Why No Commercial Dragunovs?

Model12Win · April 20, 2017, 06:22 PM

Why aren't commercial semi-auto Dragunovs a thing? Yes yes, I know there are SOME original SVDs and some Norinco made Dragunovs in country, but they're hen's teeth and priced accordingly. The Romanian FPK/PSL is more common but the imports have stopped and they're expensive now as well, and they are not a real Dragunov design.

You'd think with all the numerous video games, movie, and media appearances, not to mention the abundance of 7.62x54mmR ammo in this country, that there would be a market for a semi-auto version of the Dragunov.

Thoughts?

Wyosmith · April 20, 2017, 06:36 PM

I don't know, but Kalashnikov Concern is missing the boat with that one. If they were made and if they are legal to import into the USA they would be super popular. They should be made in the original 7.62X54R and perhaps also in 308.

Many years ago when I was a Marine, I had the opportunity to fire one that was captured in Vietnam and brought back. I have to say, I was quite impressed with it. It was far more accurate than we'd been told, and reliability was 100%.

Gunplummer · April 20, 2017, 07:24 PM

Probably can't produce them cheap enough. Take note you do not hear much about surplus Russian bolt guns lately either. Cheap ammo is drying up.

zukiphile · April 20, 2017, 08:07 PM

There was a time when I thought a heavy barreled Dragunov in 5.56 or 7.62 would be a neat thing to own.

The AR15 and several 7.62 AR patterns in the US are modular, have an enormous parts support, and have a picatinny rail for optics. I have some affection for the simplicity and durability of the soviet patterns, but don't see them and the options they present as economically competitive.

Mobuck · April 20, 2017, 08:27 PM

A heavy, clumsy, ugly rifle shooting an archaic cartridge from a now defunct era--yeah I can see folks standing in line to spend big bucks for that one.

dakota.potts · April 20, 2017, 08:43 PM

I think Kalashnikov USA is planning to do something similar - or at least a VEPR type AK rifle in full powered rifle cartridges IIRC

T. O'Heir · April 21, 2017, 12:06 PM

"...I can see folks standing in line..." They'd likely sell like hot cakes on the novelty alone. Try and find an SVT. snicker.
I seem to recall there being some kind of import ban. Some agreement between governments. I think.
"...a semi-auto version of the Dragunov..." It is already semi-auto only. No select fire sniper rifles. Quite a few of 'em on Gunbroker. Chinese, Romanian and other makes. Start at $1400ish. And no bids.

kozak6 · April 21, 2017, 05:50 PM

Bill Clinton signed a voluntary restraint agreement with Russia to block their import.

highpower3006 · April 22, 2017, 11:27 AM

Quote:

A heavy, clumsy, ugly rifle shooting an archaic cartridge from a now defunct era--yeah I can see folks standing in line to spend big bucks for that one.

Well, not everyone gets a woody over an AR, or any of the latest rifles that look like an ugg boot. Not everyone wants to sit on their butt at a bench trying to shoot small groups at paper targets.

Some people like the unusual, different and unique. They don't like to show up at a range with stuff that looks the same everyone else's stuff.

When I go to the range, I like to take different rifles so I can have the experience of shooting different guns. Things like my SVT40 or my PSL do far more for me than just shooting some boring AR.

Why, I have even been known to bring 100+ year old rifles that shoot black powder just for the enjoyment of it.

There are currently three different SVD rifles for sale at the May Rock Island Auction. Just watch how many are going to line up and pay big bucks for the chance to own one. The Soviet Dragunov will probably sell for something north of 12K and the Chinese will likely be over 5K.

MagnumWill · April 23, 2017, 09:42 AM

Quote:

A heavy, clumsy, ugly rifle shooting an archaic cartridge from a now defunct era--yeah I can see folks standing in line to spend big bucks for that one.

OK, no lever actions for Mobuck apparently.

If SVD clones were available, I'd buy one. 7.62x54r's a great round, "obsolete" or not.

Gunplummer · April 23, 2017, 10:14 AM

You are confusing "Really a great gun" with "Gotta have what no one else does" prices. I remember a FAMAS on Gunbroker that was over $20,000 and climbing. What is so great about them? Import restricted. As for bringing back obsolete lever guns, it has been tried. Total failure. It just costs too much.

MosinNOUGAT · April 23, 2017, 04:28 PM

Actually, there is here:

http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/milita...iper-rifle-m91

I don't know if it's any good as I don't have one, but it's worth a shot (pun not intended

)

SurplusShooter · April 23, 2017, 05:15 PM

There are commercial dragunovs, they are called tigrs. They were imported in lowish numbers in the 80's and early 90's but that all stopped with voluntary arms restrictions between the U.S. and Russia. They are sold commercially in other countries in 7.62x54mm, .308, amd I belive .243 also. They even sell straight pull non-semiautomatic ones in the U.K.

**44 AMP** · April 24, 2017, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Try and find an SVT. snicker.

Snicker....

PlatinumCore16 · April 25, 2017, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Actually, there is here:

http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/milita...iper-rifle-m91

I don't know if it's any good as I don't have one, but it's worth a shot (pun not intended)

Firstly that is Zastava which is not available in the US unless imported by, for instance, Century. Secondly that is in their military offerings. Likely not able to get that as a civy, let alone in the US.

I would like an SVD, but the prices are monstrous. The only reason to get one would be the fact I have a Mosin and have a fair amount of 7.62x54R that I would love to be able to put to use in an accurate rifle. Which, TBH, my Mosin actually is pretty accurate, but I see no point in attempting to make it any more accurate because it's a 1934 weapon that was built for a by-gone era. It's a collectors piece that's not worth collecting and so it's just fun. Not worth the effort to try to make it a tack driver when I can buy a new rifle for slightly more than a Mosin that is 10x more accurate out of the box.

Woops, rambled there a little, but yea. If a distributor/gun maker decided to make an "inexpensive" SVD , be it a clone/remake/to original spec/etc., I would certainly be interested. But I just don't think it's gonna happen.

doofus47 · April 26, 2017, 10:59 AM

No longer interested in the sniper rifles, but their SBRs look pretty cool.

kozak6 · April 27, 2017, 09:12 PM

Century imported PAP M77's. It's like an M91, but in .308. They didn't sell well, even at closeout prices.

Now that 7.62x54r has dried up, I don't see an M91 selling any better.

PlatinumCore16 · April 28, 2017, 09:24 AM

Since when did 7.62x54R dry up? I can still order large spam cans of 440+ for under a $100.

Model12Win · April 28, 2017, 12:17 PM

Quote:

I can still order large spam cans of 440+ for under a $100.

Prove it.

PlatinumCore16 · April 28, 2017, 12:27 PM

Alright you got me, not quite under $100, but pretty close:
http://www.sgammo.com/product/surplu...tage-russian-r

Divided out 440 rounds = $109.

April 20, 2017, 06:22 PM	#1
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Why No Commercial Dragunovs? Why aren't commercial semi-auto Dragunovs a thing? Yes yes, I know there are SOME original SVDs and some Norinco made Dragunovs in country, but they're hen's teeth and priced accordingly. The Romanian FPK/PSL is more common but the imports have stopped and they're expensive now as well, and they are not a real Dragunov design. You'd think with all the numerous video games, movie, and media appearances, not to mention the abundance of 7.62x54mmR ammo in this country, that there would be a market for a semi-auto version of the Dragunov. Thoughts?

April 20, 2017, 08:07 PM	#4
zukiphile Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2005 Posts: 4,457	There was a time when I thought a heavy barreled Dragunov in 5.56 or 7.62 would be a neat thing to own. The AR15 and several 7.62 AR patterns in the US are modular, have an enormous parts support, and have a picatinny rail for optics. I have some affection for the simplicity and durability of the soviet patterns, but don't see them and the options they present as economically competitive. __________________ http://www.npboards.com/index.php

April 20, 2017, 08:43 PM	#6
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	I think Kalashnikov USA is planning to do something similar - or at least a VEPR type AK rifle in full powered rifle cartridges IIRC __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

April 21, 2017, 12:06 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...I can see folks standing in line..." They'd likely sell like hot cakes on the novelty alone. Try and find an SVT. snicker. I seem to recall there being some kind of import ban. Some agreement between governments. I think. "...a semi-auto version of the Dragunov..." It is already semi-auto only. No select fire sniper rifles. Quite a few of 'em on Gunbroker. Chinese, Romanian and other makes. Start at $1400ish. And no bids. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

April 23, 2017, 04:28 PM	#12
MosinNOUGAT Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2017 Location: Southwest US Posts: 148	Actually, there is here: http://www.zastava-arms.rs/en/milita...iper-rifle-m91 I don't know if it's any good as I don't have one, but it's worth a shot (pun not intended) __________________ O LA VITTORIA, O TUTTI ACCOPPATI!

April 20, 2017, 06:36 PM	#2
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I don't know, but Kalashnikov Concern is missing the boat with that one. If they were made and if they are legal to import into the USA they would be super popular. They should be made in the original 7.62X54R and perhaps also in 308. Many years ago when I was a Marine, I had the opportunity to fire one that was captured in Vietnam and brought back. I have to say, I was quite impressed with it. It was far more accurate than we'd been told, and reliability was 100%.

April 20, 2017, 07:24 PM	#3
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	Probably can't produce them cheap enough. Take note you do not hear much about surplus Russian bolt guns lately either. Cheap ammo is drying up.

April 20, 2017, 08:27 PM	#5
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	A heavy, clumsy, ugly rifle shooting an archaic cartridge from a now defunct era--yeah I can see folks standing in line to spend big bucks for that one.

April 21, 2017, 05:50 PM	#8
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	Bill Clinton signed a voluntary restraint agreement with Russia to block their import.

April 23, 2017, 10:14 AM	#11
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	You are confusing "Really a great gun" with "Gotta have what no one else does" prices. I remember a FAMAS on Gunbroker that was over $20,000 and climbing. What is so great about them? Import restricted. As for bringing back obsolete lever guns, it has been tried. Total failure. It just costs too much.

April 23, 2017, 05:15 PM	#13
SurplusShooter Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: Upstate,New york Posts: 308	There are commercial dragunovs, they are called tigrs. They were imported in lowish numbers in the 80's and early 90's but that all stopped with voluntary arms restrictions between the U.S. and Russia. They are sold commercially in other countries in 7.62x54mm, .308, amd I belive .243 also. They even sell straight pull non-semiautomatic ones in the U.K.

April 26, 2017, 10:59 AM	#16
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	No longer interested in the sniper rifles, but their SBRs look pretty cool. __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

April 27, 2017, 09:12 PM	#17
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	Century imported PAP M77's. It's like an M91, but in .308. They didn't sell well, even at closeout prices. Now that 7.62x54r has dried up, I don't see an M91 selling any better.

April 28, 2017, 09:24 AM	#18
PlatinumCore16 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 424	Since when did 7.62x54R dry up? I can still order large spam cans of 440+ for under a $100.

April 28, 2017, 12:27 PM	#20
PlatinumCore16 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 424	Alright you got me, not quite under $100, but pretty close: http://www.sgammo.com/product/surplu...tage-russian-r Divided out 440 rounds = $109.