{"product_id":"the-svd-dragunov-rifle-9781472855961","title":"The Svd Dragunov Rifle","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFeaturing specially commissioned artwork and carefully chosen photographs, this study charts the SVD Dragunov rifle's development, combat use and lasting legacy, from Vietnam to Syria.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDeveloped as a medium-range sniping rifle in the Soviet Union during the 1960s, the Dragunov stood out against most Western sniping rifle types by being semi-automatic, a configuration that marginally lowers accuracy compared to bolt-action sniping rifles, but which allows for faster follow-up shots. Even so, the SVD is still capable of taking precision killing shots out to 800m and beyond, making it a thoroughly practical combat weapon for marksmen and snipers. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this fully illustrated study, Chris McNab explores the Dragunov's development and performance in detail. But the story of this weapon really comes to life with its combat history. It is the world's most widespread sniping rifle, still in use in the former Soviet armies and sold to more than 40 countries worldwide. Its rugged design, dependable capabilities and relatively low cost mean that it has been used in every conceivable type of conflict, from Vietnam and Afghanistan to Iraq and Syria. Illustrated with cutaway artwork and battlescenes, plus technical and historical photographs, this study tells the story of this remarkable weapon, from design and development to tactical use in action.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChris McNab\u003c\/b\u003e is an author and editor specializing in military history and military technology, and has written numerous books for Osprey Publishing. His titles in the Weapon series include \u003ci\u003eThe Barrett Rifle\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWeapons of the US Special Operations Command\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSoviet Machine Guns of World War II\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eRamiro Bujeiro\u003c\/b\u003e is an experienced commercial artist who lives in Argentina. His many titles for Osprey include\u003ci\u003e The Rocket Propelled Grenade\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eMG 34 and MG 42 Machine Guns\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe G3 Battle Rifle\u003c\/i\u003e in the Weapon series. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlan Gilliland\u003c\/b\u003e illustrates for numerous publishers (alangillilandillustration.blogspot.com). He is a prolific contributor to Osprey's Weapon series. Alan lives in North-East England.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Osprey Publishing (UK)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50509002932498,"sku":"9781472855961","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_832ae26c-1a9e-41f9-9e6b-ea647ad33e05.jpg?v=1730885099","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-svd-dragunov-rifle-9781472855961","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}