To: Trueblackman
FReeper mylife has a PSL. I don’t think it is considered as a true Dragunov though. I do know that it definitely has a hair trigger.
http://www.dragunov.net/
7 posted on
01/03/2012 5:37:09 PM PST by
smokingfrog
( sleep with one eye open (<o> - - -)
To: smokingfrog
13 posted on
01/03/2012 5:47:04 PM PST by
mylife
(The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
To: smokingfrog
The PSL is not a "true" Dragunov because it is not a Dragunov. Neither is the Chinese NDM-86, which is almost identical to it, or the Iraqi Al-Kadesh, or the Yugoslavian M76. Dragunov is just the designer's name, like Kalashnikov or Simonov. All of the rifles above, including the Dragunov, are really just semiautomatic designated marksman rifles in 7.62x54r (except the Yugo which is 8mm Mauser). I have also seen .308 NDM-86s but have heard anecdotal reports of them having "issues" of structural integrity.
The Dragunov and NDM-86 command the prices they do because of the Russian and Chinese arms ban. They, like most Russian and Chinese weapons, are common out in the wild, but you can't bring any more into the US so the prices are inflated. There is nothing spectacular about them, despite a theoretical inherent accuracy advantage of having multipart gas rods and thus less moving mass. They all have pretty thin barrels that will string when hot enough. The big advantage the others have over the PSL is an adjustable gas block. The PSL was designed later than the Dragunov and intended for light ball only (150 grain or less) rather than the heavy, so the design was simplified to omit an adjustable gas block. Still, a Romanian PSL, not US kit built, is capable of similar accuracy in the hand of a competent marksman. They also cost a LOT less, being freely importable. Think of it as a semiautomatic AK on steroids.
BUT you have to be careful because Cugir manufactured some specially for US import (no "evil" third axis pin) and they are pretty good. Some built on US receivers and parts kits can be pretty bad. You want a kick ass sniper rifle? Get a good bolt gun in 338 Lapua Magnum. A good PSL is a good time though. Cheap and cheerful.
31 posted on
01/03/2012 6:39:52 PM PST by
Trod Upon
(Obama: Making the Carter malaise look good. Misery Index in 3...2...1)
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson