Dragunov SVD The Dragunov SVD is a soviet semi - automatic sniper rifle used by almost all communist countries during the Cold War . Description . Dragunov SVD was designed not as a " standard " sniper rifle in its Western meaning of the term . In fact , main role of the SVD in Soviet / Russian Army is to extend effective range of fire of every infantry squad up to about 600 meters and to provide special fire support . SVD is a lightweight and quite accurate ( for it ' s class ) rifle , cabable of semi - auto fire . First request for new sniper rifle was issued in 1958 . In 1963 SVD ( Snaiperskaya Vintovka Dragunova , or Dragunov Sniper Rifle ) was accepted by Soviet Military . SVD can use any kind of standard 7 . 62x54R ammo , but primary round is specially developed for SVD sniper - grade cartridge with steel - core bullet . Every infantry squad in the Russian ( Soviet ) army had one man with SVD . SVD rifle is extremely reliable in all conditions , and designed for heavy use . It has backup adjustable iron sights as a standard option , as well as a bayonet mount ( standard AK - 47 bayonet type ) . Latest modernization incorporate rugged polymer stock . Also , for mounted and airborne troops a special variant was developed with folding buttsock and shortened barrel ( 590 mm ) . New flash hider / muzzle brake also installed . It must be noted that several countries produced SVD copies or look - alikes . Of those , the " true " clones ( rifles that have similar internal design ) are Iraqui Al Kadesih rifle and Chinese Type 85 ( in 7 , 62x54R ) and NDM - 86 ( in 7 , 62x51 NATO ) . Others , such as Romanian Romak FPK or Yugoslavian Zastava M76 , are only look - alikes as their internal design is different and usually based on Kalsshnikov AK assault rifle . Russia also produces a civilan version of the SVD , known as " Tigr " ( Tiger ) , in 7 , 62x54R and 7 , 62x51 ( . 308 Win ) . This usually has shorter barrel , although it is available in several different versions . Older hunting version of the SVD , the " Medved " ( Bear ) is no longer produced and is quite scarce . Dragunov SVD is gas - operated , semi - automatic rifle . It uses short - stroke gas piston , and gas chamber has a two - position manual gas regulator . Barrel is locked by rotating bolt with three lugs . Receiver is machined from steel block . The safety is somewhat reminiscent in its appearance to that of Kalashnikov AK assault rifle , although internal design of the trigger unit is different , and there ' s no provisions for full automatic fire . Trigger unit is assembled on a separate removable base that also incorporates a trigger guard . The second , smaller lever , located on the right side of receiver behind the safety , is a receiver cover catch , and is sued to disassemble the gun . Standard furniture includes a skeletonized wooden butt and a removable wooden handguard . Late production models may feature polymer handguards and , sometimes , polymer skeletonized butt . The short SVD - S rifle is fitted with separate pistol grip , made of plastic , and a side - folding metallic butt . All SVD rifles are fitted with adjustable open sights , as well as proprietary side rail mount , which will accept telescopic or IR sights on quick - detachable mounts . Standard telescope sight is the 4X fixed magnification PSO - 1 with range - finding reticle . SVD rifles also are issued with carrying sling , cleaning kit and other accessories . A standard AK - type bayonet can be installed on the barrel .