SVD

The SVD 'Dragunov' is a DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) developed in the Soviet Union

Operating Mechanism
The Dragunov is a semi-automatic gas-operated rifle with a short-stroke gas-piston system. The barrel breech is locked through a rotating bolt (left rotation) and uses three locking lugs to engage corresponding locking recesses in the barrel extension. The rifle has a manual, two-position gas regulator.

After discharging the last cartridge from the magazine, the bolt carrier and bolt are held back on a bolt catch that is released by pulling the cocking handle to the rear. The rifle has a hammer-type striking mechanism and a manual lever safety selector. The rifle's receiver is machined to provide additional accuracy and torsional strength. The Dragunov's receiver bears a number of similarities to the AK action, such as the large dust cover, iron sights and lever safety selector, but these similarities are primarily cosmetic in nature.

Battlefield Vietnam
In Battlefield Vietnam, the SVD is issued as an option to the NVA Scout kit. It has a 10 round magazine and 2 magazines in reserve. It has a moderate rate of fire, high accuracy, high damage and high recoil. It has a X6 scope meant for long range engagements. It can be considered an equivalent to the American M21.

When using the SVD, long range sniping is recommended, as the scope helps enormously and, despite small cross hairs, hip firing can prove to be ineffective and wasteful, even in close quarters. The SVD only has 2 spare magazines, so reloading mid-magazine is unrecommended and staying near an Ammunition Box can help too.

Battlefield 2
In Battlefield 2, the SVD is the MEC's default primary weapon for it's Sniper kit. When compared with the American M24, The SVD has less power and accuracy, as well as less magnification. However, the SVD is semi-automatic, giving it a faster fire rate. The Dragunov is completely obsolete when compared with the Chinese Type 88, as the Type 88 has much user friendly sights (as the Type 88 uses a traditional crosshair while the SVD uses 4 chevrons).