Sniper rifle used by Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades

The Dragunov SVD

The Dragunov SVD sniper rifle is an automatic rifle based on the Kalashnikov rifle series. The weapon system was the standard sniper rifle issued to the Red Army and most Warsaw Pact nations during the cold war.

Specification 

Designation: Dragunov SVD

Classification Type: Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Izhmash - Soviet Union/Russia; Norinco - China; Zastava Arms - Serbia

Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Operation:

-Action: Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt

-Cartridge: 7.62x54R Russian

-Feed System: 10-Round Detachable Box Magazine

-Muzzle Velocity: 2,723ft/sec (830m/sec)

-Effective Range: 4,265ft (1,300m; 1,422yds)

-Sights: Mechanically-adjusted iron sights (backup rear); sliding tangent rear; optional optics

Dimensions:

-Overall Length: 1,225mm (48.23in)

-Barrel Length: 620mm (24.41in)

-Empty Weight: 4.31kg (9.50lbs)

The SVD utilizes the heavy and hard-hitting 7.62mm round, with sighting accomplished through a removable scope (designated as the PSO-1). Unlike the Kalashnikov rifles it copies, the SVD actually uses a lower-recoil system so as not to spoil the accuracy of a given shot. The rifle system as a whole is quite long (nearly 50 inches) and features a fixed stock. The Dragunov SVD is still a favorite of snipers in former satellite states such as Iraq, where it is being used in guerilla warfare. It has proven quite easy to fire (the low recoil system mentioned earlier makes it so) and is as accurate as the shooter is trained to be.

SDV is popular sniper rifle used by most mujahiden. Snipe for long range target, and can shoot within good accuracy.Although the Israel military have fully loaded weapon on their inventory, but this economic sniper rifle is a nightmare for their army since it has killed hundred of them.

Iraqi Al Kadesih sharpshooter's rifle

Another variant of the SVD is the Iraqi 7.62 mm Al-Kadesih sniper rifle. The Al-Kadesih while stylistically very similar to the SVD has some key differences. The Al-Kadesih has a unique pressed-metal receiver which is longer than that of the SVD, although the overall length of the rifle is similar to that of the SVD. It is fitted for and uses the Soviet-era PSO-I Optical Sight. Further the barrel is pinned, rather than screwed, to the receiver, although it is of the same length as that of the SVD. There is also a sport rifle based on the military SVD known as the Medved (or "Bear") and is chambered to fire the 9x54R cartridge. Though over forty years old, the SVD can and will be found in some form or another all across the globe for decades to come.