Military
This Sniper Rifle From the 1960s Still Sees Everyday Use in Russian Special Forces
Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation / Wikimedia Commons
Published: August 2, 2024 3:49 pm
24/7 Wall St. Insights:
The Dragunov SVD entered the service of the Russian military in the early 1960s
The SVD is chambered for 7.62x54mm rounds and has an effective range over 4,200 feet
This sniper rifle has been upgraded over the years to vastly improve its performance
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The Dragunov SVD is a Russian-made sniper rifle that has been in the service of Russian Special Forces for decades. It originally entered service in the early 1960s and has stood the test of time to still see service to this day. Although it was introduced more than half a century ago, it has undergone a series of upgrades and modifications over the years to keep up with today’s modern firearms. (Which countries support Russia in the conflict with Ukraine. )
The SVD is chambered for 7.62x54mm rounds and has a maximum effective range over 4,200 feet. Its firing action operates with a short-stroke gas piston and a rotating bolt, which allows for consistent performance under various conditions.
This sniper rifle serves in a series of roles ranging from counter-sniper operations to providing overwatch for advancing troops. Additionally, the rifle’s ruggedness and simplicity make it ideal for long deployments with limited logistical support.
In terms of its upgrades over the years, the SVD has added for modernized optics, improved ergonomics, and lighter weight polymer materials to reduce weight.
Despite the introduction of newer sniper systems, the Dragunov SVD remains a trusted and iconic weapon in the arsenal of Russian Special Forces. (What actually led to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. )
24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the arsenal of the Russian Special Forces. We reviewed Spetsnaz Special Forces Weapons cataloged by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, and arms to determine the guns used by Russian special forces or Spetsnaz. We excluded guns that are similar to each other and guns that are believed no longer to be in use by the special forces. We ranked the remaining guns according to when they entered service. Supplemental data on the type of weapon, maximum effective range, and the caliber of ammunition used also came from Military Factory.
Here is a look at the weapons of the Russian Special Forces:
Why Are We Covering This?
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Understanding the operational capabilities of Special Forces around the world provides insight into the tactical approaches of these units. Knowledge of these weapons enables better appreciation of the strengths and limitations of special forces operations, informing military strategy and training.
Type: Semi-automatic pistol
Year entered service: 1951
Manufacturer: Izhevsk Mechanical Plant
Caliber/ammunition: 9x18mm Makarov
Maximum effective range: 164 ft
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Light machine gun
Year entered service: 1961
Manufacturer: Izhmash / Kalashnikov
Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x39mm M43 / 5.45x39mm M74
Maximum effective range: 3280 ft
zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
Type: Semi-automatic sniper rifle
Year entered service: 1963
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x54mmR Soviet, 9x54mm, 9.3x64mm Brenneke, .308 Winchester
Maximum effective range: 4265 ft
Hmaag / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Silenced assault rifle
Year entered service: 1987
Manufacturer: Tula Arms
Caliber/ammunition: 9x39mm SP-6
Maximum effective range: 984 ft
Courtesy of VSS Vintorez via Facebook
Type: Silenced sniper rifle
Year entered service: 1987
Manufacturer: Tula Arms
Caliber/ammunition: 9x39mm SP-5
Maximum effective range: 1312 ft
Type: Bullpup assault rifle
Year entered service: 1991
Manufacturer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 3280 ft
Type: Assault rifle
Year entered service: 1994
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm
Maximum effective range: 1212 ft
Type: Bullpup assault rifle
Year entered service: 1994
Manufacturer: TsKIB SOO
Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x39mm, 9x39mm
Maximum effective range: 656 ft
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Designated marksman rifle
Year entered service: 1994
Manufacturer: Central Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x54mmR
Maximum effective range: 3280 ft
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Silenced sniper rifle
Year entered service: 1994
Manufacturer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 9x39mm SP-5
Maximum effective range: 1312 ft
Type: Automatic grenade launcher
Year entered service: 1995
Manufacturer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 30x29mm
Maximum effective range: 7544 ft
Type: Semi-automatic combat shotgun
Year entered service: 1995
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Caliber/ammunition: 12-gauge
Maximum effective range: 150 ft
Type: Anti-material rifle
Year entered service: 1996
Manufacturer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x108mm
Maximum effective range: 6560 ft
Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
Year entered service: 1996
Manufacturer: Accuracy International
Caliber/ammunition: .300 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum
Maximum effective range: 3610 ft
Type: Submachine gun
Year entered service: 1996
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Caliber/ammunition: 9x18mm Makarov, 9x19mm parabellum
Maximum effective range: 328 ft
Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
Year entered service: 1997
Manufacturer: Accuracy International
Caliber/ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum
Maximum effective range: 4921 ft
Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
Year entered service: 1998
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Caliber/ammunition: 7.6x54mm R, 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 1968 ft
Type: Anti-material rifle
Year entered service: 1999
Manufacturer: ZID / Degtyarev Plant
Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x108mm
Maximum effective range: 4920 ft
Vyacheslav Bukharov / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
Year entered service: 1999
Manufacturer: Kalashnikov Group
Caliber/ammunition: 5.6mm (.22LR)
Maximum effective range: 330 ft
Type: Amphibious assault rifle
Year entered service: 2000
Manufacturer: Tula Arms
Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm
Maximum effective range: 164 ft
Type: General purpose machine gun
Year entered service: 2001
Manufacturer: TsNIITochMash
Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x54mmR
Maximum effective range: 5000 ft
KrisfromGermany / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Submachine gun
Year entered service: 2001
Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
Caliber/ammunition: HK 4.6x30mm
Maximum effective range: 656 ft
Type: Anti-material rifle
Year entered service: 2004
Manufacturer: Central Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x55mm STs-130
Maximum effective range: 1968 ft
Type: Shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile
Year entered service: 2004
Manufacturer: KB Maschinostroyeniya
Caliber/ammunition: 72mm
Maximum effective range: 19680 ft
Type: Silenced assault rifle
Year entered service: 2004
Manufacturer: Izhmash / Kalashnikov
Caliber/ammunition: 9x39mm subsonic
Maximum effective range: 656 ft
Rizuan / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Designated marksman rifle
Year entered service: 2006
Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 2625 ft
Type: Pump-action grenade launcher
Year entered service: 2006
Manufacturer: Instrument Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 43mm
Maximum effective range: 984 ft
Type: Submachine gun
Year entered service: 2006
Manufacturer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
Maximum effective range: 330 ft
Courtesy of الصناعات العسكرية الاردنية via Facebook
Type: Rocket-propelled grenade launcher
Year entered service: 2008
Manufacturer: Bazalt
Caliber/ammunition: 105mm rocket
Maximum effective range: 2300 ft
blinow61 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Type: Semi-automatic pistol
Year entered service: 2008
Manufacturer: Izhevsk Mechanical Plant
Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
Maximum effective range: 165 ft
Type: Submachine gun
Year entered service: 2008
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
Maximum effective range: 656 ft
Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
Year entered service: 2011
Manufacturer: ORSIS
Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, .408 Cheytac
Maximum effective range: 4920 ft
Type: Amphibious bullpup assault rifle
Year entered service: 2013
Manufacturer: KBP Instrument Design Bureau
Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm, 5.45x39mm
Maximum effective range: 1650 ft
aleks0649 / iStock via Getty Images
Type: Assault rifle
Year entered service: 2014
Manufacturer: Izhmash / Kalashnikov
Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm Soviet, 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 2000 ft
Type: Assault rifle
Year entered service: 2014
Manufacturer: Degtyarev Plant
Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm
Maximum effective range: 1640 ft
Vitaly V. Kuzmin / Wikimedia Commons
Type: Automatic grenade launcher
Year entered service: 2016
Manufacturer: Tekhmash
Caliber/ammunition: 40mm caseless
Maximum effective range: 8200 ft
Type: Squad automatic weapon
Year entered service: 2018
Manufacturer: Kalashnikov Group
Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm
Maximum effective range: 2625 ft
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