you can get only so far when you have to design cheap enough rifle
Again, couldn't agree more. For what it does, and the way it does the task, the SVD is the best there is. A no-brainer, fast rate of fire (semi-auto - no fumbling with the bolt - no unnecessary moves to reveal the position of the shooter - just point and squeeze), relatively accurate long range rifle. It could be a bit shorter, though:). But then again, I don't like the looks of SVD-S as much as the SVD.
Heh, I've shot the SVD without the scope, but this was required by IPSC rules. I know the gun is practically a sniper weapon, but it was meant to allow the infantry soldier to "reach further" than one armed with an AK. I've also played with a Sako TRG-21, which is a true sniper weapon, and I can tell you some about the differences in build quality that make a sniper weapon. It's not all in the name, believe me.
It's not that the SVD is semi-auto, there are some sniper rifles that work this way. Oh, BTW: If I had any chance to get a permission for an SVD, I think I'd sleep with it. I like it so much.
I would really appreciate if you read through my babbling again. I called the SVD an "infantry rifle" and the AK a "carbine". If i may be allowed to continue this totally off-topic conversation, I'd like to point out that although the SVD has "sniper" in its name, it is not really a sniper weapon. It was designed to extend the range of fire of an infantry platoon, which is usually armed with AK's. AK's have a PRACTICAL range of fire of about 300m (by design) and the SVD is good for another 300. The terminology "rifle/carbine" I used may not be correct in the USA, where, to all my knowledge, the difference is all in the length of the weapon. In Polish terms, a rifle is whatever shoots rifle ammo, and carbine is whatever shoots carbine ammo (less powerful). And may I never speak of these things here. BTW: is being a "buff" good or bad?:) Mat S - crap, this nick was already in use!
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This is just an organisational issue.
:). But then again, I don't like the looks of SVD-S as much as the SVD.
Exactly.
you can get only so far when you have to design cheap enough rifle
Again, couldn't agree more. For what it does, and the way it does the task, the SVD is the best there is. A no-brainer, fast rate of fire (semi-auto - no fumbling with the bolt - no unnecessary moves to reveal the position of the shooter - just point and squeeze), relatively accurate long range rifle. It could be a bit shorter, though
Heh, I've shot the SVD without the scope, but this was required by IPSC rules. I know the gun is practically a sniper weapon, but it was meant to allow the infantry soldier to "reach further" than one armed with an AK. I've also played with a Sako TRG-21, which is a true sniper weapon, and I can tell you some about the differences in build quality that make a sniper weapon. It's not all in the name, believe me. It's not that the SVD is semi-auto, there are some sniper rifles that work this way. Oh, BTW: If I had any chance to get a permission for an SVD, I think I'd sleep with it. I like it so much.
I would really appreciate if you read through my babbling again. I called the SVD an "infantry rifle" and the AK a "carbine". If i may be allowed to continue this totally off-topic conversation, I'd like to point out that although the SVD has "sniper" in its name, it is not really a sniper weapon. It was designed to extend the range of fire of an infantry platoon, which is usually armed with AK's. AK's have a PRACTICAL range of fire of about 300m (by design) and the SVD is good for another 300. The terminology "rifle/carbine" I used may not be correct in the USA, where, to all my knowledge, the difference is all in the length of the weapon. In Polish terms, a rifle is whatever shoots rifle ammo, and carbine is whatever shoots carbine ammo (less powerful). And may I never speak of these things here. :)
BTW: is being a "buff" good or bad?
Mat S - crap, this nick was already in use!