouts of the Able element were eliminated with the idea that all of the riflemen should be able to perform the scouting duties and would therefore all share in the associated inherent risk of that position. The Baker element's ammunition bearer
3649-560: The 1970s show Emergency! , where the fictional Squad 51 highlighted the lives of two firefighter/paramedics of the LACoFD . In the Soviet Armed Forces a motorised rifle squad was mounted in either a BTR armoured personnel carrier or BMP infantry fighting vehicle , with the former being more numerous by the late 1980s. BTR rifle squads consisted of a squad leader/BTR commander, senior rifleman/assistant squad leader,
SVD (rifle) - Misplaced Pages Continue
3738-470: The 7.62×54mmR fully powered cartridge being accepted into service in July 1963. An initial pre-production batch consisting of 200 rifles was assembled for evaluation purposes, and from 1964 serial production was carried out by Izhmash, later called Kalashnikov Concern . Since then, the SVD has become the standard squad support weapon of several countries, including those of the former Warsaw Pact. China produced
3827-549: The 7.62×54mmR the Chukavin SVCh uses SVD compatible box magazines. In Ukrainian service, the SVD was largely replaced in the sniping role with Western sniper rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum or 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges and anti-materiel rifles such as the Barrett M107A1 . The domestically produced UAR-10 sniper rifle is also replacing the SVD in Ukrainian military and law enforcement units. According to McNab,
3916-596: The American M24 Sniper Weapon System with M118SB cartridges (1.18 MOA extreme vertical spread) and the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System with M118LR ammunition (1.27 MOA extreme vertical spread). 7N1 differed from the standard LPS Gzh (57-N-323S) cartridge in its use of finely extruded propellant and a modified projectile containing a void inside of the jacket at the tip which improved terminal ballistics and
4005-484: The Charlie element became corporals (grade 5) and de facto team leaders, even though not officially designated as such. (In 1943 NCO platoon leaders were re-designated as platoon sergeants and officer platoon commanders became platoon leaders.) After WWII, in 1948, the Army decided to "downsize” the rifle squad to a nine-man organization (as well as realign its enlisted grade structure), as post-war analysis had shown that
4094-555: The ROAD era mechanized infantry units, none of the vehicle crewman (M2A3 – three, M1126 – two) are counted as part of the nine-man rifle squad transported by the vehicles. The term squad is also used in infantry crew-served weapons sections (number of members varies by weapon), military police (twelve soldiers including a squad leader divided into four three-man teams, with three team leaders), and combat engineer units. Cavalry scout squads consist of six men divided into two teams (each with
4183-514: The Republic of China ), and would usually be 14 men strong. An infantry squad from an elite German-trained division would ideally have one light machine gun and 10 rifles, but only one of the three squads in a non-elite Central Army division would have a light machine gun. Furthermore, the regular provincial army divisions often had no machine guns at all. The squad, grupp , in the Swedish army
4272-544: The SVD developed by the Tula Sporting and Hunting Weapons Design Bureau in the 80's. This rifle also had a significantly shortened barrel to reduce length. V-70 – A prototype automatic rifle developed in 1968. It involved the development of a new bipod, a thicker and shorter barrel with a new muzzle device, and 15/20-round magazines. The detachable bipod designed for this project would be used in subsequent models of SVD. AF – A prototype automatic rifle developed in
4361-625: The SVD from Kalashnikov Concern, chambered in 9.6×53mm Lancaster, first revealed in 2018. TG3 rifle weighs 3.9 kilograms (8 lb 9.5 oz). The overall length is 1,225 mm (48 inches) with a barrel length of 620 mm (24.4 inches). The TG3 uses 5-round single-stack detachable box magazines. The Tg3 is an oval-bore (Lancaster rifling) firearm. Although legally a shotgun, the TG3 is designed to offer rifle-like performance, at least at shorter distances. Russian gun laws restrict rifle ownership for newer gun owners but have far fewer restrictions on shotguns. The TG3
4450-525: The SVD remains in service with Ukrainian forces in the designated marksman rifle role. The SVD bears a number of cosmetic similarities to the AK family of rifles but these similarities are for the purpose of standardizing manual of arms. This has occasionally led to misidentification of the SVD as an AK variant, and vice versa. The barrel breech is locked through a rotating bolt (left rotation) and uses three locking lugs to engage corresponding locking recesses in
4539-609: The SVD, lacking a bayonet lug, first produced in the 1970s. Serial production for began in 1992 For export into the United States, the sear which prevented out-of-battery discharge had to be removed to comply with the National Firearms Act. Tiger rifles were available with shortened (520 mm) and full length (620 mm) barrels, different stocks (including an SVDS-style folding stock), and are chambered in 7.62×54mmR , .308 Winchester , .30-06 Springfield or 9.3×64mm Brenneke . Kalashnikov TG3 – Civilian variant of
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#17327870597554628-632: The SVDN variants, are simply equipped with various night vision devices. SVD-1990 (SVD-90) – A variant of the SVD with the stock and handguard made from black polymers. SVDM – A modernised variant of the SVDS which entered service in 2018. Compared to its predecessor, the SVDM was notably designed with a thicker (and 550 mm long) barrel, new furniture, and a picatinny rail mount on the new, hinged, dust cover. The variable power 1P88-4 (1П88-4) telescopic sight
4717-516: The TKB-0172 which began serial production in 1991 for the MVD . The rifle was also equipped with an improved muzzle brake as well as a rear aperture sight, much like the original SVD prototype. Many were not new production rifles, but instead, retrofitted SVDs. A select-fire variant (OTs-03A(S) SVU-A) was also produced in small quantities to serve as an automatic rifle, but the automatic fire capability
4806-603: The US military, a squad leader is a non-commissioned officer who leads a squad of typically nine soldiers (US Army: squad leader and two fireteams of four men each) or 13 marines (US Marine Corps: squad leader and three fireteams of four men each) in a rifle squad, or three to eight men in a crew-served weapons squad. In the United States Army the TO&E rank of a rifle squad leader is staff sergeant (E-6, or OR-6) and in
4895-603: The United States Marine Corps the TO rank is sergeant (E-5, or OR-5), though a corporal may also act as a squad leader in the absence of sufficient numbers of sergeants. Squad leaders of crew-served weapons squads range from corporal through staff sergeant, depending upon the branch of service and type of squad. In some armies, notably those of the British Commonwealth, in which the term section
4984-399: The barrel extension. The rifle has a hammer-type striking mechanism and a manual lever safety selector. In addition to the trigger disconnect, the fire control mechanism has a second disconnector which does not allow the hammer to fall until the bolt has been closed, similar to a sear in a select-fire weapon. However, the SVD was only designed for semi-automatic fire. The firing pin in the SVD
5073-448: The barrel features the front sight assembly and a bayonet lug. The muzzle is equipped with a permanently affixed long-slotted flash hider . In order to pass inspections at the factory, these rifles must not produce more than a 0.7 MOA median deviation from the expected point of impact in three 10-shot groups using 7N1 (approximately 3 MOA). To enable the desired precision of the SVD, new 7.62×54mmR "sniper" ammunition, designated 7N1,
5162-426: The clip ensures it remains in place. The clamp-style bipod attaches to machined-out reliefs near the front of the receiver, it literally grabs the two cut out areas and securely mounts with a large round sized head on the clamp bolt able to tightly attach the bipod. The legs are individually adjustable [as opposed to fixed length found on many rifles and LMGs] and can be folded and stowed in a forward position negating
5251-423: The company first sergeant .) This squad organization included two men serving as “scout (rifleman),” who along with the squad leader, formed the security element (i.e., reconnaissance and overwatch actions), designated as “Able.” The second element was a three-man Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) team consisting of an automatic rifleman , an assistant automatic rifleman and an ammunition bearer. This element formed
5340-402: The components to be legally classified as a firearm. "Unfinished receivers", also called "80 percent receivers" or "blanks", are partially completed receivers with no serial numbers. Purchasers must perform their own finishing work in order to make the receiver usable. The finishing of receivers for sale or distribution by unlicensed persons is against US law. Because an unfinished 80% receiver
5429-540: The designated receiver with a serial number , the manufacturer or importer, the model and caliber. Makers of receivers are restricted by International Traffic in Arms Regulations . Thus, in the case of a firearm that has multiple receiver parts, such as the AR-15 , which has an upper and a lower receiver, the legally controlled part is the one that is serialized. For the AR-15 rifle, the lower receiver assembly
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#17327870597555518-416: The entire term of their enlistment since promotion opportunity was scarce. However, the obvious command (viz., leadership and supervision) weakness of so large a squad under one NCO rapidly became obvious in light of the pre-war mobilization and was corrected in 1940 when a second NCO was added to the squad. This adjustment raised the squad leader to a sergeant (grade 4) and the assistant squad leader to
5607-453: The length of the rifle for use by marines, mechanised infantry, and paratroopers began in 1978 by adding a folding buttstock and a separate pistol grip. Initially, pre-existing stock designs were used (such as the one from the AKS-74), but ergonomic problems necessitated the design of a unique folding stock. The final design was chosen out of a variety of prototypes and adopted in 1995, which had
5696-436: The market. A barrel may typically be affixed to a firearm receiver using barrel and receiver action threads or similar methods. For the purposes of United States law , the receiver or frame is legally the firearm, and as such it is the controlled part. The definition of which assembly is the legal receiver varies from firearm to firearm, under US law. Generally, the law requires licensed manufacturers and importers to mark
5785-463: The mid 70's. The prototypes were chambered in 5.45×39mm and made compatible with AK-74 magazines (specifically, the 45-round magazine also compatible with the RPK-74). SVDG (6V1-10) – A smoothbore SVD with a 10 mm bore developed alongside the modern intermediate cartridge program to use the experimental 3 mm APFSDS projectile, originally designed for use in standard machine guns. The design
5874-572: The nature of the target (point or area target) quality of ammunition and skill of the shooter. Several military issue alternative telescopic sights with varying levels of magnification and reticles are available for the SVD. Rifles designated SVDN come equipped with a night sight, such as the NSP-3, NSPU, PGN-1, NSPUM or the Polish passive PCS-5. Rifles designated SVDN-1 can use the passive night sight NSPU-3 ( 1PN51 ) and rifles designated SVDN2 can use
5963-438: The need to remove the bipod before placing the rifle into the canvas carrying case. The two legs are held close together with a J-shaped clamp attached to one leg and swung over the other leg. Original Soviet/Russian SVD bipods fetch a very high price when they rarely appear on the market. SVDN (6V1N) – A series of variants of the original SVD which were issued with various night vision optics. SVDS (6V3) – Attempts to reduce
6052-519: The passive night sight NSPUM ( 1PN58 ). Commercial non military issue mounts that attach to the Warsaw Pact rail mount can allow use of Picatinny rail -mounted optics. The original SVD had a birch plywood laminate two-piece handguard/gas tube cover and a skeletonized thumbhole stock equipped with a detachable cheek rest; the latter is removed when using iron sights. Beginning in the 80's, wooden parts were replaced with synthetic parts made of
6141-556: The predefined circumstances for which the BDC was calibrated. Marksmen can be trained to understand the main forces acting on the projectile and their effect on their particular gun and ammunition, and the effects of external factors at longer ranges to counter these errors. The PSO-1 sight enables area targets to be engaged at ranges upwards of 1,300 m (1,422 yd); effective ranges in combat situations have been stated at between 600 and 1,300 m (656 and 1,422 yd), depending on
6230-488: The previous grade 1) and sergeant first class becoming E-6, so that the squad leader became a sergeant (E-5) and the assistant squad leader, a corporal (E-4). (With PFC, PVT, and RCT being E-3, E-2, and E-1, respectively.) In the 1956 the Army began reorganizing into its " Pentomic ” plan under the ROCID (Reorganization of Current Infantry Divisions) TO&Es. The rifle squad was reorganized into an eleven-man organization with
6319-463: The rank of sergeant major was revived as E-9, with a new distinctive rank insignia consisting of the three chevrons and three inverted arcs of a master sergeant/first sergeant but replacing the first sergeant's lozenge with a star.) Under the ROAD (Reorganization Objective Army Divisions) structure in 1963, the rifle squad was reduced to a ten-man organization. This iteration of the rifle squad retained
6408-536: The receiver is not milled and is slightly longer than that of the SVD, and the barrel is pinned to the receiver instead of being threaded. The rifle is also issued magazines with an ornamental palm tree relief. Type 79/85 – A Chinese variant of the SVD. Although the design is nearly identical to the original SVD, some parts are not interchangeable, as the dimensions are slightly different from Soviet production rifles. A small quantity were also chambered in .308 Winchester for export. Exported rifles are often referred to as
6497-478: The rifle had been produced in sufficient numbers, every infantry platoon of Warsaw Pact troops included at least one SVD-equipped marksman. In the German Democratic Republic arsenals, there were almost 1,750. The marksmen were often chosen from personnel who displayed exceptional rifle marksmanship while members of DOSAAF . Such marksmen were estimated to have a 50% probability of hitting
6586-531: The rifle is autoloading in order to prioritize volume of fire over precision. It was thought that a relatively small number of marksmen armed with 7.62×54mmR fully powered cartridge chambered arms could assist conventional troops armed with 7.62×39mm intermediate cartridge chambered arms by suppressing/harassing valuable targets and assets (such as officers , radio operators , vehicle crews, other marksmen, machine gun teams, anti-tank warfare teams, etc.) with greater precision and at much greater ranges. Once
6675-430: The rim of a cartridge. Position #1 leaves a gas escape port opened, whereas position #2 closes the gas escape port and directs extra gas to the piston, increasing the recoil velocity of the gas-piston system and is used for resolving reliability issues which arise from fouling in the gas port/action, extreme cold, high altitude, or using under-powered ammunition. The rifle is fed from a detachable curved box magazine with
6764-486: The separate rank title of platoon sergeant was eliminated, leaving SFC as the only E-7 rank.) Currently, US Army rifle squads consist of nine soldiers, organized under a squad leader into two four-man fire teams. The squad leader is a staff sergeant (E-6) and the two fire team leaders are sergeants (E-5). Mechanized infantry and Stryker infantry units are equipped with M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and M1126 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles, respectively. Unlike
6853-413: The shooter must use the chevrons that would shift the trajectory by 100 metres (109 yd) per each chevron. The BDC feature must be tuned at the factory for the particular ballistic trajectory of a particular combination of rifle and cartridge at a predefined air density . With increasing range, inevitable BDC-induced errors will occur when the environmental and meteorological circumstances deviate from
6942-416: The squad and fire team leaders changed again, now to staff sergeant (E-6) and sergeant (E-5), respectively. The 1958 restructuring restored the traditional sergeant and staff sergeant rank insignia of three chevrons and three chevrons over an inverted arc, respectively. (Platoon sergeant became a separate rank title, and along with SFC, became E-7; first sergeants and master sergeants became pay grade E-8. Also,
7031-419: The squad leader, remained as the maneuver element. Also, in 1948, the rank title of the platoon sergeant changed from technical sergeant (which was eliminated) to sergeant first class (SFC) (grade 2) and the rank title of first sergeant was again eliminated, being retained only as an occupational title for the senior NCO of a company. In 1951 the pay grades were reversed, with master sergeant becoming E-7 (vice
7120-570: The standard-issue optical sight in place. This is possible because the scope mount does not block the area between the front and rear sights. The SVD was originally issued with a detachable PSO-1 optical sight (now PSO-1M2) which mounts to a Warsaw Pact rail on the left side of the receiver. The PSO-1 elevation turret features bullet drop compensation (BDC) in 50 metres (55 yd) or 100 metres (109 yd) increments for engaging point and area targets at ranges from 100 metres (109 yd) up to 1,000 metres (1,094 yd). At longer distances
7209-403: The telescopic sight. Also included is a cold weather battery case with a "shirt clip", with a permanently attached cord [approximately 24" long] ending with another battery case cap that has an extension to press against the internal contact in lieu of the battery to complete the circuit. Placing the external battery case into the shooters' clothing close to the body keeps it from freezing; using
7298-434: The two fire teams but eliminated the two scouts (one in each fire team), instead providing the squad leader with one extra rifleman, who could be used to reinforce either fire team or assist the squad leader as required. An exception was in mechanized infantry units, where an additional rifleman (increasing the squad to eleven members) was assigned as the driver of the squad's M113 armored personnel carrier . (Also, in 1968,
7387-474: The weapon system with which the squad is equipped. Squads are also used in reconnaissance, light armored reconnaissance (scout dismounts), combat engineer, law enforcement (i.e., military police), Marine Security Force Regiment (MSFR), and Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) companies. On 9 May 2018, it was announced that a USMC squad would be reduced to 12 Marines, with three fire teams of three Marines each with two new positions: an assistant squad leader and
7476-410: The “ base of fire ” (viz., fire support in providing suppressive fires in the attack and protective fires in the defense) and was designated as “Baker.” Lastly, there were five riflemen and the assistant squad leader, who formed the “maneuver element” (e.g., flanking and assault movements in the attack and repelling and reinforcing actions in the defense), designated as “Charlie.” In 1942, the Army had
7565-415: Was also eliminated, leaving the two-man BAR team as the base of fire, supervised by the assistant squad leader (again called a corporal), but remaining as a grade 4, since the rank of sergeant (three chevrons) was then eliminated. (PFC became grade 5, private was grade 6, and recruit was grade 7; PFCs wore one chevron and privates and recruits both wore none.) The five riflemen of the “Charlie” team, now led by
7654-401: Was designed by V. M. Sabelnikov, P. P. Sazonov and V. M. Dvorianinov in 1966 to meet the new standards. 7N1 sniper cartridges should not produce more than 1.24 MOA extreme vertical spread with 240 mm twist rate barrels and no more than 1.04 MOA extreme vertical spread with 320 mm twist rate barrels in a 5-shot group. The precision requirements demanded of the SVD with 7N1 is similar to
7743-592: Was developed through 1958–1963 and selected as the winner of a contest that included three competing groups of designers, led by Sergei Simonov (prototype rejected in April 1960), Aleksandr Konstantinov, and Yevgeny Dragunov . Extensive field testing of the rifles conducted in a wide range of environmental conditions (Konstantinov's competing 2B-W-10 prototype was simpler and cheaper but tested less accurate, durable and reliable) resulted in Dragunov's proposal chambered for
7832-444: Was later removed from the design. The original shortened barrel was also later replaced with a full-length barrel in the design. SSV-58 – The prototype submitted to trials by Dragunov. The design lacked the fixed flash hider and bayonet lug which was added to the rifle prior to adoption. The rear sights were mounted to the dust cover and were aperture sights instead of the standard notch sight. TKB-0172 – An early bullpup design of
7921-439: Was not implemented due to the poor terminal ballistics of the projectile and the complexity of the new weapon. SSV-6 (6V1-6) – Chambered in the experimental 6mm cartridge developed in the 80's. The weapon was not adopted due to the poor effectiveness of the cartridge. SVDK (6V9) – An experimental Russian variant chambered for the 9.3×64mm 7N33 cartridge, based on the civilian Tigr-9 design. Tigr – A civilian variant of
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