Hello. New user here. Am interested in learning more about SVD Dragunovs, mainly the pre-1991 Soviet military Izhevsk models. I've been collecting cold war era US militaria and now am hoping to expand to the russkie stuff. Can anyone point me to books, articles, websites and the like so that I can begin my journey on developing at least a modest amount of expertise on this subject? Thanks!
SVD Dragunov -- What are the best reference materials?
- Thread starter Vistafjord
- Start date
There might be some stuff in the vickers guides. Maybe forgotten weapons has some videos on the YouTube.
I know there are some people on here who have some.
I know there are some people on here who have some.
Google is your best bet, here's where you'll learn the variants:
VARIANTS (Model/manufacturer)
• SVD, Russia
• SVDS, Russia
• SVDK, Russia
• SVU, Russia
• FPK (PSL), Romania (My note: not a Dragunov from an engineering perspective)
• Type 79 (DM-86), China
• Al-Kadesih, Iraq
As for books, unless you have access to Russian books and can read Russian, all I can readily suggest are pages 115 to 119 that cover the development of the SVD beginning in 1958, and ends with a brief description of the revised 1994 era SVDS. Has about 6 of 7 pictures as well.
The SVD was developed from 1958 to 1963. It was eventually updated in 1994.
7N1 is the ammo mentioned at top of this except:
FWIW, my understanding is the last 100% Russian-made 100 SVDs were imported into the USA in 1994…hence their very high prices.
Last edited:
Thank you. Very helpful. I found an Osprey book by a Chris McNab. Some nice pix of SVDs in the field.
Similar threads
