Dragunov SVD?

Question

I'm really interested about the Dragunov SVD. However, I have never seen one in the gun store and the sites I visited do not provide detail about importation in the US and laws about it. I live in Florida, if that helps.

What I want to know is how easy it is to obtain one, the price, and any experience you guys had with it.

Thanks

Answer 1

Any local dealer could order you one, They were imported for years.( Dealers do not import guns themselves, this is done by Import-Wholesalers, who in turn sell them to the larger dealers, "Jobbers", who then sell them to retail dealers.)
Dragunovs carry no special restrictions, and transfer like any other semi-auto rifle. They retail for about 1200.00. The Dragunov "Tiger" sporting rifle is a little less, going for about 875.00. Dragunovs are high quality guns, but they can't hold a candle to the accuracy of a bolt-action sniper setup.
For Dragunov type performance with out the Dragunov price, check out the Romanian FPK rifle from Interordanance.

Answer 2

If you go on a site like Gunbroker.com you will see there are several listed for sale.

They aren't super expensive, but expensive for a weapon that isn't over all that high quality, since a dragunov is really just an AK modified in a few ways, none of which would merit a huge price increase. However, they're not all that plentiful.

Looks like you can get one that is in excellent condition for around $1000.

They're semi-auto rifles, I don't think there is any more regulation of them than any other rifle. I'm not that up to speed though on the specific Florida state laws though, so I could be wrong.

Answer 3

With a true Russian Draganov running thousands of dollars it's probably not a wise purchase if you're on a budget. The affordable variants might be an option. They are kick-butt looking rifles, but not exact copies and their stocks are rather short. Also, the Draganov isn't an especially consistant rifle as it was meant as a mass produced squad sniper rifle. Not that I wouldn't add one to my collection! I wish I would have purchased one "back in the day" when a Russian version could be bought for a little over a thousand with all the goodies. If you're an experienced shooter, a Springfield National Match M1A will shoot more consistantly, for less money, then a Russian SVD. Ok, they don't look quite as cool, but...........

Answer 4

you could no longer import a firearm from a foreign places u . s . to u . s . legally. There are some SVDs right here, yet they fee around 3-5 grand. you need to purchase the look alike, the PSL 54c, from one in all those sources, for around $seven-hundred. As yet another poster suggested COD and the "tiger" version, the Tiger is the Russian civilian equivalent, purely like the AR-15 is the civilian counterpart of the m16/m4.

Answer 5

liist,

The rifle you speak of can be had, but as mentioned previously, quite costly. As it is a semi-automatic rifle relegated to 'sharpshooter' duties, there are no additional hoops to jump through to acquire this rifle...I live in Florida as well, and know a couple of folks who own these rifles.

SVD's of Chinese origin seem to be most common. These were commonly re-chambered to .308, and headspace problems were frequently seen. Both owners I know have had the Chinese 'sniper grade' barrels replaced and additional work done on the rifles just to get them to shoot into the 1 to 1.5 moa range.

They are wicked looking things, and as they were deployed by our long-time enemies, the interest in these weapons is understandable. However, considering the cost involved in acquiring these weapons, in addition to the expense to get them to shoot decently puts it out of the price range of most people.

Answer 6

$750 in 308 or7.62 x 54R with scope and accessories. Inter Ordnance also has a SSG-2000 that is similar. Any gun that is built on the AK design should be dependable. You should buy one now, they are trying to ban them (HR1022).

Answer 7

Dragunovs can be had but they are $$$$ or $$$$$. Not legal in several closet communist run states. You must have a federal class III permit to buy one, a long costly thing to get and, honestly, not worth all the hassle.